Are menstrual cups uncomfortable

[SeaBoat]

I grew up using disposal pads and then when I went into my 20s I used pads and tampons.

About 4 and half years ago I became unwell with a very bad cough. Since then I found tampons very uncomfortable for some strange reason. They don't feel right. It's been a few years since I used them.. Since then I made the move to reusable products as in reusable pads and period underwear and I love it.

I will need an option going forward for a swimming pool. Either tampons or a menstrual cup. I don't know what to decide on. My main products of choice will be pads and reusable underwear but I need an option for a pool.

I had a look online and there's such a thing as period swimwear. Would period swimwear work in a pool or would period blood get washed out from the swimwear?

All help would be appreciated.

I have a Pixie Cup and absolutely love it. I got the starter set which contained 2 cups (for different flow days) with little storage bags for each, a ‘pixie cup cup’ for sterilising with boiling water, cup wash, lube, and individual wipes for clean-up if you’re out and about. It took a couple of months to get the hang of inserting it, but it comes with a booklet showing different folding techniques to try, so was just a case of working out which was best for me.
I’d not had a period since November due to chemo, then last month it randomly came back and it was horrendous. But having the cup meant I knew exactly how much blood there was so I could tell my GP.

I loved Lunette prior to having a baby now it's a bit weird and perhaps I need to size up to a 2.

They have awesome cleaner and also travel wipes for the cup.

I had a cup, I tried. Just was not for me.

I obviously have a very sensitive vasal vagal nerve as when it popped open, I passed out! And I even tried it once more after that, thinking I had a low blood pressure incident. It wasn't. It was the cup. It got thrown in the bin and that was that.

I do find some brand of tampons are more comfy than others for some reason. Tampax are a no, and so are OB. I prefer Kotex. Odd I know, but it's a thing for me.

I've used diva cups for about 15 years. There was a learning curve and it took me a bit to get the hang of it but I never feel it and it works great for me. There are so many brands, you just have to find the right fit. I can't imagine using pads or tampons anymore.

@Mangogogogo - oh my gosh. Your last part made me spit out my coffee!! 🤣🤣🤣

Like PPs, I didn't get on with a Mooncup at all. I used the guidance on the box and went with the smaller size but it was really rigid and massive - it felt like I was trying to get a dinner plate up there. After two days of removing and inserting it, it actually felt like it had broken the skin and I could barely sit down.

I switched to a Meluna cup, which is available in different sizes and levels of firmness. I got an extra soft "shorty" cup, so it's really squishy and not very deep, which is fine for me as I don't suffer with really heavy periods. It also doesn't always pop open automatically as the material is soft but it's easy to fix, as long as you're not squeamish about rummaging

I find mine very comfortable but only after I cut off the stem

I bought a menstrual cup. I sterilised it the other night and let it dry and put it away. My period will be due sometime next week. I bought a lubricant and I hope to start practicing folding and insert the cup and removal next week before my period.
I have a question about sterilisating it. Should you keep just one pot for the purpose? My preference is the microwave and water steam sterilisating. I bought a babys travel bottle steriliser for sterilisating the cup but I am using the steriliser for other sterilisating too. Like I sterilisated a bottle cap and a silicone coffee cup.

Should I be keeping the sterilisater for one duty?

I am looking forward to trying the cup. I am sometimes in an absolute horrific and dreadful situation in work where sometimes I am not allowed a toilet break. Sometimes my work does not allow a break which is awful. Often pads are just soaked through by the end of a work day because it's worn from mor8til night. It's awful. I am hoping the cup will help me.

I have a question about sterilisating it. Should you keep just one pot for the purpose?

milton. I use an old avent pot. Fill with water, squirt of Milton, leave for a couple of hours.

This is because it supports the pelvic floor, or pushes it up or something. I wear mine when I'm running or circuits, period or not.

You don't have to sterilise it, a good clean will be fine.

I did put a cup in it quiz and I have a Lena sensitive. I have cut the stem off mine and i wear it inside out as I don't like the ribbed area. It's quite a big cup and took me a while to get right. I had a smaller cup before that was also softer but I could never get it to pop open fully. It really helps if you investigate your vaginal anatomy!

Eg (Sorry if TMI) my cervix is very low during my period so a bigger cup makes sense as it takes up space in the cup. I have to make sure it's at the right angle as well so it kind of tucks behind my pubic bone. I also have to fold it really loosely or I can't pop it open.

I found out lots of tricks from a fb group "menstrual cups worldwide"

Pre-prolapse: fantastic, loved it, assumed I was sorted til menopause

post-prolapse: uncomfy, keeps falling out or swivelling sideways and therefore also no longer actually catches and contains blood.

so washable pads and pants here. I also have some imse-vimse washable tampons which are great because you can just kind of wodge them in so they conform to your shape, but I’m a bit leery of toxic shock. I wash them at 60 in a delicates bag and then boil to sterilise before drying, but even so feel a bit twitchy about them tbh. Which sucks because they’re great function wise.

This has been my first time using a cup.

I just finished my period and I bought a Babe menstrual cup from Amazon.

I used the small one and it was ok to get in but I found it a faff to get out because it kept slipping back and I couldn't grip the bottom to break the suction and pull it out.
I was bent over for ages lol so I definitely like the ease of a tampon but I'll keep at it.

Also, prolapse in my case deffo caused by vaginal delivery of 10lb9oz back to back baby through my size 8 hips. Not mooncup for me 🤣

@stopitleaveitgetdown deep squat and then press the side inwards with a finger to break the seal rather than pulling it downwards, then it’ll remove easily.

I’ve got a Meluna shorty cup and it’s been a game changer. I did try a different one to begin with (can’t remember the brand) and didn’t get on with it all. So I did a bit of research and worked out that probably a shorty cup was going to work better for me.

@Verbena87 ahhh thank you. I will try that next time.

I’ve been using them for years. I think the Mooncup was the only one on the market when I started. I mislaid my original Mooncup a couple of years ago so ordered a replacement and the newer one is softer and more comfortable.

@BryceQuinlanTheFirst - thank you for posting about Nixit. Given that there is no suction I'm very interested in this option. How difficult is it to remove? Is there a possibility of not being able to remove it due to no stem? Thanks again.

@ElephantLover

So I do find it a bit messy, I wouldn't change in public unless an emergency, you have to sort of tip it. There's no way you couldn't get out as it doesn't sit as high. I'm tall and have a long way to my cervix and even for me there's no way I couldn't remove it. I usually remove it in the shower at the end of the day when I'm washing. It has a lot of storage. I wear period pants too on heavy days just in case but rarely have any leaks.

I find a cup fine when I’m standing up - so works fine at work (I’m an optometrist, so stand most of the day). but they are a bit of a nightmare to remove without spilling and I need to take spare clothes with me.
All brands leak overnight on me - but in a gush

Absolutely great! I use the Evo cup, link mentioned above with no problems. I cannot feel it when it is in. My DDs 14 and 12 are keen club swimmers and love them, perfect for swimming and better than tampons for every day. Most of the swimmers in the club use cups now, even the youngest, age 10 I believe.
Some makers produce an extra-small size for beginners. Cheaper cups can be bought online direct from China but of course they take a lot longer to arrive. About 3 or 4 weeks.