Stinging sensation while inserting and removing
I had started using menstrual cups about a year back. I started with a local brand which was a soft small sized cup. But since I had frequent problems with the cup not opening properly and leakage, I changed to a slighter larger firmer cup (Safecup)
Now I am having a slight stinging pain when I’m inserting the cup via a punch down fold. I also have pain during removal, when my fingers touch the my vaginal wall during pinching the base of the cup.I don’t have any pain while the cup is inside, and only when the stem touches the sore area do I feel any pain. I don’t have any issues with leakage or opening with this cup
I had similar problems with my first cup too but not as frequently.
I’m wondering whether the pain means there have been minor tears in my vaginal wall while inserting and whether it would go away with a couple of uses?
Hi There!
I’ve experienced two different types of stinging while using a cup. I’m not sure which one you’re experiencing or if they are the same at all, but maybe these tips will help.
The first type of stinging sensation that I had was when a firm cup brushes against my urethra the wrong way. It’s kind of that same stinging/burning feeling you get when you urinate and have a UTI (if you’ve ever had one).
– Insertion – Another fold might make the cup narrower and more comfortable.
– A softer cup or a narrower cup.
– Removal – Insert your thumb (bladder side) as the cup is halfway out and collapse the body/rim so that it does not brush against your urethra.
The second type of stinging that I had is from (like you said) micro-tears or chafing. This usually happens when I’m not lubricated enough during insertion or the cup’s stem has rubbed me raw during use.
– Using a water-based lubricant will help ease the cup without resistance. I find it easier to apply some lubricant to myself, wash my hand, and then insert the cup. Otherwise, everything gets too slippery and I can’t handle my cup as I need to.
– Trim the stem down bit by bit until it’s no longer rubbing the sensitive area but to a length that it can still be reached. I know the SafeCup doesn’t have a long stem, but trimming it down even a little may eliminate the issue.
If after using a particular cup for a few cycles and you’re still experiencing issues, it just may not be the right cup for you.
Although softer cups can be harder to open at first, there are some tips & tricks to help get them to open. If you would like some information on that, I’d be happy to share it with you. Just let me know.
If you trim the stem and still feel burning at the vaginal opening, you might need a shorter cup or one with a rounded base.
Since the SafeCup is available in three different sizes, I don’t want to assume which size you have and suggest something else too similar.
Good Luck! <3
Red Herring
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