Menstrual cup disaster. Help!

[CupCalamity]

Name changed because I don't want this to be recognised for obvious reasons!

After reading lots of threads on here and doing the quiz I bought a Saalt regular cup. I was actually feeling slightly excited about using it, keen to do my bit to help the environment and also reduce the tampon changing faff.
So period due in next few days, thought I'll have a go with it. Went in fine, couldn't feel it. Yay! I thought.
Well then several hours later the fun starts when I tried to remove the bastard thing.
Could only just reach the base with the tips of my fingers and when I gently squeezed the base in as instructed the break the seal, it was very painful and I seemed to basically be squeezing right onto my cervix. The cup had suckered itself right onto my cervix. Couldn't reach the top of it to break the seal that way.
After much wriggling and poking, I got quite panicked, visions of having to go to A&E flashing through my mind etc.
Eventually DH managed to remove it with me lying on the bed, somehow it came out rim first which is surely rather impractical if it had been blood filled. And my poor bits feel quite bruised

All words of advice welcome for my next go, as I would so love to get on with the cup! Did I put it too high up? Or was I wrong to try when not actually started with period?
For context, I haven't had a baby and am fairly slim, if that makes a difference.

I used a Moon Cup for years, but since having a baby cups just slip out. Even the Tampax one, the largest I could find, slides down. It's such a shame.

This exact thing happened to me and I've been scared to use it ever since. Sorry, I realize that's not helpful lol. Hopefully you get the hang of it. I really like the idea of them but I dont want to go through that again!

@paperdreams16 there is a buy /sell group on Facebook if you want to save money on trying different ones.

To anyone struggling I would say do persevere, it can take several months to really get to grips with it. But it's so worth it.

It sounds too high up. Cups sit low, like bizarrely low. I have no idea how I don’t feel but it’s completely comfortable even though the stem is basically hanging out! It’s taken me a couple of periods to stop putting it up so high (former tampon user).

Persevere , I used a moon cup for nearly 10 years (not going to lie I was trying to be cheap,it wasn't for environmental reasons) and it definitely was a learning curve!

I don't think I could face going back to tampons/pads .

Mine works its way right up so I’m mystified by all of you who cut the stem. I’ve had two variations of cup and kept the stem full length on both as otherwise I’d never get it out!

I’ll reiterate what a PP said - DON’T bear down! Yes, it does make it easier to get out but many gynaecologists take a dim view of menstrual cups because they feel they are linked to prolapse, and monthly giving birth to the things are what they see as part of the reason.

I reach up, grab the stem with my right forefinger and thumb, pull gently, then insert my left forefinger to break the seal. Much easier when the cup is full!

I, too, thought a trip to A&E was going to be needed after my first attempt, and after another disaster in a public toilet where I upended a full one onto a floor, it was in and out of a drawer in disgust many times. However, I persisted and we are now great mates and I haven’t used disposable products for years.

God every time I think of trying one I come across one of these threads and it brings me out in a cold sweat.

There’s a quiz on ‘put a cup in it’ that helps you identify the best one for you.

FWIW I use a Saalt one after doing that quiz and now think it’s the best thing since sliced bread

I've started using Flux period pants. Basically knickers with a built in sanitary towel. I find them brilliant so might be an option for you if you a more environmentally friendly option but don't want to mess around with a menstrual cup. I tend to use sanitary towels not tampons though.

Totally normal to worry you're going to give yourself a DIT hysterectomy the first time! Just follow everyone's tips and it should be fine.

I am baffled by the prolapse comments - how could a few seconds of gently bearing down cause a prolapse?

I agree @IrenetheQuaint it's much less strain on the pelvic floor than for example lifting up a small child!

I find mine goes in best if its slightly warm so usually run under warm water for a minute beforehand. Also a little perplexed at the risk of prolapse!!

This all makes me feel very reassured that there's hope for me yet to get to grips with the cup. I am very grateful for all the tips, I'm not sure who else I could have asked!

@HenrysPool that was the quiz I did, and it told me Saalt too, so I'm happy to hear you love it!

@musicalfrog are you saying there is a page to buy and sell cups? After other people have tried them?

Yes @BloodyCovid, they are made from silicon so have a very long life and can be sterilised (they should be sterilised between uses anyway). Also great that people can a. Make some money back on them if it doesn't work out /wrong size etc and b. Buy at a reduced price if you're on a low income.