Do you use a menstrual cup (Keeper, Mooncup, Diva Cup, etc.)?

Question

A few months ago, I bought a Mooncup. I love the environmental aspect and I love not having to change it more than a couple times a day, but taking it out is very painful for me--I'm even sore for an hour afterwards. I follow the directions ("breaking the suction" and everything), but I don't think the suction is the problem; the thing is just so big when it's not folded up on the way out. If you use a menstrual cup, do you have any tips to make removal more pleasant? I don't want to give up on this but I can't take the pain.

Answer 1

Where is it hurting when you remove the cup?

I use a Mooncup myself, have done for 4 years and I have no problems with removal myself, however I've talked to a lot of women who have and I have done a lot of research.

My first suggestion would be perhaps to look into getting another type of menstrual cup, such as a Divacup, Lunette or Keeper, although all bell-shaped cups they do have subtle differences that can make some more suitable than others for different women – of course you know about the money back guarantee so you could always try the different cups and send them back if they are no better for you.

I know you said you are following the instructions, but I'm going to go ahead and state the basics first because I remember when I first removed mine I panicked and missed the instructions completely. Sitting works better, bear down to get a good grip, make sure to grab to break suction, slightly fold the cup to reduce the width, tilt to pull from the back first, trim stem if it gets in the way.

Menstrual cups really aren't much bigger than tampons and your vagina is elastic, if you are expecting pain then this is going to make you tense up making removal difficult. I would suggest the same thing I would for insertion, masturbate, it will relax and lubricate your vagina as well as calm you down to put the idea of pain out of your mind. Do this when you have some time, don't rush yourself to remove the cup, if it does not work first time then try again later.

Get yourself into the bath or shower, that way you can focus on removing the cup without pain rather than worrying about the possibility of getting blood everywhere as you can just wash up after it is removed.

As a final note – it bugs me no end that when people say menstrual cups people instantly think of softcups, granted the same basic idea as bell-shaped cups but no where close to the same thing or as reliable so instantly get bad reviews from most people.

Answer 2

I used a keeper for years (the only reason I'm not using one now is that I recently had a baby and have to order a different size for post-childbirth). Overnight, exercise classes, no problem. Heavy flows not really a problem either, you just make a point to empty it every few hours. I would occassionally get a tiny bit of spotting, but no worse than with tampons. The only time it can be uncomfortable is if you do a lot of bike riding, the little stem can be irritating after a while. As for the choice between the two, the Keeper is made of natural rubber and the Diva cup is silicon. If you're allergic to latex, go with the Diva cup. I would recommend either one for convenience, economy, and waste reduction.

Answer 3

OOOHHHHH!!!! I tried using those stupid things last year! The only ones sold here are called Instead. I couldn't get that thing to fit right in there at all. It kept slipping out of place. I don't understand how yours even stayed in enough to create any kind of suction. I also didn't appreciate the removal process...extremely uncomfortable.

I too appreciated the reduced waste from that method, but I just found that dealing with the more traditional products worked better for me.

Answer 4

I'm happy to be menopausal (and I can't believe I just said that!)

The cup (that must have been some man's idea of a woman's jock strap!) sounds too much like diaphram. My husband and I had sex once the whole month I was on the silly thing. I'd spend so much time trying to get it in with all the goop that he'd be asleep by the time I was ready (and I was in no mood after all that). That was how THAT birth control method worked for us; can't get pregnant when you aren't doing it!

This cup thing sounds like a mess. Tampons are biodegradeable and pads don't fill up landfills the same as baby's diapers. Periods are enough of a pain without adding to their discomfort. I'd say use conventional methods in this area and save the planet in other ways!

Answer 5

Good lord I have never heard of such a thing. How wierd! I would look for either a smaller size or go with tampons. The pain wouldnt be worth it for me.

Answer 6

I don't use them but I did research on them a while back and they come in different sizes. Maybe you want to look into a smaller one?

Answer 7

Stop using it!!! Those things are uncomfortable, made by a man, and they really hurt!!!!!!!

Also, if you have heavy flow days, the suction seal will come loose, spill over, and you have a gobbly mess.

Good luck dear. Tampons used with pads are a better option.

Answer 8

I've never heard of this before, what else are they going to come up with??????