I bought a medium MeLuna as a back up cup (to my small Lunette). I waited til midway through my period - when it gets lighter - to do some runs with the MeLuna. First run (last night) was perfect and clear. I even used it overnight without any problems.

I used it today. There weren't any problems, per se. I was able to run around doing errands in the city all day without any accidents (thank everything). However when I came back tonight and removed it, the MeLuna clearly hadn't popped all way out and formed a seal. In fact it seemed only about half popped from the c-fold - it was mostly still folded, even after removal.

I did all the standard things I do with my Lunette (spinning it around, doing Kegals, pushing it up and down) and I'm a little weirded out that it stayed folded. My Lunette never did - it was the sudden feeling of it forming a seal while I was doing other things that taught me making a seal first is key.

Any suggestions on getting to be better friends with my MeLuna?

(Plus sides: I am in love with the blue color. Peeing is way easier. And it's blue.)

Hi! I'm a first time user and I've purchased a silicone mooncup size b but it says USA on the brim, so I'm assuming it could be different from the UK version (so I was hoping someone can tell me if there is a difference). So far I don't have many complaints but I am still learning to use it.
I'm posting to ask two questions:

• If there's a similar cup I can look into buying later that is softer because I can't hold it folded AND insert it deep without feeling like I just broke and twisted my hand and fingers because I tried to prevent it from premature unfold. The upper ring seems too stiff to keep it folded with least pressure while inserting and holding on to the lower part of cup, but I am not sure if a softer cup has some draw backs too. Does it?
• And, if it could be correct to try to place two fingers just under the base of cup, without squeezing at it, to just nudge it up higher after I've inserted and popped it open? Am I potentially ruining the supposed suction? I just really can't stick it up as high as I'd like to without it surprise-popping open on me. I'm also somewhat unclear about how suction and holes work upon insertion and will probably look into reading about it later here.

That's all I needed advice on so far, and I would also like to know how I should tag this post. Thank you so much!

Hi everyone.

I got my Mooncup UK a couple of days before this period...I tried it out on a "dry run" when I first got it, and it seemed to work find.

I've also worn it the days when I expected to get my period.

Each time, it's seemed to collect fluids very well, though I hadn't actually started my period at the time.

Since I've started, however, it's leaked almost constantly. I've gotten it to seal and hold fluids once - the first time I put it in, quickly, in a public toilet, at work. It was in for about 6 hours, and collected to about a third full.

The other couple of times I've put it in, it's only been a tiny tiny bit full, and there has been blood clogging the holes, and all over the outside of the cup. I'm curious as to why this is happening...it feels like my cup has popped open enough, and it feels like there is a seal.

The second time it leaked was overnight (last night), and thankfully I had a pad on just in case. I can understand that maybe the seal broke, because I was doing crunches just before I went to bed (but after I had put the cup in). The time before, though, I was only sitting down.

Any ideas? I'm currently using the C-fold, because I don't have any problems squeezing it in.

I haven't felt for my cervix or anything like that, because the times it was working, it was fairly low.

Hi everyone,
   I've been lurking and reading posts here for about two months now- researching while I decided what kind of cup I wanted to buy. I finally decided on a small Lunette and a medium soft MeLuna (I got both because I wasn't sure about the size). I received the Lunette last night and currently have my period so I got to work right away...unfortunately I'm having problems already.

Quick background: 27, virgin, low cervix (which is why I went for the smaller soft cups despite the fact that I have a pretty heavy flow for 7 days). I have a very tight vaginal canal (can barely fit two fingers inside comfortably and the few times I've tried tampons was painful and I could always feel them poking the back of my uterus when I sat down) and was nervous to even try a cup, but I'm also very stubborn and was tired of feeling guilty for the volume of sanitary napkins I was sending to linger in a landfill (and tired of spending so much money on them every month) so I went ahead anyway and ordered the two cups.

