More mooncup troubleshooting.... help please!

[Pendulum]

I am on my third month using the mooncup and I really WANT to love it. I have got used to putting it in and more or less to taking it out. I have snipped the stem and it now feels comfortable inside. But there are still some problems that are stopping me from throwing away the sanpro forever. I believe there is no such thing as TMI on a mooncup thread, but will issue a warning anyway, just in case....

• it leaks on my heaviest days. I don't have particularly heavy periods and the cup is not full, but it does spring quite impressive leaks, especially when I go for a wee for some reason (could my bladder be moving it around? is that even possible?)

• quite often, a while after I have inserted it I suddenly feel it 'ping' inside me as if it wasn't properly unfurled. I guess this might contribute to the leaking, but I am doing all the stem pinching, seal checking moves suggested in the book. I have been using the 'punchdown fold' (the one that gives the smallest area to insert) but wonder if the simpler C-fold might unfurl easier inside- any views?

• I sometimes get sharp shooting pains in my back passage just after inserting or when it does the pinging thing described above.

-at the very end of my period last month I had a scary experience when I tried to remove the cup and found it had fully rotated inside me so that the open part faced downwards. I didn't panic and managed to get it out eventually, but surely this isn't right? I might fail to do my pelvic floors as often as I should but I don't think they are that bad- have never had a vaginal birth and don't have any continence issues, plus I have the larger mooncup size. I wonder if I might have inserted it on too much of an angle.

If anyone has any words of advice on these delightful conundrums, I would be very grateful!

Have you poked the little holes so that they're slightly bigger? I found that helped with the seal and stops leaks.

It does sound like it's not unfurling totally sometimes - try do the C fold, push it in, then check round the edges that it's totally unfurled, then with a finger on the stem, holding it in place, bear down and this strengthens the seal and makes sure it's in place.

I can't imagine how it could have spun - are you sure you didn't put it in upside down? If not, you're definitely not getting the seal as it shouldn't be able to move about, so try the hold and squeeze method.

hth a bit

Few thoughts from your post.....I get a pain in my bum when I've put my mooncup in too far - taking it out & reinserting slightly less enthuisastically usually works LOL....and I usually give my mooncup a quick spin/rotate after inserting to make sure it has unfolded properly...and a few pelvic exercises as well to make sure it's stable...

thanks... will try enlarging the holes a bit and doing a bit of squeezing.

I really want to be evangelical about the mooncup, but don't feel I can recommend it to anyone until I resolve these problems!

could you have pushed your mooncup inside out?

I only ask cause i didnt insert mine high enough a few weeks ago... I tried to poke it up higher (was too lazy ro remove and try again) and poked it inside out while it was in me

eventually i managed to get it out but for a while wondered if id have to go to A&E

v interesting nannyL- that's quite possible I suppose since I have been doing a lot of furtling trying to get the fit right. I would certainly prefer that to an explanation over the alternative that I am baggy as a windsock inside

prefer that as an explanation!

Just wanted to wish you luck Pendulum. I was disappointed to find the Mooncup difficult too. I'd used a cap years ago and thought I would have no problems but I did. Sadly I had wrapped it in tissue one day and accidentally threw it away so I never got to persevere!!

Thanks Elf. You must have pretty much decided against it if you didn't go out and buy a new one?

I seem to be getting on better with the C-fold but that may also be because the heavier days are over.

hi pendulum

just seen your thread. I had been having similar problems with leaking. The last time i used it i made sure i twisted it after insertion and also pulled it down a bit to make sure there was a good seal. this seemed to work as i didn't have any leaks. i know what you mean though - it's really annoying having to wear towels as well in case of a leak - and seems to defeat the purpose slightly.

i use the c-fold (i think) i tried the punchdown fold once and it didn't open up for ages!

hopefully with a bit more practice i will feel more confident!

where have found all of the diff types of fold?

I have never herd of any types of fold.... i just fold it in half (length ways) and insert it

is their a sire with mooncup folds?

nannyL - have you googled mooncup folds and looked at the images. I will try a link here

As for the punchdown fold not pinging open straight away, I have found that if I squeeze the base once it's in, then I feel it pop open. I find this easier than trying to rotate it once it's in - it's too grippy to try and turn it.

thanks

that really helpful

will try out some new folds soon lol

Hi,

I just had my second month and was much better than the first. Trick was fiddling a little when inserting! I find best distance, er, up is about one finger joints' worth (IYSWIM) so not too far but not right at opening either...

And I've found once inserted that turning it slightly helps make sure it is properly unfolded also - hold onto base as if removing and just rotate. And if that isn't enough a bit of shuftying back and forward a little helps too.

So much better; hardly any leaks at all this month.

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