I'm sure you've seen a trillion and one posts ike this, but I am so confused. I'm not sure how I found this community, but I've gotten really interested in this cup thing. I've been using tampons almost since day one [I've had my period since thirteen and I'm eighteen now]. Over the last year or so, I become nauseated and my cramps intensify. I have no idea where to begin, though. I thought about the Diva, but now I think a different one would be better.

I'm a virgin, and I don't think my hymen is broken, but then again, I have no idea how to tell. Will having my hymen intact make the use of cups more uncomfortable? What about comfort and leakage? Which brands are easiest to insert? I've never explored myself, if you will, so I don't know a whole lot. Also, I am uncomfortable discussing these things with my mom...is the packaging pretty discreet? She's also nosy, and likes to see what's in any packages I get. Just a couple more questions, I promise. How are these with sleeping in? I'd prefer not to rely solely on pads, if at all. I can get up to twelve hours a night of sleep. And. I just finished my period, so my next one won't come until the middle of next month. How long do these cups take to ship? I'm asking because I'm moving to uni on the 23rd of next month, so I want to know whether to use my uni address or my home address.

Sorry I asked so many questions, I am just really curious and confused. Any information as all that you could give would be absolutely wonderful.

ETA: I forgot to add that I'm from the US.

Hi, I just discovered menstrual cups/cloth pads a couple of days ago. I want to order a cup ASAP, but I'm confused as to what size/cup to buy. I've narrowed it down to the lunette or the lady cup. I am a small teen virgin with a HEAVY flow. The lady cup/lunette appeal to me because their smaller(eaisier to get in i suppose because of my frame?) , but at the same time I have a heavy flow and I don't want to empty it every hour. 

So what should I do? I'm also considering getting the smallest of the big cups, but i'm confused as to which cup that would be because they're slightly different shapes!

I know this post may not make a lot of sense, but please help me if you can! Your advice would be very helpful!

 Hi, I finally convinced my mom to let me order a cup! Yay! It's supposed to arrive any day now, and I just realized I hadn't thought of the lube I'd use to help insert it. I am a petite teen virgin so I'm thinking I need to use something. On WEN's website (the organization who "exposed the sanitary protection industry) it says "Avoid lubricated and/or fragranced products-these are completely superfluous and generate unnecessary additional exposure to synthetic chemicals." Is there such thing as a "healthier" or "safer" lube? I have no idea what I'm talking about, but I guess one with few or none "synthetic chemicals." I think I read somewhere that you could use olive oil or a "little soap", according to the 1962 article someone posted here recently. However, I would prefer to use a product from a store (like a "natural" lube.......does that exist.) The soap thing sounds intersting though...I was planning to use Dr. Bronner's to clean my cup anyway, so maybe I'll use that. (Or would that be harmful?)

Thanks for reading this. Any advice would be really helpful!

so i asked over at vaginapagina and they told me to come here so...here i am!

right i'm interested in menstrual cups cos i've sorta looked stuff up about them but um...yeah...i'll ask my questions:

1) when i'm wearing a tampon and i (i'm really sorry i don't know the technical terms for this and i'll sound really vulgar sorry!) poop it's often really painful like it's squeezing my vagina on the way past or smething, and my mum said this was normal and she used to feel like that too sometimes, but what i want to know is with a menstrual cup will the be worse better or about the same?

2) also 15 & virgin, will my vagina be too small (or the hymen not broken enough or whatever) so i won't be able to get it in?

3) and also i couldn't find out if you need to wash ti between each time of putting it back in or just emty into the loo or what, being at school most the time i'm actually on my period it'd be realyl difficult to wash it in the middle of the day, so does it need washing or will i be okay until i get home?

thanks

Émie

hey! wow I've been reading all of your posts for a while and now I'm actually going to post one!!

Here's the deal, when I started to read you posts, do some research and read about these cups I got obsessed! All I want to do now is read about them! And trust me that's a little weird for a 14 year old to do!! It's just that I have had my period for only 4 months so far and the first time I used pads I got a weird itching rash type thing! OWWW! I used cloth pads but they are still bulky! Anyway I know that in a normal person's world they would go from pads to tampons and then (if ever) to menstrual cups. But I think why even waste the time on horrible tampons?! why not just skip a step to the next best thing?! Anyway you guys have completely convinced me about cups and I really want to try one but my question is do you think it'd be too soon? I mean I'm a virgin, only 14, never tried tampons and have only had my period for a very short amount of time. I feel like I'm pretty comfortable with my vagina and I don't think I'd have a problem with the mental part of insertion but do you think it'll be too big or too advanced for someone my age and experience level?

