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bekkalyn
14 February 2013 @ 11:03 pm
Leaking Lunette
I've been using a size 2 Lunette for two cycles now and am well on the learning curve! I think I've mastered the insertion, I have no issues inserting - I squat down, use a c-fold (with the holes inside the fold) and point it downwards and let it open fully just past my pubic bone and I definitely hear a suction noise when this happens. I then kegel it upwards a little, but leave it pretty low. Very soon it vanishes up inside. My first day and the last few days are perfectly fine, no leaks, very comfortable. But for my 2-3 heaviest days I can't figure out why it is leaking. On my heavy days, which is when obviously you really need it work, the cup is open and collecting my flow, but it's also leaking! I've read through many posts already, but am at a point where I need some specific advice.

Two questions:

* I have only just found my cervix - it took me forever, and I think it might be considered 'high'? It is 5cm (2") in, tucked up to the left in a little corner. Is this considered high, and if yes, is the Lunette a good cup design for this? Any advice for getting a good seal around a cervix in a weird spot? Also, how much does your cervix position change over the cycle - is this why the cup works on some days and not on others?

I am only just starting to 'point' the cup in the direction of my cervix, so I will know soon if this helps.

* I firstly tried the lunette 1, but was leaking too so I thought I'd try the bigger one. Both are comfortable and work around my heavy days, but I haven't tried any others. Any recommendations for other cups that might suit my anatomy? The options are a little overwhelming. I think I'm a bit wide - at least it feels that way, with my cervix to the one side it seems there's more room for error, so I'm not sure a small cup would suit.

I really, really want to love this - on the days it works I do, but on days it doesn't I feel like a failed woman! Many thanks for any advice/comments :D
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jennaskiing on February 14th, 2013 01:27 pm (UTC)
Perhaps...
It may be that on heavy days you have to empty it more often. It could be how it sits inside, or the position of your cervix. I'd say that if it works fine on regular flow days but leaks on heavy days that emptying more frequently should solve the problem. I have only used the keeper for the last 9 years, but one of the things they advise is to make sure that the body of the cup is dry when you insert it or it may cause some leaking. I am guessing that this would be due to the blood being able to follow the path created by the water on the cup? Either way, I have done both, and I can say that anytime I haven't made sure that the body of the cup (not the rim) is dry it does cause some spotty leaking.

Hope that helps!
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bekkalynbekkalyn on February 15th, 2013 08:35 am (UTC)
Re: Perhaps...
That's so interesting that you say the body should be dry when inserting, as everything else I've read has recommended wetting it to help with insertion. I will try it with a dry body and see if that helps - it makes sense that perhaps it might not be sealing as well if it's a little wet. It might not travel so far up either. Hmmmm.

I'm also thinking the holes might be clogging up quickly, I do have a heavy flow, I am actually changing it every hour, the leaks happen pretty soon after I insert.

It's funny, I'm a petite woman and never thought I would need something like the XL Meluna! And the Size 2 Lunette is already a biggie! I will definitely consider switching if I can't get it right with Lunette.

Thanks so much for your advice!
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jennaskiing on February 15th, 2013 12:34 pm (UTC)
Re: Perhaps...
If leaking follows insertion, it might actually be that the blood is whatever has come down after removal. During heavy days it might just be that when you empty the blood flows down rapidly enough that when you re-insert there is some that made it past the cup & thus appears as leakage when it's really the bit that snuck past when the cup wasn't in place. I have that happen every once in a while on my heaviest day - it may just be a good idea to wear a liner on those days. Or as I do, wear some "cycle panties" - undies with an extra bit sewn into the crotch specifically designed to act as a liner.

The XL might be a bit big for you, the best bet might be to explain to the cup company what is going on. I have heard more than once that MeLuna has sent a second cup in a diff size as a perk, or a "just in case". Maybe if they know you are having this issue they may suggest you try their reg L (since it has a more defined rim) & they may send an XL just in case?
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juliiie87juliiie87 on February 15th, 2013 02:45 pm (UTC)
Re: Perhaps...
I agree with this : it might very well be residual slobber, if it isn't overflow, and I might add cloth liners rock! Don't forget OP, unlike tampons, cups don't absorb, so it's most likely a bit of blood has snuck out while you weren't wearing it and is already too low for the cup to catch. It's far more likely, in my opinion, than to be caused by a wet cup (I only ever wear mine wet) or a "lost" seal, which don't make much sense to me.

