I need the help of all of you menstrual cup goddess out there.

 

I really need some help with my cup – here is some quick info

Age = 15

Cup = Diva

 

So I have had my amazing Diva cup for a while now and have been having some major problems getting it to work. I can insert it snugly up where it’s supposed to go and forget about it for awhile until I go bright red and have to rush off to the toilet. Upon entering the toilet I discover that my underwear and pants have undergone some spontaneous redecorating and have decided on the new colour scheme of red. So that’s where I am going wrong … I had already decided that my periods don’t like me but completely bypass that nice Diva cup which I put there especially for it? Not nice at all. I think its not hard to see that this will not work for me at all if the cup doesn’t catch the blood, that is why I am asking all of you awesome “masters of the cup” to help me on my quest of using-a-menstrual-cup-without-getting-blood-all-over-my-nice-clothes-cause-my-cups-not-working. I am guessing that I not getting the cup to pop open or seal right, any tips, instructions, advice?

 

Please I need help with this (I have a really heavy flow and get really sick of having to run to the toilet between every class to change my super tampon)

 

Any advice, help, tips, tricks, instructions, information, suggestions, directions or any other help would be really really imprecated helpful.

 

Thanks

Ok responeding...

yep tried most folds, all seemed to work more or less the same but I had a bit of trouble inserting some of them.

I just got my new GreenCup (small) through the post yesterday and I thought I'd just give a bit of info on how I've got on with it so far. I know there are lots of comparisons on here but I think it's good to have lots of peoples opinions to help others' decide because everyone is so different...anyway...

Size-wize it is smaller in rim width and length but the inside of the rim and the actual body of the cup look the same size as the small MCUK. It is simillar in firmness around the rim and area where the holes are but the body of the cup is softer and squishier. The holes are HUGE!! But I think this will be a good thing for me for both cleaning and suction.

On a dry run it has been really easy to insert and remove although, like some LadyCup users I have found it to be a bit tricky to get a good grip of to remove. I have cut most of the stem off after a couple of trials but may remove all of it in the future as I did with my MCUK. To insert I tried the punch-down fold to begin with as this is what I usually use with my MCUK and then the C-fold. both worked fine but I think C-fold is going to be my preferred fold for this cup as the punch-down was a bit hard to keep a good grip of with the cup being so slippery when wet (I can't do dry insertion). 

I'll have to give an update in a couple of weeks when I've had my period but so far so good. I won't go overboard just yet incase I have an awful period with it but I think it's going to be my cup of choice really. My MCUK is comfy enough once placed correctly but I often have trouble getting it in and getting it to open. Lots of you have suggested firmer cups pop more easily but I find the opposite to be true for me, my MCUK would stay folded all day if I didn't let some air into it. With GreenCup I still had to let air in to get the cup to be rounded out but the rim seems to pop open straight away. Viscious circle with MCUK - C-fold won't go in but pops best, punch down goes in best but won't pop (sod's law)

 

Hi, after loitering with intent for a few months I've decided to join you lovely people. Mainly because I want some advice (reading all your posts were such a great help when I was new to cups) Well, I've been using a UK Mooncup for about 9 months and its been going ok but I've always had a bit of trouble getting it to open up. I've been using the punch down fold which is easy to get in but it unfolds and suckers itself together and feels like my innards are being vacuumed out at the same time (not painful but unnerving all the same) I have to kind of pull my vag open to get some air into the cup or it wont open (does that make sense?)  I've practiced the c-fold on a dry run the past few days and it does pop a bit easier but I find it too wide to get it past my entrance comfortably and the thickness of the silicone makes it really difficult to hold this fold long enough to get it in (I am actually getting cramp in my hand after a few seconds) Can anyone advise on whether a softer cup might be easier  to fold/pop open and if so which one? I'm thinking maybe lunette or ladycup..

Hi,

I got my Diva cup back in December.

