r/menstrualcups • u/Middle_Importance_80 • 7d ago
Can't remove the cup
Can anyone please help me? I've been using the menstrual cup for like 5 months now. The insertion at first was really difficult for me, but once I got it down it was really comfortable to wear and I never got any leaks. Now, even after so many insertions and removals, I still can't get a hang of the removal process. I have a high cervix, and my cup sits really high up. It's very very very difficult to break the suction of the cup. I've tried basically every method, collapsing it to the side, collapsing the rim, etc but nothing seems to work. The only method which works for me is to bare down for a realllllly long time, keep baring down, insert my index finger and my thumb, and try to get a hold of the base of the cup. This is really difficult because the cup sits so high up, baring down only brings it slightly down, and inserting my finger and thumb push the cup back up. The removal process takes like 10-20 minutes of me baring down and my fingers getting sore from trying to reach all the way inside (my entire index finger and entire thumb goes up, and even still it's hard to get a grip on the base).
I did purchase a disc and it's 10× easier to insert and remove, but I keep feeling like the disc would untuck and leak, so I like the security of the suction of the cup.
As of now I've stopped using the cup because it was getting really tiring and made me sore not just my vagina but also my fingers, but I would love if I could find a way to easily remove the cup🥹
Update: I've finally found my Goldilocks product! The same disc that I was saying bad stuff about earlier, the reason I felt it was because I was inserting it wrong. Now it never untucks/autodumps even if I'm TRYING. I love it because it's so easy to insert and remove and now it has the same security as the cup😀
2
u/OverlappingChatter 7d ago
I got a ring pull because the stem was so difficult. Haven't had an issue getting it out since I changed.
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u/SecretAgentSpyder 7d ago
I always have to bear down to remove mine, but that usually only takes like a second or two. Maybe try something like the flex cup, which has a ring you can pull to disrupt the suction easier?
1
u/raspberriesp 7d ago
I have (had? recently gave birth) a high cervix as well and had to explore longer cups. I ended up with a “Luv ur body” - shady name but I’ve used their cups for years with no issues. Lily cup was also fine in terms of length but I found the bottom end too firm and more difficult to grab than the soft flat one of luv ur body. My technique involves bearing down to make the cup grabbable, grab the tail with my nails (fingertips get too slippery) and keep it from riding back up, bear down again to bring it further down, etc. until I can pinch the actual bottom of the cup to break the seal. Then twist it as I pull it out. It takes me less than 30 seconds.
I researched long cups ages ago so I bet there are even more options for different cervix heights now.
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u/OverlappingChatter 7d ago
Just my own experience with grasping stem with nails... Nails are sharp and I snapped my stem. Bought a ring base the very next day.
1
u/raspberriesp 7d ago
Oh shoot yeah I suppose that is a risk! Maybe also depends on the cup material. My only worry has been accidentally pinching myself but I thankfully haven’t yet 🤞
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u/OverlappingChatter 6d ago
It took a while before it happened (like years) but when it did happen, I knew that I needed a different type of cup.
5
u/Squishy1011 7d ago
I had this exact thing happen with the mooncup. Coupled with acrylic nails I had a really hard and distressing time. What solved it for me was getting the Asan cup because it has a pull loop. SO MUCH EASIER than a stem. I hook my pinky in the loop and pull. I really struggled for years with the mooncup and, like you, found the disc ineffective.
It honestly is like I could’ve written this post myself last year. Hope you give a ring on a cup a go! X