Hey guys!
Backstory:
I am 20 years old, stopped being sexually active approx. 2 months ago after a breakup, suffer from pain during the insertion of literally anything, and I first posted on this site a little over a year ago. I left after being harassed by someone and after failing for two cycles to even get a cup to open, but I'm back and have been a little more successful today! However, I have questions.
I own a Diva Cup (small) and two of the "original"/old style Meluna (small and medium, classic stiffness).
If I read correctly, their original style is now called Mini, and they changed their cup shape for their standards...? Please clarify if I'm incorrect.
My cervix seems to be very low, and I have difficulties with tampons. They leak literally within 20 minutes of insertion, despite being correctly inserted, and only generally only absorb blood at the very tip and the very bottom, sometimes along one side as well. Because of this, I was hoping to use a cup and NOT leak, as birth control has made my period much heavier (but also much shorter).
Now:
I previously had problems with the Diva, as it was too long, and then bought the two Melunas, which I couldn't get to open. Today, however, I am home for a menstrual cycle in the first time for a year and decided to try the cups again. Surprise, they worked! I have not leaked at all today, except for some slight residual, but the stems caused me pain for all three cups. I kept switching between them, but no matter how long the cup was, the entire stem stuck out of each cup, and the bottom of the cup sat just above my labia. I sucked up my fear and cut the stems off, which has made the Diva painfree, if not for a slight irritation at my inner labia, but the Medium Meluna is a monster! The entire time I was wearing it (~3 hours) I suffered from intense cramping, plus a sharp pain where the stem (the ring-style) was rubbing. I removed the stem after removal, but was too afraid to try it out, and instead chose to attempt the Diva for my first sleeping run.
Can anyone explain to me what the issue is...? Is it because the Meluna is too wide? Or is it because of its thick rim? The small Meluna does not cause the same pain. Maybe the cup is too firm? Again, the small Meluna doesn't do this.
Also, because my cycle is so heavy for two days, I think I would need to change my cup every 3 hours or so, much like I need to change BOTH a pad and tampon every 2 to 3 hours. Judging from tonight, this would literally rip me apart. Is there any cup with a larger volume that isn't as long as the Diva? I had been looking into get a Lunette, but I don't know anymore...
I seem to have conquered my previous issue of opening, though the cup does not feel open when I test with a finger. Does this mean my muscles are too strong for the cup?
edit// Diva cup leaked sometime between 10 or 11pm and 2am, halfway full. Normal or am I being too picky about capacity? I'm tired of going to the bathroom every 4 hours to change myself. My cycle was never this bad before I turned 20. ):