Hey, new user here :)

My period snuck up early this month so the nice little LadyCup I ordered arrived the exact day after it was over. But I just couldn't wait, so being a science nerd, I ran to the autoclave (hey, it said to sterilize it, right?) and now I'm taking this as opportunity to get my usage perfect before the date comes next month, and I have just a couple questions.

First of all, I dry-run wore mine all day yesterday at college, through my back-to-back for 12 hours classes, and unlike tampons, I never felt any kind of discomfort, even though it is the large size (it is so not that big). If the bleeding goes well, I will never look back. I stalked this community for a long time before buying, and I just wanted to say thank you :)

Somewhere on here I remember someone posting a link to a youtube video demonstrating different folding techniques. I can't find it! So if someone could link me, that would rock. Nevermind. One more second and I would have found it...

I didn't have any trouble removing it like a lot of LadyCup users seemed to... Except that it was a little uncomfortable through the opening. Are you supposed to fold it when you pull it out too? If so, what fold are you supposed to do? I can't very well be doing origami in my vagina.

Thanks ladies!

So I got my large ladycup months ago, but only now am I showing signs of getting my period. *sigh* The good thing is that I've had plenty of dry runs.

I've noticed that there's a wide range of discomfort (depending on where my cervix is) when the cup is right side out, but when I inside out it, it just feels a smidge big.

I also noticed that it suctions itself so that it's waaaay at the top of my vagina, against my cervix. Granted, my cervix is always low (and lower) but is it normal?

I think I'm gonna get a small ladycup though. The bottom of the cup sticks out a few milimeters so it doesn't pop right.

Here's hoping I actually get my period.

 Hi everyone!

I am so excited, because my LilacCups finally came! (Ok, it wasn't really a long wait, only 12 days, which isn't bad because it came to the US from Europe, but it seemed like forever!) I got a small and a large mix pack, and have tried both on a dry run. 

I just have a question... when used the small I could tell there was enough room for it to round out perfectly, but the large sort of smooshes into an oval rather than a round. It isn't uncomfortable or anything, and it has popped open fully, but there just isn't enough room for it to round out all the way. Is that normal? Will it seal properly like this? Or is it a sign that its too big for me? (I really hope not, because it holds so much more than the small!)

Otherwise, I am happy to say that my dry runs have been remarkably trouble free! I used the "c" fold with the small and the "7" fold with the large. Had no trouble getting them in. It took me a little bit of time getting the large out, but that was because I was trying sitting, squating, lying down (was trying to remove it in my room rather than using the bathroom), but found that sitting on the toilet is the perfect position and allows for easy removal.   

Also, I want to get cloth pads for backups. I've looked on the cloth pad group, but thought I'd ask you gals for opinions as well. Any insight on what works best as a backup when you are using a cup? Any suggestions on good places to purchase (I've checked out etsy... any recommendations as to a good seller on there?)  

So I finally got the hang of this cup.  My fav. fold with this small LadyCup is punch down because I get it to open easily than the smaller fold Triangle which tends to turn side way when it goes in...

I do not know if this is common or I did something wrong, but when I insert the cup I will feel slight discomfort in my lower abdominal for awhile when it sucks its way up.

Unlike, a lot of girls who has problem with this cup riding up too high(from what I read so far)....I have a problem that it is sitting way too low and the stem is poking my hymen. I cut half of it off because I still need the stem. It is still poking though but not as bad.



I found out that my cervix is so low. I have really short fingers, but I could touch my cervix with my middle finger. I noticed that my cervix is not pointed straight down but rather pointing at the tail bone. Is that normal? What's tilted cervix?

I managed to remove the cup by doing punch down fold, and then take it out. It was a dry run though because I don't have my period yet. I am not sure if I am going to be able to fold it out if there's liquid in there.

Update: So I got my period last night. This morning I removed it with punch down fold and it came out a big mess LOL it was leaking so I guess it was super full.

I think that it forms a seal, but when I try to feel the rim it was too hard to get to because I cannot fit my finger through it. I did notice that the bottom is stil squishy though. Don't know what that means...

