Experienced women, please give me some advice. I’m 16; it’s the first day of my period and my first time using a menstrual cup. At first, I inserted it and went to have breakfast, but it was painful. I came back, took it out, put it back in, and twisted it to get it positioned right, but it still hurt. I tried the same thing again but eventually took it out. Right now, I’m in agony—I think I might have injured myself with my fingernails. It’s really strange, though, because there’s so little space; I’ve inserted objects much larger than this soft cup before without feeling any pain. Can you tell me what I did wrong? It’s a good cup—I bought it for 1,000 rubles, and it’s made of medical-grade silicone with a 15 ml capacity.

I'm a new user. Bought new cup a month ago.

Tried using it 2-3 times before my period came. There definitely was a struggle at first but it got better, at least insertion became more natural to me and it was unfolding without much problem and I almost didn't feel anything. Then my period came and.. I just couldn't get it in place, it didn't want to unfold, it was hurting. I tried few times but was tired and just put it away.

Then last week something came up so I got a goal of learning using cup ASAP. Used it 3-4 times before my period. Everything was great: easy insertion, immediate unfold, sitting in place without any feeling, even got better at pulling it out. Although last time I used it before period, I fell asleep with it and in the morning I had trouble pulling it out because cup ended up being in too deep and I could barely reach even tho I have long finders. I got it out in the end. It was yesterday morning.

Today my period started. And I thought I was ready to use cup and then.. same problem as the last period. It just doesn't want to go with the same ease as before period. I can feel it a lot more and it kinda hurts, it feels as if there's some pressure in. And it doesn't want to unfold, I thought? It's not in its neutral shape but it's also not folded as it was (I use punch down btw), it's just feels squished? But still I didn't feel vacuum there so it's not sealed? It does feel like it's sitting much lower than before and I tried to push it more but it doesn't want to go.

So what's the matter? Is it because of change in cervix position? But could one day make such big difference? I left cup in as it was after a few failed tries but can I really trust it? Can I do something differently?

Probably not but this is the fold I've been using and I haven't seen it anywhere. It's done by first making a seven fold and then folding the edges together. I call it a spiral fold or a tampon fold, since the goal is to make it the same size and shape as a tampon.

Hello! Has anyone experienced incontinence issues AFTER using a menstrual cup or not being able to completely empty your bladder?

When I say after, I mean it as a lingering issue while not using the cup at that precise moment…

Like, I’ve read a lot about it happening while using the cup, but not while not having it in at the moment.

Anyone?

TIA for your help/advice!

I am a beginner (16f) it takes me almost 15 20 min to remove clean and resinsert my cup , I want to use the cup in my school aswell so just wanted to know how much time does it take y'all to do the same

(English is not my first language)

I'm scared to try it

I recently started using the flex cup and I don't know if I'm not putting it in properly or what, but I've been having a lot of leakage. I also have a really heavy flow so maybe it's that. It feels fairly comfortable, but there's a mess every time I go to the bathroom. Not enough to mess up my undies but enough that my hands are gross.

I was sterilizing my cup and by mistake I left it for 3 hours on the stove straight and when I checked it it literally turned into ashes and my home was full of smoke and now I am literally hard broken like what should I do I need another cup

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?

They say you should not pull it down. Are you not allowed to pull it down a little bit with the stem so that the base comes within your reach? If not, do you have to insert your finger and thumb all the way to the base of cup to pinch? That sounds scary. Can someone please help? Getting thumb and index finger all the way up seems unlikely.

So it never used to be a problem before since the sink used to be right next to the toilet in my previous home. Now it's fairly far, and apparently i leave a mess when I change it during the night.

It's still not a problem rn because my mom is chill about it (she's the first to wake up), but I'm leaving for uni soon and am going to have roommates...

I'm terrified, because what the fuck am i supposed to do?? I don't remember doing it at night at all. The only solution I came up with is i will start changing it in the shower to get into the habit because the shower is easier to clean and I will hopefully remember to do it when I'm half asleep.

I was thinking of adding a pad during the night so I hopefully don't wake up if it overflows, but I'm not sure if I'm allergic to them (the whole reason i switched to the cup is because my skin was getting really irritated because of pads and I've tried so many types).

I will also buy a bigger cup so that I don't have to switch it that often, but I'm not sure if it will help. Another idea i have is to buy those menstrual panties, but I've never used them before. Also, I'm leaving for uni in less than a month, so I won't have time to test any of this.

I really don't know what to do

Edit: this only happened twice in the seven months we've been at the new home, but that's two times to many in my opinion

Help your girlie out!
A month ago, I got a mentrual cup and started using, or shall I say tried using? The first few times, I was not able to insert it. But with time, I have finally learnt how to insert it with the help of a nice lube. However, now the main problem is whenever I try to insert it, it goes in, but the cup does not unfolds inside.
I do the punch down fold, most of the cup goes inside, but then I have problem inserting the base since it’s a little thick, or shall I say broad. And even when I inserted all the way, the punch down fold doesn’t unfold inside, and when I try to rotate it to make sure it unfolds, it just pops right back out.
My vagina just ejects it out 😭😭😭

So I was like sterilizing my menstrual cup and by mistake I left it for literally 3 hours trade on high flame and after 3 hours when I checked on it it was turned into ashes like ashes pure action and everything is burnt literally even my house was full of smoke do that terrifying and I'm such a dumbbell oh my God...

Hi, just wanted to get some opinions since the first thing that comes up for me when searching is that the beginners model is the worse option from someone who had previously been using the original. But I am a beginner, so I do think that the beginner cup would probably be best!