My first time trying it was unsuccessful, I tried a full two hours. I couldn't get even a little bit in before it popped open (like the corner was barely in). Suffice it to say it hurt, a lot. There was also a lot of bleeding, which really frightened me and I called it quits after that.

The next month I decided to try again, but, surprisingly, the area where it popped open still hurt and after a good half an hour I decided that I wasn't going to get it to work. I tried a ton of different folds, but they all threatened to (or did) pop open before I got them in, which scared me.

I tried again the next month, but after that I just gave up and decided to go back to my tampons.

Does anybody have any advice, because I really don't want to give up on my Diva Cup, I'm going away for a year and don't want to fill a suitcase with tampons to drag around with me. Are Diva Cups good for long periods of travel?

Should I be concerned about the bleeding, as there was a lot of blood and pain?

(Also, I don't know if this is relevent, but I am a virgin.)

Hello ladies..I really hope someone will be able to help me with this...
I've been using Mooncup UK for a few months now (never had any problems inserting/removing the cup). However, the cup always leaked during the first three nights of my period. Also, I found the stiff material a little bit uncomfortable while inside. So I decided to buy another cup with a bigger capacity for my heavier days. After reading lots of articles and blogs, I thought the large LadyCup would be the right choice for me (I am 24, sexually active with no children).

After the first period using the small Mooncup, I mastered the insertion/removal techniques and the whole process would not take me longer than a few seconds. Nobody would expect a different story with the LadyCup! I was really excited when my LadyCup arrived. I loved everything about it - the material, the size, smooth surface, etc. Unfortunately, it all changed the moment I tried to insert mine for the first time... Insertion alone was not a problem...I could easily fold the cup into any shape and insert it, but the unfolding was a completely different story. I know that this has already been mentioned in the blog before, but I really need help with this, especially from the ladies using the large LadyCup. The LadyCup is only 3mm wider in diameter than the small Mooncup! I have read many stories where even younger girls were happily using the larger LadyCup and there is no reason why I should be somehow "tighter" down there than any other average 24-year old. I do not exercise at all so my muscular tone should be average as well....

I tend to use my kegels to push down my Mooncup, but there was no way I could use the muscles to unfold the LadyCup (or maybe I just don't know how to use them properly, I don't know). I have to mention that I tried to insert the cup on many occasions, I tried to be relaxed every time, I used several folds, positions, even angles but nothing worked. The cup would just stay inside me as if I was still hoding it with my fingers! I am sure it's all because of the soft material (which would be far more comfortable for me). 

I love the cup....it would be a shame to leave it in the cupboard somewhere....are there any tricks that need to be used with the large LadyCups? Please let me know what works for you because I don't know what else to try.....thanks very much for your help.

 I am a 14 year old girl, and I recently got a Diva Cup because nothing else was working well for me. 

I eagerly waited for my period, but the first two days when I tried to insert my diva cup, I just... coudln't. It hurt a LOT and the first day I couldn't even get it partly in. The second day I got it about 2/3 in, but then couldn't stand the pain. I was pretty disappointed, because I really wanted it to work and I thought the DivaCup was going to be my "perfect solution."

Today, I tried again and got it all the way in with only a little bit of pain! =D I've been using the punch-down fold, with the side punched wayyy down so that it has a nice point. 

I've used it all day, and so far I have been good and had no leaks (partly because my flow is really light by now). 

My only issues, however, are:

