I started out with a DivaCup before I found this community and the before I ever saw the size chart (which is SOO helpful!)  It protruded all the time.  

I realized with the help of all the info posted here that my cervix is extremely low.  In fact, I think at certain times of the month, I am almost prolapsing.  I've had two children and carried both of them very low.  

After studying the sizing chart , I got a UK Mooncup (large size) and it works better.  I cut the stem off entirely.  For the first couple of days of my period, it works well, but then the next few days, it gradually rides lower and lower, and if I cough or sneeze or sit down the use the bathroom, I have to nudge it back up inside me.  I can almost always feel it against my labia.  

I've been kegeling like crazy for months, and it doesn't seem to be helping.  

So last month, on the last day of my period, when I was really only spotting a little, I was wearing the cup while out at a park with my 2 young children, 18 months and 3 and 1/2 years.  The three year old suddenly stripped off his clothes and took off running, apparently deaf to my calls to come back and put his clothes on.  --What on earth goes on in their little pea-brains sometimes??  :-)   As he was about to round the curve in the path where I couldn't see him anymore,  I grabbed the little one, strapped him into my backpack child carrier, and took off running after DS1.  

And right then, the entire damn cup popped right out of me!  As if I wasn't already pissed about our little naked chase around the park...now I was REALLY mad!  ;-)  I guess I can giggle a little about it now, but...

I'm just glad it wasn't earlier in my period when there would have been a cupful of blood pouring down my leg.  

So any ideas about how to get this to work better?  It almost seems like I need a cup that is wider and shorter.  
Does anyone have suggestions?  As far as positioning, I usually insert it, run my finger around the top and make sure my cervix is inside the cup--it pretty much just sits down IN the cup, it's so low.  

Like I said, I've done kegels like crazy the past few months.  I even bought a KegelMaster to make sure I was doing them right and hopefully increase strength and tone faster.  

This month I'm afraid the leave the house until my period is over. Grrr.  

I am new to menstrual cups.  Last month I used a Moon Cup Keeper and it was okay. But it felt like it moved around, like it wasn't "suctioned in place" and it leaked a bit.  In my enthusiasm to convert, I purchased 3 more cups (PinkCup, Lunette Selene and Diva, all size L since I'm in my 40s and have kids). I am now on the verge of my next period and have an issue with my Lunette Selene.

Here's the background:  Last month, after my cycle, I went exploring to actually FIND my cervix and could barely reach it.  I should have started my cycle yesterday but haven't, so I took the opportunity to measure again. Wow - it felt lower -- at about 53 - 55mm.  I thought I was long down there . . .  so am  I long??? What is the measurement that means I'm long?

The reason I ask is because I have been wearing my pink LadyCup in anticipation of my period and it feels comfortable. But I tried my Lunette Selene today, which is basically the same width and length as the LC, and it doesn't want to stay in.  It almost "expels" from me after I put it in. What is up with that????  Does it have something to do with the stiffer material? Does it have too much air in it?  I tried about an hour ago, cut the stem off, gave it an extra push and then it finally stayed in place and was bearable.  I guess I need to wear it for a while to see if this is a fluke.  I spent mega-bucks to get this one and really want it to work!

I obviously need more time and periods before I can realistically assess which cup I like best, but I am hoping at least one of them will fit me like a dream.

So my 2 questions are:  
1)  Am I long or not???
2)  Why does my pretty little Lunette Selene want to run away from me????

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Hi, I've been avidly reading this group since I found it. Such a great resource!

I've got some questions and hopefully someone knows. After buying the larger sized Diva (I'm 34 & had a baby 2 yrs ago), I had some initial luck but then lots of issues with expulsion, irritation, leakage, etc. (I never lost my cup in the toilet, but I actually lost it 

( in my pants once! ))

So thank goodness for you ladies, I learned about the inside-out Diva trick, which made a huge difference on the irritation issue, and no more expulsions so far.... But it's still too long, especially when I'm sitting crosslegged on the floor, which I do a lot. So I'm trying to decide between Femmecup (one size), Lunette (large), and MooncupUK (large).