Any input is very appreciated :)

well my cup has arrived and i have tried ti insert it. my periods have not started but i will be on holiday when they do so i wanted to try and get used to inserting it before i go. 

i have only tried about 4 times, with lubricant, and i´m having problems already.  it doesn´t feel like it´s a problem getting it in, but the one i´ve got is a size two lunette selene, and it is VERY stiff.  i have only tried one fold as it´s the only one i know and is the one that was described in the leaflet. 

to cut a loooong story short, basically, what happens is that i get it so far, lose the grip (my hand starts to cramp up) as it is very stiff and hard to handle, i used both hands which didn´t help me at all... and it pops open before i can get it in all the way.  the bottom part and the tag are still sticking out and what i get is a suctioning feeling (and sound), then i panick and give up and now i´m scared to try again.

now it may be that that is how it happens, but i´ve not got a clue.... if so, do i just carry on pushing it in?

thank u xx


UPDATE: i tried a dry run again after watching the video with different folds. i kneeled on the bathroom floor, used i tiny bit of lube,  and used the punch down fold (as it was the only one i could remember at the time) and it worked perfectly! i was scared to let go of the fold as i was expecting discomfort when the cup would pop open, but decided to be brave, and all i could feel was a little sensation and my face got all hot and flustered. i didn't cut the stem straight away as i wanted to see how it went first, but when it came to it, i couldn't feel it at all so i've left it as it is.

i didn't feel anything at all with it inside, other than a little bit of pressure and a full-like feeling but that disappeared after an hour or so. i also went for a wee with it in (as some had mentioned they had problems with urinating with the cup in) but it was no different than had it not been in. so all in all, a successful insertion and comfortable 2 hours i had it in.

when it came to removing it, that was it bit of a struggle.  i could feel the stem but struggled to actually get hold of the cup. i didn't want to pull just the stem and end the successful dry run with a horrible removal experience, so i persevered.  i wanted to be able to nearly use the punch down technique to break the seal and then pull it from the bottom, but i have yet to master that tecnique.  after a while i decided to try another position, so i stood up with one leg on the bath and started pushing a little. i finally got a hold of the bottom and managed to move one finger up alongside it to break the seal and pulled.  it went fine until it got to the rim.  that's the only bit that hurt really, but i'm guessing that after a few tries that problem will only be minor.

so all in all, good dry run experience, am very looking forward to my period and to able to go in the hot tub whilst on holiday. 

just figured that success stories would be good to read as well as the problems :)


and a BIG thank u to all that replied, and to all that share their stories here, it is so comforting knowing that if i need any information, looking trough the tags will answer all my questions.  (i am also guessing that my partner does not reeeeally want to hear more about my cup :þ)

xx

Update: So after reading comments I think I don't have the microperforate hymen. I Have a normal but "stubborn" one...talking about hymen with personality LOL


And the story begins...

My Ladycup arrived today. I don't have my period but I wanted to try it to get comfortable...

I tried two times...after starting out with my finger to get it open a bit more. I could not put two fingers in. I tried punch down fold...it was too large to go in there. I didn't have lube so I use water. It still couldn't go in.

Then I tried the triangle fold. This got a better chance but my hand started cramping. It did not go far in. I had to get ready to go to work so I stopped it there for then.

After work, I tried again, still using the triangle fold. I was  standing  with my legs far apart and pretty much relaxed. It got in OK but stopped when I got to the wider folded part. I tried it again and again until I decided to do it on the toilet.

I tried until I was close to getting it. I had to turn it around a little then it finally went in more. I continued to insert. It got more painful when I got to the wider part and until it totally went in. And when it did, it hurts like....OMG it was pushing its way in trying to open. I had to push the cup in higher...then the pain was gone. I stood up and nearly blacked out. I grabbed my stuff and tried to get to my bed because I felt nauseating almost vomiting; then everything was dark, and my ear just kind of shuts off I could not hear anything.

I lied down and it started to feel like cramping inside but very mild. It did not hurt any longer but I was feeling nausea and like going to faint. I rested and fell asleep.

I woke up about an hour later. At this time I didn't even want to bother getting it out but I had to. I inserted my finger in soon to found out that I couldn't find the stem!!!!

I had to sort of "dig" in and I could not find it. Then I notice that the surface where I am touching was the upper part of the cup!!!!!!!!! It was close to the rim. Then I felt the rim, it formed a seal on the side.

I dig and dig and dig!!! I was like this can't be happening to me. How am I going to get it out?

I tried to hook the rim open and take it out but it wont move.