~I find it really hard to twist the cup. I can't really get a grip on it unless I grab the cup beyond the ridges. Except when I do this it only twists the bottom and the cup becomes all swirled up! I guess I twisted it enough, though, because I didn't have leaks. Except I felt dents at the bottom. Perhaps it wasn't sealed and it only didn't leak because my flow is so light right now... So how can I tell if it's open?
~When I removed the cup it hurt! I figured that it is because of the suction. Is there supposed to be a suction? I broke it by reaching to the top of the cup and pushing one side it. Is this okay?
~My mom says that it isn't good to wear it longer than 4 hours. She also doesn't want me to wear it overnight because "I should give my muscles a rest, because otherwise the DivaCup will just fall out of me someday." Is this realistic? I thought I would be able to wear my DivaCup for my whole period. I don't want to have to keep buying pads...
~I can feel it. When I'm sitting or walking around I can feel the Diva Cup. It's not really painful, just a little uncomfortable. Also, I checked and the stem is not poking out at all. Is this okay or is there some way to fix it?
~Also, I didn't bother buying the Diva cup and the only soap I have at home has a mild scent. I don't usually break out from smelly soaps, so will washing the Diva Cup with this be a problem? Or are there any other in-home washes I can use? (Actually I already washed it with this soap. I feel fine, so far)

But over all, it's working great and I  think it might actually be the solution I was looking for!

~Thanks! 

So, I have a DivaCup and a MCUK. I tried the DivaCup, and fell in love with it right away. It was easy to use, and everything. Still, I decided to give my MCUK a go, and decided this was the period to do it (36 days since my last period, can  you believe that?).

( Details of the Illicit Affair )

I struggled a bit, but I eventually got it both in and out with zero pain (the secret, I think is a little olive oil) but it was still uncomfortable, so I read through some of these posts and decided to cut off the stem, that worked and it's now much more comfortable, but I can still feel it in there. I read on another post about turning it inside out and I tried that, but once it was in, I couldn't get it to pop in all the way because the bottom kept pushing inward (if that makes any sense?). I think the reason I can still feel it is because I can't figure out how to turn it in a circle. It doesn't seem to be possible :)

Any ideas?

So... I'm giving the menstrual cup another try. So far, I've managed to get it in and out without pain this time. Yay!

However, I evidently put it in wrong yesterday and had some leakage, then took it out and rearranged it and then, I guess, had it in properly.

Today I did the same thing. I just rearranged it and am hoping it's in properly now. I'm having to wear a pad to make sure that I'm not leaking. I guess it's just part of the learning process.

But what I'm wondering is... how do you know if it's "popped open" properly? I just feel around the bottom and if it feels round, I assume it's open. I don't know... maybe? I'm having a really hard time rotating it and I don't feel it open when I do manage to rotate it at all.


Any tips would be appreciated!

Hi everyone, new Divacup user here. I love it, so far. I seem to have been one of the lucky ones who didn't need much trial and error to get it. However, I do have a question or two to make sure I'm doing things right and not establishing bad habits from the get-go.

Anyway, the only time I was ever able to feel the cup was the first time I inserted it. I reinserted it, moved around some to make sure I couldn't feel it, and was good to go after that.

The issue I'm having is not getting a "pop" that everyone talks about. I've gotten a feel of the depth at which it feels most comfortable sitting, but I've never been able to rotate it from this position. So far I've just let it be, because the only leakage problem I've had so far is due to the cup being full.

So, does this happen w/anyone else? Am I doing something wrong, or should I just go with it if it works and feels comfortable? I'm still a little cautious, so I use a pad for back-up (though I'm looking into cloth panty-liners next because I'm seriously swearing off disposables from here on out!) But I'd like to get to the point that I don't have to worry about it.

That brings me to my next question... I'm on birth control, so my period pretty much comes at the same time every month, it pretty much just varies by hour. Is it OK to insert the Divacup that morning, or should I wear a pad until I actually start bleeding?

Thanks in advance!

 I've been reading this page and have found lots of problems similar to mine, but none exactly the same so I hope you won't find this repetative. :) 

So I got a DivaCup yesterday and was really excited to try it out, luckily I didn't have to wait for my period, I was already in the middle. 
i chose the Diva because I honestly didn't think there were any other brands, I'd visited their website and it looked pretty cool and they sold them at London Drugs so I bought one.

Okay so I read the instructions, went into the bathroom and tried to insert it. I tried the two folds shown in the user guide with no success. I tried to relax but I was kind of frusterated so I took a break went on the computer and found this community.

