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Leaking at Night.. - Menstrual Cups - Divacup, Mooncup, Instead, Lunette, Miacup
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mc_sales. More info in this post. 11 October 2015 @ 01:41 pm
I was hoping that someone could help me. I'm an experienced menstrual cup user, but the only problem that I've been having is leaking. I can't really feel my cervix, because I believe that it might be too high up, but my leaking only happens at night. I use to use the Diva cup, but it wasn't wide enough it was too narrow, so I ended up getting the LENA cup large for my heavy days (because I have an IUD), and it doesn't shift to the side like my diva cup did. So far so good until I go to bed, I like to sleep on my stomach, or my side, and I think that what happens is that the suction breaks when I'm sleeping because I don't have strong pelvic muscles. When I emailed the people at Diva cup, they weren't much help, and that's the only thing they told me that made sense. They told me to just go consult my doctor, but they don't seem to understand that a lot of doctors don't even know about menstrual cups (which amazing to me). So I figured I would give it a shot on here, and ask for some help.
8 comments —
If you told the Diva people that you don't have strong PC muscles, that's why they told you to ask your doctor -- because "he" will give you kegel exercises to do. There is a section about strengthening your pelvic floor toward the end of http://kuradi8.livejournal.com/ Skim/Read the rest to see if anything jumps out at you as a helpful hint.
If your cup still has its stem, maybe that is what's breaking the seal. Because it sticks through the "drain" of your pelvic floor, it holds your cup at a certain angle. Maybe when you roll over/around, that angle is why it breaks its seal. If you still have your Diva, try flipping that inside out so there's no stem to anchor your cup and see if letting the base sit "off center" while you're on your stomach or side will keep it from breaking the seal. Do this while you're lounging around at home, not asleep, so that you can monitor what's going on and =8oO won't wake up in a puddle.
If your cup still has its stem, maybe that is what's breaking the seal. Because it sticks through the "drain" of your pelvic floor, it holds your cup at a certain angle. Maybe when you roll over/around, that angle is why it breaks its seal. If you still have your Diva, try flipping that inside out so there's no stem to anchor your cup and see if letting the base sit "off center" while you're on your stomach or side will keep it from breaking the seal. Do this while you're lounging around at home, not asleep, so that you can monitor what's going on and =8oO won't wake up in a puddle.
portiaml38 on October 11th, 2015 11:17 pm (UTC)Diva cup told me that because of the information that I gave them, I didn't tell them I didn't have strong pelvic muscles. I do use the LENA cup now and I like that better because of its bell shape. I always cut the stem off because it's uncomfortable for me so I always cut it off. I wear the size too and even though it's a little snug it's still better than the diva cup because it's short. It's comfortable too but my thing is the night leaking. I definitely believe it's because the suction breaks somehow and idk if there is anyway to fix this.
newconvert on October 13th, 2015 12:25 am (UTC)Sorry for asking the obvious question, but how full is the cup when you wake? If you have a heavy flow, the cup might just be overflowing. On the other hand, if it's nearly empty, that's evidence in favor of the seal somehow breaking soon after you lie down.
Edited at 2015-10-13 12:56 am (UTC)
Edited at 2015-10-13 12:56 am (UTC)
portiaml38 on October 13th, 2015 01:08 am (UTC)I always empty it before bed.
newconvert on October 13th, 2015 01:36 am (UTC)For some people, there's just not enough capacity to make it through the night (speaking from experience) on days 1-2 -- either due to flow or cervix position.
portiaml38 on October 13th, 2015 01:42 am (UTC)That's what I figured. I just think it can't be helped. I just think I have to empty it out in the middle of the night. For me it starts on day 3 and goes into day 4 so when I really think about it it's only for 2 days tops. I just have to be on top of it more.
I have the same issue on days 1-2. I've resorted to wearing only black underwear during my period and for bedtime I've invested in several pairs of black or navy shorts and pants to sleep in. I figure if I'm going to leak i may as well not ruin my favorite sleep pants or underwear with stains. Sometimes I drink a glass of water before bed as that will make me wake up to pee sometime in the night. I'll empty the cup then too. I have definitely slept with a dark towel under me before or slept in a black fleece robe. I've also bought black or dark sheets before just to have for period week. I pretty much just do the black undies and shorts now for sleeping. Sometimes I carefully roll off the side of the bed when i feel like it's leaking so i don't sit up on the bed and have it spill out. Then i quick stand up and hustle to the bathroom. It's decidedly annoying. But even when i used pads or tampons, that would leak too! I've never had the perfect/right solution. I don't know if there is one.
newconvert on October 31st, 2015 01:13 am (UTC)You might also check out a high-capacity cup. There seem to be a growing number of the larger cups; one might work for you.
