menstrual cup users

[curbsideprophet]

I do not have experience with that brand specifically. I have a Diva cup. I would get the stem a bit and see if that helps. After you inserted it could you spin the cup? I have no idea if this applies to all cups but that is how you make sure the diva cup is placed properly.

[Brie]

I trimmed the stem on my Lunette. It's way too long otherwise.

It should feel like an inflated balloon when it's in properly--kind of bouncy? That way you know it's sealed. It shouldn't move when you touch it.

Granted I've had like 5 periods total since 2011 so I'm a bit out of practice, LOL.

[catbus]

I've used cups for nearly eight years and have had to trim the stem on all three (Diva size 1, Diva size 2, and Lunette). Definitely give it a try!

[indifferentstars]

I use a diva cup but I had to cut the stem mostly off in order to be comfortable. It may be that you need to get it up higher or it may be that you'll feel better without it. Maybe try inserting a few more times to see if it's different before you make any irreversible cuts to the cup. Removing the stem will potentially make it slightly harder to grab and remove (depending on your anatomy really) but not impossible. I've been a happy cup user for nearly a decade, I hope your experience goes well :-)

[jene]

I had to trim the stem as well. Much more comfortable!

[MadamePresident]

I haven't had to trim the stem, but I do insert it much higher. I've also heard of people flipping them inside out.

[Deleted]

In my decade (and more!) of experience, where ever I put that thing, it ends up in the same place. I think internal anatomy dictates. So if you're finding the stem pokey, it ain't going anywhere. Trim it shorter.

[shellbear09]

I cut the whole stem off. Next time I will try leaving a small bit. I had a situation the other day of getting the thing turned completely the wrong way and it was a bitch to get out ouch. Otherwise I love it lol.

[greencrayon]

I cut my whole stem off. Much more comfortable!

[anna7602]

Nov 18, 2015 22:12:55 GMT -5 @littlemoxie said:

Nov 18, 2015 22:10:48 GMT -5 indifferentstars said:

I use a diva cup but I had to cut the stem mostly off in order to be comfortable. It may be that you need to get it up higher or it may be that you'll feel better without it. Maybe try inserting a few more times to see if it's different before you make any irreversible cuts to the cup. Removing the stem will potentially make it slightly harder to grab and remove (depending on your anatomy really) but not impossible. I've been a happy cup user for nearly a decade, I hope your experience goes well :-)

This is my fear.  I don't think DH would survive a fishing expedition.

Maybe this should go in the confessions thread, but this is why I haven't trimmed the stem on my Diva Cup. I'm paranoid that I will not be able to get it out later. Logically, I know it would just eventually be pushed out, but I still get too nervous thinking about not being able to remove it when I want to. 

[rikki]

I cut mine.

This is a timely post... I accidentally inserted mine upside down today. Don't do that. It was hard to get out.

[indifferentstars]

Nov 18, 2015 22:12:55 GMT -5 @littlemoxie said:

Nov 18, 2015 22:10:48 GMT -5 indifferentstars said:

I use a diva cup but I had to cut the stem mostly off in order to be comfortable. It may be that you need to get it up higher or it may be that you'll feel better without it. Maybe try inserting a few more times to see if it's different before you make any irreversible cuts to the cup. Removing the stem will potentially make it slightly harder to grab and remove (depending on your anatomy really) but not impossible. I've been a happy cup user for nearly a decade, I hope your experience goes well :-)

This is my fear.  I don't think DH would survive a fishing expedition.

LOL. I recall once, maybe twice where I had difficulty getting it out early in my usage (I cut it almost entirely off on my first one) but I managed to get it, on my own  

[Deleted]

There are many different folds. I'm sure youtube is educational. Some work better than others for different people.

How often do you usually need to change a tampon? It should last at least double that, but that's also variable.

[demofea01]

Getting it in without it being awkward and weird takes practice. There is a learning curve. I use a Lunnette and trimmed the stem a bit. Make sure you squish the cup a bit before you pull it out. That'll break the seal and hopefully lessen the noise. I can go 12 hours without needing to empty it, but I also don't have a very heavy flow. Once I got used to putting it in I found it way more comfortable then tampons. Plus no chemicals and you don't have to buy a new one every month.

[Aquatica]

Hope this helps but to stop the weird suction noise, I pinch above the stem to release the seal. I watched a lot of youtube videos to help figure out what method would work for me.

Also, a trick in the public bathroom is to have tp ready. I will drape some on my leg so when I empty it, I can grab the paper to wrap around the cup and wipe it out.

It took me a few cycles to get confident using it, and it passed my workout test by not leaking or moving when doing squats.

Hope the cup works for you but if not, that's awesome you gave it a try!