The cup was in a wrong position. It kind of was in side way. I soon found the stem on the left side and the rim was on the opposite,

I still could not get a good grip on the stem because it was folded and squish to the side. I try to move the stem with one finger to get it in a right position. I could only put one finger in there so it was impossible. I could barely touch it.

I was not panicking but I was thinking that  I had to get a doctor to get it out!

I tried to put two fingers in there but it was not helpful because two fingers were really stuffed in there and I couldn't move them.

After 45 minutes I tried to push the cup at the rim so it gets to the right position. After pushing it quite violently it started to turn to the right side. I finally got got it positioned.

Now.. the next scary part....How it's going to come out.

I push with my muscle (Probably like giving birth) until the stem sticks out. The seal is still there. I had to use my finger to push the rim to break the suction. I pulled....

Now it HURTS!!!! I wanted to stop but I had to get it out. It was very painful to get it all out. I tried to fold it but the rim part probably came out fully opened. But thank goodness it's out!!!

I am relief now but I am very scared to try it again. I think I won't have problem inserting too much. But taking it out was very painful.

I do not think I ripped anything...which is good, I feel real sore down there though.  :(

Hi everyone... i've been lurking on this community for a little bit, because I was curious about menstrual cups and wanted more details from first-hand experiences. I got a small Divacup today, and was excited to use it. For the first time, I wanted my period to come! not very normal for me... :P

Anyway, i wanted to test it out on a dry run, and.... couldn't get it in. so, with a sore vagina, i proceeded to make an account, and continue to search. :) i practiced folding my cup, and decided that the labia fold or the origami fold would be good for me. i tried again, and TA-DA, no problems! although,  it did shock me when it went in quite easily. i was also afraid of how it would expand (im a virgin, and i had the fear that it would slip and open MUCH to early.... yes, a vivid imagination does not help when trying new things), but it was all good! i now have to try and get it out (!), but im sure that with all of your guyses help, ill get it out just fine.

so basically, lol, i just wanted to say thanks :)

UPDATE: help? i just tried to take it out, and no such luck. once i get about 1/3 of the cup "out" it hurts... im pretty sure i broke the suction (if there ever was any). i grabbed the stem till i could pinch the base. didn't work. then i tried hooking my finger onto the side. didn't work.

any tips please? im hoping that maybe since it didn't work the first time i tried inserting, then it doesn't work the first time i try taking it out. im going to wait a while and see if i can get it out the second time....

Hi Everyone,

I did a dry run today with my Femmecup in for a few hours, I put my cup in when I was showering, and the first time I put it in I knew it didn't seal, because it was dented in the bottom, so I removed the cup and reinserted it and it was fine then. After out of the shower I kind of felt that my cup had unsealed, but I left it in. After about 2 hours I was feeling some mild cramping so I waited for a bit and then when I went to remove my cup, there were dents at the bottom, so I know the seal was broken, also I didn't have to reach in to break the seal, I was able to pull the cup out by the stem quite easily.

Do you think the mild cramping was due to the cup not being sealed? My cervix is low right now.

Also the stem on my cup is poking out of my inner labia slightly, and I probably will remove some of the stem if not all, but I am waiting to actually use my cup on my period. I am thinking if I remove the whole stem then the cup will completely be inside past my pubic bone, and I think that would make it very comfortable, but maybe if I leave some of the stem sticking out past my pubic bone then that might not be a problem either.
Where do most people trim their stem to in terms of how far does it stick out of you (past your pubic bone)?

I will probably try another dry run tomorrow.

Thanks

Hi
I have a femmecup and I need removal methods. I did a dry run today and was able to get the cup in pretty quickly using the c fold, but need tips on how to remove it. The firs time I tried to remove it, I thought my cup would stay stuck inside me forever. I have reached my finger up the side to break the suction, but I don't think that is working, because when I try to bring my thumb in to help remove the cup my finger slides down from the rim, so if the suction was broken it would seal again. I have tried bearing down and digging my fingers into the base.
Another thing that happens is that I end up taking the whole cup out, without it folded which is slightly painful when the rim passes through the opening.

Please give me your methods for removing the cup. I am trying to practice before I get my iud put it, so I want to have the removal method down pretty good.

Another question is should I try the cup on a dry run but keep it in for longer than a few minutes, like could I try having the cup in for a couple hours while I am out running errands?