So my questions:
1. When I turn the Diva inside out, it goes from 57mm long (stemless) to ~51-52mm long, by my measurements. But it still hangs out a bit. The Femme, Lun, & MUK all start at 50-52mm (stemless), so they might also hang out unless inverted. I want to know how much shorter they would get? The base of the Diva has a thick tight curve, and I imagine that a cup with a thinner broader base might not shorten by as many millimeters when inverted. Does anyone know how long any of these cups would be when inverted? And oh yeah, anyone know how easy it will be to grip any of these buggers when inverted?

2. Is an inverted cup going to last as long? I don't want to ruin a cup 3 times as fast because of strain on the silicone....

3. Are vaginal muscles just looser when you sit cross-legged on the floor? Is this destined to become a problem? Or is this really going to Kegel away?

4. Does the bell-shape vs. uniformly wide shape make a difference in terms of staying in if width is also a concern? (kuradi8 calls them "hoop skirts" here: http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups/1285963.html) Maybe I'm just getting confused by the term "hoop skirt". On one hand, a uniformly wide shape would have more surface area on contact with the vaginal walls, but on the other hand, the flange of a bell-shaped cup might have some extra holding power....

Thanks in advance!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is my experience with the Lunette 2 (Larger size), I'm 29 years old, and have what I thought were pretty heavy periods. Also, one vaginal birth. Just hoping that my story may help someone else :)

( Read more... )Just one question, does it seem normal to have it so high, to the point where I can barely touch the end of the stem? Thx for this board, I couldn't have done it without all of your input!

I've had some interesting revelations lately regarding my vagina (could be a bit TMI), and thought you would enjoy hearing them, as well as a bit of brand comparison.

I purchased a Divacup (size 1) about eight months ago and have been pretty satisfied with it. I have never had any problems with insertion or getting it to pop open, and can easily get my finger in alongside it to "swirl" it.  The only problem I've encountered is that I apparently have a short vagina, and the Diva has always been too long. As per the recommendations here, I flipped it inside out, and while it still sticks out of me it's not really uncomfortable. I have considered getting another shorter cup and when I saw the trial Ladycup offfer, I got a small bluecup. I've used it for about a week and a half now (waiting for my period to come, and for my period) and it hasn't split yet. However, it appears that the diameter is just too small for me. While having a bowel movement a few days ago, it POPPED OUT of me into the toilet. I was really suprised, as this had always been a concern for me while using the Divacup, but had never actually happened. After fishing it out and cleaning it up, I reinserted it and went on with my day. I figured it was just a fluke, until the same thing happened to me AGAIN this afternoon. The first time, I kind of felt it when it when it happened, but this time, I didn't even know it had fallen out until I went to take it out to empty it and it WASN'T THERE. I pictured my vagina as a waterslide, with my cup sliding happily out of me into the toilet.

So, I really like the length of the Bluecup, the softness as compared to the Diva (thought it does make a bit more slippery and difficult to remove), and the huge, easy to clean holes. I'll probably continue to use it along with the Diva, depending on the day. I guess my vagina is just short and squat, which is not something that seems to be a problem with most people here, but maybe some of you can relate : )

There have been a few questions lately about which cup is best/safest to use with an IUD.
I think one of the biggest fears for IUD users who want to start using a cup...and for cup users who are thinking about an IUD... is whether or not cup use encourages IUD expulsion.
So here's a poll for cup users who have or have had an IUD.
Hopefully it will ease some fears and provide a clearer picture of cup use, IUDs, and expulsion.

( long poll - click here )

I've been looking into getting off NuvaRing and getting a copper IUD. I met with a doctor at my student health center last week and I asked him about using menstrual cups with IUDs, since while I really want an IUD, I'm not sure I can tolerate using anything but a menstrual cup (I've had my DivaCup for three years, and generally tell people who are curious that I'd give up any of my other possessions before my menstrual cup). Specifically, I asked him about the risk of expelling the IUD due to suction, since I'd read that a lot of people were worried about that, or reported that it had happened to them. I thought you all might be interested to hear what he said, which was basically that it shouldn't be a problem.