Insertion was about as uncomfortable as I expected, but my real problem is I can't get it to pop open. I've tried spinning it, tried letting it open earlier (painful!), and tried pressing a finger alongside it to let in air. I can't get the cup to spin no matter how much I twist it so I was focusing on the last method, which is logistically problematic because of how tight I am. Also because my cervix is fairly low I can't seem to get the cup far enough up past my pelvic bone (the bone constantly puts a dent in the bottom of the cup). When I gave up trying to fix that problem (which should only result in slightly less holding capacity, right? I'm also hoping the other cup will fit a little better...) and finally was able to get a finger alongside the cup wherever I pushed the cup would collapse/fold in that place. I'd try pressing lightly in another place, both more towards the bottom of the cup and as high as I could reach to towards the top to let air in and I could feel it instead fold or collapse in that place. When I take it out it's still folded so unless it's doing that on its own its not opening up even a little while inserted. I've tried a few different folds as well and none seem to do any better than the others. I know (or would assume) it just needs to get more air inside, but I have no idea how to make that happen- fitting my finger in seems to make a seal of itself and keeps the air out.

I hadn't read of anyone having this particular problem so I apologize if it's been addressed somewhere else- I did try to look....but any advice would be well appreciated. I'm sadly a little late in properly getting to know my body on a more intimate level, so I could also just be going about this in entirely the wrong way. I'm starting to think I may have a tilted uterus...?

Thank you for any and all advice. =)

I'm 16, virgin and a proud UK Mooncup newbie, however I seem to be having a few problems with insertion and other things....

Firstly, I can't really find the right fold for me. The C fold is just useless, won't even fit in for some reason; the '7' fold doesn't fit either and lastly, the punch down is probably the best (fits in perfectly, goes straight in) but it never folds out properly-- very annoying! I have to also add that unlike it's sisters, the Mooncup is quite stiff I won't be able to do complicated folds. Do you guys recommend any folds that work for them?

Secondly, I've been mostly trying with dry runs and I do know that it's supposed to be easier when your on your period. Basically, I went for a search while I was on and I was shocked how cramped it was in there! Usually I have tons of space but now... I'm thinking the thing I can touch is my Cervix? It's so close to my entrance-- okay not that close but I was literally flabbergasted! Will this effect my use of the cup?

I think that's it... Any help will be greatly appreciated! :)

Hi everyone. I'm new here.

I'm 16, non-virgin, never been pregnant and/or given birth.

I have a small DivaCup which I won - I can't afford to buy my own cup of any kind right now.

I'm pretty sure my cervix is really high - I've never been able to reach it and I've never had trouble inserting non-applicator tampons as far as they can go. I'm completely comfortable with any of my "gross" bodily fluids and functions.

I got my DivaCup in the post 2 weeks ago (29 Dec. 2011). I was expecting my period on the 21st, but sometimes it can be a few days off. I'm still late (9 Jan. 2012), which happens with me every few months. I'm definitely not pregnant so I'm not worried about being late, it's just getting a bit frustrating. I might try some parsley tea tomorrow and see if it helps bring on my period.

I'm on my third dry run row. I insert it at night while squatting in the shower and remove and reinsert it in my morning shower (I have to shower twice because it's summer). I have quite a lot of normal discharge so I'm not dry. I found the C-fold a bit too big at the rim, so I tried the 7-fold and labia fold and the punch down fold. They were all really comfy to insert. Once it was in, I couldn't feel it at all. The stem isn't bothersome either. Problem is, I don't know if it's popped open or not. There was no popping sound or any sudden pressure. I could swirl my finger around it, but I couldn't feel if the cup was rounded or dented. My nails are a few millimetres longer than my fingertips and I poked myself a few times but nothing serious. I definitely can't twist the cup around at all. I caught a bit of discharge in the cup but there was still some in my underwear so I think that means it didn't pop open. 

My other problem is with removal. I can pinch the base and pull the cup out, angling it from side to side, but on its way out it pops open and it's really painful when the big round open rim passes through my vaginal opening. I've thought of pinching the cup more on its way out, but if I do that while on my period, won't it spill?

My questions:
Insertion:
How can you tell if it's popped open? 
Is there another way to pop it open besides spinning and finger twirling?
Are you supposed to: a. insert it halfway, let it pop open and push it the rest of the way, or b. insert it all the way and then let it pop open?
Does it pop open more easily when you're on your period?
Removal:
How can you remove it painlessly? 
Do you keep it pinched through the whole removal? Won't that make it spill?


I know it's a learning curve but it's a bit more difficult than I imagined. Thanks for your help. :)

I'm on day 1 of my cycle, and I'm already a complete convert!

I began reading up on fertility in general in July, which inevitably led me to read more about menstrual cups.  Being into homeopathy, eco-friendly measures, and all things friendly to the natural cycle, I decided I'd like to try using a cup.  I did a lot of reading about them to get an idea of preferences, experience, comfort...  everything.  Many of my searches brought me to this community, but I only just tonight joined Live Journal so that I could share my experience.

