questions about softcup/mooncup

[doormat123]

I'm not sure which topic I should post under? Am trying a softcup for the first time and have a few questions please….is this the right place?

Sounds like a reasonable place to me.
Go for it. Loads of mentrual cup users about on MN.
What are your questions?

Thank you….Well….I'm just trying one for the first time. Hope this won't be TMI. I followed the instructions and have to say that it is comfortable, I can't feel it at all, but it's only been in for about half an hour so I haven't really got a clue yet!!

First question - it says on the website that it's ok to have sex, and that neither person will feel it….Really?? I really am rubbish at biology, but in order to pull it out I have to put my finger in and then I can feel it…so surely anything going in there will feel it? Sorry if that is a silly question! I'm pretty sure I did as it said and pushed it down and back like instructed and not up like a tampon...

Secondly - it says it can't get lost - also a bit concerned about this….imagining all sorts of embarrassing trips during half term to the GP/E&E to get it out…why and how can it not get lost - can someone reassure me please!

Thirdly - it says ok for 12 hours - I'm wearing a pad as well in case of leakage, but should I leave it now for 12 hours if there is no leakage or should I leave it less as it is the first one?

Sorry if these are silly questions, and am sure I will have more….

Thank you!

I have a mooncup and there's no way we could have sex when I'm wearing it as there is a tiny piece of rubber sticking out which would hit him in a very sensitive spot. But hey, give it a try if you want.

You won't lose it, if it does disappear, squat down and bear down at the same time.

Change it as often as you need to - only you know what your flow is like. Some days I have to empty it every hour or two, on lighter days I only rinse it out morning and night.

Thank you! It does say on their website that you can have sex when using one but I can't understand how….
ok….I guess I won't know if it is lost or disappears for a few hours!
I'm really, really light so I probably won't need to change it for hours, but am not sure if I should sooner just to check it is ok?!

Too big to get lost- absolutely agree with squat and bear down approach.

Sex may depend how much stem you have trimmed off? I would take it out personally

Emptying - I empty 3x a day and used to change super tampons every 4 hours, so I reckon leaking is v unlikely

I couldn't imagine having sex with mine in. And if, somehow, we did, I don't know how I'd get it back out again!

(Potentially TMI) Taking it out for 20 minutes to Do The Deed is a lot less messy than when I used to use tampons. I don't know how.

A softcup is different from a Mooncup. Softcup is, well, soft, and more flexible so you can have sex with it in. I prefer using a sponge though if I'm having sex on my period. And you can only reuse a softcup through one menstrual cycle, so it's not as cost effective/ecological as a Mooncup (I've had mine for years).

I have leaked with my Mooncup and softcups. I can have very very heavy flow though - sometimes they need changing literally 5 mins after I've emptied them. But I can sort of feel it start to overflow, and always have some extra pads used on that day, so it's not a problem (providing a loo is nearby, not always the case!)

How do you get it out without spilling it ?

Remove it whilst sitting on the loo or whilst in the shower the first few times until you're used to it

Another tip, if there isn't a sink next to you, put some toilet paper down the loo before you empty it, otherwise the blood pools at the bottom of the toilet pan and takes a few flushes to get rid of.

Thank you for your comments….
It doesn't have a stem to trim? Is that on the mooncup i think not on the softcup? So far so good….been in for several hours and no leakage yet, but my flow is very light….am anxious to check if I am able to get it out ok and not spill it etc.. and it isn't lost, but am trying to resist the temptation for a few more hours!

So....an update....thank you, you were right - it didn't get lost! I kept it in the full 12 hours and almost forgot about it! Easy ish to get out and not too icky just a bit weird. Because flow is so light there's not really much there and it is still pretty flat....but I definitely think it's good so far! X

Scan I ask a potentially dumb question re Mooncups please? I've had one c-sec, and have 'normal' periods (heavy the first 24 hrs, at most and last only about 3 days.) How do I gage what Mooncup to buy?

I have had 2 CS and never had a vaginal birth. I use the 'never given birth one' which I think is labelled A. I have heavy periods and have never leaked with it.

Now I'm confused over whether to stick with softcup or try one of the others?....

If the softcup works you may want to keep using it :) It is a different style of menstrual cup to the others as it is worn round the cervix and not sitting in the vagina. That is why the maker states that it can be worn during sex. The other point is that the maker states that you can only wear it for one menstrual cycle. I know many folk who use it again and again cycle after cycle just washing it with non perfumed soap or some other non irritating wash and storing it until next time. The maker of course wants you to buy a new one each cycle but they can be worn again and again if you take care of it.

Does anyone else find it a bit painful to break/form the seal? I imagine it's sort of sucking at my cervix and it feel very odd and quite sore. All tips appreciated!

is that with a softcup or with a different one? I actually found it incredibly comfortable and can't wait for my next period already! x