I went back a little while later and tried again with the different folds and techniques. I couldn't get it in. I know some people are going to be suggestion lubricant and that might help but I think the main problem is it seems there's not enough room for it. My muscles seemed pretty relaxed but there's not enough room and it hurts if i try to shove it in the tiny opening, making me, unrelaxed.

The best I was able to do was about 2/3s of it in, it wouldn't open, and it was painful.

So here are my questions:
1. Does it make any real difference in the sizes and squishiness of the different brands?
2. Does Diva Cup have a satisfation gurantee?  
3. Is it worth it to order a different cup and pay for the shipping?
4. How do you relax your pelvic floor muscles? Any tips on that would be great.

I really want to get it to work because I agree with the values and want to save the environment. i'm thinking about calling the Diva Cup customer service line but I wanted to check here first.

I'm fourteen and a virgin.

******

Success! Thanks to everyone who left advice, it all helped. I don't know exactly how I did it the first time, but I've been able to replicate it again so hopefully it'll get easier and easier the more I do it. I had a bit of trouble getting it out due to the fact that is had moved upwards and was hiding behind my pubic bone. But it's all sorted out and I think this is the beginning of a wonderful thing. So thanks again, I'm so grateful that this community was here, I'd be lost without you guys.

Yay yay yay yay! :)
I finally inserted my cup for the first time today!  It was so much easier than I expected, didn't even hurt.  However, I have no idea if it popped open.  I didn't hear a sound, but it kind of feels open?  I'm not sure.  I guess I'll just leave it in for a while then attempt to take it out.  I'm so dreading that.  I'm planning on doing everything to help it out... warm bath, masterbation, squatting, lube.  Any more suggestions?  But yeah, main question is how can I tell if it's open?  I have a small Lunette, btw.  Thanks!
UPDATE: I was poking at the side with my finger and when I poked it made a gurgly sound like it broke the suction... so I'm guessing it is/was open?

Hi there,

I recently bought a Diva cup but while I think It's popping open I'm not entirely sure. I don't "feel" it pop like I've read from some past entries, but it doesn't feel like it's folded either.

When I do some internal exploration while it's in there, the cup almost feels like it's being squished like a sandwich against my vaginal walls. It feels open, but does it squish down like that normally?

I also noticed I had some light spotting in the morning, does that mean it's leaking (and not popping), or that there was some blood already there beforehand that just found its way out?

I use the punch down method, if that helps at all.


thanks :)

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?

Background info: Im a 20 yr old virgin. I do not know if my hymen is still intact though... Sometimes I think it is and other times I dont. I also have never used tampons because Im scared of them and have a really really light period (4 days, 2 of the days only require a light pad at most, and the other 2 need only a pantyliner).

Ok, so I bought a diva because after some self-exploring I was unable to feel my cervix so I figure it sat pretty high up and the length of the diva would be no problem (also, it was the cheapest cup). I get the diva and insert it no problems... except the base and stem are sticking out but it wont go any higher no matter how much I try to push it. Removing and inserting there is not pain. I figured it was actually too wide and long so I bought a lunette.

I got the lunette and it pops in perfectly. Super easy, no pain, I cannot feel it at all (I was amazed!). But I have a similar problem as the diva in that it will not pop open or unfold. I put my finger next to it and I guess what happened is it is hitting a bone and then folding in half. At first I was like "OMG WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!" until I realized it was the cup because the top is curving back downwards... I was confused. I dont know what Im supposed to do. I stuck my finger as I as I could get it in trying to push the top back up and hoping it would pop open, but I couldnt get it to straighten out. It probably doesnt help that my vagina feels cresent shaped and just doesnt not seem like there is enough space for the cup to sit open because when I put my finger in it feels hugged by warm and squishy all around. Should I try the diva again and just try harder to push it up higher, past the bone?