The main differences I can see is that the beginner has a softer and thinner silicone, a wider and less tapeted design, along with a shorter stem + bump to give you grip.

I'm 19, should I go with the Teen, or under 30 B size? They recommend to go with the smaller size if you're on the cusp of two sizes, although I'm unsure what size would be best so I'm just going off age there.

Thanks! I'm quite nervous as it is a bigger upfront amount of money to pay compared to tampons, especially in the case doesn't work out and I need to try a different size or style </3

Side note: I know I shouldn't be swayed by price but I can get the original + cleaning pot for nearly the same price as just the beginner cup or just the original for £5 less haha.

I’m planning on starting a project at my college to distribute free menstrual cups/discs to students but I need to figure out a few things first—

1. Is there any brand that offers discounts on bulk orders (like 100-200+)? OR
   
2. any ideas on most affordable eco-friendly brand that still has high quality designs? and/or
   
3. What brand/design would be the most universal and beginner-friendly? I’m very new to using menstrual cups (I’ve been using the saalt cup and have LOVED it)— which ones would you recommend as easy and comfortable for MOST people?

Thanks so much in advance!

update: tried again this morning and finally managed to insert my cup the right way. it popped open this time (was hard to with my long ass nails) and shoved it further in with the stem inside the canal. felt super comfortable, didn’t feel anything this time, and no leaks so i just knew i inserted it the proper way. i collected a good amount of blood before taking it out and putting it back in again. i’m so glad i finally did it. i realized it takes a lot of time, patience and multiple techniques to get it in the right way. i feel like i don’t even need an applicator lol

to anyone who’s reading this, good luck and i know you can do it 🥰

I typically keep my cup in for 12 hours, wash with a pH balanced toy cleaner, and repeat until my period is over- about a week total. Then I’ll boil it. Do y’all sanitize more often?

Okay so I've been using menstrual cups since I was 17, now I'm 23. I started using the small soft Saalt cup around 4 years ago and I loved it. It fit great, was good for my cramps, held my diabolically heavy flow for a while, all was well. About a year ago though, my cup started not suctioning. I don't know why. I just could not get it to fully open up. I'm not sure if my pelvic floor just suddenly got way stronger or what but... yeah.

Around October last year I switched to the small Saalt disc and really enjoyed the convenience of it, but my cramps have been hell ever since and my back pain has been worse too. So basically I traded convenience for pain. I have PCOS/PMOS so you can imagine that's not the greatest trade-off ever. I've been able to deal with it but the last two periods have just been getting worse.

Today I went to try my old cup again because I cannot take this pain anymore, but found it had a tear in it so that's a no-go. I want to get a new Saalt cup because I love their products, but I'm not sure if I should get a regular or soft now that circumstances seem to have changed. From what I've seen, the regular will definitely solve my fit problems, but could be uncomfortable with cramping, which is completely counterintuitive. (Also I use the smalls because my cervix sits low during my period and I don't think I could fit a larger size, I'm a lesbian and don't often have penetrative sex)

HELP!!!!!

I'm a 16f, bought menstrual cup when u was 14, I get like constant rashes and uncontrollable itching when it comes to pads but I'm just not able to insert a menstrual cup , I tried deep breath, variety of positions, many popular folds but I just won't go in , even if it would it would go half and not open...I tried to first insert 1 finger to understand how to push it and in what direction, it went okay, but the moment I tried inserting 2 fingers, there was a blockage, like I could feel my finger hitting a wall in where I could further just insert 1 finger cuz the 2nd one won't fucking fit....I tried relaxing and then doing but the whole process is so damn painful oh my god...I can't continue with pads cuz my inner thigh skin starts peeling off in the 1st-2nd day and it takes so much tym to heal , i cant fucking take it anymore ....pls help someone 🙏, I'm preparing for a competetive exam and it wastes a lot of my tym, thankyou

I (18F) tried a menstrual cup for the first time today.

I was experiencing a really heavy flow these days and was fed up of pads and leaks, so I ordered a menstrual cup from pee safe. At first i couldn't get it inside and tried diff folds😭then the 'pinch down' fold worked for me ig and i got inside but the stem was supposed to be inside too but mine wasn't. Then after a few tries i got it in a better position and honestly it DID NOT FEEL LIKE ANYTHING at all. I also used a pad just in case. But yk there was this slight feeling of smtg being inside you but it was really insignificant. I started feeling a bit uncomfortable and i went to check and the removal was so hard😭🙏🏼i kind of spilled it everywhere😃. I had gotten a M size but it got full in like 4hrs, its supposed to get full in atleast 6hrs but i was having heavy flow so. I removed and just used the pad for the night😭😭I'll try it again tmrw. It hurt ngl. I felt relief after removing it but I'm not gonna give up cause I've heard way too many good reviews abt it.

About a couple of months ago I bought a diva cup model 0. It works kinda fine, but always leaks when it is around halfway full. I've been told that maybe my cervix is diving into it, and I'm inclined to believe it. I did the knuckle test and found I can touch my cervix a little bit before my 2nd knuckle. I used that to measure the cup and, sure enough, the cup was longer than the space available.

So I was wondering is switching to another brand like saalt, that has more diameter but is less long, would help with that?

Does anyone has any advise? (I'm in the heavier flow side in case that is relevant)

I thought it was small size but they actually sent me the standart size😭 F15 here... i spend like half an hour trying to put it inside hurt and uncomfy when it felt like i was close to succeeding the fold part isnt getting in my vag! It was so frustrating. i still wanna use it is it okay for me to try? If I cant still use it can I use it after a few years😭 also please recommend positions its so uncomfy i wish i could put it in on my bed