It took me about 2 months of mulling over which cup I wanted.  I kept reading posts about women who had gone through 3-4 different cups before finding "the one."  In all honesty, I didn't have $25-$40 to blow on each cup trying out different ones, so I read a LOT about them.  I wanted to know what people liked and didn't like.  I wanted to know why one cup worked for someone and not for someone else.  After scrutinizing the web for user experience and reviews, and even taking a quiz about which cup was right for me I settled on the Fleurcup.  (Fleurcup was NOT recommended to me by this quiz, but the quiz helped me narrow my selections down a bit to what overall style and features I liked.  I decided on the Fleurcup after reading one person's review/recommendation about it and multiple other cups.  I can't seem to find this review again to post it here.)  

Regarding why I chose the Fleurcup, I liked that it didn't have a second smaller rim, that it was made of soft silicone (people who have tried more than one have noted that they think the Fleurcup is the softest), that there weren't any unnecessary bumps or other ridges on it,and that the site didn't try to steer you towards their own cleaning products or pouches or other "accessories."  True, the Fleurcup site isn't extremely professional.  And, when I emailed to ask details about when my cup would arrive, they replied to me in French (they are/I am lucky I know French!).  But... I'm THRILLED with the performance of the cup itself.

When I first got it I went straight to the bathroom and started to try it out.  (C'mon, you know you did it too when you first got yours!)  I wasn't even on my period yet, but I wanted to be prepared for when I did get it so I did a dry run.  First, the size is intimidating.  I got the L as recommended by the site, because although I have not yet had children I am over 30.  Still, you look at it and you think, "That's gonna go in there?"  But like others have said about the cup, our bodies are made to bear children, which are much bigger than a 41mm wide silicone device!  So, I hunkered down (literally) to give this thing a go.

I first used the c-fold because it's just so darned simple.  Then tried the 7-fold because it seemed "smaller" and like it would fit in there better.  In the end, I settled back on the c-fold; I found the 7-fold harder to get fully open.  I must say, the first few times inserting it were very strange and even uncomfortable.  The biggest obstacles were figuring out how to get it far enough in and how to get it to open once in.  It took about 6 tries to figure out what worked for me.  I can give details if anyone wants, but for now, suffice it to say that it helped me to know what to feel for when I was goin' in.  In case you are curious, mine does actually fit quite nicely around my cervix (with a bit of coaxing), though I know this isn't true for everyone.  (For reference, my cervix tends to sit at a relatively medium level through most of my cycle, and instead seems to "pivot" rather than rise to indicate fertility.)  After two nights of inserting it and taking it out up to 3 times each night.  I wore it overnight one of those nights and after finding that it nicely contained my cervical fluid from that night, I decided that I had the hang of it and that it at least worked moderately good for me. 

I also tried lubrication (plain old KY) to help with insertion, but I ultimately found that it made it tougher to get in - my fingers kept slipping as I was trying to insert it.  

I did end up trimming the stem.  After my first insertion I just trimmed it a little, but it was still almost poking out, so I just trimmed it all the way off; hasn't hindered me in the slightest.  In fact, I find that the grips provided on the Fleurcup are more than enough to help to release the suction, where in my experience pulling on the stem just pulled on the wrong places and increased the suction.

All the reading I did in advance, and the fact that I already know my cervix a bit really helped me to be prepared when I got my cup.  So yes, I'm THRILLED with mine!

I think that my initial cup, the large Lunette, is actually my goldilocks cup.  The only reason why I was even tempted to try something else is there are days when I'd appreciate a little extra capacity (emptying every 30 minutes).  I ordered  a large Yuuki and a XL MeLuna classic.

The large Yuuki I'm not sure I like.  The larger rim was causing cramping and I could feel it, it was not pleasant and I didn't leave it in long.

I like the MeLuna except...I have trouble getting it to open.  Today I had to reinsert it 3 times before it would pop open.  With the Lunette it opens every time with a good seal no matter which fold I use.  I usually use a 7 fold.  The MeLuna was a lot harder.  I tried the 7 fold and it stayed pretty squished.  I did a punchdown and it opened, but it took a lot of manipulation once it was in to get it to open.

