Hello, I've just gotten my cup (a small Diva) and I have a question:  when it's in, I can feel the stem--for lack of a better word-- poking me. 
Would this be because it is riding too low, or is it just that the Diva cup is so long?  I've already trimmed some of it (and there was a noticeable difference even then), but I'm hesitant to completely remove it due to the role it plays in removal (and I find it helps immensely with turning the cup).  I have a feeling that might just be nonsense since so many of you seem to have no difficulties without a stem.
I don't feel like I could buy a new cup at the moment, but I might have to look into it if this problem can't be remedied.  And I'm far too happy with a cup to just leave off completely.

Thank you very much for your time!

Hi! I just got my miacup a short while ago. I wanted to share my story thus far and perhaps get some more advice than what I've already read in the memories and online. It's my first time with a cup and I really want to make the switch from tampons but unfortunately thus far it's been an utter failure for me.

( Follow the red brick road ... )

This is my second month using a menstrual cup, the first month I used the Diva Cup, which actually went really well with hardly any problems.  The most difficult part was removing it, I couldn't get it to fold up at all and it would usually come out full size, ouch!

I decided to order a Mia cup and I put it in for the first time this morning.  Now I'm at work now and the stem is driving me nuts!  I'm scared to trim it though.  I'm not too worried about being able to get it out, it's not to hard to reach it and bearing down helps a lot.  I guess part of it is I just don't want to alter this brand new, expensive cup!  Has anyone else had to trim the stem on their Mia?

I am currently in the middle of my third period with a large Ladycup and it's proving to be much different from my last two cycles.  The first two, the cup rode high enough that I did not need to cut off any of the stem because it fit all the way inside.  I also had never been able to find my cervix (during or between my periods).  However, this period the cup kept riding low and the stem is a bit irritating, so now I'm considering trimming it.  I didn't understand why until I investigated and found my cervix for the first time!  It's so cute and smooth :).  It must be lower than in the past and so it is causing the cup to sit lower.  Also, today for the first time I was having quite a bit of leaking.  I took it out and reinserted it and realized that my cervix was outside of the cup - wow!  I pulled the cup a little lower and also kind of tried to push the cervix up and inside the rim.  But at least I know why I was having leaks.

Hooray for the Lunette! I just spent an awesome day at a water park with my boyfriend, which I would not have been able to do without my Lunette! Thanks to everyone who answered my questions about stem trimming last month. I trimmed the stem to about 1/4 inch ( little past the first ridge), and now it's comfortable, except for removal, which brings me to my question... Whenever I go to remove my cup, the stem is pointing at a sideways diagonal to the left, so it gets kind of stuck in my vagina. Am I inserting it wrong, or is my vagina just sideways? I've tried the 7-fold and the punch-down fold. It might help to cut the stem shorter, but I'm not sure, and I'm afraid I won't be able to get it out if I cut the stem any shorter, because it would mean cutting off the ridge. Thanks in advance!

New to the diva cup, still getting a hang of the thing.

I already trimmed the stem a bit, but I'm still having it poke out. I'm afraid of trimming it again so soon after getting it, but I've read a lot of people raving about turning the cup inside out.

The question is, I'm still struggling to remove the cup when it's right side out, but how do you remove the damn thing if it's inside out? I tried to remove it when it was inside out, and I swear I wrestled that thing in my vag for a solid ten minutes, only to have the cup spill everywhere.

Are there any helpful tips on removal when your diva cup is inside out?

I've been lurking in here for awhile. Anywho, I just got a Ladycup and did a dry run. A little advice. Eat a meal or have a snack and some water before inserting or taking out your menstrual cup. I have a really bad habit of not eating when I'm hungry (mostly cause I'm too lazy to make anything XD), and as a result I almost fainted about 3 times in the process lol. So like.. yeah drink some water and have something to eat hehe I think i learned my lesson.

Also, the Ladycup is freaking small, smaller than I expected, and it has massive suction. It literally sucked all of my vaginal fluids right out o_O I know you're supposed to break the seal before taking it out, right? Well it was too far up there (probably because my cervix is high right now) so I couldn't get a good grip or anything. Had to pull it out by the stem every time, and even then I had to really go in there. The stem was also smooshier and smoother than I expected, so it was kind of hard to get a grip on it. Bearing down really helped though. I was expecting my cervix to hurt or something from pulling it out without breaking the seal, but I actually didn't feel a thing. Guess cervix's are hardier than I thought :P

The upside is that I didn't really feel anything from the whole experience, not even when the stem was sticking out (probably because of its massive smooshiness). At most I'm a little sore cause i'm really dry down there now lol

Anywho, not so bad for a first experience with a menstrual cup. Maybe I'll post again about it when I actually have my period :P

Oh, and this community is really awesome!

