Why can’t I do it?
I bought a menstrual cup just over a month ago, and I watched lots of videos about different ways to insert it, but then when I first tried to use it I really struggled to insert it. I thought I was just nervous and decided to wait until my next period. Today I tried again, and once again I found it really hard to insert it/make it fully open out once it was inside me. Then, when I was trying to move it to make it open while it was inside me I suddenly started crying and shaking and I had to take it out and now I just don’t want to go anywhere near ~down there~. Is there something wrong with me? Do I need to get more comfortable with myself to use the cup, and how do I do this? I’d appreciate some advice, I really want to make the switch to a cup to help the environment, and I feel really guilty and low because I’m finding it so difficult 🙁
Hello There!
I’m sorry to hear about your troubles with the menstrual cup that you have. I know it can be very frustrating, but just know that you’re not the only one to struggle to try to use it for the first couple of times. It may not be what you want to hear, but there is a learning curve and it may take some people several periods (and tries) before everything clicks.
First of all, can you tell me what cup you decided to purchase? Some cups are very soft. This can make it ten times harder to get the cup to open. It can also make people give up and think that cups just don’t work for them.
Before choosing the cup that you did, did you measure your cervix? This would help determine if a cup might be too short or too long – making it hard to reach or feel uncomfortable while wearing it.
I’d rather someone find out that a cup is too long but still be able to reach and remove it, than having them find out it was too short and panic because they can’t reach it.
Anxiety about using the cup for the first few times can make things harder. I know it’s easier said than done, but you need to figure out a way to relax. If you’re stressing out, your body will tense up automatically.
Try squatting down on the ground. It will roll your pelvis and make you bear down without trying. It’s also harder to clench your muscles in this position.
Some water-based lubricant can help if the cup isn’t easy to insert.
Depending on the position of your cervix, if you are inserting the cup completely into the vaginal canal, the cervix can be in the way of allowing the cup to open. The cup can also push the cervix to the side making it useless in collecting your flow.
After inserting the cup, wiggle it down a bit to allow the cervix to readjust itself and to let the cup open.
You may even consciously only insert the cup 1/2 way, allow it to open, and then push it up into place.
I know you said that you watched a lot of videos, but there might be some helpful tips here:
How to Insert & Remove a Menstrual Cup
There’s nothing wrong with you <3 Using a menstrual cup is a brand new experience for you. Probably nothing like anything else you've tried – even tampons if you've used them. It's going to take some time to learn, just like everything else…. /hugs!
Using a cup will
My suggestion (besides wiggling the cup down or inserting only 1/2 at first) without knowing what cup you have, would be to try a cup that's a little firmer than your current one. I can suggest a couple if you let me know what cup you currently have.
Until then, Good Luck <3