Also, I'm not sure that I actually gained any capacity.  The Lunette doesn't start to leak until it's REALLY full.  Pretty much at the brim.  The MeLuna is longer and I think my cervix dips into it more so it starts leaking a little under the holes.  I think it's about the same as the Lunette. 

Maybe I should just get a second Lunette!  Anyone have suggestions for a better fold that may open more easily?

I got a small lunette in the mail 1 or 2 weeks ago but wanted to wait until I had my period so that it'd be more lubricated when I first tried it. I posted when I was trying to figure out which one to buy - I'm 21-year-old virgin... etc.

I woke up around 12:30pm today (yes I slept in past noon lol) and went to the bathroom - no blood on my underwear but the VERY beginning of my period when I wiped. I was kinda excited haha, my first chance to try out my cup.

I put a pad on and then tried to put in the cup. I tried mainly the 7 fold because I figured that'd work best. I couldn't get it in really. I started getting really sore. I gave up. I waited a few hours... read some stuff online about other folds I could try. Saw that I might need lube. I really didn't want to buy anything and hoped that wouldn't be necessary. I tried again. Still failed.

And after giving my body some time to recover, tried a third time, but failed yet again.

I read some stuff online about how you really have to be pushing back toward your rectum and not up... and you should keep your mouth open as a way to help relax your muscles, etc.

I tried a 4th time...

Now at 6:00pm after 4 tries I'm pretty sure it's in me! XD I couldn't tell if it was open enough and I'm not sure if it'll leak or not. I put on a clean pad and am testing it now.

I think the stem is really uncomfortable for me, right now it's worse than tampons - I hope it's just the stem that's so uncomfortable. But it's not really "Hurting"... I don't think. I think I'll cut the stem off later today when I take it off... and when I re-insert it, see if tht helps. Hopefully I can leave it in for a few hours to really test if it's working or leaking or what. I'm not sure if I'll be able to get it in a second time lol. But I think I'm getting the hang of it and I'm hoping for the best. If it doesn't leak it'd be awesome, the first night of my period is usually when I stain my sheets if I wear pads, even if I use like 2 overnight ones there manages to be a spot on my underwear that isn't covered and so I wake up to some blood there and through to my pajama pants and sheets. And I like sleeping more than 8 hours at night so I don't like wearing tampons at night - I don't want to wear them for over 8 hours. Tampons usually do work to avoid leaks though. So I'm hoping this cup will be a good solution. I'll tell you all if removal or re-insertion or leaking or something ends up being a problem for me.

~Emily

Hello All,

I am 24, with one beautiful 4 year old daughter. I bought a dive cup 1 after calling the company and asking if it was really necessecary to go with a 2 or not. Most of my teen life I have been on birth control which controlled my cycle or with the depot shot completely stopped it.

I was never taught much about my bodily functions but have been researching the hell of it since 2009ish. I have learned alot about my body and then learned about the divacup as well. I had been looking into getting reusable pads from lunapads becasue at the time I wanted more children and was going to stop getting the BC shot not only for children but for health reasons.

So it has been a while since I have purchased my cup I never even really used it right away when I started my period back up in 2010...

So now I am back in the groove of learning about my body, my flow, and my cycle and keeping track of everything.

I have been learking for about 3days reading and researching this forum and YES! it has answered many questions and had great info and links...but there is still some questions.

So far this is what I learned.

I needed to find my cervix...who knew that played a roll in anything...oh the joys of leanring about your body...can't wait to teach this to my daughter so it's not a guessing game for her like it has been for me.

So anyways I found my cervix it is pretty hard to reach it is far back and down near my tail bone...very hard to reach and at a werid angle toward my right side.

I am rather tight down there and I know about the kegel exercises from my pregnancy with my daughter.

I know all the folds but I have used the punch down method and it worked a few times perfectly this is my third cycle trying to become a pro at using my divacup.

So i know that it needs air to create a seal...but i can't get air in no matter how I turn or push ( against my wall or against the cup) 

So here is the only way I have figured it out...

Basically I do the punch down fold...then once I get most of it in past my pubic bone I have to let one side out (i point it up and the left) to let air in then kinda pop it back into the opening (while it is pretty much just unfolded anyways) then nudging it in and in to place pointing toward my cervix.

I am on day 2 soon to be 3(since i t is night time) of my period, my flow is medium.