So I guess the background details are, I’m a 19 year old virgin, and I'm new to menstrual cups.  I started with the Small Diva Cup (which I hated and thought was too large and painful and had death suction and even laying down didn’t help insertion--I could never even get the thing actually inside me), thought I must have a tiny vagina, panicked, then read rave reviews about the tiny Lady Cup, and bought one (in the Small size), even though I’m a broke college student.

I feel like I must be doing something wrong! Everyone else seems to RAVE about the Lady Cup, and true, it’s VERY soft (MUCH moreso than the awful painful Diva Cup) and foldable and tiny and inserts so easily.

But...

Hello all,

I spent a few weeks researching cups and lurking around this community, but was on the fence about actually buying one. Last week I decided it was worth it and ordered a Diva Cup (size 1) from South Coast Shopping, as I live in the US and am a bit low on cash. Inserting the cup wasn't a problem, however my first thought was that the cup was WAY too long. The stem was sticking out of me and snagging on my clothes, so I tried to push it further up, but it was at the point that there was no where else to go. Eventually I had trimmed the entire stem off. This made it much more comfortable, so I decided to wear it for the day. It was alright, but I could still feel the cup rubbing a bit at the opening of my vagina. Wearing the cup was bearable, but it felt the same as if I had inserted a tampon too low and it just wasn't sitting right. I was conscious of it all day, unlike tampons that I could usually insert and forget about.

I had resigned myself to just dealing with the rubbing/feeling the cup at the opening of my vagina and labia, but today I found the recommendation here that you could turn the cup inside out to shorten it a bit. So, I flipped it inside out, reinserted it, and that seemed to do the trick. I wore it all day and it seemed to work fine - no leaks, but then again I am at basically the end of my cycle so there was not that much blood in the cup that could have leaked out anyway.

My question is, does flipping the Diva cup inside out affect how the cup functions at all? When I push on the bottom to try to get it situated a bit higher up, the cup just folds in on itself (as if I were turning it right-side out). Do you think this might happen when I wear it and cause problems? Also, I've read posts where women say that the suction so intense that it hurts to tug the stem down to try to remove it, but when I remove the cup, I can barely feel it. I don't need to get my finger up to the rim, I just gently pinch the bottom into a bit of a c fold and pull it out. I can feel that the cup is open fully, but is there anything that needs to be done, besides getting the cup open, to have a good seal? If there are problems associated with turning the cup inside out, do you have any suggestions for making the cup sit a bit higher? It literally sticks out of me when not flipped inside out, and the only solutions I've come up with are just sucking it up and getting used to the feeling of the cup rubbing the opening of my vagina or buying another brand of cup that isn't quite as long.

I'm hoping that this is a case of "So long as it doesn't leak, don't worry about it" and I can continue wearing the cup inside out, but I'm concerned that when my flow is heavier at the beginning of the next cycle this might become a problem. Thanks so much for reading through all of this!

I am just starting my first period with the cup and am having difficulties feeling comfortable with it. I was directed to this community and hope you lovely ladies can help me.

I think I'm inserting it correctly (using the 'punch down' or origami fold - cannot get the C-fold to work), as it seems to be collecting blood without any leakage, but at the moment it's horribly uncomfortable. I'm thinking it's the stem pinching me, but I'm not sure if it's in far enough, and therefore I don't know if I dare cut off more of the stem as I might need it for removal (not necessary yet, but then - I don't know if the placement is right). How do you know if it's positioned correctly? Is it very obvious to feel something is wrong if it's in too high or too low?

This may be TMI (although in this community I doubt it ;) ), but I think my vagina may be crooked - it feels like the stem points to the right, thus pinching that side more than the other.

I got my Lunette cup last month right after my period ended.  I'm usually not excited about getting my period but for the 1st time, I'm excited because I want to try my cup.  Period comes this weekend so I'll keep you posted.  