Thanks

I gave my new Diva Cup a dry run last week.  It went great.  I got my new Femmecup today, and decided to give it a dry run too.  It's a lot softer than the Diva.  I've had no problem with the Diva opening, but the Femmecup did not want to open.  I learned two things with it.  I can insert a finger directly across from the fold and push it out by pushing down on the fold from the top with my finger through the cup, or insert a finger directly under the fold or crease and push away on my vaginal wall until it unfolds.  The Diva stem feels comfortable to me, however the Femmecup was trimmed in minutes.  What I did was a little different I think.  I didn't want to pull the cup all the way back out again, so I got a mirror with the magnifier on it, and squatted down over it.  I spread open my labia, and found the exact spot where the stem just dissapears.  I pulled the cup down until the bottom was hanging out and I cut the stem at the point where it had been just inside my deepest fold.  This ended up being about four lines up.  I think that was about just over half.  No pokey after that!  Now I'm just waiting for my LadyCup and Lunette I ordered from www.leastore.com.  They should be here anyday.  My period on the other hand, won't be here until the 15th.  And I actually can't wait.
 

My question:  You know how sometimes a girl queefs? (I f-ing HATE that word)  Does anyone think that would mess up someones seal?  I'm not even sure how that air gets there to begin with, so maybe it's not even possible if you wear a cup.  Just wondering if anyone ever though of that before

Okay, so my period ended around the 13/14. I've been sitting on my hands, because after the initial dry run/end of period run, I learned that you can't put too much bank on dry runs because your cervix may move. It took me until now to break.

So, I've been wanting to try the C fold for a while now. You know, I just never tried it because I automatically assumed that it was going to be too big. I've tried the origami and 7 folds, both with a small amount of pain/discomfort. I was bored this morning and I decided to give a dry run another go. I inserted my size 1 DivaCup like it says on the instructions, and voila! Hallelujah! The C fold went in with no pain at all, and I tried to swish around the cup (I couldn't get too far, only about halfway) after a few kegals, and it felt like it had opened completely. I only had the urge-to-pee sensation until I left the bathroom. I'm just so happy right now. n_n"

I'm thinking of cutting the stem off completely because I can feel it when I bend over, but I'll wait until my period to see if that's something I really want to do.

Has anyone else had hallelujah folds, or hallelujah moments with their cups?

I've discovered that you can fill your cup with water about a quarter up and insert it that way with the right fold.  It may be helpful in testing for leaks in between periods, or perhaps practicing removal without spilling (my goal, and this test proved successful).  Of course, you would already kinda need to be familiar with insertion.  It was a little tricky not spilling all the water squeezing it in, but I did manage.

I just tried my divacup for the first time. I've been waiting and telling myself not to do a dry run, but i did. but when i pulled it out there was blood! I was suppose to start in two days but I guess I have started. Now I get to use my divacup and lunapads! Hurray!

Anyways, putting it in was so easy with the punch down method. Taking it out was a little slippery but I got it and it didn't even hurt. I am so happy!

I got my diva cup today.  And was going to take it for a dry run, with the help of some lube, but can't get it to insert.  Does anyone have any tips, or tricks?  or other folds?

Hi everyone! My name is Megan. I'm 22, married, live in Kentucky, and go to school (way more than full time because I am a housewife haha). I just bought my first Diva Cup on Friday!! I'm really excited to start using it.
I tried to do a dry run last night, but I assume I need some lubrication (which I will be purchasing today after school). I also have a "tiny giny" as my husband and me call it haha. So, wish me luck!

I ordered a large PinkCup last Tuesday and received it on Wednesday. I tried it out last night with a good amount of (water-based) lube and had quite a comical session of Don't Drop the Cup (it kept slipping out of my fingers!). I finally managed to get it in and though sometimes I could feel the stem I generally couldn't feel it. It was a dry run but it seemed to work otherwise. Woohoo! The only thing I don't care for is that every time I dropped it in my sweater it picked up all the fuzzies. Darn!

Hi everyone!

I wanted to stop in today with a tale of both success and teething troubles! And, oddly enough, the success came before the teething troubles! I decided to share my story for the benefit of those of you who may have been initially disappointed and/or are going through a similar phase in your learning curve.