He told me that he used to fit cervical caps, which rely a lot on suction to work, but that he didn't think that menstrual cups relied on suction to work, since they are one size fits all. While there may be some suction on the vaginal walls, he said, there isn't likely much suction on the cervix, and he said that with his knowledge of the anatomy and of the menstrual cup, its shape, and the way it works, he didn't really see how a menstrual cup would cause expulsion. He said there was no reason they shouldn't be perfectly safe to use together.

Hi, All,

I am having some issues with my Lunette cup and thought maybe someone could offer me some help and advice on how to deal with them.

This is just my second period since receiving my cup.  The cup arrived in the middle of my last period, so I only used it for the last few days (after the heavy bleeding was over).  I found it comfortable and really didn't have any issues with it, except for getting over the learning curve of how to insert it comfortably, how to remove it easily, etc.

This time, though, is quite different.  This is day two of my cycle and already I am questioning if what I am experiencing is normal.  One issue that I have is this:  I can sneeze and cough with the cup in and have no problems with it.  The cups doesn't move or anything.  BUT - when I go to pee, the cup actually falls out!  I am not straining or pushing in any way to go, just that by relaxing enough to be able to relieve myself causes the cup to fall out during the process.  Twice now I have had to fish my cup out of the toilet.  Both times I have had to boil the cup to sanitize it before reinserting it.  Is this normal?  Does anyone else have this problem.  I have just tried to remember to remove the cup every time I go now to avoid having it fall out.

My next issue is this:  I have done all I can to remove as much of the stem as possible, but I still feel poked from time to time, especially when I sit down.  Is the end of the cup supposed to stick out of the vagina during use, or am I supposed to have the cup high enough that it is completely inside of me?  In order for it to feel completely comfortable, I usually have it all the way inside, but then my vaginal opening closes around the bottom of the cup and then when I sit down the pressure of me sitting causes that delicate skin at the vaginal opening to get poked by what is left of the stem.  It is very painful and can be rather embarrassing when I am in certain company.  Any thoughts?

And finally, my last issue is:  With my last period, since I was only using the cup on those last few days with very light bleeding, I had no problem when removing the cup.  Only a tiny bit of bloody liquid was in the bottom of the cup and was easy to just pour out onto a wad of toilet tissue and flush.  This month is quite different.  Yesterday and today was rather heavy, thicker bleeding.  Every time I have removed the cup, a long line of thick, mucus-like blood will be connected from the cup to my body.  I end up having to take a wad of toilet tissue and wipe the blood from my body to disconnect it.  Because of this, when I reinsert the cup, my hand gets practically covered with blood, and also I am finding that I still need a panty liner as a back up to catch the little bit that sloughs off from beneath where the cup is.  Any thoughts on how to avoid this happening?  I don't know if it is because of the method I am using to remove it or what.

Thanks in advance for your help.

I got my diva cup about 3 weeks ago, and about a week after getting a mirena IUD inserted.  At first I was afraid to use them together, but reading the tags and memories gave me confidence, and I haven't had any problems.  Although my doctor trimmed the strings VERY short, to the point that I can have a hard time finding them.

Anyway, I wanted to add my experiences to the general knowledge of the group and any future members.
 

( cut for lengthiness )So, I know that's a lot of info, but any info anyone feels might help me is appreciated.  Otherwise, it's nice to find a safe and supportive place to share!

So my co-worker got a DivaCup and she is very confused.  So I told her I would ask the experts. (that's you all)

She is 38 and had a child last year. She got the Size 2 DivaCup (over 30, post birth)  and she says it feels like the cup is falling out of her.  She can't tell if it's just the stem sticking out or if the cup itself is actually sticking out.

I have suggested that she try wearing the cup inside out (so the stem won't be protruding) to give her a better idea of whether it's the stem or not.  I also suggested that she do some kegels and see if that seemed to help with this falling out problem. 

I looked through previous posts, but I didn't see this issue (Or I didn't know where to look)

She really wants to love her menstrual cup and has asked me for a review of my lady cup as soon as it comes in because she is considering getting a different cup, but I don't know what to say in the mean time.


Any thoughts?