I really want to use the cup because I move around a lot and heat+pad= uncomfortable... Ive got a ladycup on the way too... oiy Ive spent like $80 on these cups. Im so impatient with myself, Ill make them work though I just need some suggestions. I dont really understand how high they are supposed to go.

Edit//
Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I got it in right today. I just did the 7 fold and pointed the folded side down and it worked in about 3 seconds.
I cant do it sitting down though because for some reason it hurts. Standing is easy enough though. Im so happy! Its too bad thats its on the 3rd day of my pretty much non-exist period.

Okay so I am a teen and have the small diva cup but cant get it to work.(been using tampons before now)

The problem is I cant seem to get it in far enough so that the bottom doesn't stick out, it either pops open and i cant push it in any further or if i'm holding it between my first finger and thumb i cant seem to get it all in. If by some miracle I get it in it wont pop open and wont seal. And then getting it out is painful , is there any way to do it without folding the cup up inside you??

Help!! need to know how to insert it the whole way and how to pop it open.

Ok, since its the first day of my cycle, I wanted empty the cup every couple of hours.  Well, actually, I inserted it around 6 pm (I was up until 7 in the morning last night, so I slept in ensanely late today, lol).  Now its lik 9:42pm.  So I went to empty it...

Surprisingly, it didn't have much flow in it.  Only about a quarter of the way up.  And this one is a bit longer than the ladycup I used to have (the one that my neighbor stole, in case you read that post).  And my cervix rides VERY low during my cycle.  So during my dry runs, I was able to get it up pretty far...  But now, the bottom of the cup refuses to go more than a half-inch further than the vaginal opening.  So I can feel it a little bit while its in (I cut the stem COMPLETELY off).  But it doesn't bother me.  I could always feel a tampon too, no matter where I put it.   But the good part of that is, there is no reisk of it being difficult to grab hold of (which my small ladycup WAS hard to grab at times).

Diva pops open VERY well and easily for me, thanks to the slightly thicker silicone.  Forms a good seal, and NO leaks (well, not so far, but I am having an unusually light first day, so we'll see how a heavier day goes).  This must be a newer model, because I've seen some older ones, and they had a defined ridge 1/3 of the way down.  But mine does not--- its extremely smooth from top to bottom, with the exception of the grip rings around the base.  

When I removed it, the outside was as clean as before I put it in.  The inside was mostly clean too, because everything seemed to collect at the bottom.  The very bottom of the cup is flat.  No writing.  A simple rinse under the faucet, and it was clean as the day I got it.  The holes are VERY tiny, and I've heard of some people having trouble cleaning them out, but mine came clean quite easily, simply by filling the cup with water, placing my hand over the top, and squezing the water through the holes.  Reinsertion was smooth and easy.

All in all, I would say this is a GREAT cup!              

Today has been HORRIBLE with my DivaCup. I posted earlier about how it was in wrong and I bled all over myself at work, and resorted to a tampon. Well, tonight before bed, I tried to give my cup another shot. That was an hour and a half ago. I've seriously been fucking with the damn thing for that long. It's ridiculous, I'm so frustrated. I want this to work, it's such a great idea! But omg what is wrong with it. Yesterday, day one, it worked just fine. I don't even know what I did, I just stuck it in and it was fine. Tonight I inserted it twenty times and couldn't get it to pop at all, or it popped, but I thought I felt dents. And I seriously can't tell what the right angle is. I felt around for my cervix, but nothing in there feels like the end of my nose. So I'm just aiming like this: while sitting on the toilet, I'm trying to keep the cup horizontal to the floor. Somebody told me to do it like that. It's in now, finally. But I can totally feel. Am I supposed to feel it? And I think it's popped, but who the hell knows. I guess I'll find out by the state of my sheets in the morning.

Does it get any better? Because right now I'm feeling that when it works, it works great. But the problem I'm having is that I can't tell when it ISNT working until its too late (ie: I've made an embarrassing mess). I don't want to have to be worrying all the time about whether or not I'm leaking all over the place.