Edited at 2013-02-15 02:46 pm (UTC)
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bekkalynbekkalyn on February 18th, 2013 12:45 pm (UTC)
Re: Perhaps...
Yes that makes sense, how can one tell the difference between the residual flow and an actual leak? Can it be quite a strong leaking, not light? I've just ordered some super cute cloth pads to use, never thought I'd be excited by such things :D
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juliiie87juliiie87 on February 18th, 2013 02:02 pm (UTC)
Re: Perhaps...
Well, it really depends if it seems like it's leaking as if it wasn't there and for enough time that you can confirm it's not working right. My residual slobber is usually very light brownish discharge, but I don't have a heavy flow. If your cervix is hiding in a corner, then it's likely a placement issue, so you'll want to be careful about your cervix's location respective to the cup.
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teacupcake89 on February 20th, 2013 06:12 pm (UTC)
Re: Perhaps...
the 'xl' meluna is only one millimetre wider than your large lunette (it's just that meluna's other sizes are smaller than the other brands)

for me, I get residual slobber after insertion till about the first 30mins-hour or so after insertion as the blood makes its way out. on normal-heavy days this looks just like my normal period. if my cup is leaking due to a placement issue then it continues after this amount of time as though the cup isn't there (more than a panty liner's worth)

I find using my cup pre-emptively before my period starts, reinserting asap after removal, using lube and sometimes wiping a finger around the part of my vagina below the cup rim to scoop it out helps.(and wearing a panty liner)
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jennaskiing on February 14th, 2013 01:31 pm (UTC)
Adding a thought
If you still find that it's not working for you even when you empty it more frequently, you might consider a cup with a more defined lip/rim. It might help "direct" the flow into the cup better? Just a thought if you find that you still can't get the lunette to work on heavy days...

I'd also say, if you plan to get another cup after this, you might opt for a hgher capacity with a defined rim to use specifically on your heavy days. I'm thinking perhaps the XL MeLuna maybe (it appears to be a quite large cup but may suit you best on really heavy flow days)?
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mood_swinger23 on February 14th, 2013 07:30 pm (UTC)
I also have had the problem with my Lunette leaking, and I'm not entirely sure of the reason.

Besides all of the things you mentioned, I have also wondered if it's a matter of my holes getting too clogged, and maybe somehow breaking some of the suction?

On the times I'd take out to clean it, they'd be gunked up.
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bekkalynbekkalyn on February 15th, 2013 08:37 am (UTC)
Yes I've noticed that too and wondered if that's causing the seal to fail, but have no idea how to avoid it. Hmmm.
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teacupcake89 on February 16th, 2013 01:14 pm (UTC)
when you remove the cup clear the airholes by forcing water through them (fill the cup with water, cover rim with plam of hand, tip upside down and squeeze, repeat) you could also use those dental brushes to poke through the holes :)
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teacupcake89 on February 16th, 2013 01:14 pm (UTC)
when you remove the cup clear the airholes by forcing water through them (fill the cup with water, cover rim with plam of hand, tip upside down and squeeze, repeat) you could also use those dental brushes to poke through the holes :)
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mood_swinger23 on February 17th, 2013 07:28 am (UTC)
Thanks for the suggestion, but I already do that each time I clean it. They still get re-gunked the next time anyway. Same as when I put it in before I even start. Clean as can be. Fully clogged within maybe 2 hours?
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teacupcake89 on February 17th, 2013 02:24 pm (UTC)
What about making the airholes slightly larger? (like some have done with body piercing tools with their Divas) might help keep them unclogged/keep the seal working
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bekkalynbekkalyn on February 18th, 2013 12:51 pm (UTC)
I have the same issue with both my small & large lunette (I started with the small but realised I needed the large). The Lunette holes are larger compared to other brands I have read, and I wonder if them being larger means they clog easier? I don't know...
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neetzscheneetzsche on February 15th, 2013 08:13 pm (UTC)
The only time I leak is when I don't push my cups all the way to the top. I notice that it will go in further on its own but if I don't push it to my cervix/top wall when I insert it, blood will find a way past it. My cervix sounds like yours, only a bit higher, so I think this technique may work for you. I push the bottom until it won't go in any further, then go up the side of the cup with my finger to make sure my cervix is in the cup.

If your cup is comfortable, your large lunette should be a good length for you. People who get divas that are too big for them say it puts pressure on their urethra/bladder or feels like it's coming out.
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bekkalynbekkalyn on February 18th, 2013 12:49 pm (UTC)
Yes I think I will definitely try this, especially now I know where my cervix sits. I'm thinking about trying a meluna as it's slightly longer with more capacity around the bottom also, but will keep trying with the Lunette for the next cycle or two & try pushing it up instead of letting it find it's own way. Thanks everyone for the advice - this forum is amazingly supportive :D
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djehutys_wisdom on February 20th, 2013 03:27 pm (UTC)
leaking
I just wanted to add, my large Lunette leaks a bit and my small Lunette does not leak. They sit in the same place, and my hypothesis is that because the large Lunette is more stiff, it doesn't move as well with my body as I move around, so it can fold slightly inside and then some blood gets around the rim.

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