( Cut for lengthy tale )

This was done totally on a whim. I wanted to take out my MCUK and look at it(!) last night... then once I saw it I decided to go for another dry run overnight. Tried some KY on the rim, which made it terribly slippery - I probably should have used less. Took it out(MUCH smoother thanks to the KY), realized I was slightly yeasty, so washed the cup, put some yoghurt in the cup and on the rim before putting it back in.
How do you use yoghurt, btw? Do you put it IN the cup, or spread some on the surface?

So anyway, the cup was in for about 9 hours, and I had no discomfort in the vaginal area. I noticed that my pelvic and abdominal muscles were slightly tense, and I was getting the weird feeling in my tummy that usually comes with Aunt Flo. Probably need to work out, heh.
Come morning, I took out the cup - less of a hassle than on my first dry run, but not as smooth as with KY. I think dry runs are a pretty good idea, just to get my insides used to the cup before Flo comes along and adds another ingredient to the mix!

So, I recently got my Keeper Mooncup in the mail and have given it two dry runs. Insertion hasn't really been a problem, and I think I've felt it pop open ok, but removal has been a bit of an issue. I reach up and pinch the bottom but if I pull down it's painful and feels like there's still suction, so I put a finger up the side of the cup to try and break the suction and hook my finger around the rim or something. When I got to the top of my cup I found that I couldn't get it around the rim at all because my cervix was in it! I think it must be rather low or something. I eventually broke the suction and got it out.
I just did the second dry run and had the same problem. I'm good at relaxing, so I don't think that being tense was the problem, but it was difficult for me to get it out and painful. I don't see how I'm going to use this on my period without spraying blood all over myself and everything else. Also, I read that usually the cervix is lower during one's period, which worries me as it already seemed quite low. Could I be hurting my cervix? It's hard to break the suction and I think the suction even reforms after I think I've broken it sometimes.

I have felt kind of bloated and my stomach has felt sort of gurgle-y after removing the cup, and then I felt sort of unwell for awhile after removing it the first time (this could be unrelated though). Has anyone else experienced these sorts of problems?
Thanks so much

Hello Ladies,
I just got my Diva Cup in the mail (really fast service from iHerb.com) and I was wondering how many of you sterilized it in boiling water, and for how long before you used it? I was hoping to do a dry run.

So I got my cup a few weeks ago and I've been debating whether or not to do a dry run or just wait for my period. On the one hand, I think it would be nice to have some experience with it before my actual period. On the other hand, I've read some bad experiences with dry runs and people have said that it's much easier when you're on your actual period. Add to that there's no lube in my house and I don't really want to go out and buy some just for this.

So I was hoping to get some advice. Are they a good idea or a bad idea? And is it possible to do one sans lube or is that a very bad idea?

For those of you who use your cup for long-term wear (meaning for more than just your period), how often and what method do you use to clean it? I usually just use mine for a week during my period, but I've been using it "dry" waiting for my period to come for a week already. I've been rinsing it twice a day like I would if I were on my period. Is this enough, or should I boil it periodically?

So, I decided to try another dry run with my cup, but this time armed with having read the awesome post on folding posted here some time ago (before I joined, even...I happened across it reading the memories). The origami fold was not working, but the ounchdown fold is awesome.  I was able to get it in, get it open, and it turned quite easily.  I feel it, but it's not uncomfortable.  It's more of a "I know it's there" feeling.  I am going to leave it in for a few minutes to see if I start to lose that feeling.  I think too, that it's becauseit is a dry run...that when I'm bleeding, it will be a bit more lubricated than it is right now. It sort of feels like I just had sex, after which I'm usually quite uncomfortable (except when I jump the gun and have sex the last day or two of my period, in which the bloos is stil there, and it feels a bit uh...looser lol).  It's similar, but not enough as to be uncomfortable...except one thing.
I trimmed the stem halfway, like was recommended in the instructions. It's still sticking out a bit, and I'm feeling that when I sit.  I read that at least one poster has her sheared completely off, but I don't know which cup she used.  Any users of the Diva cup brave enough to cut the whole stem off?  Did this ruin your cup? It looks like the very tip of the bowl is thinner than the rest of it...I'm wondering if this isn't the reason you shouldn't trim it further.

finally i have bought a diva cup. i been trying to use it for awhile just dry runs but it really hurts inbside me. it wont ppop open. can someone explain other folding methods to me please?