Painful and exhausting insertion and removal
My first time using a cup (Evacopa size 2, it’s a local brand) has been a bit of a disaster. It took me 2 days of attempts to insert and another 2 days to remove, so it was up there for a full day, which is obviously way longer than any brand allows but I just didn’t have the strength to deal with it with my cramped hands sooner.
Evacopa does carry a smaller size (1), but it’s recommended for people under 20. I’m in my 20’s and haven’t had a childbirth or penetrative sex, but I do have a high cervix and heavy flow.
Once the cup was inside, I couldn’t feel it and it was perfectly sealed, with the stem safely within the canal. I went to the bathroom several times with no discomfort.
The problem is getting it in and out. I’m an anxious person – still, I tried my best to relax, bear down and take deep breaths while in every possible position. It was fairly easy to get in one finger but it took a lot more time and effort to get in a second finger, which is necessary for both insertion and removal.
During insertion, my fingers were cold and shaking from keeping the cup in an origami fold. During removal, I had to grip the folded body with both hands to keep the seal broken, with the worst pain coming from the rim. The pain was burning, not sharp, and faded quickly, with no signs of tearing or injury hours later.
I’m going to get a water-based lubricant in the future anyway, but if there’s anything else I can do to make insertion and removal more practical, I’m all ears.
My first time using a cup (Evacopa size 2, it’s a local brand) has been a bit of a disaster. It took me 2 days of attempts to insert and another 2 days to remove, so it was up there for a full day, which is obviously way longer than any brand allows but I just didn’t have the strength to deal with it with my cramped hands sooner.
No worries. I’ve spoken to people who have forgotten about their cup for a few days. Besides a bad smell, everything turned out okay. I’ve also forgotten mine for a day before. It can be easy to do when you don’t feel it or have a string hanging out as a reminder. As long as we don’t make a habit of it.
Evacopa does carry a smaller size (1), but it’s recommended for people under 20. I’m in my 20’s and haven’t had a childbirth or penetrative sex, but I do have a high cervix and heavy flow.
Once the cup was inside, I couldn’t feel it and it was perfectly sealed, with the stem safely within the canal. I went to the bathroom several times with no discomfort.
Age, childbirth, and sexual experience don’t make a huge difference when it comes to choosing a menstrual cup that’s right for you. What you want to look for are cups that will be easy to use, comfortable to wear, and has the capacity to hold you for a good part of the day.
Because you have a high cervix and heavy flow, you’ll most likely want a cup that’s longer for easy reach, and one with the highest capacity that is also comfortable during inserting and removal.
Since I can only go off of photos of the cup, I can only say that it looks bulky. It might be a contributing factor. If the cup is very firm, it can also be making it difficult to keep folded.
The problem is getting it in and out. I’m an anxious person – still, I tried my best to relax, bear down and take deep breaths while in every possible position. It was fairly easy to get in one finger but it took a lot more time and effort to get in a second finger, which is necessary for both insertion and removal.
Having a longer cup might be easier to reach. A ‘V’-shaped cup may be a good option where the base tapers to a point and ends with a stem.
Squat on the ground and push with your pelvic muscles to bring the cup closer to the vaginal opening. With a well-fitted cup, you should be able to reach the base of the cup with two fingers without inserting them.
During insertion, my fingers were cold and shaking from keeping the cup in an origami fold. During removal, I had to grip the folded body with both hands to keep the seal broken, with the worst pain coming from the rim. The pain was burning, not sharp, and faded quickly, with no signs of tearing or injury hours later.
Again, this sounds like it’s a very firm cup. A softer cup should be easy to pinch and collapse with one hand. I have a few cups that don’t budge and they are all very firm. A couple of them I’ve had to dig my nails into.
To eliminate the burning sensation during removal, stop pulling down on the cup when the rim is near your urethra or just as you start to feel any discomfort (about 1/2 way out). Then reposition your thumb higher on the base or body to collapse it down.
This will keep the pressure on your urethra to a minimum and help keep the rim from dragging against it.
I’m going to get a water-based lubricant in the future anyway, but if there’s anything else I can do to make insertion and removal more practical, I’m all ears.
My only advice would be to squat when inserting and removing this cup. It automatically pushes your cervix lower giving you better and shorter access, while also making it easier to place and position, or remove the cup. You’ll probably want to remove it in the shower or tube for easy clean-up.
If this doesn’t help your situation, a longer and softer cup might be a good option.
Good Luck! <3
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