Trouble finding the right cup
Hello, everyone. This is my first post, but I have been reading through lots of previous posts here. Thank you to all of you for sharing your experiences and knowledge. This community is very helpful.
I need some advice. I have tried three different menstrual cups and none of them have worked out for me so far.
Some background: I’m 37 and appear to have a high cervix. I have never given birth and I am physically active (running, spinning, weight training, yoga), so my pelvic muscles are probably fairly strong. I’ve been using tampons with few complaints for about 25 years but am interested in cups for all of their health and environmental benefits.
About three years ago, I tried the Diva cup model 2 (the larger size) as recommended for my age. Insertion was difficult for me and removal was even more challenging. Once it was in, I could wear it fine, but getting it in and out was a messy, time-consuming ordeal. After only a couple of days I gave up and put cups out of my mind.
A few months ago, I thought about trying a cup again. After doing lots of research online, I settled on the small Si-Bell, thinking that maybe a smaller, softer cup would work better. The Si-Bell is a lovely cup - insertion and removal are easy and it is very comfortable to wear. But it leaks when I use it. As far as I could tell it was open properly, but I wonder if maybe my pelvic muscles were collapsing the cup or I just wasn’t doing it right.
So next cycle I tried the small Lunette. It is similar to the Si-Bell but firmer, which I thought might help. Again, it is a lovely cup. No major problems inserting it and removal is easy, but it leaks, too. I think that it is popping open fine. After it’s in, I run my finger between the cup and my vaginal walls, feeling for irregularities, and the cup feels round and open. (Don’t know if this matters, but I position it so that the stem is just inside my body.) When I remove the cup, there is blood inside but it isn’t full. I think I have a high cervix - when I’ve gone looking for it at various points in my cycle I’ve never been able to find the hard, nose-like bump everyone talks about. So I don’t think my cervix is dangling into the cup and I don’t feel it hanging over the rim. And I seem to be getting a seal because during removal I can feel/hear it releasing.
Am I doing something wrong? Are my Si-Bell and Lunette cups just too small for me? Or too soft? I’m sure I need more practice, but should it be this difficult?
I am thinking about trying the Lunette model 2, the larger size which is also supposed to be firmer. Although my flow isn’t especially heavy, I wouldn’t mind having a higher capacity cup for overnight anyway. I am also considering a Yuuki classic for sports since it’s such a firm cup, although I worry about the ease of insertion and removal. Both have long stems, though, which I like.
What do you all think? I’ve already spent around $100 on cups and still haven’t found the right one. I don’t want to throw good money after bad. And I don’t have the time or the patience to fiddle with a cup all day. I would love to find a hassle-free cup or two that work for me.
Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!
I need some advice. I have tried three different menstrual cups and none of them have worked out for me so far.
Some background: I’m 37 and appear to have a high cervix. I have never given birth and I am physically active (running, spinning, weight training, yoga), so my pelvic muscles are probably fairly strong. I’ve been using tampons with few complaints for about 25 years but am interested in cups for all of their health and environmental benefits.
About three years ago, I tried the Diva cup model 2 (the larger size) as recommended for my age. Insertion was difficult for me and removal was even more challenging. Once it was in, I could wear it fine, but getting it in and out was a messy, time-consuming ordeal. After only a couple of days I gave up and put cups out of my mind.
A few months ago, I thought about trying a cup again. After doing lots of research online, I settled on the small Si-Bell, thinking that maybe a smaller, softer cup would work better. The Si-Bell is a lovely cup - insertion and removal are easy and it is very comfortable to wear. But it leaks when I use it. As far as I could tell it was open properly, but I wonder if maybe my pelvic muscles were collapsing the cup or I just wasn’t doing it right.
So next cycle I tried the small Lunette. It is similar to the Si-Bell but firmer, which I thought might help. Again, it is a lovely cup. No major problems inserting it and removal is easy, but it leaks, too. I think that it is popping open fine. After it’s in, I run my finger between the cup and my vaginal walls, feeling for irregularities, and the cup feels round and open. (Don’t know if this matters, but I position it so that the stem is just inside my body.) When I remove the cup, there is blood inside but it isn’t full. I think I have a high cervix - when I’ve gone looking for it at various points in my cycle I’ve never been able to find the hard, nose-like bump everyone talks about. So I don’t think my cervix is dangling into the cup and I don’t feel it hanging over the rim. And I seem to be getting a seal because during removal I can feel/hear it releasing.
Am I doing something wrong? Are my Si-Bell and Lunette cups just too small for me? Or too soft? I’m sure I need more practice, but should it be this difficult?
I am thinking about trying the Lunette model 2, the larger size which is also supposed to be firmer. Although my flow isn’t especially heavy, I wouldn’t mind having a higher capacity cup for overnight anyway. I am also considering a Yuuki classic for sports since it’s such a firm cup, although I worry about the ease of insertion and removal. Both have long stems, though, which I like.
What do you all think? I’ve already spent around $100 on cups and still haven’t found the right one. I don’t want to throw good money after bad. And I don’t have the time or the patience to fiddle with a cup all day. I would love to find a hassle-free cup or two that work for me.
Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!