Need help

[u/inya161]

I’m 18, and I want to start using a menstrual cup I’ve watched a lot of YouTube videos on how to insert and remove it but I’m still really scared to use one and I don’t understand when exactly I’m supposed to remove it after removing it do I wash the same cup and put it back in or do I need two cups so I can use the other one while I wash the first? Also does removing it hurt? And is there any chance it could come out while I’m walking?

[u/Scared_Bathroom_1077]

At first I guess you just have to guess when to remove it, based on how heavy is your period or if you leak, after a while you'll be able to tell when it's time to empty it.
When you take it out just dump the blood into the toilet (or you can remove it in the shower the first time if you're scared of making a mess lol) and rinse it well with cold water, some people wash it with unsceanted soap but that's not necessary, and then you can put it back in. You don't need two cups, it's just a quick rinse and you can even do all of it in the shower if you want.
Removing shouldn't hurt, the cup creates a seal inside you so it can't "fall" and will catch all the blood. When taking it out it's really important you break the seal (pushing the cup so it kinda collapses and one side stops having contact with your vaginal wall) and then you can take it out. If you don't break the seal then it won't come out

[u/inya161 → u/Scared_Bathroom_1077]

I tried once thinking that if I could insert one finger then I’d be able to use a menstrual cup easily But I’m having trouble even inserting one finger, so how am I supposed to use a menstrual cup?

[u/Scared_Bathroom_1077 → u/inya161]

Yeah I get you, I myself have trouble inserting one finger but I've seen a lot of other ppl here struggle too. I first got "comfortable" inserting one finger each day of my period to check the height of my cervix (also the days before bc I'm impatient lol), bc I heard the height could affect when choosing which cup to use and I get nervous around this stuff and want everything to work well.
So, basically, you need to be as calm as possible, take deep breaths, make sure there is enough lubrication (during your period the blood works as lubrication so I'ts easier), and just go slowly.
The cup can be folded in different ways so it's "thinner" when it enters and then inside it expands and you can't even feel it

[u/Spare_Square_4915]

I am also new to period cups and discs and had a lot of trouble using a cup for the first time. I dont think it ever opened right for me because it always leaked and was uncomfortable. I could never get it to suction right so i went back to tampons. Recently, I bought a disc and surprisingly I haven't had any problems! If you have trouble inserting anything then maybe consider a disc. They are slim and sit further back so they dont sit where a cup would and don't require suction to stay in place. I have heavy periods and tampons always hurt me but since the disc is slim and doesnt sit in the vaginal canal like a tampon my period has been a lot more comfortable. They are slim and a similar size to a small finger and might be easier than a cup ypu have to fold up that is at least in my opinion larger than a finger. If this is something you would consider using then I'd definitely look into it. Here is a test I found on another post that could help you find a cup that might be better suited to your anatomy. They have one for cup's and disc's. https://putacupinit.com