I heard of menstrual cups 4 yrs ago. they were gross back then. even a couple years ago I was still iffy about them. but lately tampons cause pain and feel too lumpy in there. so I bought a Moon Cup (usa).  

Today is my first day. insertion and expulsion are fine. but it sure fills up quickly. I'll need to look for posts here about that issue. The insert said it usually only needs to be emptied every 8 hours. mine was FULL in 4. off to search archived posts...

I decided to blog my New Adventure with the Moon Cup. and I allowed to post that here? well, if not- I'm sure someone will delete it. But if anyone is interested in my Sangre Saga- it is here: http://mitasa.blogspot.com/

 

hi ladies,

i've read through lots of posts, but haven't found a way to solve my problem. i have a diva cup and i have the fairly common problem of it liking to "hang out". but not just that---i think i can't really get any suction at all---i can just pull it out easily by tugging at the bottom.

i'm not having my period today (while i was trying repeatedly to get it to stay in) so that may influence the "shape of things" etc, but the last time i tried it (my last period---august of 2005---ack!), i also had this problem. i got it to suction in once, and then it was higher up and just sat great, but i can't seem to replicate that. i've tried 7 fold, c fold, punch in fold, origami fold (though i can't get the bottom to fold up like she shows in the pics), i've tried putting it in low, putting it in high, stirring...

i'm not totally sure if it's popping open completely. sometimes it seems very squashed, no matter how much i rotate. sometimes it seems more open. it's never still "folded"...

any suggestions on how to get it to suction in?

tia!

elly

I've been using my cup off and on for a few months (had some chafing w/one cycle) and have noticed that when I'm using my cup, I get constipated. Now, I know that it is a bit uncomfortable to poo while I'm wearing it because it feels like it's going to fall out, but I think that this mild fear has turned into a psychosomatic problem. If I'm wearing a pad, or even a tampon, I can still poo, but with my cup, I can't. *shrug* I was just wondering if anyone else was experiencing something like this... ~ Mandy

Hi all :)

I've been meaning to post on here for months but I haven't actually got round to it until today.
I have my IUD fitted last June, and used a Mooncup with it. After reading lots and lots of info on here and on the IUD Divas community I decided I was happy using both considering the possible risk of removal.
Now, if you're not a complete dork, very tired at 3am in the morning and at the phase of your period where the Mooncup really comes into its own (when your flow is light and tampons would be a scratchy nightmare and pads are hot and uncomfortable) so you're not really thinking about menstruating, then you wont make the mistake I did. But, if you are prone to this kind of nonsense, heed my warning!( Read more... )

Hello! I bought my first Diva Cup this afternoon, I have been researching them and reading this community for awhile. I checked through all the new user and proper insertion posts, but I couldn't find a solution to my particular problem.

I am able to insert my cup, but after a few minutes it slides back out so that the base of the cup is resting at the opening of my vagina... and the entire stem of the cup is sticking out. I have no trouble inserting it, I have tried three times now. I am able to rotate it and feel that it's open. I also feel like I am placing it in far enough because it's up high enough so that the stem is definitely not hanging out (actually, I pushed it up as far as I could hoping that it wouldn't slide back down), but a few mins later it's migrated down again. It's so frustrating!

Do you think this is just a case of me needing to get the hang of it? Thanks for any advice! :-)

---

Edit: Thank you to everyone for your responses! I've cut the stem so it's much shorter, and it feels SO much better. I think the stem was also poking me while I was sitting/laying down, and that pain has also gone. Thanks so much!

okay, bear with me, I'm new at this post stuff.  My other one got lost in cyber space somewhere.

