Hi everyone!  This is my first real post here, I've been lurking for several months now. 

I just got my Lunette Selene in the mail about a week ago or so.  I decided to give it a dry run.  Before my Selene,  I used a small OrangeCup for a few cycles and I LOVE it!  I bought the small Lunette because I wanted a small cup with a higher capacity for my heavy day, just to ease my mind.  I learned so much already from using the LadyCup.  Apparently, I'm really not that heavy.  On my heaviest day two cycles ago, I went 9 hours without emptying and I was just shocked.  I get very paranoid of leaking, probably since I converted from only disposable pads to cups. 

So, the dry run was unsuccessful to say the least.  I used the 7 fold like I do with my OrangeCup and I put it in fine.  It refused to pop open and suction no matter what I did.  In fact, I think it even flipped upside down, making removal reeeeally difficult.  Maybe I just need to practice a little more, or maybe I need a new fold.  (I have seen Melissa's video on youtube.)  I was wondering if you ladies would be able to help me out.  (Just in case you need to know, I'm a 17 year old virgin)  Thank you so much!  =] 
 

this is a fallow up to this post.

The large orange cup with a ball stem arrived today (thanks Teresa!) so I put it in and it took me like 10 mins to get it out! ugh. I had no problem with the small bc it was shorter, so i could reach the rim but this one i couldn't reach the rim with bc i couldn't get ahold of the ball to slide it down. those pronounced rings on the bottom REALLY helped me if they weren't there i don't know what i would have done. But now im worried it will happen again. make me feel better! lol

should i try it again before my period starts? (i tried my small when i wasn't on it and i didn't notice a difference.)

Hey, all. This morning after working out at the gym I picked up my LadyCup package from the post office. When I arrived home, one of my aunts who's a nurse was also there. I showed her the cups (seeing it was a double set I ordered) and she agreed they were cute, but made a face when I told her what they were and their function. I guess not all who work in the health field are familiar with this product.

Anyway, I took them out of their bags (ain't they cute? :) ) and placed them in a Tupperware, filled it with filtered water (ain't no way I was gonna use the tap), and popped a lid on and placed the whole thing into the microwave for 5 minutes. After draining the water out, I took the container and the cups and headed to the bathroom. Once my hands were thoroughly cleaned (I used sanitizer), I sat on the toilet and attempted to insert the large cup. It was hard to keep it folded as I tried to insert it where my cervix was located, and didn't maintain suction no matter how hard I tried. I then realized for now it was too big (plus I'm not yet 26), and cleaned my hands again, and tried again, this time with the small cup.

Took a bit of practice, but I eventually got it to sit in place, completely unfolded. My only problem was the stem bothering me every time I stood up or walked around. After trimming it and keeping only a small stump behind, it felt a lot better.

Lastly, seeing my cervix is already in position for my cycle (which will probably be in a couple of days) was a bonus 'cause the cup is pretty much where it will be once the cycle does hit. Nothing's really bothering me during this dry run, with the exception that I'm s-l-o-w-l-y getting used to the feel of something sitting down there. Other than that, nothing painfully uncomfortable. :)

oh my gosh, guys! my meluna came in the mail from femininewear (SUCH a great buying experience, by the way) while i was away for thanksgiving! i got a small blue meluna with a ring. so cute!

so i sanitized it within ten minutes of taking it out of the package so i take a dry run, haha. i used the seven fold, it seemed like it wasn't popping open so i took it out and tried the c fold. there we go! it popped open and i was surprised how far up in my vagina it went naturally (i didn't have to kegel it up there at all). it felt like it was sitting right beneath my cervix, and except for the "oh hey i just put something in my vagina" feeling, i couldn't tell it was there. taking it out was not so pleasant. i have short fingers, it was way up there... i was sitting on the toilet half-laughing, half-cursing my vagina as i tried to simultaneously push and pull the cup out. that suction is serious business, y'all! i eventually got it out but now i am pretty sore. i'm not a virgin, but i haven't had sex since august and it is kind of difficult to get two fingers in there (also i have never used a cup before in case you couldn't tell). i tried to get the smallest cup possible; does my body just need to get used to it? should i go have some more sex (not opposed to this plan, lol)?

overall, though, it was a good experience. i'm actually excited to get my period!

a big thank you to this community and everyone in it, it has been so, so helpful :)

Hey all!

so I was on the bus home, finally having given up on ever seeing my femmecup, and planning how I was going to afford another one. I get home and in the letterbox is a parcel! for me! from the UK! WOO!