I Love it when it works collects so nicely and the outside it clean not spots on my panty liners!!!...but when it doesn't, which has been most of the time since I started trying (other then the above method I figured out about 3 hours ago) it sucks and I just wanna throw it out...!

If I just put it in with out doing that it doesn't open right away or at all, it doesn't suction or create a seal...sometimes it has a lil air and sorta works but leaks...I don't have pain or discomfort even if it is in wrong i just have leaking... and it is easy to take out no pain removing.

Is there any other way to get air in for it to seal. with out all the hassel...???I have only tried the two main folds the U and the punch down...would other help put air in while inserting...???

I even opened up and researched and explained all this to my boyfriend who helped me a lil and told me to just join and ask on the forum...

Please Help!!!

Thx

I just got finished with my second cycle with the Keeper Moon Cup, and I just wanted to thank everyone for all their helpful posts and comments in this community!  I don't think I would have had the courage to get a cup without this community. :)

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So, I'm a 21-year-old virgin, and just bought a DivaCup the other day (small, obviously). I actually had the opposite reaction that a lot of virgins seem to have when they see the cup for the first time - it was much smaller than I'd imagined!

I have no trouble inserting two fingers without lube - it's a bit tight, but not painful or uncomfortable.  I did a dry run with the cup the day I got it, and tried the punchdown fold twice, could insert it easily, but it would not open up.  I tried the C fold, and that was a bit tougher to insert, and it partially opened up - it didn't form a seal or anything. I couldn't turn it - I've heard that that is necessary to form the seal. Does anyone have any tips on how to twist it? I could get a hold of the base, but couldn't move it in one direction or another.

When I went to remove it that time, it popped my cherry (good riddance). I have no idea if it really tore or just damaged slightly, but it did bleed (about a tablespoon or so), didn't hurt that bad, just stung a bit.

Anyway, my question with that is, do I have to wait for my hymen to heal before trying again?  How long does that take, usually?  Also, I started birth control pills this month, so I will probably spot a bit within the next week or so, so I'd like to more or less figure it out by then. I don't want to waste a pad on a few spots of blood.

I do plan to eventually buy a cloth pad as backups instead of disposables, but I can only afford one thing at a time, and I've got a nearly-full package of pads to work through anyway.

I also went out and bought a saucepan to boil it in. It's about 8 inches in diameter and 3.5 inches deep - is that enough? It only cost me $0.81 since the thrift store was having a half off sale, so I don't mind buying another if it is, that can just become a cooking pot.

I hope these pictures will make clear how I fold my large size Fleurcup, as well as why I will never be a professional hand model.  :-)
( Click to see the pictures )
I hope this helps someone!

This is my first cycle using my first cup (small Yuuki) and I have a few questions that I'm hoping will speed up the learning curve...

My method:
I use the punch-down fold to get the cup just past my pubic bone (pretty low) then I open it, check seal (swirling finger around cup) and try to move it up as much as I can with a few kegels. I end up not getting it in very far (stem sticks out a bit) but then throughout the day it makes itself deep inside me. Removal has been difficult because it ends up so far up into me that I have to "fish" for it, and pull (ouch!) till I can get a hold of a side to pinch in order to break the seal.

I have leaked a few times (with cup not even 1/4 full) so I was hoping finding the position of my cervix would help but it seems to be waaaay up there. I can feel a soft squishy spot about 2 inches in, which I have always thought was my g-spot, but I don't feel anything that feels like the "tip of a nose." Any tricks to help find my cervix so I make sure the cup is like this (O) around it?  Or does it not matter cause I can just assume my cervix is high?

I also feel a bit of pressure against my bladder. Is there any way to help this?

I appreciate any input (different fold to get cup in deeper from beginning, easier removal without feeling like my cervix is being suctioned out, tricks to find cervix, a recommendation for an other cup, etc).

Thank you!!!