I really envy you gals who say that their cups will not come out.  I'm 5'2", 130 lbs, kids x 4, and own a mooncup size A.  I've tried to use it for two periods now.  Even though I try and try, I simply cannot make that cup stay inside my body.  It's almost as if it will not develop the suction that everyone talks about.  I read about the little gross slurping noises, and how people use jewelery pliars to remove the cups (!) and mine does none of that.  I've tried rotating it, tipping it, removing it and reinserting it, different insertion positions, flexing my muscles to "draw it up" to no avail.  I even tried scrunching my muscles down there to hold it in, (not that I could possibly continue that all day long..I just wanted to see if it helps) but out it comes.  I have no trouble locating my cup because you can see the bottom of it outside me!  During period 1, I had to give it up because I got so sore down there.  Period 2 is here, and I'm ready for round two to show this stupid piece of plastic who's the boss.  Score so far is mooncup-12, mom-0.  I tried it today (day 1) and was in the bathroom about every 45 minutes because it was leaking and "peeking".  The cup was nowhere near full, there was no reason for it to be leaking.  I'd be willing to deal with the leaks if it would just stay up there!  I'm shoving it up there to my last knuckle on my fingers (sorry, tmi, I know) so I know it starts "up there".  I even tried inserting it dry ( ouch) to see if it would get a better grip...nope.  The only time it stays sort-of-in-place is when I'm lying down, and even then it pokes and presses on different parts of me in there, and is mighty uncomfortable.  I get up and then down and out it comes, within minutes.  I wonder sometimes if I sneeze--whether it would just pop out entirely!.  I wonder if a smaller size would be better, but if the large size can't get a grip in there, how in the world is a smaller one going to be able to do it?  Gee whiz, this is teething at its worst!  I'll never be able to convince my teens that this is a good thing at this rate.    :(       Thanks for listening.

Thanks for all of the great advice I received earlier.  Day 3 of the cup and so far and mostly so great!  However, I was at the gym today on an elliptical (one of these: http://www.bodyconcept.com/family/1586/display.html ) and as I was working out, I began to feel the stem of my cup as it slid down.  I left mid-way through my workout to adjust it and push it in higher manually.  I thought perhaps it had slid out when I used the bathroom before my workout.  But then a few minutes into my workout it slid down again!  I think I spent most of the workout keeping my vaginal muscles tight to some degree, to make sure it didn't slide out.  I doubt that would have happened anyways, but just in case. 

Is this common?  Is there anything I can do besides ignoring it or removing it before I work out?

I purchased a Diva Cup. I've read all the memories on insertion and all that and it answered my questions but it still isn't working out for me.

This morning, upon starting my period, i inserted the diva cup using the punch down method. I did the whole, slouched with hips almost horizontal to the seat thing and inserted the diva cup as horiztonally as i could. I pushed it up to where the stem was even with my vaginal opening. All fine and dandy... it opened up, i heard the suction, i ran my finger around it, twisted it, made sure --all that stuff.

So far, it's already eons better than a tampon because i don't feel the need to kill the world within 5 seconds of putting it in. It has been at least 30 seconds so far, and i'm still calm and happy. Until i stand up. Ok, i can kinda feel it, but its no biggie - until i relax. And then it feels like my vagina is PUSHING the cup out - like i'm giving birth to it. And in fact, it WAS pushing it out. I couldn't get it to stay where i put it. I really hated the way it felt, moving up and down like that.

I tried re-inserting it several different times trying different things ... but everytime, it would just push back down when i stood up and relaxed. It wouldnt push OUT of my vagina, but it would bob up and down depending on what my muscles were doing.

I figured, maybe i just had to get used to it, so i put it in and made an attempt to leave the house - to brave the day wearing this uncomfy thing. I only made it to the end of the driveway before it felt like it was just falling out totally... i rushed back in and took it out. There was already blood in the cup, so i know it was open... but ..uhm...

suggestions? What am i doing wrong?
it was only my first day, so i'm not giving up... but i stuck with a cloth pad for the day, because i couldn't deal with that feeling. I suppose i'll try it again tonight.

---

EDIT: I pushed it up higher and it worked. yay!

The search kept timing out on me, so I'm very sorry if these have been answered before and I didn't find it by  reading through other posts.  I have read so many things here and appreciate the vast amount of information here!  You are all so helpful. :)

I'm 34 & have two kids, one vag birth & one c-section.

I think I got the insertion stuff down with the Diva Cup, to the point where I don't even feel it.  But as soon as I start moving around, I feel the cup start to slide and it comes about halfway out.  I'm talking within the first few steps I take after insertion.  I believe it is sealed, as it doesn't want to spin and won't push up any more once it has popped open, and I still have to break the seal to remove it.

