Suction, Suction, Suction!

[kuradi8]

I've been reading the archives and there are many posts with questions and remarks about suction -- especially from new cup users.  Many use the word SUCTION when they actually should use SEAL

Comments

[megamuphen]

I am interested that you say "It is usually easiest to open the cup down low and then kegel and boost it up into place." For me, it is very difficult to open the cup low and boost it up, I find it much easier to put it in higher, and haven't really had any problems. I suspect it depends very much on one's own anatomy.

[megamuphen]

But I do appreciate this post, sometimes the word "suction" is thrown around here an awful lot! We just have to keep in mind that what is "usually easiest" for one person might not be the case for many other people.

[kuradi8]

I'm guilty of it myself in that we all like to think we are in the majority. Both my experience and my logic says that the deeper you try to open a cup, the harder it is to get air (quote-unquote) "that far" back. But you're right that it's not the case for everyone. And "low" and "deep" are very subjective terms as well.

I suppose that "YMMV" is implied with every one of our posts, including mine.

[lintilla]

For me, if my cup is low, my pubic bone is holding it shut. I doubt I'm the only one!

[hairballsplat]

i was just thinking along the same lines when reading the last few posts concerning this. but i have to admit i'm guilty of having said suction when i probably should have said seal.

[kuradi8]

Yeah, and I also often see pelvic bone instead of pubic bone (etc) on a lot of posts. To some degree, there's a lot of "you know what I meant" involved. We all mean well but despite re-reading and editing our posts, sometimes our words come out wrong. Including mine. :o)

[zhukora1]

Hm, but what about cases where the cup actually makes contact with your cervix prior to fully opening and the pressure differential of it trying to continue opening the rest of the way (but failing because the top is covered by cervix) actually "suctions" it in place, like a suction cup? Is this technically suction? My cervix being extremely low, this has happened to me more than once. It makes for a hell of a seal, and usually results in me feeling like I have the world's biggest hickey upon removal. Idk, maybe it just means I need to clean my cup's holes better or make them bigger.

[kuradi8]

Sounds ouchy! =8oO

[zhukora1]

The suction does hurt a bit when the cup first opens, but after that it actually doesn't bother me much at all. Most times I can't really tell that's what happened until I go to remove the cup and my cervix feels tender.

I'm way more wary of the suction now that I have a Mirena IUD, but I didn't have a period at all last month, and barring any hormone weirdness may not get another for the next 5 years, so it might not be an issue..... oh man, maybe I shouldn't say that. Am I still allowed in a menstrual cup community if I don't menstruate? :-O

[kuradi8]

Shhhhhhh, I won't tell. :o)

Analogy: When we were kids, we'd all go ice skating on the pond in the winter. My best buddy (a boy) could skate OK but he didn't know how to stop so he'd fall instead -- and the more spectacular wipe-out, the better. It got the job done but there were other less painful ways. Perhaps opening lower to relieve the suction first would be more comfortable for you and less likely to pose a risk to your coil?

help me with the "gurgle!"!

[divaisnotfun]

How can I get my diva cup to stop leaking?
I insert the cup and make sure it turns freely. Then with a finger I make sure it's fully open and that my cervix is not outside of it. It's good for about an hour, then it "gurgles" and I know I'm in for a nasty surprise. It's been 4 cycles now and I just can't get the darn thing to work.

If it helps to know, my cervix is always quite high (which is why I chose the diva in the first place) and have a heavy flow with some clotting, especially the first few days, although the time of my period does not affect the leakage -- 8 on 10 times I'm leaking like a faucet. I'm in my early 20s with no kids, so I have the diva 1. Please help!

Re: help me with the "gurgle!"!

[kuradi8]

Ask this again on the main page http://menstrualcups.org/ instead of replying here. Because this is an old post, only I can see your question. If you ask it again on the main page, everyone else will be able to see and contribute their good advice.

Also include how full your cup is when it starts leaking. That would be relevant.

[quietasamousse]

The getting it out suction is what was hardest. Can I kegel it down without breaking the suction, because reaching up to break it was a big problem. Then I was squeezing it too hard so if it had been even half full of liquid I'd have had trouble getting it out without it going over the top. Just pinching the bottom of my lunette didn't seem to break anything.

[kuradi8]

You need to get air into/above the cup. Since there's no air in your vagina, that air has to come from outside it. Create an air channel with your finger. Since your pubic bone is in the way in the front, try doing so toward the back where it's softer.

Kegeling (tightening the PC muscles) will usually push the cup up. Try relaxing (opening up) and bearing down instead.

[quietasamousse]

hmn it didn't seem to move up when I kegeled. Weak muscles?
I couldn't reach up high enough to reach the rim, and just pushing the base wasn't working... and I couldn't push it out too mcuh just by pushing.
By 'doing so toward the back' do you mean finger 'above' it, pushing it towards the back?

I'm doing another dry run right now and I'll need to take it out sometime soon so it'd be good to improve. :)

[kuradi8]

Everyone inserts and removes a little differently. You just need to figure out what method(s) works best for you. Read the REMOVAL tags for ideas and suggestions. It's OK to combine some of this, some of that. It all boils down to practice, practice, practice.

As for dry runs, they're DRY. Don't overdo it and irritate yourself. :o)