 Hey guys! I posted here a while back when I got my first menstrual cup, which was a small Diva.
Long story short, it proved to be a very wrong match with a few dry runs, being that it's a very long cup and I apparently do not have a very high cervix, despite not being able to reach it myself.
(Speaking of which, if anyone is looking to buy a small Diva, I'm willing to sell mine for $20, which is about half what I paid. I posted this on mc_sales but received no replies... >.<)

So, I went against the majority of the advice here and bought myself another menstrual cup -- a regular, medium Meluna. I'm MUCH happier with this cup!
I've had a lot more success with this cup, as I've been able to get it completely inside me, but I have an issue with trying to open it.
I am unable to insert using the C and Pushdown folds, can insert (painfully) half the time with the 7 and Labia folds, can't even fold the Origami with the really short Meluna, and can insert every time with a fold I've never seen online, which I call the Rosebud.
Any time I actually get the cup inside, I can't get it to unfold and form a seal. I try twisting it around, or pinching the end, and it just pops into the C fold and gets stuck. I get up and walk around, go about my day, and it never opens completely. When I try to get air into the canal like I've heard helps, to see if it "inflates", it still just end up being pushing it into the C-fold, or it will open at the bottom and have one side caved into the cup itself, making a seal impossible. When I try twisting at that point, the cup folds up even more and begins to twist out of me. ):
Has anyone had this issue before...?

I'm kind of confused, just because the Meluna is so stiff, and therefore should be much easier to open... right?

I'm going off to college the cycle after the one I'm currently one, and am not looking forward to having to buy pads while I'm there, mainly because I will not be allowed to take my car and can only buy things from the on-campus store... which stocks pads that appear to be no more than glorified panty liners and tampons. ):

Hello, all! I preordered and am now the proud owner of  a size 1 Lunette Cynthia. It came with perfect timing, too, because there's starting to be a red tint when I wipe, meaning my period will probably turn up tomorrow.

I have a question: for a soft cup like mine, what seems to be (in your opinion) one of the easiest folds to try out?

I never did a dry run and so I haven't even attempted using it when I'm not menstruating, but I planned on trying to put it in tonight since it's so close.

Does anyone have any tips for the easiest way for insertion to happen? Or anything they wish someone had told them before they first started to use a cup? I have tomorrow off from work so I can sit around and experiment all day if I need to, but it's my hope that I can get it done with minimal angst!

 I've tried searching LJ and that defeats me.  I've been doing the u fold or the punch down and neither get in far enough.  I can't maintain a hold on the fold and get it deep enough in....it ends up popping open (not uncomfortably) and won't move anymore.  I've tried finding out what the 7 fold is on the search and can't find that either.  I've got the stem actually poking out (which I can't stand-if I tried to trim it to where it wasn't it would cut into the cup, since a very small portion of that sits out too).   I have the model 2 (had a c-section about a year ago).  
 Oh and I"m on my period now and this is the first day I've used it.
I can't even go to the restroom (number 2) without it coming out or shall we say poking out even more.  Help...please!

Since soft cups are getting increasingly popular (three brands have made softer versions (MCUK, Femmecup, Meluna) and the two newest brands, Cuplee and Naturcup, are also said to be pretty soft), there have been a lot of posts/comments like "I got a soft cup because I thought it would be more comfortable, but I have difficulties getting it to open" or "I'm considering brand X but it's soft and I'm afraid it'll be difficult to pop open" etc. I found myself writing the same things over and over and I thought I'd make one big post to link to it later.

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( Bonus: cup icons! )

Hi I've been lurking here for a while and I decided to ordered the Diva Cup small, I'm 20 years old and a virgin. So I am having 2 problems, the first is that I can't get it to pop, I stick my finger and try and feel around it to pop it but it just doesn't want to, I have tried the 7, origami, and push down folds, the others won't even go in. Also my second problem is that twice when I got it in I got this pain in like my rectum. It wasn't really bad just weird that I felt it in my rectum. This has happened to me a couple times before when inserting tampons but I'd just stop pushing and it wouldn't bother after that, but if I don't push the cup farther the base sticks out . Anw I have tried to see if I can feel my cervix before but I can't feel anything so I don't think it's that specially since I got the cup in all the way before without any pain.

P.S.I forgot to mention I'm not on my period yet and I'm using lube since I tend to be dry and I read on here that it was recommended.

I received my Ladycup about a month ago and am finally getting to test it out. This is the very first menstrual cup I have tried. I was drawn to it because of its earth friendly and green qualities (apparently one cup lasts up to ten years if it is taken care of). I am 22 years old, if that matters :) When I made my decision to try out a menstrual cup I chose the Ladycup because it is shorter than other cups. I had tried the disposable Instead cups sold in drugstores and was unable to use them. They were too long and quite difficult to fit it 'up there'. The Ladycup seemed to be a good balance of 'short' with good hold capacity. So I put in the order from the Czech Republic. The cost was reasonable considering the long term savings. It was around 35$ for the cup and only 2$ shipping to Canada. It didn't take very long to arrive (maybe a week - a week and a half). I also prefer the Ladycup because they are pretty, as a menstrual cup can be I suppose, I got the turquoise and they come in a nice bag.