[Deleted]

Glad you cut the stem @littlemoxie. I have a Diva Cup, so I have no experience with the Lunette. But I cut the stem off my size 1 (pre-baby) and size 2 (post-baby) Diva Cups. I use the punch-down fold. Like Brie said, mine feels puffy and firm when it's inserted properly. There is a learning curve, the first few times I used it I was super clumsy, made a mess, etc. But once I learned how, it's the BEST PRODUCT EVER. No more shoving dry cotton up my vagina. No more worrying about TSS. No nasty smelly tampons in my bathroom trash (we have a septic, so I can't flush them. Really, no one should flush them.) No leaks, not even during yoga, swimming, or horseback riding.

That being said, my period was easy pre-baby. I only had to empty my DC 2-3x a day, usually morning and night. My flow is much, much heavier post-baby. Since you've started using your Lunette post-baby it may seem like it fills too quickly (vs a tampon), but in reality it's just that your flow is probably much heavier than it was before baby. Nowadays I have to empty my Diva ever 2-3 hours for the first 2-3 days of my period b/c the flow is so heavy. I have clots too, which fill the cup really fast. Think about the fact that tampons aren't absorbing any clots at all! They just get left in you . But seriously, I love my menstrual cup. BEST PRODUCT EVER.

[chickadee77]

Yeah, pinch it to break the seal, don't just yank it. And I agree that it'll settle wherever your anatomy dictates.

Also, it won't get "lost." If you can't immediately feel it to pull ot out, squat and bear down and it should materialize pretty quickly, lol.

[aspentosh]

I have a Lunette and I trimmed the stem. That made all the difference for me.

I do the C fold and it's not too bad for insertion. Also, on non-heavy days I can easily go all day without emptying (not sure if I should, but I do).

[DarcyLongfellow]

It took me a few months to get the hang of it.

I also have a Lunette, and even after I trimmed the stem, I could feel it poking me. I actually rubbed a raw spot from it. I started flipping it inside out a few months ago, and now I love it. Not uncomfortable at all.

Make sure after you insert it, you reach up there and spin it around a few times. I wasn't doing that and it wouldn't open all the way, so it would leak.

If you're worried about removal, just push like you're pushing a baby out and it will come down a bit. Then grab the tip with a thumb and pointer finger -- that should break the suction, then you can gently pull it out.

Mine also ends up in the same place once I move around a bit no matter where I place it, so I think that's pretty dependent on your personal anatomy. Mine sits very low (which is why the stem bothered me so much).

[jessnpaul]

I have the Diva. I never change it in public bathrooms. I only did that the first month when I was terrified it would leak! I only change it twice a day (morning before showering and nighttime before bed) so I don't have to worry about the public bathroom issue!

[jessnpaul]

Stupid question... but if you flip it inside out, I'm assuming you cut the stem off completely? Because then wouldn't it poke you?!

[DarcyLongfellow]

Nov 19, 2015 9:38:43 GMT -5 jessnpaul said:

Stupid question... but if you flip it inside out, I'm assuming you cut the stem off completely? Because then wouldn't it poke you?!

No, I didn't. The stem just sticks up in the middle of the inside.

Picture of lunette with stem trimmed:



Picture of lunette turned inside out:

[jessnpaul]

Nov 19, 2015 11:04:35 GMT -5 DarcyLongfellow said:

Nov 19, 2015 9:38:43 GMT -5 jessnpaul said:

Stupid question... but if you flip it inside out, I'm assuming you cut the stem off completely? Because then wouldn't it poke you?!

No, I didn't. The stem just sticks up in the middle of the inside.

Picture of lunette with stem trimmed:



Picture of lunette turned inside out:

Yeah but the stem is now poking up on the inside. Wouldn't that hurt the inside of your girl parts? Unless you cut it?

[estrellita]

If the stem is pointed up it wouldn't touch anything. I have a Diva Cup and the stem has been fine for me. The most important thing I learned with mine was to make sure I twist it to get the suction. I love mine and use cloth liners as backup but I've never had much of anything on them. It's so much more comfortable and easy than tampons! Plus while I'm on BCPs mine is super light so I don't even need to empty it at work. And emptying it in the shower has been the best idea ever!

[DarcyLongfellow]

Nov 19, 2015 11:50:15 GMT -5 jessnpaul said:

Yeah but the stem is now poking up on the inside. Wouldn't that hurt the inside of your girl parts? Unless you cut it?

But the inside of the menstrual cup comes nowhere close to touching you?

[Alyssa]

I must have a deep cavernous vagina because I shove my Lunette high up so that it hits the top and my cervix hangs down slightly inside it. I haven't cut the stem at all and it doesn't hang out.

[jessnpaul]

Nov 19, 2015 12:29:15 GMT -5 DarcyLongfellow said:

Nov 19, 2015 11:50:15 GMT -5 jessnpaul said:

Yeah but the stem is now poking up on the inside. Wouldn't that hurt the inside of your girl parts? Unless you cut it?

But the inside of the menstrual cup comes nowhere close to touching you?

Oh yeah... duh on me ;-)

I'll blame pregnancy brain and the fact that I haven't had to use my cup in 4 months ;-)