Can menstrual cups cause UTIs? (TMI warning!) and other questions..

[delly]

Hi!

Ok, so I've been using pads only for years because tampons made my cramps so bad. I haven't switched all the way to cloth pads, although I have a few I rotate in, but that's a different story. But it's so messy to clean myself off all the time, I actually get raw down there from all the wiping to get clean.

I've been fascinated by the menstrual cup idea, but decided to ease into it by trying the Instead cups first. So I got some a couple weeks ago, tried it out this month. I've used two of them so far. I have to admit I looked at it and said, "that's huge! no way!" but I tried it and it went in easy the first time, no problem. Also has done pretty well leakage-wise during use. The problems I've had are the following: (TMI warning!)

1) getting it out! Messy, messy messy! I can't just pull it out the way they say, that hurts. I have to break the seal and pull down to avoid pain and then it spills all over my fingers. Yuck! Does this happen with all menstrual cups? I can't imagine using this in a public bathroom, TP isn't enough to clean it up, and even in my home bathroom the sink isn't in easy reach of the toilet so it's a real hassle.

2) I pee differently when it's in! I swear - my stream is much thinner, and if I try to bear down at all to pee faster or more thoroughly or finish off, I actually hear the seal on the cup break and it leaks. Kinda funny actually, but what worries me is - if the cup is affecting how I pee, is it putting pressure on any part of my bladder etc when I'm NOT actually peeing, and could that have a long term effect? Like UTIs or something? I haven't used it long enough to have a problem or anything, but I'm worried by the fact that it's obviously putting some kind of pressure on something in there. Anyone have any thoughts? Ever had a problem with UTIs when using cups?

3) CAN I leave a cup in while peeing? I have to admit, if I have to take a cup out every single time I need to pee, I won't use it - far too messy and too much hassle for a quick trip to the bathroom. I would probably end up holding it longer than I should and that would only lead to potential problems - like UTIs even, so I'm back to that worry.


Also, any thoughts on differences between the fit of the Instead and the diva-type cups would be welcome! Would a reusable kind of cup fit so differently that this wouldn't be an issue?


Thanks if you made it this far!

[lily7]

I think you are not inserting it all the way in that is why peeing is not comfortable. You are probably blocking partially urethra (is this the right name?), which probably is not good. You do not need to remove the cup if properly inserted to pee. And I am pretty sure that if proper hygine is followed as well as proper insertion there should not be UTI issues.
Instead cups are totally different than other menstrual cups. For me they are the most comfortable, however removal is less messy with Diva cup type. To make it less messy for removal I squeeze the rim to get the seal broken and then pull it.
I am still not 100% happy with Diva cup, it is too long for me even with the stem totally cut-off. It was really uncomfortable first couple of periods PP. Well now that I am PG again I don't have to use it anymore

[DanishMom]

Originally Posted by delly

1) getting it out! Messy, messy messy! I can't just pull it out the way they say, that hurts. I have to break the seal and pull down to avoid pain and then it spills all over my fingers. Yuck! Does this happen with all menstrual cups? I can't imagine using this in a public bathroom, TP isn't enough to clean it up, and even in my home bathroom the sink isn't in easy reach of the toilet so it's a real hassle.

That happens to me too. If I'm some place where the sink is far from the toilet I have spilled occasionally and had to clean it up. Still worth it in my opinion. I haven't used my in a public bathroom. If I'm some place where I don't want to empty and clean it I use some toilet paper as a pad until I get to a place where I can empty and clean it properly

2) I pee differently when it's in! I swear - my stream is much thinner, and if I try to bear down at all to pee faster or more thoroughly or finish off, I actually hear the seal on the cup break and it leaks. Kinda funny actually, but what worries me is - if the cup is affecting how I pee, is it putting pressure on any part of my bladder etc when I'm NOT actually peeing, and could that have a long term effect? Like UTIs or something? I haven't used it long enough to have a problem or anything, but I'm worried by the fact that it's obviously putting some kind of pressure on something in there. Anyone have any thoughts? Ever had a problem with UTIs when using cups?

That happens to me too. If I need to pee a lot it is very annoying. I'm short and therefore my vagina is probably short too. I don't I could place my moon cup any higher as the PP suggested. I haven't had problems with UTI's. Does sound like it would be a good idea to be aware about potential infections

3) CAN I leave a cup in while peeing? I have to admit, if I have to take a cup out every single time I need to pee, I won't use it - far too messy and too much hassle for a quick trip to the bathroom. I would probably end up holding it longer than I should and that would only lead to potential problems - like UTIs even, so I'm back to that worry.

I leave it there but whenever I empty and clean the cup I make sure to really pee to get my bladder completely emptied.


Also, any thoughts on differences between the fit of the Instead and the diva-type cups would be welcome! Would a reusable kind of cup fit so differently that this wouldn't be an issue?

Don't know anything about the Instead.

All in all I'm very happy with my moon cup. It makes my period last two days less than normal and with a lot less pain.

[FluffiB]

I have the same peeing problem. The cup is pressing against your urethra. It took me about 4 mths to figure out that I really needed to concentrate on aiming it towards the small of my back and not straight up. I also have to angle it slightly due to my tilted uterus.

As long as I aim it correctly I don't have the peeing problem. If it's hard to pee, I take it out and re-insert it.

You do need to be careful if you can't empty your bladder all the way - doing this for several days can cause UTIs. I think I had a minor one in the beginning which went away with cranberry pills.