I'm pretty sure i'd like to try the lady cup because it is small and felixible. Do think that's a good choice? if not what would you suggest?

thank you soooo much for your time and answers!I means so much to me!

So I just received my Lady Cup in the mail and... I'm in love!  I'm so excited, it even went in relatively pain-free.  I was expected some horrifying experience to take place since the first time I wore a tampon ended up that way, but no, everything is perfect!  I used the origami fold, or at least attempted to... it kind of did its own thing, I guess you could call it the "blobular fold" lol.  By the way I just recently turned 17 years old and I am still a virgin.  I would recommend this cup to everyone, especially young girls. 

Hello,
I'm considering of getting the Divacup for such a long time! But there's a question that needs to be answered.  I don't think that it will fit me the fact that I'm only 14 years old (turning 15 on October), a virgin, and  have never used tampons and only used pads. I have never used tampons cuz they're not available in my country. Only pads.
do you think I will have any problems inserting it? alot of pain maybe?

I would love to get the divacup b/c I've heard a lot of amazing things about them and I want to help the environment. And because its so convenient! And I would have never skipped my tae kwondo lessons for the first few days of my period if I wear the divacup b/c I would leak if I use pads. I stopped taking tae kwon do lessons cuz of my stupid period! I would have got the black belt by now if I don't quit... Now that its too late to continue for the lessons i feel so stupid for quitting... Its not like I want to quit. My friend whose getting a black belt for her next exam quit too because of that.. Now she'll never get a black belt..

so anyway, do you think I will have any problems inserting it? alot of pain maybe?

Thanks in advance,
Addie

Hey everyone,

I'm seriously considering buying a Diva Cup because of all of the great things I've read about them, but I guess I'm hesitant because of the few negative/neutral things I've read too. I was hoping I could post a few questions here so you guys could ease my mind a little :)

Question 1: Considering I'm a 19 year old virgin, have a somewhat heavy flow for the first couple of days of my period, and use the largest sized tampons, do you think I would have a lots of pain my first time using it?

Question 2: How do you REALLY use it? I mean, I've read the basics about how to get it in and out, but I've read so many stories about ladies having to "bear down hard" and lay down in the shower and on their beds every time they take their cups out or put them in... I don't think I'd be too comfortable doing that. I'm all for doing everything over a toilet, but any other way or place just seems kinda weird, especially if I'm in a situation like staying the night away from home. I'm also in college, so if I have empty it at school, I don't want to take a long time getting it in and out.

Question 3: How would you compare it to the convenience of a tampon? For example, with a tampon, all I have to do is open it up, put it in, toss the trash, and then after a few hours take it out with not much fuss or mess cause I have a little method to it. Its really quick and easy. Is there a quick and easy option with a Diva Cup?

I'm really hoping that I'm just overanalyzing everything, because I really want to be able to use a Diva Cup... they seem so much healthier and so much better for the environment.

I know this was a REALLY long post, so THANK YOU all for taking the time to read this!! I really do appreciate it :) :)

Today is my first day ever of actually using the cup!  And it was perfect!  I got the cup two days ago, tried it on the first day (coincidentally the first day of my period) with not so much success, let my nethers rest for a day, tried this morning and everything just worked awesome.  No leaks, no problem with seals or opening up (I used the 7-fold with most success), although it sits a little lower than I'd like (the bottom is poking at the inside of my posterior fourchette, and it's a little irritating, but I think I'll get used to it).  In all, I love my little Lunette!

So, here's how I got mine to work:

I know a several people have some trouble with insertion; their muscles are too tense, they're a little too tight, or it just won't seem to budge any farther than half-way.  I'm a 20 year old virgin, never used tampons before.  I started stretching myself out in anticipation to using the cup, so my the time the cup came that wasn't that big of a problem for me; I could already fit several fingers.  But, when I tried inserting the cup, my vagina didn't seem to want to make room.

