So, is your cup filling at all, under hole level I mean ? if it is, consider it's time to empty it. The Mooncup is fairly low capacity for its size. If it isn't, make sure the cup sits (o) around your cervix, sounds like you may be missing it and since that's where the fluid comes from... Also a little bit of residual is normal, it's usually what made its way lower than the rim while you empty or before you first inserted the cup.

Thanks for replying. I forgot to mention that I'm 38 and I've had 2 vaginal births, so I'm using cup size A as instructed.

My periods are usually quite light,(thank gd), so I've only had a little puddle in there when I check at 4-6 hourly intervals. Nowhere near the hole level.

What I can't figure out, though, is how anyone's blood DOESN't go out through the holes on the way down, never mind from filling up! I've read on here that it's something to with surface tension and vacuum seals, but it makes no sense to me.

I'll try and get the Mooncup all the way up there to my cervix - total opposite to what the leaflet says, but who cares what they say if it works! Thanks for your help!

Tbh, the leaflets cup companies provide are quite often full of misconceptions... you'd think they would know their business, but really they don't. Cups have a natural tendency to climb up towards your cervix, provided it's centered. Really take a feel for your cervix so you know what to aim for : it might be in an unusual spot or tilted and it's crucial the cup sits right under or around it to catch the flow. Your vaginal walls form a light seal all around the cup and keep it in place, thus closing the holes. That's why you need to allow air next to the cup to release the seal and remove, otherwise it'll suction and be uncomfortable. You can do so by pinching the base and rocking it back and forth or by inserting a finger alongside the cup and pressing inwards. Another myth to debunk : don't bother with twisting the cup, even if the instructions say so.

I like the image of my vaginal walls holding the cup tightly in place up high under my cervix, nice and snug, closing those damn holes. I've got it up there now, thanks for the advice.

I get it out really easily - maybe I'm not getting a good enough suction fit?

I hope it stays up there ok. Do you think that doing kegels to help it get up and stay up is a good idea? Could kegel-ing dislodge it?

Thanks for all your help.



Edited at 2013-08-29 06:09 am (UTC)

In terms of pelvic floor health, kegels are not everything : http://www.katysays.com/you-dont-know-squat/
You can use a couple kegels to get it in place, but after that it should stay there fine, as long as it's unfolded.

Thanks juliiie87 - what a great website. I'm totally out of shape, and "Alignment". Yep, I "Don't know squat"!
So kegels aren't enough for vaginal strength - we gotta shape up our butts and thighs too, to support all that's saggy inside. Makes sense. It's just that I don't have to get up off the couch for kegels!

I use a mooncup, the holes never leak for me. I don't think that would be possible, actually, blood is a bit too viscous for such tiny channels. Usually they trap mucous/tissue as well, and need to be cleaned carefully.

ionracas, you have probably hit on the answer to my problem! (Aside from my need to strengthen all of my muscles, not just my pelvic floor).My periods are peculiar - right now I'm on day 7. They're very light, but very long. It's 2 regular Tampax a day. The blood is thin. I came off the pill 4 months ago and my body just isn't right. I'm actually praying for some good, heavy periods with clots and all the gunk, instead of this horrible, lingering, watery ick. Thanks!

Edited at 2013-08-31 07:20 pm (UTC)

Glad to help! Hope it works out.

I can assure you that there are cups that you can make work for your body. I use my cups every day, on and off period, and can keep them inside for 24 hrs straight with narry a leak, unless I am on my heavy days, im which case I have to empty them out after ca. 12 hours. I try to do this when I am at home, so I can take a shower afterwards and not have to deal with residual slobber, but have also used moist wipes when in a pinch.

I run and swim and dance with them without leakage, you just need to find the right cup for you :) only thing I regret is that I did not find out about them sooner.

Hi luceafara,
I've been wondering if Mooncup is the best for me. I didn't realise there are so many different types till I came on here and saw that amazing chart with all the pictures - so many different colours and sizes! Maybe I need a bigger one, despite major kegel-ing after my babies and daily :(

Thanks for the encouragement. I crave the freedom from period misery you have! I live in a beach town and my periods are very light but last nearly 2 weeks! I never understand when people say then can swim with tampons in - the few times I tried, mine absorbed loads of water and then I got a rust-coloured trickle down one leg. Mortifying!

Only 1 month left till it's too cold to swim. I have to get it right by then!

If ever anyone needed a MC to work, it's you!! Keeping my fingers crossed that you will succeed; definitely write back how you made out in the end.

While you are looking for your perfect cup, and as summer is coming to an end, a quick tip on how to make tampons work: I heard somewhere that you could stick the end of it some type of fat or oil (they recommended Vaseline, but a natual oil like coconut oil is surely much better), that way the end of the tampon that comes into contact with pool/sea water will absorb less water or none at all. And, the ones without an applicator are much, MUCH denser, so probably much better when swimming. I used to use those when swimming before discovering menstrual cups and don't recall ever having any leakage, because, like yours, my flow is light, in my case due to BC.

Genius! I'll give the non-applicator ones a trial run in the bathtub maybe!
Just finished a 12 day period and didn't get a swim the whole time - next month is the last for the beach. Definitely gotta give it a whirl and not miss out on the fun.

I'm pretty sure the thin blood-long period crappiness is due to my hormones being out of whack, but annoyingly I can't see my gyn till 30th Sept to get any tests done. I'll let you know what happens with my Mooncup progress, but it might take a few months to get my flow kinda "normal"! Thanks so much.