Update

I finally got a chance to use my cup.  Insertion was no problem but had to trim the stim quite a bit otherwise it was uncomfortable.  Decided to use a pad overnight but plan to use the cup tonight.  The 1st day was great.  Today was not as great.  Flow was heavier so I had to empty it more often.  Had 2 BMs and used my finger to hold it in the 1st time but probably should have taken it out because started leaking shortly afterwards.  Decided to take it out the 2nd time which was a good idea because the cup was pretty full (probably why I was leaking).  Was surprised it was so full since I'd emptied it earlier during the day.  At least now I know that on the heavier days, I'll have to empty it more often.  I'm not sure if it's because I know it's there or if I can actually feel it but I swear I can sometimes feel it dripping.  Removal has been no problem.  After reading the different tags, I tried the bare down and then fold method and that works great for me.  I may have to trim my nails though because I'm afraid of scratching the "cookie".  

I tell ya, I don't think I've ever touched my cookie this much in one day. Overall, I'm still impressed and will continue to use my Lunette.  Hopefully the overnight will be successful too.
Thanks again for all the support and help everyone has given.

My Divacup stem is juuuuust long enough to slightly annoy me, so I took a pair of sharp scissors and cut off the first nub. The edge where I cut came out kind of ragged...I tried to fix it, but more cutting didn't help, so I stopped- I don't want the stem off completely. I don't like having the stem all ragged though...it makes me afraid that a chip of silicone will break off and end up floating around my vagina. Tips?

Thanks!

I wanted to post a little progress report on my first day with my Mooncup UK.
I boiled it yesterday in anticipation of a dry run today, expecting to start in a few days. My body had other ideas and I woke up with cramps that heralded the imminent onset of Shark Week. I threw on a disposable pad because I felt crappy and there was no way I was messing with the cup until things quieted down. Fast forward a few hours after some water, Advil, and food and I was feeling up to trying it. I used what I think is called the punch down method, on recommendation of my roomie.
It went in pretty smoothly and opened without incident. I ran my finger around it all the way and as far up as I could get and it seemed to be open and tightly fit in. I used the swiping method recommended by an earlier poster to try to clear out the blood that was already down beyond the rim of the cup. This is easily done for me as the sink is right next to the commode.
I thought the stem might need trimming as the cup was sitting very low, but I wanted to test it standing and moving around first. I was right and, after doing the dishes and cleaning up the kitchen, I grabbed the scissors and heading back to the loo to alleviate the pinchy stabby feeling. Removing it for the first time was a little uncomfortable, but I am sure I will get the trick after a few times. The good news is I must have gotten a good seal as there was a bit of fluid in it already. :) I cut stem half way up after rinsing and reinserted with the same ease as the first time. I think I will end up cutting the stem all the way off as there is still a bit of pinching from it and I am not too worried about it since it sits so low, I can get a good grip on the base of the cup itself for removal. I am going to try to wait a little before trimming it all the way because I recall some posters saying the position of their cup changes through their cycle and I want to make sure I don't need the stem to retrieve the cup.
I am having a little bit of crampy discomfort, but I usually do on the first day, so I can't really discern if it is more or less then usual. Bearable, so no great issue.
Thanks everyone for your help and support leading to this and I will keep you updated!

Okay, so this is my second cycle with the Ladycup, and I'm still loving it- no leaks, my cramps have been almost non existent (seriously, when you think about it, it's crazy- CRAZY!- that tampons can affect the severity of your menstrual cramps that much.)- I mean, I have cramps, but they aren't near the magnitude I'm used to.

I have found, however, that I can not wear the cup as it is designed to be worn, in the vagina. I can't. It causes me intense pain, I can't walk or stand if I place it as I'm -supposed- to place it. (which makes me really, really glad I went with the small Ladycup instead of anything larger. Eesh. I get that the vagina can ...grow to fit objects, like a baby head, but you don't have a baby head in your vagina for three days every month.) Anyway-- if I let the cup go where my body wants it to go, and from what I feel when I put it in, I'm pretty sure it sits in the entrance of my uterus. Definitely past my pubic bone, at any rate.

Right- so here's my issue- during the night, the cup continues to migrate up to the point that only the very last cm of the stem is in my vagina, which takes for a lot of bearing down in the morning to get it out, but really, I don't mind, the cup is still leaps and bounds better then tampons.

