My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

AIBU?

to think mooncups are bloody impossible to take out?!?

32 replies

Mum2Pea · 05/08/2014 07:45

So i have had a mooncup in my amazon basket for months and finally took the plunge and bought B size as know i'm very small Blush.
Read the instructions and have been reading up on MN, so cut most of the stem off (cut just under the 2nd stem)
Waited til last couple of days of bleeding as per instructions, struggled to fold it and get it in but did after a couple of attempts, tried to only put it in as little as poss and found it very comfortable.
Went back 3 hrs later to take it out / practice and OMG!
a. struggled to get a grip with thumb and forefinger. When i did, still couldnt twist it.
b. tried to use forefinger to circle the cup to break vacuum, couldnt reach high enough, tried with middle finger, so little space that i still couldnt
c. kept trying, including bearing down, got a good hold but still couldnt twist
d got cramp in my fingers and even my shoulders from all the contortion!

so please tell me, it does get better.
Also, please give me techniques / tips to try

I really wanted to go with it but it was near on impossible to get out (did manage after 15 mins) but have made myself very sore and am now questioning if i want to go through it all again Sad

OP posts:
Report
Cirsium · 05/08/2014 07:51

It does get easier, you'll soon work out a technique that suits you. I don't usually twist it to get it out, just release suction by pushing on the side with a finger. Try different positions, I find it much easier with a foot on the edge of the bath, although admittedly that only works if you can change it at home. I also practised in the shower a bit.

Report
mistyegg · 05/08/2014 07:55

A gentle squeeze and hold at the base of the cup (just above the remains of the stem) releases the seal just being careful if the cup is likely to be full

Report
Mum2Pea · 05/08/2014 07:56

Thanks Cirsium
I was at home so tried both squatting on the floor and with my leg up on the bath.
Locating it was fine, it was breaking the seal
TMI but can you tell me exactly how you push on the side iwht your finger. Does your finger go up to the top of the cup? - i found it impossible to reach the top

OP posts:
Report
PeresteckBalveda · 05/08/2014 08:01

i had this and haven't used it since. Ended up asking my partner to help. With a teaspoon.

Report
eurochick · 05/08/2014 08:02

I didn't cut the stem off mine. I'd never retrieve it if I had. My technique is: bear down, grab stem, ease it a little lower, pinch cup to break seal and then remove.

Report
CrohnicallyDepressed · 05/08/2014 08:10

It gets better with practice. One of the first times I used mine I couldn't get it out, was getting sore so gave in and slept on it. Tried again in the morning and it came out first time.

So I would say a key part is to relax. If you're getting flustered/sore/cramps in your fingers then stop, do something else, and try it again. The mooncup holds loads and is less associated with TSS so you can leave it in longer if need be.

My fingers don't go to the top of the cup, they go as far as the ridges round the base. So I squeeze and pull on the base while bearing down, then kind of tilt and push the base to one side (hard to explain, but if you imagine what the mooncup looks like inside you, I'm trying to make one side of the top lose grip and release the seal).

Report
letsgotothebeach · 05/08/2014 08:11

I found it very difficult to get out the first month, now on 3rd and its getting easier. It does sometimes feel like its attaching itself to everything in there! I have to squat and use muscles to push it down a couple of times before being able to squeeze and twist the base. Tampons were much easier to remove, but I would never go back to them. I will put up with the slightly undignified removal for the comfort, convenience and more hygenic feel of my mooncup.

Report
kungfupannda · 05/08/2014 08:13

I just get hold of the bottom and squeeze. I don't try to get anywhere near the top. Then it comes out easily with a twist.

I don't have the stem at all - it was uncomfortable, so I cut it off and turned the cup inside out to get rid of the stump.

I do think the cup has softened a bit over time.

Report
Notsureaboutthisusername · 05/08/2014 08:14

I'd defo try the pinch technique rather than finger up. I have never been able to do it that way. Pinch the bottom and kind of bear down as you pull. X

Report
PresidentSpreadable · 05/08/2014 08:17

I don't twist, just slide my finger up the side whilst bearing down and push inwards to break the seal.

Easier to do in a nice warm shower.

It did take me a few months to get really confident with it, and I did have a few accidents along the way where the contents ended up on the floor Blush but I've used one for about six years now and would never ever go back to tampons.

Report
Cirsium · 05/08/2014 08:20

I do similar to President, then pinch bottom of cup and pull gently.