Now for the nitty gritty details :) I really like the Ladycup. I will never go back to tampons and especially not to pads. Insertion is easy, there are tons of different folds you can do. I got a lot of information on this via MenstrualCupInfo's Youtube Channel www.youtube.com/user/MenstrualCupInfo before I ordered. While insertion was easy... getting it to 'pop' open was initially a challenge. I was using the 'punch-down fold' (shown in the linked video) which never seemed to open up in me. I would have to use my fingers to kind of help it along. I've sinced tried the 'C fold or U fold' and life is better :) I don't have to help it out, I just insert with this fold and it opens right up. This could really just be my anatomy, I guess other people will have to try out different folds and see what works for them. When I first got it to open up I felt a slight suction. When I'm wearing it, I can't feel anything unless I really try to. If my mind isn't on it then I don't feel anything, certainly not more than a tampon and much much less than those awful plastic pads. Removal is not difficult after the first time really. It's much easier if you kind of 'walk it out' of the vaginal canal, rather than just tug on it.

I bought the small Ladycup. I've seen on forum posts before that people said they wouldn't consider the Ladycup because they think it wouldn't hold enough... and while I recognize that everyone is different... I have never had a problem with this. In fact if I left the Ladycup in the entire first day of my period I only would have made it around 3/4 of the way full. The first day I wore it I emptied and cleaned the cup around everytime I used the bathroom (~every 4 hours or so) and there was really no need to. At least for my body the small Ladycup holds quite enough for how much I bleed.

So, if you're thinking of trying out the Ladycup, go for it. I highly recommend. Pros: environmentally friendly, no waste, not exposing my body to the chemicals and bleach of tampons and pads, comfortable, and my vag doesn't dry out from the cotton of tampons, no leaking. Cons: None... except for maybe when I first told a few friends they just kind of raised their eyebrows and said "....alrighty then". lol.

Lastly: I slept last night with the Ladycup in and it was very comfortable. This is the first time in years that I've worn an internal mode of menstrual product and it hasn't leaked.

I always fold my wonderful femmecup in half to insert it (c fold) but my friend swears by using the punch down fold and I have never got along with that method!  Just wondering how everyone else does it? 

 So I found out about the diva cup and was very interested! I've been wanting one for awhile now! My last period I decided to try the instead cups and they worked out pretty well! 

I am 21 and had my first baby in July 2010. So when I was at the store I figured well.. I guess I get the bigger size since it says to buy it if you have had children vaginally. That would be me. 

Soo I am currently on my period and tried it last night. Massive FAIL. I tried the C fold the first few times..and it was super uncomfortable. I cut off the stem alittle bit because it seemed very long when I had it in me. So then I took a break to relax and tried again a bit later...I tried the punch fold. Alittle easier to insert but I inserted it too high up...andddd..I almost had to ask my husband to take it out. That would have been disgusting I would feel bad for him having to stick his hand up by period-y vagtown. So I manned up and had both my hands maneuvered to get it out. Success...but a tad bit painful. (TMI? probably.)

Now I'm discouraged and a bit freaked out. I'm scared to try again. The times I did get it in it felt SUPER uncomfortable and I could feel it when I was standing/sitting. So it was probably positioned wrong.

Okay..
so help? What should I do? try? A different cup? 

Thanks in advance. I really want this to work!!
 

 i really don't want to give up. so far i have loved not having to carry around tampons, and to know that all i have to do is wash the cup and use it. i love not putting more waste out there. 
i've learned a lot of (aggravating) things about my divacup in the last day and a half, and am desperately in need of some answers. 

first off, insertion is okay, although generally i can't tell whether or not it's popped open. sometimes i feel it pop open and sometimes i don't. anyway, i have had some insane leakage recently, which probably has to do with how heavy my period is in the first 48 hours, but the cup hasn't been all the way full, so i think it isn't popping open. i've been using the c-fold--but what's the best way to make sure it opens? i am definitely struggling with that and am also thanking god i wore a pad with it today. 
so, leakage is the first problem. due to the not-popping-open, which is the second problem. 