I have completely trimmed off the stem because it was poking me to death, so that part is better now, but what the heck can be going on?  Is this a muscular issue maybe?

I've messed around with it so much tonight that I'm sore, so finally just went to a pad to give myself & the vajajay a rest! :P

Thanks! :)

I have been using my Diva Cup for 3 months and (used to) love it.  The last couple days, it has been leaking like crazy!  It is so strange, it also feels like it is falling out of me!  I usually wear it fairly far up, but after running around - or literally going for a run this morning- I can feel it hanging outside of me!  It is so uncomfortable!  And no matter how much I fuss and make sure I have a good seal, it leaks like crazy. 

I have heard Kegals mentioned, would that help this problem?  I use the bigger cup since I am 40 and have 3 kids, but never considered myself "big" down there.  I am actually a very thin person...although I have no idea if that matters at all.

I gave up today and am using tampons.  I am so bummed, I love the cup, the idea of the cup and have had no problems so far.  Is it that I get "stretched out" and I need a break?

Thanks!

Does anybody know the DivaCup return/exchange policy? I can't find it on the site. Though it was bought from betterlife.com and gifted to me, would they still exchange it? I also lost the box, the little pouch, and the pin. I can't find anything on the exchange policy though. :( Thanks in advance.

I'm happy with my cup, but its slightly too wide and my vagina likes pushing it out.

I've never used cups in my entire life. I am currently using cloth pads but I discovered that I don't have enough time to wash time and I find it pretty icky and tedious. I really want to try using menstrual cups. The problems is that I have an IUD. I have looked at the memories about this but most of them have used the cups BEFORE the IUD so they got used to it. I have my IUD for a year already and now I want to use the cups but I'm concerned since I haven't had any practice in placing the cups and removing it w/o the IUD. Also my strings were left pretty long (about 2 inches) though they always curl on my cervix.

I also wanted to know which brand of cups will be IUD-friendly and will pose less threat in yanking my IUD out based on its size, etc.

I just started using my Diva Cup yesterday.  I trimmed the stem (almost completely off) and I have been putting the cup as far up as I seem to be able to.  My problem is that, whenever I walk more than 10 feet, it starts to slip out. I don't feel it when I'm sitting or laying at all --it's just when I move. I tried running and had to stop because it felt like it was falling out.  It feels like how a tampon feels when it's full and starts to slip out.  It's pretty uncomfortable, and I'm trying to figure out if it's normal that it feels like that.  I tried pushing it horizontally back, instead of up, and that seemed to help for a while, but it slowly fell back down.  

I have the smaller size - I am only 20, I've never had kids, and I really don't feel like my vagina is any larger than normal (then again, I guess I wouldn't really know :).
 
So, I guess my question is--has anyone had these problems and, if yes, what did they do to correct them? 

ok so i have the smaller size of the diva cup. i am thrilled with it, the only thing is, where it sits comfortable (which is where my body puts it) is pretty low. this isnt a problem except when i have to poop. when i have to poop, i inadvertantly bear down (doesn't everyone?), and it pushes my diva out some. i am worried that i might push it out. it feels like i'm close to doing that so i end up using my fingers to hold it up when i have to poop. not very comfortable. does anyone else have this problem? is it just my body or maybe the legnth of the cup?
ps i never thought i would end up talking about my bowel movements online!

I've had my cup (diva cup) for coming up on three years, I think. I've used it every period since then and have never once.. been happy with it. But I still use it. Why? Because it just seems like such a darn good idea! Because it seems like I should use it, because I know it's better for me and better for the environment. Even if it's not so good for my productivity, because I'm in the bathroom every hour to check if it's started leaking yet, or to reinsert it because it has almost completely removed itself from my vagina.

Am I the only one? It seems like everyone else was immediately gloriously happy with their cups, had problems but eventually overcame them and was gloriously happy, or ultimately was unsuccessful with the cup and gave up. Are there others of you out there who consider your experience with menstrual cups unsuccessful, but still use them for reasons similar to mine or otherwise?

I'm not particularly looking for suggestions, because trust me, in three years I've received plenty, and nothing's ever helped. I'm just curious if there are others out there in the same situation.