So today, I figured I'd kind of try "preparing" myself before even inserting it.  Basically, just insert as many fingers as you can (at least two, ideally three) and really just give your vagina a good stretch.  Seriously.  Don't over do it, but for several minutes, just give it a kind of stretch-massage (heads up; it gets bloody), and then insert the cup .  It sounds weird, but it worked like a charm for me.  Fingers are much more yielding than the silicone of the cup, and you have control over the pressure, etc.  The vagina just stretches to make room for anything that goes in there, and since you're more gently stretching it out with your fingers beforehand as opposed to just ramming at it out of nowhere with a hard plastic-y cup, it'll be much more yielding for the cup afterwards.  (Lube totally helps, too.)

So, just something to try if you're having trouble getting it inside.  If anyone hasn't tried this.  For all I know, EVERYONE does this, but I just thought of it this morning (like, "Duh!  maybe I should give my vagina a head's up to make room before I start stabbing at it?") and it worked perfectly for me.

My Divacup (size for women who have not had childbirth) came in the mail yesterday and I woke up this morning with cramps, hopped out of bed, and took my new cup to test it out before my flow started in earnest. Long story short, I can't get it more than a little bit in without it being so painful I can't force myself to try it any more.

( The rest of the long story )

I've been a menstrual cup user for two years now. Even since getting my cup, I've been encouraging my sister to try the Divacup. It only took my non-virgin self one cycle to get it down however I attribute that to reading this community religiously for about a year prior to getting a cup. I first mentioned the Divacup when my sister was a senior in h.s. and she wasn't interested at all. Recently, she brought up the Divacup as a co-worker of hers currently uses one. She seemed more open to trying one. I'm going to buy her one and mail it to her.

I was hoping ya'll could give me some advice to relay back to her about using the cup. She's a 19 year old virgin. I'm worried that she's gonna try it once and it will hurt so she'll give up. Or it'll leak and she'll give up. Other than telling her that there's an adjustment period of several months (and relaying my swiping tip for not getting any spotting on your underwear) is there any other advice I can give her.

Thanks.

Hi, I really want to buy  a menstrual cup/cloth pads, but I have one problem: I have no idea to tell my mom! I have no idea how to facilitate conversation! She always seems busy and I don't really talk to her about this stuff AT ALL.  I printed out a lot of information about dioxin, dangers of tampons/pads and 3 types of menstrual cups, but i think that would freak her out to! (Has my underage daughter been perusing sex sites?)

So, I have these questions:

1. If you were/are a virgin/teen, what was/is the biggest problem you faced with your cup/cloth pads?

2. How can I convince my mom?

3. If your a teen, how do you successfully use your cup at school? 

4. My school also goes on retreats for extended periods of time and I live in close quarters with many girls. My cup would probably be ok for those instances, but what about cloth pads?

5. I've already decided I'm going to use the lunette or diva. (I'm petite, under 5 ft, and 110 pounds.) What advice would you give for pads?

6. Do you have any other advice for me?

Thankyou so much!

 

I'm currently using my new DivaCup for the first cycle.

It seems to be *working* (it collects the blood and is reasonably comfortable) but as far as I can tell it's aligned wrong - all the instructions I've been able to find say that it should be horizontal and that I should rotate it, which isn't possible. (Even when I can get a good hold on the bottom, the top won't budge when I try to rotate it - it just twists.)

Is this something I should worry about, given that it seems to be doing what it's supposed to be doing?

I wasn't going to worry, but I got a lot of blood (regular bright, non-viscous blood, not menstrual fluid) on my hands last time I put it in. I suspect that it was probably my hymen breaking (I am a virgin, and I see other people have mentioned that here), but, combined with the alignment and twisting issues, it's causing me to worry a bit.

(I've checked through the things tagged "insertion" and not found anything about this. My apologies if it's a duplicate.)

Hi Everyone. So, this is my second period I've had with the divacup. I love it, and it feels so much more cleaner than pads. The first period I had was really successful, but the second time around seems more problematic.

My first concern is this: I'm a virgin, so my hymen's still intact. My first cycle with the diva saw a tiny bit of tearing and bleeding when inserting the cup, but it wasn't a big deal. I thought that would've been the end of the hymen problem though, but I was wrong. I'm a lot drier on this period I have now, so I ended up tearing my hymen when inserting the cup really forcibly the other night because I was so darn frustrated when it had trouble going in. I ended up with a gush of bright red blood all over my hand!! I was so scared... I'm wearing a pad right now because I'm still sore... I think lube would remedy the insertion next time, right? .___. And a whole lot of calmness and patience.

