In my experience the Diva cup is a very long cup. It totally didn't work for me! Someone else might have a different piece of advice for you but hesitantly I want to suggest you try a different cup (don't give up on cups alltogether!). I gave up on cups for a while after trying the diva but found some other ones that worked really well for me!

Actually that is a good start, just getting used to inserting it half way. You do not have to go all the way lol the first couple days or even cycles while getting used to your cup.

Have you read the Virgin's Guide to Cups on this site? It has fantastic advice, "baby steps" to improve your chances at success with your cup.

I would not turn it inside out for first use, most newbies need that stem while getting used to removal.

I had all kinds of trouble when I first started.

Did you check your cervix during your period or just during the month? They tend to drop lower when we get our period so the first 2 days it can be a lot lower than it normally sits.

The Diva is one of the longest cups on the market. Definitely try turning it inside out as the others have suggested. Are you having trouble opening it or it's just getting stuck half way in? If it's a matter of it sticking then the inside out thing should tell you if it's your cervix dropping lower that's the problem as you'll be able to get it in a little further.

I had similar problems with the same cup (but less severe, maybe, I got it in the first day but after a lot of attempts). The punch-down fold was the only thing with a small enough point to even go in, but getting it in past the widest part was difficult. If it's not a cervix length issue, you might want to try to stretch your opening a bit. Use a couple fingers or put the cup in as far as you can and hold it. It was a lot easier to get in again after the first time, so hopefully it's just that first hurdle you need to get over!

If you can't insert it then don't. Come back to it in the future when you are more mentally and physically ready. If you're crying and frustrated, things won't go well.

In the mean time, read the Virgin's Guide to Cups at the Community FAQ. If your hymen isn't in the way then you are probably clenching your (PC) pelvic floor muscle. Sit on the toilet, insert your finger and give it a squeeze. That's the muscle. Now that you know how to contract it on command, practice relaxing it on command. You will need to do that for insertion and especially removal.

I don't agree with others who have suggested other brands of cups. Neither they nor you know how well the Diva that you have fits you. You haven't gotten it in yet to wear it yet. It might turn out to fit you just fine. At this point, it's not the cup -- it's you. So don't get another cup yet. Get through the learning curve with the one that you have and then decide how well (or not) it fits you before buying another.

On a side note, the Diva has TINY anti-suction holes around the rim. They help with popping open and with breaking the seal for removal. Some people find it easier to use after they have enlarged them. The holes on the cup with the largest holes are 2mm.

Edited for spelling and wording.

Edited at 2014-08-12 01:11 pm (UTC)

hey! my first cup was a mooncup and it was just too long and big for me, which i guess is the problem with you and your divacup too.

I think, that it is great that you have progressed this far in a day! inserting it in halfway is better than nothing at all. it helps stretch you out so you will get better over it. I bought a si-bell cup afterwards, and it worked like a charm. it's shorter than the mooncup and has a long stem. it is a little pricey though.

i also broke down in tears after trying to use it for the first few times, esp since it's so frustrating. (and the mooncup hurt me too!) but i've since been able to use my new cup with 100% success!

i suggest that you try the diva cup a few more times. if you still cant get it to work by the end of the next cycle, consider another cup. i highly recommend the si-bell cup (it's pricey, though). the melunas are cheap and good too, but they have a very short stem. i've also seen that alot of people like the fleurcup and lunette. those cups appear to be shorter than the diva, so you should totally check them out if the diva really doesnt work for you.

dont stop trying! please let me know how it goes. i wish you the very best :)

The OP may be in luck with this Si-Bell though (if it hasn't been sold)...this is my favorite closest-to-one-size-fits-all newbie recommendation for a cup:
http://mc-sales.livejournal.com/203250.html

Kudos to you on buying your first cup and trying to use it. First attempts are not always easy. My first cup purchase was in 1999, the latex Keeper B. I had an awful experience. Without any other cup alternatives or support, I abandoned it altogether for about a decade. You say you have trouble also using tampons, that you can feel them and/or they slide out. Although you state that your cervix is medium, it may be lower during your period which is perfectly normal. I can tell you from experience menstrual cups at best are one cup fits most. The Divacup is a pretty long cup. It may be that the Divacup is just too long for you. If after trying all the suggestions and all else fails, you may just have to try something else if finances allow. If finances are tight, you may consider the small soft Yuuki, small Meluna, Meluna medium, or small Fleurcup. Other cups you may want to try but are on the pricier end are the small Lunette and small SiBell. Take your time comaring the cups on the size compaison guide and take it from there. Dont give up. Remember to relax. Good luck, let us know how it all works out.