Argggggh. Sorry about the bitching, guys. I'm just mad because  I wanted to be asleep an hour ago but wouldn't give up on the damn cup. I'm also fretting that I may end up having spent $25 dollar on something that won't work for me. Poop!

Anyway, good night ladies. I'll let you know whether or not my bed looks like a crime scene in the morning.
 

Thanks everyone for responding to my post, I appreciate it so much! It was really helpful. Yesterday was the first day of my period. I used the punch-down folding method and everything worked out great! I could even twist it to check it was popped. It was a little uncomfortable at first, but then it "settled" and I forgot about it. I even wore it at night with no leaks. I was very pleased.

Then Day 2... I put it in today and went to work. After a half an hour, I could feel I was leaking. It must not have popped open fully, although I could swear it felt normal when I swirled my finger around it. So I messed up my underwear, and tried to put it back in. My hands got super messy trying to get it back in.  I tried a couple, and it kept slipping open before it was in right. Then i couldn't tell if it was popped or not, so gave up cause I had to get back to work and didn't want any more accidents! I'm so bummed to be wearing a tampon right now. I'm about to try it again, though, now that I'm home. Hopefully I'll have better luck now.

So, this weekend I have to go to this indoor water park with my boyfriends WHOLE family. Worst timing to be on my period. Can I swim with the Diva Cup? Will it like fill up with water or spill blood into the pool? That would be horrible! Should I just stick with a tampon?

Thanks again, girls.

I got my cup last week. Luckily was on my time of the month to use it, so I was stoked! I bought the Diva Cup Model 2 from iHerb.com. I couldn't resist trying it so I washed it and my hands off. Used the info from this community and the directions...Deciding to use a C type fold, I folded it and tried to put it in. POPPPP! It popped outta my hands, lol. I dunno if it's just cuz it's brand new or something, it seems kinda hard for me to fold and keep folded down WHILE inserting it. That's the MAIN problem I've had with it. I got it in and it instantly opened up inside me cuz I could barely keep it folded together in the first place. I tried to do the spin in one full circle thing I've read about in here. That wasn't going to happen, I couldn't spin it at all. Felt too suctioned in or something.

If it feels like it's suctioned in (cuz it is a lil harder/tugging to get it out when need be)...Does that mean it's SEALED? I'm getting a tiny bit of spotting, like the stem is making lil dots on my pad or something? It was hardly even blood colored...Dunno what's up with that.

Other than that. I love it. I feel a lot nicer, cleaner, healthier, and don't have to change it alllll the friggin time. I love that too. Even though it's been kinda hard for me to get in, and having to wear panty liners. I STILL love it more than stupid tampons. Haha. No more feeling all dried out all the time. And yay for saving money!!


Like my lil cup for my bag, made by: Quirky Quintessentials Click to make the pic bigger. =)

Hello everyone,

Thank you *so* much for all your help.  Even just mainly lurking, and checking out old posts through the tags, I learned a ton.  The best part is that now I can finally use my divacup.  (It seems like lots of people don't like the divacup as much as others, but I think it's great, for what it's worth--not that I ave tried anything else.  But the diva is also easier to find, at least in the US, because they sell them at Whole Foods.)

( Read more... )

I actually *like* my cycle now--I look forward to it!  This is totally different from how I felt before.  I used to hate it with a passion!

Also, an interesting note: I think I'm cycling in tune with my close friend from school.  It's actually really coll that women bleed together, in my opinion.  (But this friend does *not* enjoy her cycle at all--she uses disposable pads and can't stand the thought of anything goind inside her.  Ah well, maybe someday...)

Again, thanks so much!

Adios!

