Menstrual cups

[MrsChicken89]

I've been wanting to move away from sanitary towels for a while so bought & currently using a cup for the first time.

All reviews say they are really comfortable and dont feel a thing when they are in.
I can definitely feel it! Feels like its scrapping on my cervix! Is it too far up? Can it be too far up? Feel like I have slight cramps since putting it in.
I dont know if its just because I'm not used to it, I've never used tampons only towels before.

I bought medium, which is for under 35s with no kids. I folded it in to a c shape then took a bit of prodding to get it to unfold.

Someone tell me it gets comfier.

There are lots of different types. Which do you have?

You can definitely put it too far off, you want it just inside your vagina and you shouldn’t feel it at all, especially not up by up or cervix.

Have you run it under the tap first so it’s easier to slide in? Have you started using it before your period was fully going? If there’s a stem at the bottom have you trimmed it if you need to? I always cut the whole thing off.

It might be that you’re not used to something staying up there. But don’t tolerate any discomfort, periods are hassle enough! You could try a mini cup?

I bend mine into the tightest fold, pop it up and it opens by itself then forms a seal so nothing leaks.

Sorry it’s not what you’d hoped for. I’ve used a cup for decades and find them comfortable, convenient, easy to clean, store, cheap etc. It’s not a cheap hobby if you need to try a couple of different types but might be worth trying to place your current one differently or a smaller version.

Happy to answer any other questions.

Other options to consider away from disposable pads and washable pads which I find much better, or period pants which I haven’t used but loads of women think are great.

I've tried a couple of different brand cups and lots of different ways to insert them, and I've come to the conclusion that my anatomy just doesn't suit them. I can feel them, I feel quite crampy and uncomfortable and I can't wee properly when it's in place. I've used washable pads instead and find them great, but I bought some period pants last year and they have been a real gamechanger, very comfortable and make my periods very easy to manage.

@NannyR

I've tried a couple of different brand cups and lots of different ways to insert them, and I've come to the conclusion that my anatomy just doesn't suit them. I can feel them, I feel quite crampy and uncomfortable and I can't wee properly when it's in place. I've used washable pads instead and find them great, but I bought some period pants last year and they have been a real gamechanger, very comfortable and make my periods very easy to manage.

Same as that. I've bought the mooncup and organicup and neither suited me. I do recall the nurse at my last smear test commenting on the position of my cervix. I'm due another soon and will ask again if my insides are just not suited to the cup. I used to feel bruised after a day of using it and rarely did I manage not to leak. I also bought washable pads but I use tampons too.

@AnneLovesGilbert I got the sirona cup off amazon, size M.
It only got delivered today and first full day of my period so thought I'd give it a go. I havent trimmed the stem, im worries I can't get it back out

I took it back out after an hour and it qas doing its job, but still didn't feel right.
I'll give it a few more tries before I give up and maybe try the smaller one.

I've seen the reusable pads before and might do a bit more research in to those and maybe give those a go.

Thanks for your insights, you've been really helpful.

You can cut the stem off. I actually wear my mooncup inside out as no matter what I did it felt like it was digging in.

It did take a few months of preservation over leaks but I'm well over a year in now and just use my cup. I love it!

There is a put a cup in it website and FB group which are amazing for help.

Took me a while of getting used to it. There's no way I could go back to pads/tampons .

It can take a few months to really master a cup so don't give up. Place it where your tampon would usually sit. Run your finger around the rim once it's popped open to make sure the pressure is even above and below.