But! During the day, it's not so high, and the stem, after three days, is irritating me like crazy, to the point where I can't sit up straight, I have to lean back. But, like I said, during the night it migrates so high that cutting the stem at all would mean not being able to get it back out.

Does anyone else have this issue? Should I suck it up and buy a second cup for sleep time, and trim the stem on the other for day use? I'm not exactly in the money right now, so I'd have to wait awhile anyway, is there something to do in the interim to make it easier to remove?

Hellohello, everybody! My name is Laurie and I'm a 19 year-old Canadian. I've been lurking this community as well as cloth_pads for a little less than a month now (right after my last period - I was fed up). I have to say that I am SO glad to have found all of you!

I had heard before about menstrual cups and cloth pads, but I figured I'd just suffer through my periods until the summer started and I was home from school. I figured a looser financial situation might help me with getting prepared to change the way I deal with my period every month.

Cut to last month when I had the period from HELL. I have a minor allergy to whatever they use as a top layer on disposable pads (most brands - I've tried many) that results in what I can only really describe as diaper rash. I've also always had troubles with tampons (more on that later). After leaking and bleeding through almost every pair of pants I own, I'd had it. I called my Mom and asked for $40 to buy a DivaCup. She was supportive of my decision (she always is!), but I could tell she found the idea fairly strange.

I went to a local natural-living oriented store downtown that I knew stocked them and brought one home. I've done a few dry runs and of course, I've got a few questions! =)

- I've never been able to wear tampons for more than 2 or 3 hours, as they sit far too low in my vagina, and when I go to the bathroom they always shift even further downward. With my Diva, it's not nearly as bad, but I do notice that after going to the bathroom I have to sort of push it back again. Is there any harm in doing this if it causes me no pain?

- I know I can trim the stem on it, but should I wait until I've tried it during my period? I figure if the uterus descends, it wouldn't be a problem to snip it now. Am I correct in this assumption or should I just wait?

- Am I safe to try it overnight before my period actually comes? I would assume so, but I just want to be totally sure.

Thank you all so much if you managed to make it through all of my rambling. =)

So I've been just sucking it up and dealing with the stem on my Diva for a while, and I finally decided to go for it and chop the whole thing off. I'd been using the stem a little bit in removal, but ultimately I always have to hook my finger up around the rim to break the suction anyways, so I figured as long as I'm fishing around, why deal with the stem too?

I have to say, this thing is about 100x more comfortable without the stem! It never exactly irritated me, but I almost always knew it was in. Now without the stem it's like nothing at all, and even removal is less awkward without the stem getting in my way. So hurrah!

hi all...

i dont know quite how to get the information i really want. i've been reading this community for a LONG time, and i've owned a divacup size 1 for a couple months. so, when i got my diva, i had always had leaking problems with pads and tampons and anything would be an improvement. now that i've had it for a while, the smallest leak is frustrating. i really have no interest in wearing backup pads, i have an interest in learning how to do this right. so i find that all the memories leaking are helpful, but none have solved my problem. and diva international wrote me a form letter... so the problem is ... a general positioning question.

I felt like the instructions were a bit vague on the point of "horizontal, towards your tailbone" and "following the natural curve of the vaginal canal" since its not always horizontal, depending on if one is standing, sitting, squatting etc. and also because the vaginal canal isnt very large (expands to fit) so i can't understand how the direction would be any different from a tampon (other than a tampon is high up) ... I have worn it successfully several times now, but also unsuccessfully (leaking) and can't tell the difference from how it is inserted. should it be past the pubic bone? i know it pops, i stir it, i pull on it a bit, i can twist it, etc. i know its different for everyone, but i feel like theres some missing information *somewhere* that is the missing link for me. i think its a pretty common question and the answers ive found are the tiniest bit unsatisfying. half of the time i hear "too high" and "too low." I put it in really low (stem sticking out), but it rides up really high (end of stem past pubic bone). OH, and i'm 24, sexually active and comfortable with my body, and have done plenty of exploration, and am not squeamish about trying new things.

i LOVE this community because you are all so open and so helpful, so thank you all, and sorry for being so long-winded.

 - dee

So...
I think I've finally gotten my cup in right (I've got a Keeper), after way too many tries. There were adventures with hymens that had to happen first. Anyway, one of the times I'd thought I'd got it in all the way but hadn't I cut some of the stem off. Now that I've finally figured out how to get it in the stem is short enough that digs into my labia. The Keeper website is very adamant that you don't cut the stem off but I'm not really seeing another solution--it's way too irritating to leave on.