Report
JapaneseMargaret · 05/08/2014 08:23

I find getting it in much harder. Am on about my 6th cycle, and it's not getting any easier.

I also find that I leak on my heavy flow days, but when I go to change it, it's never more than half full. Confused

Report
Notsureaboutthisusername · 05/08/2014 08:29

I'm really lolling about using a teaspoon by the way! Argh!

Report
Mum2Pea · 05/08/2014 08:33

I tried to pinch it with my thumb and forefinger and twist and no release.
In then tried to pinch it with my thumb and forefinger, bore down and then pulled gently - still no luck
does your cup sit straight? mine felt like it was at an angle (the stem was to one side)
could it be that it wasn't in right? it didnt leak though . . .

I really want it to work but am so scared of it getting stuck up there again and am still sore so didnt dare wear it today Sad

OP posts:
Report
RumbleMum · 05/08/2014 08:35

It does get better, I promise - I was traumatised by my first time removing it and now it's easy. I second what eurochick and others say - bear down to get a grip then squeeze to break the vacuum. Tbh I just sort of hoick it out any old how these days - so long as I can get a grip on the middle bit it seems to come out. Smile

Report
Bumpinthenight · 05/08/2014 09:08

I press on mine using my thumb which causes it to fold in and then break the seal.

Use wet hands to give it some lubrication until you have the hang of it.

Report
MissMedusa · 05/08/2014 12:54

Same thing happened to me. DH was out of town so actually had to go to the gyno to have it removed who threw it in the trash and made me promise never to use one again.

Report
Thurlow · 05/08/2014 13:04

This is why I've never liked the sound of moon cups. I've got nothing against the slightly indecorous position you might have to get yourself into to get it out. Just I have a very, very heavy flow and the idea of trying to change it, at work, and it getting a bit stuck, and then finally coming out and making a complete mess of me, or my clothes, or the bathroom...

Report
CrohnicallyDepressed · 05/08/2014 16:11

Mine does sit at an angle but front/back rather than left/right. I think bumpinthenight is describing the same removal technique as me.

japanese to get it in, try a different technique- press down and in on the rim with your finger. The mooncup should fold itself into a sort of cone shape. Use a finger and thumb on the sides of the cone to stop it unfolding and insert. Once in, it unfolds with a 'pop'- just to warn you that does feel funny.

Report
CrohnicallyDepressed · 05/08/2014 16:13

thurlow once you get the hang of it, it's very easy to remove while sitting on the toilet, so the contents go straight down the pan. I've never needed to change mine at work though, it holds a LOT more than a tampon.

Report
fawltydoge · 05/08/2014 18:27

I had the same problem. I used mine maybe 4-5 times and just couldn't work out how to remove it without it really stinging. I have the small size too. It's a shame cos I really like the idea of it.

Can someone please explain; when you remove it obviously it's 'unfolded', rather than the narrower 'cone' you make to put it in- so how the hell do I get it out without it feeling like it's about to rip through my urethra? That's where the pain is mostly- the front. I don't know if I'm explaining this very well but should I be pressing my finger against the side that sits against the SIDE of my vagina? Or against the side that said against the front? like if my vagina was a clock... Blush and the 12 was at the front, nearest where my urethra is, what 'time' should I be pressing when trying to remove it? I'm wondering if I pressed where the 12 (or 6 I suppose, 6 being nearest my arse) would that stop the burning pain when it pops out? Because then the squashed ring at the top would be lying 3-9 rather than 12-6 IYSWIM? But that goes against the shape of my fanny!!

I'm actually on now and would love to attempt it again so if someone could explain I would be v grateful...

Report
fawltydoge · 05/08/2014 18:28

Sorry OP I've completely hijacked but maybe you will get some use of the answer too!

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

madamginger · 05/08/2014 18:32

I find it much easier to get mine out of I'm sat on the loo. I've cut the stem completely off mine but I get mine out by baring down and inserting my thumb and first finger on either side and sqeezing gently and slightly twisting at the same time

Report
CrohnicallyDepressed · 05/08/2014 19:25

fawlty once it's pulled right down so the mooncup is hanging out and just the rim is inside, I kind of pinch the rim together at 12 o clock, pull out the pinched bit first and the rest follows by itself. Not sure if that's 'right' but it's how I find easiest,

Report
PoirotsMoustache · 05/08/2014 19:27

Gosh, this has completely put me off trying a mooncup now!

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.