To be pissed off with my divacup

[agapanthus1979]

Beem using a menstrual cup for a couple of years now. On my second make (tried Diva and Organicup) and I'm just fed up.
The first few months were great, and I was evangelical about it. Since then, however, it doesn't seem to work. It leaks all the time. My periods aren't heavy. I've tried countless ways and positions but it just isn't working for me.
I'm using reusable liners to save my pants, but the point of using the cup is to avoid using anything else.
I really, really don't want to go back to tampons, but I'm getting so frustrated.
Does anyone have any tips?
Thanks,
Ags.

I have one. It leaks like a sieve. I’ve tried the mooncup too, same problem but swapped it for the Diva because the website that tells you which cup is ‘best for you’ said it was likely to ‘my’ fit. I tried troubleshooting the fitting but no joy. I’m back to tampons.

@Dogandcatperson sadly, I think I might have to. I really, really don't want to. I was so pleased when I started using a cup, and the environmental aspect is such a big thing.
I just don't understand why it did work, and now doesn't. Have my innards changed?!?!

Do you think you might need a larger cup? I paid £8 for a generic one off Amazon and find it just as good as the branded ones.

I had a really weird 4 cycles a few years ago where my mooncup just seemed ALL WRONG and it had worked great for so long. I read a random thread online about trimming the stem thing, and that made a huge difference. I had been postpartum when I started using it, and I think my cervix/vagina just toned up or something. No idea what caused it still.

That's interesting @Confront. I have read about people doing this. Why do you think it helps?
Perhaps I could try a different size @Becclescake. I'm 40, no kids, so have opted for the bigger sizes of the cups I've tried so far. What's yours called?

I’m over 40 with kids so went for the biggest ones they do. I just don’t think my internal shape is particularly cup friendly. Tampons leak too (I’ve tried all kinds). I’ve found a shape/brand/type that works best for me, it isn’t 100% foolproof but it’s better than the alternatives.

I know this probably seems silly and stating the obvious, but when i started to use a mooncup 17 years ago i found that if i didnt make sure that it was positioned correctly around my cervix it would of course leak.

The cervix feels like the tip of your nose when felt by a wet finger, it moves up and down in the vagina during the cycle. When a woman is on her period it is lower down and looks a bit like a closed sea anemone.

Once i realised that i was not positioning it correctly there were no more leaks.

I now use a meluna as i like a rounded end, no stork and the choice of firmness, size and colour. Also i find that thermoplastic feels more comfortable than the silicone used in mooncups.

Tulip cup is fine for me but best of all is very cheap (they have regular offers on). I only bought it for the price so was pleased when it worked!

I think my cervix travels around a fair bit
But, yes, good point @Omniversals. I've tried to forage around up there but I'm really not sure if I've found it or not

I had a bit of a eureka moment with making sure my cervix was inside the cup too. It seems so obvious, but it took me a couple of months to work it out!
I also cut off the stem and turned the cup inside out, which somehow made it fit better and be more comfy. I don’t know why it works better that way, but I read it online, tried it, and it just does!

I know it’s expensive to experiment but I wonder if a different firmness might work? Do you, as they say ‘stir’ your finger around it once in position to check its fully open and not got any dents? My body likes to squish a dent in one side. I always pull down a bit to check it’s got that suction feeling.

If you don’t want to use liners could you use a cup and period pants? I know it’s more expense but a one off and better for the environment

Yes, @Daisy, been checking it's 'popped'. Maybe I just need a bit more 'hands on' practice locating the cervix!
I use reusable liners, Daisy, so environmentally friendly. I just want a cup that works without the need of secondary protection.
Thanks for all your advice so far!

I couldn't get on with a diva cup at all, I use a mooncup. I find I prefer the rigid type as my cervix is tilted

Mine almost has to lie on its side on certain days of the month.
It really is worth having a rummage!

Right, sounds like I need to get to grips with my cervix (literally and figuratively) Think I assumed it was pretty much straight up and a bit back.
That's interesting @Couscous.
I'm determined to crack it!

I use the Evo cup
Your not supposed to put it right at the cervix it should sit low just enough so you don't feel anything down there
I struggled with mine at first so read a few things about them and someone suggested squatting and pushing it towards your tailbone and doing a couple of squats after to make sure it's in place
Once I knew how it was supposed to feel it was alot better
It's never leaked
There so great when they work it would be a shame to have to go back

Well, today brought success!!
Had a good ol' rummage, as suggested. Felt the 'nose' . Situated quite far to the left, which I hadn't anticipated! Made so much sense reading all your replies. Positioned the cup and, hey presto, no leaks today!
Thanks for all your input. I'm hoping I've cracked it!
Ags

Thanks for this thread.

I gave up on my mooncup as it always, always leaked on day 1, even though it was barely full. Never on any of the subsequent days, and I never did anything differently about placement, so it can't have been a fit issue.

I bought a Hello Cup, but it leaks on days 1 and 2! And then, as per, completely leak-free on subsequent days.

So much so, that I'm having to buy pads, completely negating the reasons for using a cup in the first place. It's so frustrating.

I get that it's supposed to be positioned around the cervix, but it's not easy to locate that when you've also got a cup up there, and you're doing it one-handed. How on earth are you supposed to do it?!

Also, I know larger cups can sometimes be the reason you get leaks - they don't have enough room to fully pop open and create a seal.

And another thing - when I feel the leaks coming through, I go to remove the cup, and the suction pull is so strong. How on earth is it leaking?!

I can't use cups.

I tried so many different brands. They're all uncomfortable and all leak. I think it's my body. I find tampons virtually impossible too and irritating.

I've gone for reusable cloth now. Feels like I'm wearing a nappy but 🤷🏻‍♀️

@OooErMissus Possibly TMI but I had a proper rummage before putting the cup in. Located cervix on the far left, and then put the cup in, manoeuvring it as much as poss. Then did my usual poking at it to ping, and crossed my fingers.
Took a few moments, but all good for 12 hours.
I couldn't understand the leakage before - cup had little in it, and I don't bleed particularly heavily.
Spending that bit if time, and really thinking about what I was feeling up there really helped.
Really hope it's cracked!

I use a mooncup - have done for donkey's years now, and there was only one choice when I first started using it. I'm overwhelmed by the range and choice nowadays, far too much for me! I'm happy with my mooncup. It did suddenly start to smell of milk after about 10 years, so I replaced it with a new one that was exactly the same, and I've had that maybe 5 years. Never leaked once, maybe I'm lucky.

Hooray @agapanthus1979
Fingers crossed that’s it cracked. I am also a leftie 😆 I always thought I’d be like the diagrams in text books but apparently not!

@couscous, it's been a revelation!