Basically any advice anyone has would be great. Whether regarding the stem or suggestions on how to know it's actually in properly (cuz I'm still a little skeptical that I've figured it out.) or anything else at all.

Thanks so much.

--a still novice but eager user.

Had a very light flow this morning for the first day of my period and inserted the cup using the punchdown fold.  It went in, no problem, though I think I put it up too far at first (I'm used to using OB tampons).  So I pulled it down lower and it didn't feel as crowded, but it's so low that the bottom of the cup is right at the vaginal opening.  I'm thinking that this happens to a lot of women because I've seen it in multiple posts since I started reading this community.  After wearing it for an hour while I was getting ready, the stem started to bother me - and oddly enough, the cup tilts itself back and to the right, so the stem was actually poking my inner thigh.  (ha)  When I tried to remove the cup to trim the stem, it was really hard to get out.  Not so much painful (though I'm not particularly sensitive) but I definitely felt a strong suction that was hard to break even when trying to hook the top of the cup.  It kept suctioning back and it was hard to get my finger in far enough to catch the edge.  I'm wondering how much more squat the other cups are and if it would be easier to reach the rim with another brand.  I tried stretching the holes on the cup with a straight pin to ease the suction, but it didn't seem to actually change their shape.  The holes sort of went back to the way they were even after a lot of pulling and stretching.  Maybe I'm doing it wrong.  So I've had it in all day and my cervix feels sensitive - almost the same feeling I get when I've just had a pap-smear.  Could it be poking me there?  I'm not sure.  Maybe it's the suction issue from this morning leaving me sensitive.  Have to go figure that out in a bit.  What I do love is that I don't feel dry inside like I do with tampons - tampons in comparison are so scratchy and uncomfortable when compared with the silicone.  But the cup feels big.  Maybe I just have to get used to it.  I would appreciate any thoughts and feedback... sorry if I'm doubling up questions.  I have done a lot of reading in the community, but I still don't feel quite confident... 

I've trimmed the stem of my MooncupUK size B to just under the second ridge and it’s tolerable that way but I often think about removing it completely.  That thought is always immediately followed by images of an embarrassing trip to the doctor’s office… Has anyone has removed the stem on theirs completely with negative results?  How difficult removal is without it? 

I did it!! I performed a stem-ectomy on my mooncup and its soooo much better.  The drastically increased comfort is totally worth the extra fishing required to remove it sans stem.  Thanks to all the ladies who gave me advice and support!

This is my first period using the cup full time, and so far it's working out pretty well. I can kind of feel the cup inside me (I have a Keeper Moon Cup), but it isn't uncomfortable anymore.

I had some problems at first, notably that removal was a huge pain (literally) and that the stem kept stabbing me. I had to open the cup's holes with a large needle and trim off almost all of the stem. When I was reaching for the stem all the time, I kept stabbing myself with my fingernails and generally having a miserable time. I keep my nails really short (no growth past the fingertips) so I couldn't trim them back anymore. I've found that since I've stopped relying on the stem at all, it's been easier to remove and use my cup.

After not having much success with hooking my finger over the rim, I experimented with squeezing the base to release the suction. That worked really well! It's also easier to grab the whole bottom of the cup to rotate it, ensuring suction, than to try and twist it by the stem.

My first period with my DivaCup is all but finished and I cannot tell you how absolutely amazing it was. That's right my period was amazing!!!

I never thought I'd utter those words but yup this is pretty much the best period ever!!

This is my first period (in 13 years) that I haven't leaked, woke up in a mess, had horrible cramps (truly the little wonder even helped my usually bad cramps, there was still a niggle but nowhere near as bad). Its been truly a joy to use and my only regret is that I didn't purchase one of these sooner.

I only had one problem and that was the stem in the latter days of my cycle, my cervix seems to move which I hope doesn't sound silly! So the stem was really irritating my opening, so I basically cut it a little and its been perfect. Is there anyone else out there who has had to cut the stem because of this??

I honestly couldn't recommend this product enough. I'm aware that many of you own cups already and some are unsure of which to buy. Well I give this one a BIG thumbs up, it should be compulsory for all women to own one of these. They are simply awesome.

My next mission is to convert all my friends!!