( so I took it for a test drive... )
I'm very happy XD

I just got my very first menstrual cup in the mail today and decided to do a test run. It inserted and came out fine. I had a little bit of pain, but I'm used to that being as I've been using tampons since 8th grade.

Anyways, after my dry run I decided to see where my cervix was just because my diva cup was up pretty high (at least that's what I thought). I could barely touch the stem. Is that normal? I didn't have a problem taking it out or anything (it kinda felt like i was giving birth lol), but is that normal to sit up kind of high?

 OH MY GOD!.... so everything went rolling along great on my dry run with the meluna a few posts back, and I thought it was amazing...except its been nearly in there 36 hours and I'm still trying to remove it.  I can barely reach the rim and have been using a rubber glove at this point because even though I've been taking breaks and let it sit overnight, my vag is a bit pissy at me. I have read all the comments about removal and bearing down is helping a little bit, I can reach the ring stem I just can't get the suction to break or grab the bottom of the cup.  Does anyone have experience with meluna specifically and the suction they bring due to only having two holes and the stiffer rim? Previously I thought I couldn't fit a large...because I thought I'd located my cervix and I was close but whatever that was wasn't my cervix.   The cup thats in there is the size of the large from rim to stem, so you can bet my large order is in and on its way....I'm lucky I want to use a cup so bad, this removal process would have scared anyone else to never touch a cup again. I assume the majority of today will be spent trying to get this thing out. 

Just got a Diva Cup as a birthday present from my best friend, who has been using one for about a year now. She rants and raves about how awesome it is, and how my first period with it will be the best period of my life. My period is due in about two or three days, and I've been wearing the cup since yesterday, just for practice putting it in and removing it, and to make sure that it feels right and all that. I'm not sure if I'm doing anything wrong or if it's just a matter of continuing to practice, but I'm still waiting for it to be completely comfortable. Unlike tampons (which I have used until now), I can still feel it, especially if I tense my muscles (it's my quick and dirty test that I do to make sure I've inserted tampons correctly and comfortably, I figure it's transferrable to the Diva Cup as well). The issue is that it pinches mostly on one side, and it's the same side every time. I cannot for the life of me figure out why. I'm also a virgin, so I'm not sure what effect this has on how much I should or shouldn't feel the cup.

Also, does anyone else have discomfort with removing their menstrual cup? Once I've gotten up to the rim of the cup, I'm not quite sure how to make it small enough to be comfortable removing. It kinda just ... pops out, and it's rather painful. I don't want to squeeze the edges together because I'm afraid that, once I'm using it for my actual period, everything will spill.

Basically, I just need some help. I'm so confused and PMS is making me frustrated to the point of tears with this thing.

A few facts about me… I’m eighteen, and a virgin. I’ve used tampons for a few years now, but a friend told me about menstrual cups a couple of weeks ago and it sounded like a wonderful alternative.  Needless to say, I purchased a Divacup last week and it finally arrived yesterday.

Maybe this was a bad idea, but I tried to insert it last night. My period isn’t going to start for about a week and a half, but I was eager to try my new investment out.

To my surprise, it actually went in after only about three or four minutes of trying. The push down and seven fold didn’t work for me, but the c-fold worked fine, and as far as I know I got a good seal.

When I was convinced it was in right, I stood up and walked around for a minute or so, and I couldn’t feel a thing! Then I went back into the bathroom to remove it.

Here’s what happened… I squeezed the tip of my Divacup and slowly tried to ease it down and out. It didn’t feel like I had broken the suction yet, but I kept trying, and after maybe a minute it finally slid out.

Just as it was coming out though, I felt a little pain and maybe a couple tablespoons of blood came gushing out. I stood up to clean it off of the toilet seat, pretty unsure about what had happened, but knowing that I didn’t just want to sit there in a pool of blood. And I don’t know… maybe I stood up too fast? But next thing I knew I had passed out right there on the bathroom floor.

I’m thinking I broke my hymen, and I was wondering if you guys agree. My parents were never open about sex (or genitalia in general), so I’m really quite ignorant about it all. Any insight on the matter?