My second issue is this: There's no menstrual blood leakage when I wear the cup, but I do notice really, really light yellow/brown stains that isn't blood on the pantyliners I wear for insurance. Is this normal?? Is it just vaginal discharge?
Thanks for all your time and words of experience, ladies.
Best,
Neal

So my Diva Cup came in the mail yesterday! I was so excited!
I decided to try a dry run. It went in on the second try (my grip slipped on the first try and it popped open too soon).
As soon as it was in it felt like it wasn't there! I was thrilled.   I left it in there for a few hours and couldn't even feel it.
It went really well, and I got it back out on the first try! AMAZING! If this thing works as well as it is comfortable I'll be set for life.

Hello,

I'm new to this community but not to menstral cups.  I've had a Diva for a couple of years and have successfully converted any of my friends who would listen.  

My daughter is fast approaching the onset of menstration.  We've talked about different products and options that are available for use during a woman's period and she's expressed intrest in something like my DivaCup.   

I'm excited about it. actually looking forward to my period for the first time ever so i can test it properly. Come on Monday... still, I've done some tests with it. its a little uncomfortable at the moment but i think i need practice. at least i've tested getting it out so i don't worry its going to get stuck. and i haven't hurt myself either, except with a careless long fingernail which i intend to fix asap. I was a little worried cause i am a virgin that i'd have more trouble getting it in. only took 10 mins, maybe a little less...

It really does seem huge when you first see it doesn't it? still, i know i can get it in with a little work and patience. but i was the same the first time i used a tampon and that worked out in the end... Only thing is, i've read you are supposed to be able to rotate it once its in. i can't. at all. is this because its a dry run or is it maybe just me? is it a big deal if i can't?

Are you supposed to be able to feel it if its in? mine feels ok if i stay still but if i move suddenly it hurts. do i just need to push it in further or cut the stem or what?

Ok, so my MooncupUK arrived this morning, and since I need to get this figured out reliably before my next visit from Aunt Flo, I decided to do a dry run even though I only finished my last period a few days ago.
I lubed the cup AND myself, and used the punch-down. Went in a breeze, and opened up and suctioned itself properly. So far, thumbs up. But then I had to remove it. Now would be the time to mention that I'm a virgin, and that despite biking, riding a motorcycle, and using tampons for 10 years, my hymen was still intact. I say was, because after this, it's not. Upon removal, the blasted thing got caught on my hymen, and I had heaps of trouble getting it past(yes, I had it as folded as well as I could, I didn't try to pull it out open -the horror!-) and out. Yowch. Just as I was really starting to worry that it was gonna be stuck there(didn't want to have to explain THAT to my Dr...), it came out. Painfully. Oh the relief. But ever since, I've been bleeding a bit. Not menstrually, but around the hymen area, so I obviously tore it. Couple of questions: How long should I leave my poor bits to recover before I try again, and any tips for easier removal -especially from anyone who started using Cups while virgins-? (I've read the tags and memories, but anything else worth knowing?)

Thanks heaps girls, this community is a goldmine of info for the intrepid first-time Cup user:)

Hello there!  Thanks for this awesome place I can post questions.  :D

Okay, so I've had my DivaCup for a while, but I'm a complete virgin, and it really hurt.  So, disappointed, I ignored the cup for 6 months, and decided to give it a try again.  So I finally figured out insertion and removal, and I'm fairly decent at it now, although I do get a little panicky sometimes and end up just being sore after, as I sometimes find it hard to get it to pop open.  (I use punch-down usually)

Now, It is wonderfully comfortable when I am sitting down, at least for the most part I can't feel it.  Then when I stand up and move around a bit, I have discomfort.  Originally, the stem poked me too, but I cut some off, and that's fine.  Now it just feels like things are being stretched inside that don't want to be stretched, but only when I stand up, etc.  I can manage, and it's better than messy pads, but I would love  a solution to this problem.  Any suggestions/ideas/fellow sufferers?

Thanks!!!
Sheila

Account of my first period experience, with my new Diva Cup. Be warned, I will blunt and use amusing language; as well as sharing to much information. I blame the new freedom on this awesome little invention. So, join this twenty-something virgin after the cut, for the amusing tale of my 6 day journey. 

