I need mooncup advice... TMI!

[BusyMumof5]

I had wondered if this was the right place to post, so if I have commented in the wrong section, I apologise in advance if this post gets removed / moved.

.I bought my mooncup yesterday.

I am having a few problems and was hoping that some of you may be able to help.

I have been using tampax and pads since I started my periods and have recently become allergic to them so needed to change, and it was only when I looked up what else was on the market did I see the great invention of the mooncup and luna pads!

I have made the change as soon as I could, pads are on their way but I have the mooncup now.

I know it sits lower than a tampon but exactly how low is this?

When you brush on the outside of your womanly parts, should you feel the bottom of the cup or the stork? Does the whole of the cup have to be fully inserted?

I have tried various sitting, squatting and even kneeling positions but still it feels very uncomfortable to put it in - even with the two folds that are given on the instructions.

Please someone help me, It feels quite uncomfortable where it is now but takes me ages to adjust it and put it in...

Thanks in advance for the replies xxx

[Llyra]

Where I wear mine is not that low. I did have to trim the tail of mine, though, or it really was possible to feel it externally. I trimmed it down to just a little nub. When I wear it, the cup itself is inside about the distance from the tip of my finger to the bottom of the first knuckle-- so maybe an inch or a bit more? It sometimes slips higher when I'm wearing it, though, and having it higher has never caused any problems. So my answer would be to wear it wherever it's comfortable for you. But yeah, the whole cup should be inside you. If it's protruding, it's going to be uncomfortable, and cause chafing and discomfort on your vulva.

When I put mine in, I do have a few minutes when it feels uncomfortable, until it fully expands and settles into place-- are you rotating yours, after you put it in? It just takes practice. I could totally feel it, like very minute, for the first AF when I wore it. It was about four AFs before I was really comfortable with putting it in.

[BusyMumof5]

Thank you for your fantastic advice... I just took it out (it had leaked so definitely not correct just yet.. worst attempt yet if I say so myself..) and put it in a little further..

Not rotating it as it's in, should I be?

Where it was a minute ago it felt like I was about to birth it, lol. 

I've trimmed mine as I thought it'd be easier to put in and I think it is.. definitely..

I've tried a different fold (the one where your finger puts one edge to the  base almost) and I think that's the one working best for me.. very uncomfortable when it springs open inside.. usually it falls a bit when it does that too.. :(

I thought it looked such an easy invention but have been proved it does take practise.. Looking forward to using this at ease though! 

Thanks for your help!! xx
 

Originally Posted by Llyra 

Where I wear mine is not that low. I did have to trim the tail of mine, though, or it really was possible to feel it externally. I trimmed it down to just a little nub. When I wear it, the cup itself is inside about the distance from the tip of my finger to the bottom of the first knuckle-- so maybe an inch or a bit more? It sometimes slips higher when I'm wearing it, though, and having it higher has never caused any problems. So my answer would be to wear it wherever it's comfortable for you. But yeah, the whole cup should be inside you. If it's protruding, it's going to be uncomfortable, and cause chafing and discomfort on your vulva.

When I put mine in, I do have a few minutes when it feels uncomfortable, until it fully expands and settles into place-- are you rotating yours, after you put it in? It just takes practice. I could totally feel it, like very minute, for the first AF when I wore it. It was about four AFs before I was really comfortable with putting it in.


 

[Llyra]

The reason to rotate it when you put it in is that you will help it settle in and establish a good seal. It also helps to make sure the rim of the cup is completely open-- so you don't get pinched, and so it doesn't leak.

It really does sound like you need to put it in farther. A bit of lube around the rim can help, too. Don't use too much, though, or you won't get a good seal, and it'll be hard to get a grip on the cup.

Best of luck to you, as you figure it out. I've had mine so long (bought my first one in 1996) that I forget how long the learning curve really is-- it seems so easy to me now. But I remember having a hard time.

[BusyMumof5]

Aww thanks so much.. I must remember to rotate it...!!!

After it was so uncomfortable earlier I changed it around a bit and just went to empty / clean it and I panicked as I couldn't find it.. then remembered to 'bear down' and use my muscles (childbirth has done wonders) and felt it come down... It sounds almost like labour and birth doesn't it.. :)

It's a fantastic invention and earlier I got it absolutely correct as I didn't even notice it was still there.. but now I have put it back in again... I am still not so sure it's absolutely correct.. I will figure this little cup out - it will not beat me lol! :D

Thanks for the helpful advice - must remember to rotate!

Gosh - 1996.. that's ages.. I thought this was a new invention.. I must have been a bit blind, lol  - thanks for sharing your information with a begginer! X