As for taking it out, I just pinch the bottom of my Mooncup, just enough to break the seal and take it out slowly. I adjust my grip to make sure I have a good hold of it. Oh, I also have a piece of toilet paper handy and use that to hold it once it's out. I then empty the contents into the toilet, wash, and insert again.

It takes practice. It was months before I got good at it. I've been using it for maybe 2+ years, and I don't really think about it much anymore. I'm not familiar with the brand you're using, but try a Diva or a Mooncup if you still have problems after a while. Frontier co-op carries both of them now.

[delly]

I guess I just don't see how I can get it in farther. Hmm. Maybe I need to try one of the reusable cups - I didn't realize the shape was so different when I decided to try Insteads first, and honestly, buying a cup shouldn't be THAT much more expensive than a box of Insteads which then get thrown away, right? Of course I'd have to figure out which one to get. sigh.

I'm just nervous about it causing problems, so I only used an Instead twice for this past period. It didn't hurt to have it in, I just worried about the UTI possibility.

Does anyone go #1 with any brand of menstrual cup still in, just for a quick trip to the bathroom when the kids are quiet for a minute or is that a big no-no to not take it out every time? Because honestly, that could be a deal breaker here. I literally take 30 second potty breaks around here some days!!

[FluffiB]

delly - You might not necessarily have to insert it higher - just angle it differently as I mentioned in my previous post.

And no, you shouldn't have to take it out everytime you have to go #1. As long as mine is angled properly I can go without any problems.

Once it's in, it might help to do a little kegel to get it to go higher a bit.

ETA: I just looked at the Instead cup. The diameter looks a lot bigger than Diva or Mooncup. I would compare the diameter - Instead might just simply be too wide for you.

[angela&avery]

Originally Posted by FluffiB

I It took me about 4 mths to figure out that I really needed to concentrate on aiming it towards the small of my back and not straight up. .

this was also my issue.... i found that aiming it as far down as possible as you can, so that i can actually feel in in my anus (sorry if TMI) has finally stopped the leaking. it was so hard to train myself to aim opposite when inserting it.

[angela&avery]

Originally Posted by delly

Does anyone go #1 with any brand of menstrual cup still in, just for a quick trip to the bathroom when the kids are quiet for a minute or is that a big no-no to not take it out every time? Because honestly, that could be a deal breaker here. I literally take 30 second potty breaks around here some days!!

uhm, ive done both...

[lily7]

I used both types and if Instead is too large for you I would not go for Diva. Instead works very well for me. Diva is too long even with the stem trimmed to 0. Do not compare diameter of Diva and Instead because they go in totally different. It is hard to explain, Diva just hangs down, while Instead drapes around your cervix.
http://www.softcup.com/product/softcup_directions.php
http://www.divacup.com/en/home/faqs/

[feminist~mama]

I'd compare Instead to a diaphragm, not the the Diva cup or the Keeper.

With a diaphragm (or the Instead I'd imagine) UTI is a possibility as that large diameter often places pressure on the urethra.

The Keeper/Diva cups are much smaller in diameter and I've personally never heard of UTI being an issue with either. I've taken many bathroom breaks without emptying the cup and not had any type of issue. I think you'd be fine.

[Ola_]

I do notice that I pee a little slower with the Diva cup in, but it is not as dramatic as you described. I think perhaps the difference has to do with how the cups sit in the vagina - the Instead is wider and sits higher up, while the Diva is narrower, longer, and sits lower and is more "vertical" (if you can call it that).

I don't take my cup out when I pee, but I do take it out for bowel movements (otherwise I feel like it moves down and isn't comfy). I found with peeing if I just relax the muscles it helps, rather than "trying" to pee, yk? But I definitely think it would be a pain to have to remove it to pee!

BTW, to remove I also grab the stem, pull it down a bit, and then pinch the bottom of the cup a bit. It comes out in pretty much the same position as it was in, so there is little/no spillage. Ok, except for the time I dropped it in the toilet.

[oneKnight]

I have heard that it is not possible to remove the Instead cups without causing a "murder scene" mess. My mom and sister didn't like them, but I never tried them.

The Mooncup is somewhat shorter than the DivaCup. The Diva was alright for me, but I could always feel it even with the tail shaved off. I can competely forget about the MoonCup, it's only a little smaller but it is enough to be perfect! To remove it without a mess you slightly pinch the base of the cup, and remove the reverse of insertion. The cup always stays upright, so unless it's OVERfull it won't spill. I dropped mine once, they bounce! Since the vagina is normally somewhat wet, sometimes they can have "natural lube" on the outside when you go to remove them. I have heard of one escaping down a public toilet, so do be careful. LOL

I use the Mooncup some days and I do notice it taking longer to pee sometimes, but I think it's because I have trouble fully relaxing when I'm thinking about it. If I forget about the cup being in (which happens) I don't have any trouble peeing. I have never gotten an UTI. I take out the cup for bowel movements, like a pp said it's just more comfortable.

[texaspeach]

I just got a moon up and it's way easier to put in and remove than the insteads (and my diaphragm). I remember reading some where about diaphragms that if you had a difficult time peeing, it meant it might be too big for you (diaphragms come in different sizes). Since the instead is shaped the same, worn in the same place, and is the same size as the most common diaphragm size, I'd say it's probably just too big for your body. I've always thought that instead should come in two or three different sizes, like a 65mm, 70mm and 75mm. Of course, I guess people wouldn't really be able to measure themselves

the divacup/keeper style cups are a lot easier!