thirdly, when i take it out, there seems to be no way to avoid getting blood all over my hand. the cup manages to catch most of the flow, though like i said a lot leaks out, and it isn't all the way full, but when i try to get it out and end up pinching it to break the seal (if there is a seal) it's almost as though i am squeezing the contents out of the cup as i take it out, creating a huge mess that is no fun to deal with, especially in a dorm bathroom. 

so, if any of you out there in menstrual cup cyber space are experienced cup users, PLEASE tell me your advice on how to make sure it pops open, how to prevent leakage (those two might be the same thing), and how to remove it while keeping the contents in the cup. 
thanks!!
i'll stick it out for this cycle and maybe the next one, but i am beginning to think the cup is more trouble than it's worth. convince me otherwise? 

 This is about insertion... 

I never put much thought into how inserting my Diva worked because I always thought it worked perfectly.. But my last period had it leaking nearly every time because it wasn't opening! I use the punch down fold and it was completely folded inside me, and it was so tight in there that it didn't leak for a while, what could get in through the slits on top (inside the folds) did, and whatever else just sort of sat in the outside fold of the cup until I fluctuated some sort of way enough for it to leak. Even twisting it around didn't do anything.

So then I thought to try inserting it upside down. Not inside out, but with the folds facing my behind and not my pubic area. It opened just fine then, but when feeling around, if I pressed on the cup at all and any air escaped, the seal would go back, but with a fold in it. Like oblong shape. If I accidentally pressed more, it would just seal across, like a flat sealed shut line. 

I'd just never thought of having to have it full of air in order for it to open... but I suppose it makes sense!

What direction are your folds when inserting? Does it make a difference for most of you? I find it nearly impossible to do anything with the pubic bone in the way...

And good news! I had no problems at all with removal during my last period! No problems whatsoever! It sat low all through!

This is my fourth day (second full day) trying my new Divacup size 2.  

The first day I put it in and took it out numerous times, trying to get it in where I couldn't feel it anymore--I ended up taking a break for the rest of Saturday because I was starting to get pretty sore and frustrated.  But by later that night I tried again, and things went better.Thanks to help from several ladies in this wonderful community, I think I've settled on an insertion method that works.  Punch down fold, insert till half of the cup is inside, then let it open, push it in the rest of the way, using the stem to "steer" it in the direction *I think* my cervix is.  This gets it in to where it's comfortable, and most of the time I can't even feel that it's there. 

Yesterday was a very heavy day, and I had issues with leakage.  The cup was definitely catching the vast majority of my flow, but it didn't seem to be completely full to overflowing when I emptied it, even thought there had been some leaking (some might have spilled out as I tried to remove it).  I ended up emptying it about 5 times yesterday, and four of those it was at least 3/4 full.  

I'm still not sure about the location of my cervix--I think I've found it, but even so, I don't know if the cup is actually open around it.  I always thought of my vagina as a round tube (o), but after feeling around in there to find my cervix, it seems to be shaped more like this: ) (  (this is a top-down cross section).  It seems like there are lots of corners for the cup to get stuck in, that may or may not be around my cervix.  Maybe this is why it's leaking a little.  Or maybe it's not really open all the way--it's hard for me to tell sometimes.

I ended up having to get up in the middle of the night twice because I could tell it was leaking.  I'm not sure what the issue was there--maybe lying down shifted the cup out of position or something.  Anyway, usually with a super-plus tampon and two heavy pads I have to get up in the middle of the night anyway (I'm *really* heavy the first 36 hours or so).

In spite of the kind of steep learning curve, I'm loving my cup.  Besides not having to buy or dispose of tampons any more (and the leaking I've had so far is no worse than what I had with even super plus tampons anyway), I have found the cup to be more comfortable.  I used to get a heavy, swollen feeling with tampons on my heavy days, and I've had none of that so far.  Also, big bonus, i haven't had any cramps!  I usually get terrible cramps on my heavy days, but I haven't had any yet!  I hope this isn't just a fluke.  We'll have to see what happens in my next cycle.

Reading other posts from newbies was helpful, hearing that it might take two or three cycles before everything really works like clockwork.  I'm feeling good about not having to buy any more tampons! (i still have a few on hand, and will keep them a while just in case). My next purchase will be some cloth pads for backup (I'm hoping the current disposables I have on hand will be the last ones I ever have to buy!)