general help for a new user
Hi,
I bought a cup on amazon, i cannot remember the name of the brand… The first (and only time) I attempted insertion was agonising…
I inserted and it was so painful, I tweaked it and was moving it around to find a position that was correct and comfortable (as i had heard testimonies from women who don’t even feel it there) but that didn’t happen with me. It remained so painful that I just immediately wanted it out!
But then taking it out was also so unbelievably painful that i have never attempted it again and have just been using the washable knickers and reusable/washable pads…
Do I just have the wrong size? What did I do wrong? …..
I am now 35, never given birth and rarely and hardly ever have intercourse, I am also very small/petite so I bought a small as the options were small or large…
Any advice/help would be much apprecaited!
Thanks in advance!
G
Hi There!
It may take some time to learn how to get a cup inserted and positioned just right, but it should never be painful. Some water-based lubricants can be of big help to ease a cup in. A tip to using lubricant is to apply a small amount to your labia, rinse your hand, and then handle your cup. Otherwise, it can be too slippery and cause a cup to slid out of its fold too early.
Speaking of folds, try different ones. Some create a smaller insertion point than the others and other folds help the cup to open with less work.
Cup Folds
When you’re learning how to insert (and remove) a cup, start in a squatting position. It will help bring your cervix closer to the entrance of the vagina and grant you easier access. It will make it easier to insert and place the cup properly.
Aim the folded cup down and back towards your tailbone. Our cervix is not typically located straight in and up. It’s different than inserting a tampon if you have ever tried one. Inserting it straight up can cause the cup to push the cervix to the side, result in leaking, cause a cup to shift, and may be uncomfortable or even painful.
If you feel like the cup is too wide, you can turn the cup inside out if you feel comfortable that you can remove it without a stem. This will make the cup slightly narrower and softer. If you’re not comfortable with this, I would suggest a narrower cup.
If the cup you have is very firm, inserting it completely in before letting the rim expand could have caused the rim to snap open against the cervix. This, I know from experience, can be very painful.
Inserting the cup halfway and letting it open lower in the vaginal canal before using a single finger to push it up into place can help eliminate that.
If you feel like there’s extra pressure, the need to urinate more frequently, feel like you didn’t empty your bladder completely when you do use the toilet, or have a slow urine stream or constipation while using the cup, is a sign that the cup is too firm or too wide.
A softer or narrower cup would be a better option.
Removing the cup should not be painful either. Actually, no part of using a cup should be painful 🙁
Again, squatting can help. Doing this in the tub until you’re comfortable with the process will be easy to clean up if you spill.
Locate the stem and gently rock the cup side to side until you can pinch the base. If you feel a burning, rubbing, stinging sensation, this is common with a firm cup dragging against the urethra. To eliminate this feeling, reposition your hold with your thumb a little higher onto the cup’s body and press down a bit. This will collapse the rim so it doesn’t apply extra pressure on the urethra on the way out.
A softer or narrower cup will remedy this as well.
I couldn’t say if it is the size or not. Since you’re new to using cups, it might just be the placement. A lot of people go through this during the learning curve. It sucks, I know, but once you learn how and where to place it, it will become muscle memory.
Here’s a link that might help you narrow down what shape/size cup might be right for you:
How to Locate & Measure Your Cervix
The first video goes over things that you can factor in while hunting for the right cup.
And here’s a “Cup Quiz” that might be helpful:
Menstrual Cup Quiz
Since I don’t know the cup brand or name, it’s hard for me to give you any suggestions. If you purchased it from Amazon you should be able to find it in your “Order History”.
If you have any other questions or find the cup name, I’d be happy to help you narrow down some cups that might be a better “fit” for you.
Until then, Good Luck <3
