sikhi (sikhi) wrote in menstrual_cups,
sikhi
sikhi
menstrual_cups

leakage during urination

Hi, I am using a menstrual cup for the first time and have started with an Mcup - it is a fairly low-budget cup from Mexico (as that´s where I am right now). I chose the small size, which still has a diameter of 4.5 cm as I have a fairly light flow, although I am 47 years old and have used (small-size) tampons all my menstruating life (but have never had children). It seems to fit in the sense that it doesn´t get lost at all inside me - there doesn´t seem much space for a larger one! I am finding I am getting quite a bit of leakage. The cup is fully open and I am still exploring the whole trying to check if it is sealed properly against the cervix, but really the problem seems to happen particularly when I urinate. A whole load of blood exits into the toilet and I can´t understand why it happens then, so that after that I worry about leakage - which after some insertions happens and then in others not. There has been just one time so far after one of the insertions that I didn´t have blood urinating, all other times so far I have. I am learning to give a little push with my muscles after inserting which makes a little whoosh sound that seems to indicate the cup is sealing, but it still seems hard to get a consistent seal.

The cup also hurts. It seems almost to be digging into one side of my vagina so that there is a constant pain. It seems to be a fairly rigid cup, although it is my first one so I don´t have others to compare it to.

I am about to buy a second cup. This will be a Chinese Aneer "Femmecup" as I am on a low budget right now, and need to buy two as I am normally based in Cuba where I have no access to buying any more for the next 6 months and am heading back there in a few days. (Also, I have just spent the money on 2 Mcups, which look as if I will end up discarding). I am wondering whether to look for a softer cup (the Aneer cup is supposed to be very soft, but this can also mean that it is hard to get it to open, apparently) and perhaps a larger one (although 4.5 cm seems generally the largest standard diameter, with only 4.6 seeming a larger option - UPDATE: I went and measured my Mcup as the box said 4.0 cm and the website 4.5 cm and when I complained they told me that the label on the box was incorrect, but...it is only 4.0 cm - no wonder!!!) or perhaps a smaller diameter one so that it doesn´t hurt (OK; so now I know it´s not because of the diameter that it hurts!). Right now, I am just concerned that it could be a long search to find a suitable cup, with the discomfort, and the leakage and not knowing if I should have a bigger or smaller one. I feel quite despondant about menstrual cups. I thought it would be such a good solution for all the travelling I do and teh difficulties of Cuba, but I find myself longing to just use my tampons, even if I get organic ones shipped around the world!

Any input greatly appreciated.
Tags: first time use, leakage & spotting, sizes/size issues, teething troubles, urination
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