Note: I’m Christian, and although I’m saving myself for marriage, I’m really not too worried about my hymen breaking (if that’s even what happened). My religion places more importance on the emotional aspect of sex than it does on the physical, and I’m sure a broken hymen isn’t going to matter much when my time comes. So to clarify… that’s not what worries me. I really just want to figure out what happened.

Thank you so much for your help...

I just went to pick up my MeLuna at the post office.  I still haven't opened it and I'm ALREADY intimidated by it.  So any of you ladies have any words of encouragement for me to take a dry run? 

One funny thing, when me and my dad got home he was like "Are you ever gonna let me see it, i'm interested" haha. I said i would.

fyi, i got a small green stemmed stemmed MeLuna

I've had a keeper for ~5 years but only recently was able to use it. (After finally figuring out how to put it in) I did a dry run today. when I took it out there was some brownish liquid in there. I also had a few drops of blood not in the cup-bright red (not the color of period for the most part). I know this is rather graphic and I apologize. I'm wondering if anyone has any clue if that liquid was something to worry about and if I managed to break/rip my hymen? (I'm a virgin and I've had an intact hymen)

Hello, I'm new to menstrual cups and also to this community.
I purchased my first cup today, a size B keeper, since I am a virgin. I have also NEVER used tampons before. I've also never had a pelvic exam before. I'm 20 years old.
It took me two tries to get the cup in, and that had the typical initial pain but i was able to insert and remove it in only a few minutes. The part I'm not sure about happened after it was in. I experienced pretty severe lower back pain (imagine right at the top of your butt, on either side of your spine). And also a very pressing urge to pee. I took it out immediately and will continue doing short insert / remove sessions to see if I can angle it differently or place it higher to make that pain go away. But I haven't read about anyone else having back pain with the cup.
I guess my question is if there may be something going on up there that I should have checked out or talk to a doctor about, or is that typical or the result of some kind of user error? Or maybe I should just get a smaller one, which would be hard b/c they're expensive...

Thanks for any help or advice,
-LN

Alright, I got my first cup today!  (yay me!!!)  I ordered it from Feminine Wear and would have had it last week if the mailman hadn't kept missing me being home, but I finally got it, cleaned it, played around a bit with folds, and took a dry run.  I could hardly be more thrilled.

So, it's a small MeLuna in blue with the ball stem, and, for those of you who don't know, it is tiny compared other cups.  When I was researching the different brands, I settled on MeLuna because (a) I have a pretty light flow (I'm on hormonal birth control and wasn't all that heavy to begin with) and (b) I have a very slender and very sensitive vagina, though apparently my cervix isn't as low as I thought (I think I've found it...).  After I ordered and was looking around a little more, I began to doubt that I had made the right choice.  I mean, i know I'm small (at least in that dimension), but I'm not a virgin and I'm not that young (well, I'm 20, but I'm not in the teen-still-has-some-growing-to-do category).  Recieving the product dispelled my fears.  While it is small compared to other cups, it still felt like I wouldn't want too put something much wider into my vagina, and when I took it on a dry run it wasn't easy getting even one finger in with it.  I got it to seal the majority of the time, but when I tried the punch-down fold the cup refused to open, and what stirring around the rim I could do didn't help. 

Are these normal newbie troubles, or am I really that small?  Right now, I can only fit two fingers in, and I've found that over the course of my period I tend to get tighter whether or not I'm using tampons (and if I'm using them the majority of the time by the end of it I can't even use those).

Edit:  Alright, on trying again with a little fussing I was able to get the punch-down to open, but so far it looks like the 7 and triangle folds are working best and easiest.

Hello!

I ordered my Lunette last week and got it today (which is amazing, considering we're in two different continents!). I boiled it before I tried it out, and I'm happy to say I successfully inserted it! I used the triangle fold and got it in the second time I tried. I can't wait to use it when I'm actually on my period, which should be some time this week or next week. I do have a couple of questions, however:

1. Are any folds smaller than the triangle fold? I didn't have any problem getting it except for a bit of a wait because I'm small (and not exactly a slip and slide right now). I'm just curious as to what folds are smallest and would be easiest for me to insert.
2. How do I know when pops open? I can't really seem to feel around the front because of my pubic bone, but it did feel like it was closed from around behind the cup. Is being able to feel the front to see if it's open necessary?
3. I'm pretty sure I got a seal this first try, because when I tried to remove it it kind of came, for lack of better word to describe what happened, rushing out. I just know that it was more than likely sealed. However, should I be right in expecting it to do this every time? If not, how can I make sure it seals? I couldn't get it to turn, so that's not an option.
4. I don't know how heavy or not my period is in comparison to how much the small Lunette's capacity holds. I used light, regular, and super tampons throughout my cycle. It never really depended on what day of my cycle it was, it just fluctuated throughout the cycle. If should need to empty my cup during school, how should I go about doing that? Will I need to rinse it out, or should I be fine reinserting? My mother recommended having feminine wipes with me; would using those to wipe off/out my cup be harmful to my vagina for a long period of time (as in, after I reinsert it)?

That's all of them. Thank you! (:

I've been watching this community for a few months now, gathering information until I finally decided that I did want to try a cup and I wanted to try the Lunette. Living in the US, it is very difficult to get one, but thanks to a helpful link by one of the members, I ordered one from a store that was willing to ship to the US. (Yes, I know it was not the cheapest way to go, but all the info I gathered said that this would probably be the cup for me, so I figured why not? I'll use it for at least a few years, anyway!)

Fast forward to yesterday, my small Lunette came in the mail! I was so excited that I got ready to try a "dry run" right away. I was very disappointed when I couldn't get it in no matter how much I relaxed. The instructions only showed the "C" fold, and it was too big for me. So this morning, I started scouring this community again, and came upon a link to a great video showing lots of different folds, as well as a whole lot of posts with other good advice about relaxing and understanding how you're put together "down there." I was feeling hopeful, and went for another try, testing out several different folds. It never went in all the way, but it was actually going in some, so I was reassured but stopped because I didn't want to irritate anything too much.

Then tonight, I tried the "Double 7" fold a couple times again, and the last time it went in! ...but I don't think it was quite right. It was sitting very low, the bottom of the cup was at the opening of the vagina. I also don't think it opened. It seemed like it was pressing unequally on my insides, but I couldn't get a finger up beside it to check. I'm a virgin, and a small person all around (though I think my canal may be long, because I haven't been able to touch my cervix...though I have only tried a couple times). The second problem was removal. Again, it was hard to get a grip on the base of the cup because I couldn't get my fingers very far up. I pinched it a little, and heard some suction release, but then when I finally pulled it out, it hurt pretty bad. I know it will be easier when I am actually menstruating, but should it be easier/less painful to remove?

So, I guess what I'm asking is:
Is it normal/alright for the bottom of cup to sit that low?
What are some tips for checking the seal that don't involve running your finger up beside the cup?
Do you have any tips to make removal less painful?

I will go looking through the other posts for some answers too, but any you could give would be much appreciated.

 Sooo I got my Diva in the mail on Friday (I think) while I was down south (Pomona) with my son for surgery. I got all giddy last night when I got home, like I just held it (the box itself). Today I started cramping, which is an indication it's about my period time in around 4 days. I thought "time for a dry run". I fumbled around with folds and positions a couple times. Insert and reinsert because it went in wrong each time. Either it was too low, angled high, or a combo and wouldn't open. I got it and decided to see what it was like for a while. I can't gauge on how it'll hold with my period, and fluid and how I'll manage, but I'm sure I will. As for now, it's awesome. I know it's in correctly, I can feel it but it's not uncomfortable, more like "secured". So yeah, just thought I'd share my giddy celebration and excitement. Now I get it when I've seen the references of some women not waiting to get their period.  

ETA: I took it out. It moved higher, took a while with bearing down and grabbing the stem to pull on and pinch the bottom. I'm sure I'll get the hang of it. And this could be really silly since I know I should be starting soon, but maybe not, so I'll ask. I saw a little bit of blood, and something else, sorta yellowy rose tint, I'm assuming mixed with the blood. Is this something I just dunno, or bad or what? Do I need to make a doctors appointment or so mething, is what I'm asking....and should I wait to try the Diva til afterwards??

So, after lurking here for a few months, I just bought my first cup.

It's a (UK) Mooncup, size B, since I'm 21 with no children.  I'm not a virgin, and I do have toys, but it still feels a little large putting it in (I had a little practice earlier - I used the seven fold).  Once in though, I can't really feel it.  I'm not certain if I got the right place exactly, but my period doesn't start for another week or so, so I've got time to just play around with it.  The cup popped open, and the seal seemed to form properly.  I think I've got the hang of breaking the seal, and easing it out seemed to go okay.

