Hullo! I'm Laurel, 16, virgin, etc etc. For Christmas I got a small Diva cup, which was very joyous. I have a really heavy flow and so I was always using tons of tampons. They have never really been comfortable for me, and always a hassle to carry around and buy.

So I attempted to get it in twice today. The first time I couldn't get it in at all, using the C fold. It wouldn't go in all the way and kept coming out. Then I found this lovely community, and some people mentioned that the push down fold was easier to insert. So I tried again in the shower using the push down fold and it went in fine (after about 5 tries...). The only problem was is that I don't think it popped open inside. It didn't feel very comfortable or suctioned. In the instruction booklet it says that you have to turn it 360 degrees. I found this really difficult to do. I couldn't get a good enough grip on the end to turn it. What is the best way to do this? Should I turn it while it is inside, or halfway out? I tried poking around the cup, but it was very hard to tell if it was suctioned, the walls of the cup didn't feel like they were spread out completely. When I removed it, it seemed like one side was still partially folded. Should it come out completely unfolded? 

Are there any folds you recommend that are small and easy to insert but suction well? I find the push down fold is so much more easier to insert and hold than the C fold. Does anyone else have problems with it? 

Obviously I'm very new at this and still getting the hang of it. I want this to work out very badly! Especially since my period is coming soon and I really don't want to use tampons. 

Thanks for any help you may have. 

 I am getting ready to start my second cycle with my Diva Cup. I had no leaks during my first cycle and loved it!  However,  it is just a tiny smidge too long, and the nub where the stem was before I cut it off is a bit irritating, even though I filed it well (my vagina goes a little to the left, so the nub rubs my right wall).  By the last day of my cycle, I couldn't take the irritation any longer and turned it inside out.  MUCH better, but it was my last day so my flow was light and wasn't concerned about leaking.  In preparation for this cycle, wanting to use it inside out for my heavy days too, I have been practicing inserting it inside out, and it just doesn't want to pop open!  The punch down fold worked well right side out, but not inside out.  I have tried all of the folds, running it under cold water, letting it open before it is in all of the way....as many tips as I have been able to find in this great community.  I have also been storing it inside out, hoping that it gets "used" to being this way.  Does anyone have any tricks to getting the Diva to pop open inside out?  I am thinking that the solution may be just to order a Lunette, but want to give my Diva Cup a fair chance for three months before I make the change.  Thanks in advance for your help, I love this place!

I wasn't intending to post until my period's over but I have a couple of questions that have come up. I've been using my cup for the last few days for the light spotting that I get (for some reason, I've started spotting for about 4 days beforehand instead of one for the last few cycles but with a cup now its no great deal). I've started bleeding properly today and I came across some things.


I deliberatly got a cup with measuring lines, as I'm really curious to know how much I actually bleed. But my question for those who also measure, where do you take the measurement from? I know it seems silly but I was suprised by how much plasma/other stuff there is(if thats what it is, I assume so as it's floating on top and is the same colour as my plasma when I donate so thats the conclusion I came to) so I was wondering if people measure the whole thing, or just the red cells part.

I also wondered what people think about washing my cup with a normal, scented, bodywash and rinsing REALLY well before reinserting. I'm asking because stupid little me forgot to budget for a more suitable product when I did my shopping last week. So do you think its better to wash with what I've got and rinse really well, or just not worry about it? I wont be able to get anything until next week is all so I would like to be able to clean it. To nbe honest, if consensus is to just rinse with water I'll be ok with doing that. I'd just like to wash it if I can.

although I have sensitive-ish skin I have never had a yeast infection or anything so I'm not exactly prone to getting them.

And I'm sure I'm not the first to come up with this, but I wanted to share. I've only had trouble with getting the cup to open really. insertion and removal is easy for me (I'm very lucky I've got it so easily!). I've been using the punchdown as it inserts easiest, but is stubborn about opening. So a couple of times I've used the C fold which is harder to put in but opens easier... anyhow, I've found that if it won't pop after a bit of poking and prodding, I can put my finger alongside it and push the wall away from the cup. This lets the air in I guess and I feel it open up.

so thats it for now. I've been for a swim with my cup in and havent had a problem, I've just emptied it to go for a run as well so I'll see how she holds up to that.

Do you ladies experience leaking with one fold and none with another? Please share your bests and worsts by commenting like this:

I use a: Small Diva
I always leak when I use the: C Fold
I never leak when I use the: 7 Fold

hey everyone!  i just got my cup in the mail today and started my period the same day (good coincidence!).  i put it in with very little problem.  i guess i'm just a little worried about if it actually opened all the way.  when i twisted the stem, it didnt twist all that easily.  is there any way to tell if it's fully open?

also, does anyone have suggestions for cheap soaps to use to clean it that won't irritate my vagina?

thanks!

Well I started my period today, and i put it in, and it just wouldn't pop open. I tried everything i found on this website.
•twirling
•feeling around the rim
•kegeling
So what do you think could be the prob? I have a small stemmed MeLuna if that matters, bc i heard that the MeLunas are very stiff and they have been known to pop open easily. Thank you.

Hi, first post so bear with me. 

I've happily used a MCUK sz 2  for quite a while now (i'm 38 no kids) and i've started getting heavier on my first couple of days, having to wake up every 3 hours to empty, now knackered at work :(.  So I thought about getting another cup.  After much investigating and comparing sizes to what I have at the moment I went for a Lunette Selene, couple of mm bigger but the extra capacity might buy me an extra hours kip!    This is when the problems started, C fold  insertion like the MC, no problem, quite a noticeable pop open but ok,   after about 15 mins crikey! PAIN!!   It felt like somebody had hold of both my ovaries and were giving them a good squish, unbearable.  Took it out replaced it with my good old MC and all was ok, pain went away.  Has anybody else suffered this problem? I was wondering if it was the stiffness with the cup, as my MC is much more flexible & softer.  I didn't think it was the size so much as they were both so similar.  Any help greatly appreciated

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.

This is my second period on Paragard and having my small LadyCup BlueCup! While I keep trying to be a good sport and use my cup, it's just not working. I just don't want to give up on my cup yet.

( Cut for TMI... )

I'm having some issues with my folding technique using a Large LadyCup. I'm not having trouble with leaks so I'm sure the cup is around (o) my cervix, but every time the cup pops open it's hitting my cervix and hurts. I've only been able to use the punchdown fold successfully. I did try many of the other folds (thank you youtube video! big big help), but most of them are either not small enough for me to insert well and get placement right, or I can't even hold them long enough to get it in. The cup seems to be extremly poppy and tough to hold onto in the folded state. Will the cup ever get more plaible and willing to remain folded? With the punchdown, I've tried inserting with the folded part facing down and up and back (so the folded part would pop away from my cervix), but every time it opens, the cup edge brushes violently against my cerivx. Is this just something I need to get used to or are there any tips to get my cervix in the cup without it getting scraped and abused each time.

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?