I really don't know if cups are for me. I had a diva cup for 6 months or so, and it never worked for me. I'm pretty sure it was way too big for me. A couple of months ago I got my lady cup. My first period with it was okay. After a couple of times I could get it in right. The first time, however, it leaked, and I have no idea why. After that, it was okay. So my period is "scheduled" to start tomorrow and since I usually get it in the really early hours of the morning, I was going to go ahead and stick the cup in so I wouldn't have to worry about it. I also planned on wearing a pad as a just in case. I thought I had gotten it in right, but apparently not. I could feel it sticking out of me, which is so weird because last month I had absolutely no problems with it poking out. I love the long stem, it makes it so much easier/cleaner to take it out for me, and I really don't want to cut it. Could it be I just didn't have it in right? And it might be a little TMI here but it also, like, blocked me from being able to use the bathroom.
On top of it poking out, I can't get it to pop open. Is it supposed to happen right away? Because I had this same problem with my diva cup. I've tried the C fold, 7 fold, and the punch down fold. None work for me. The way it worked for me last month way me putting it in using one of the folds, then pulling it out just about all the way so that it would fill with air and seal. Then I had to try to push it back up inside of me. And that is PAINFUL! So help is appreciated, if not, I might just go back to pads. I'd rather use a cup, but I feel like it shouldn't be this difficult.

Edit: Just in case it might help any of you in giving me advice... I usually put the cup in with one leg up on the counter, and standing on the other. The only other way that I have found that works for me is laying down, and I can't do that in a bathroom.

Let me preface this with the fact that I am a 16 year old virgin, in case it matters. I also can't find my cervix ever, and I'm not quite clear on how to tell if I've gotten the cup past my pubic bone. I've really tried to figure both out, I swear. Anyway, I ordered a Lunette last week thanks to this wonderful community. I was really excited to get to use it. I am completely dedicated to figuring out how to get this to work.

( The story so far )

Could someone help me figure out a fold that will pop open easily and not murder my nether bits? I think the origami might do the trick but I can't understand how to do it (it seems like the Lunette is too stiff to do it as it's done in the guide with all of the folds and it always pops open too early for me). If you recommend the origami fold, could you give me more in-depth instructions, as I can't seem to get it right?

So, I have a small LadyCup and a large Lunette Selene. I've been frustrated with the Lunette, and since I got it during leastore's guarantee, I'm thinking about exchanging it for a large LC.

I initially got the small LC, and while it's wonderful for my light days, I have 1-2 *really* heavy days where I was changing it constantly. So I definitely need a large, high-capacity cup of some sort. I figured I'd try the large Selene. However, it leaks when it gets about halfway full. I posted here and it was suggested that I should wear it higher so that my cervix is inside the cup, and then I could get a better seal. The problem is, when I try to insert it high (I use the origami fold so I can hold it at the bottom and really get it up there), it not only refuses to pop open, but nothing I do will get it to budge. "Stirring" with a finger, inserting it between the cup and vaginal wall and pressing, poking at the rim, nothing I do can get it open. I've tried every fold, still no help. It will only pop open if I let it sit really low.

Now, with my small LC, it doesn't always pop open, but it's a snap to get it open once it's in there. One stir with my finger and I can spin the cup with no problem.

My question is, is this merely because of the LC's small size, or is this a stiffness/squishiness issue? When you insert a large LC up high, can you get it to pop open more easily than a large Lunette? If so I think I am going to exchange my cup.

Geez, this cycle has just had some ups and downs. I just spent an hour and thirty minutes putting in, then taking out my cup repeatedly. I followed my usual process of slicking up my vag with some lube, then inserting the cup. It worked fine for me until this time. For some weird reason, every time  I inserted it, the cup would refuse to pop open. It didn't matter what fold I used (origami, C, and 7), the cup would just refuse to open all the way. I checked it by swirling it a little with my finger, but maybe I was pushing down on it without realizing it. I finally got it right, but now I'm worried that it's not completely open and it will start leaking. Granted, it's a lighter part of my period, but I don't want to mess up my clean bedsheets again. Does anyone have any suggestions to make the cup open easier and/or a better way to check that it's open?