I got my mooncup from boots, but, weirdly, it would have been cheaper to buy it from the website directly, even accounting for p&p.  I went in to compare prices between online and off, but I decided to just take the plunge and get one, and pay the extra few quid to have it now.

Any tips?

I got my LadyCup [its green!!] yesterday!! yay!
so I tried one dry run and it seems great! punch down and it went it fine, it was a little more to take it out, but not horrible like all the other posts I've read have said.. it only took like 10 mins!
but anyway!! is there a limit on dry runs? can anything get hurt from them?
also, the steam sticks out a little bit, so should I trim it a little bit? or will it change once I get my period?

Hello ladies!
I just got my fleurcup (I'm european) and thought I'd share my experience. I've ordered the small size because I'm 25 and never had any kids. When I took it out of the package, it looked extremely small, but I quickly got over that and started practicing on the different types of folds. For me, the C and punch down folds were the best. 

To give you some background info, I got my period at 13, started with pads, managed to use applicator tampons 3 years later and about an year ago I managed to use regular OB tampons. They always felt like they were ripping my insides so I had given up on trying to get used to them. When I knew about cups, I loved the idea, specially because I wouldn't be trowing away so much garbage every month!

I read the instructions manual and boiled it for 5 minutes, as it was advised. I put it upside down on a paper towel to dry and when it was fully dried I went to the bathroom for a dry-run. I sat on the toilet like I used to do to insert a tampon and folded the cup. It kept popping open before it was fully inside me. After the 4th or 5th try I managed to put it all the way in. It popped open on its own and the stern was inside me, but hanging low. I got up, walked around and sat down. I couldn't feel it at all. I was soooo pleased!

Removing it was a different story I couldn't break the seal and pinching was hard. I ended up pulling the stern like I would do with a tampon string and grabbing the base until the seal broke and it came out. Overall, I'm really excited about it and can't wait for my period to start!

I have a few questions, though:
1. When I boiled it, it "colored" the tissue, like some red clothes stain white ones pink. Is this normal? I got the black one.
2. is it ok to pull the stern to remove it? what can we do if we can't reach it?
3. Do I have to wash or sterelize it every time I touch it?
4. I used an antibacterial soap meant for intimate hygiene called cyteal. Is this ok?

ETA: Thank you all for your answers. I emailed the company and they told me that both the cup and the dye were safe, and siuggested that the colour might be from the water or the container I used for boiling it (an aluminium pot). Today I boiled it again and it disn't leak anymore, so I guess that happened because it was new.

Hi! Ive been followng this community for a while, tryign to decide which cup I wanted and so forth... I decided on a Miacup and got it in today (yay!)

Now, I gave birth vaginally 9 and a half months ago so i got the model 2. Im still exclusively breastfeeding so i have yet to recieve my cycle yet... So anyways, I popped it in for a dry run, left it in awhile and took it out after about 2 hours? It was a little difficult to get out, I couldnt seem to break the suction, Id pull it down and try to pinch the bottom but it was suctioned in! I cant get my forefinger and thumb in there, I have to kind of "scissor" it with my forefinger and middle finger... Is this normal? youd think I wouldnt be so tight after giving birth... =p Anyway when I took it out, there was some discharge in it and a little blood looking stuff... strange...

ANyway, my second dry run, I just put it in and took it out, there was some blood. Not much, just some up by the rim and such... I dont think I scratched myself because I dont hurt down there or feel sore... but any clue as to what this blood is? Like I said Im NOT expectign a period and have not yet recieved one... Im quite baffled.

So I've been awaiting this for like a week now. I was at my college yesterday and when I was gone, it came.. I live in a condo complex so they couldn't leave it at my door. So I had to go to the post office. Picked it up and now I'm home! It's so cute. I can't wait to use it. I'll probably use it lots cuz of discharge (TMI I KNOW) but I do get a lot of that. Unfortunately, even though I've had my period for 5 years now, it's NEVER REGULAR. Last time I got it was in May.. No, I'm not preggo. So maybe I shall get it soon. I'm gonna do a few try runs to see how it is. I will definitely let you guys know, and maybe post some pics. HOORAY!

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?)