Once I bought my Mooncup (US), I loitered around this community for a while, waiting for the Keeper folks to fiiiiiiiiiiiiinally send it here (it almost missed my next period, haha). I've realized a lot of people do not use the Mooncup (US)... can I ask why? I haven't found any substantial arguments.

I've just finished, as of this morning, my first period using my Mooncup, and it worked amazing. I cut off the entire stem, and it's a little bit more difficult, having to reach in there a little further to get it once I wear it overnight (very, very small 'entrance'.. sorry for TMI). What I had NOT been doing is pinching the cup on the sides to release the suction when taking it out. I never heard any suction release when I was pulling the bugger out. Should I? It takes a while to pry it out of there. I pinch the little stemless "tail" of it with my fingernails to pry it out before I can get a grasp on the cup itself. Is tugging on it without grabbing the sides dangerous, like.. for example, if I were to pull the thing out without grabbing the thing by the sides, what would that do? I have to do that until I can grab at the cup, I absolutely have to because two fingers absolutely won't fit that far up (I'm not a virgin, it's juts a really tiny entrance). Am I supposed to be squeezing the cup or anything?  Are you SUPPOSED to hear some kind of suction release, or is it necessary? I'm just scared I'm taking it out incorrectly, because...

...right now after having worn the thing for four days straight, I feel like it's still in there. I'm scared! Could me not "taking it out" properly have messed up anything in there, or is this normal for your first time? I've had a few nightmares about my vagina, like, really vivid ones, so I was scared about using the menstrual cup to begin with...

I'd read about people cutting the stems off for less irritation... is this not a good idea with the keeper mooncup, or is having to 'grab at it' with your fingernails and pull it out a little before grabbing the cup normal when you've cut off the stem? Is that what the stem is there for to begin with?

Help, am i doin it rite? I am REALLY scared. Am I not built properly for a menstrual cup? I know I'm doing SOMETHING wrong...


Aside from that little fear, and funny feeling in my nether-regions right now like my vagina has turned inside out, I am super satisfied. Didn't have to break out a single pad or tampon during the entire event. I don't have to stop my life for my period now, which I pretty much had to do before (insane periods). Maybe I'm crazy, but I really thought my cramps were less than usual... has anyone else felt that before?

I'm so sorry for the TMI and the questions, I'm just REALLY scared, and I don't really know who to ask about this.


For the record, my mother thinks it's going to "suck my vagina inside out," haha.

Hi, I just recently bought a Lunette, and have been trying it out this period, and have some questions.  I know, I know, it says right on this community to look through the topics to see if your question has already been answered, but the posts all talk about so many issues at once, which makes them hard to look through, and I just have a couple of questions on some certain topics.  Okay, so first of all:

1.  Is it absolutely necessary to wash it with soap every time that you empty it, or is rising it in cold and then hot water enough to clean it?  I don't have any natural soaps in either of my bathrooms, and am not even sure where to buy some, but I would make sure to do a thorough cleaning at the end of my period.

2.  During today when I was wearing my cup, when I walked or otherwise wasn't sitting still, there was a rhythmic soreness, sort of, whenever I moved.  The stem was partially outside of my vagina, was the stem rubbing against the tissue and irritating it when I moved?  At first I was afraid that the rim of the cup was somehow rubbing against me, it almost felt as if my vagina was really dry and going to tear, but later when i took the cup out, I saw that it was still moist.  If the stem was entirely inside me, would this dry, sore feeling not occur?

3.  If the above is the case, I think that I would need to trim the stem because the cup feels more comfortable and is easier to get in lower rather than higher, but I do not know how much.  I am afraid that I will trim the stem too much, and then might have trouble pulling it out, because the stem is a key part in me being able to remove the cup.  Does anyone have any advice on how to trim the stem and how much?

If anyone could answer any of the newbie questions, it would be really helpful!  I really like the idea of menstrual cups, and want to make using one as convenient and as comfortable as possible!

i'd just like to say that i recently completely cut off the stem of my divacup and it looks PRETTY! i know a lot of you are concerned with it looking like it has a blunt edge.

i used 4 things to do it. a razor blade, a small scissors (very small), a nail clipper, and a nail file! with these i managed to make the bottom of the cup look completely smooth and it now looks like i bought it this way.

oh, and of course i should add that i feel as though this has made the cup 10 times more comfortable. it even seems as though it doesn't sit so low.