Ok, so I bought my cup the other day, and didn't have time for a dry run because I was already on my period. So I have been making attempts for the last 2 nights without much success. The first night I was going to try in the shower, I folded it into first a "C" but that seemed too big. Next I tried the pushdown method and I was able to get it mostly in, just kinda crooked and really low. But I could tell by the way it was feeling that it was not going to open, so even after some maneuvering it did not. I tried the "7" fold after reading that it was about as small as the punch-down but would open as easily as the "C". I inserted it, once again it was very low, and attempted to release it. That was a new kind of pain, I felt like if it open I would jump through the roof. I took it out and tried again. The same thing happened only at this point my leg were shaking. I decided I would give it a rest and try the next day.

I attempted tonight, again in the shower, and found that when I really relaxed myself I could get it in a little bit farther with the punch-down, but still no opening. So I tried the 7 again. In, not opening, very low. When I got out I went to the bathroom, sat down and gave it one more try with the 7. I found it once again VERY painful and ineffective. I removed the cup and inserted my index finger just to get my bearings on what was going on. My finger was not even half in when it hit something squishy and sensitive which I take to be my cervix. It seems like its a lot lower than it should be. Is this a possibility and/or problem? I should also probably mention that I am a virgin which could be related to the initial pain.

I really want this to work for me, and I have no thought of giving up just yet. any suggestion or thought would be really appreciated.

Hi! I'm 17 and technically still a virgin. I've always hated pads; the cost, the waste, the 'limp rag' feel, and haven't ever really tried tampons. The risk of TSS and the way the fibres 'stick' has put me off somewhat. So I heard about the UK Mooncup and thought, 'wonderful! Freedom!' and ordered it in what I'm sure is the smaller size (it's a 'B'). It arrived, my first period came around... and god did it ever hurt. I tried 'stretching' myself on the recommendation of the lady who sold it to me and at last managed to get the hang of getting it in and out, but while it was up there there was a really intense, sick, crampy pain, low down in my stomach. This happened almost every time I used it over two periods and I couldn't keep it in for more than ten minutes.

I also had problems getting the thing to unfold; half the time I had to physically unfold it myself and it hurt so much I stopped bothering and took the it out again. I tried the C-fold and couldn't even get it in, the seven-fold and couldn't straighten it out properly and the punch-down fold which was okay some of the time.

Sore, angry and disappointed, I gave up and returned to the pads I loathed. Fast-forward several months to today, when I decided to try Tampax on a whim. Was amazed to find that, using a 'regular' size (I'm fairly heavy and couldn't get away with less) I got a similar pain; a much less intense version of the discomfort I suffered with my Mooncup. Could this be something to do with me? I'm not at all nervous about either of these products, the tampons especially, and I took plenty of time with each to relax myself. The only thing I can think of is that I have mild IBS which can flare up badly during my period, but it hasn't done so for quite a while!

Please help. I really do want to be able to use my Mooncup, or if not that then another type of menstrual cup! Thanks :)

ETA: Well, it's in. I tried the origami fold and that... sort of slipped sideways. Painfully. Then I tried the punch-down fold again, and after quite a lot of pain (caused by the suction, I think) securing the seal, I did it. It feels... uncomfortable, but not agonising in the way it did. I can live with it and hopefully it'll get better as I adjust.

This was a terrible day. I just bought a size 1 Diva Cup and it arrived today. I have been watching this community and have read that it's a good idea to do a dry run before things get messy at that time of the month.
I locked myself in my bathroom this morning and read the instructions carefully. It looked pretty simple. First I tried the C fold sitting on the toilet, then standing up. Neither worked; I could not insert the cup. I then tried all the folding techniques I could find on the internet (origami, punch down, seven, labia)and twisted myself into some pretty wacky positions. I also tried water and some KY I swiped from my parents (ewww). Nothing has worked!
I am 16 years old and a virgin. Could this be the problem? Do I just need to shove it in there and hope it works? I want to keep (the rest of) my hymen intact for personal reasons. I tore part of it today while attempting this and bled all over.
I don't think it's the cup; I think it's me.
Has anybody had this problem? Right now I'm at a loss.

EDIT:
Thanks for your help!!! I asked my boyfriend/fiancee once he works up the nerve and he'd rather I wait until after we're married for me to use the cup. Hopefully I'll be married in 2 years and can have the freedom everybody has talked about
THANKS!

EDIT2:
well, yall have given me plenty to think about. I really didn't mean to make my bf sound like a jerk. he respects my decision and agrees i can do whatever i want. he just doesn't want me to do it if it hurts like hell. i wil try it on my period and see what happens. thanks!

I have two daughters very into tampons. They refuse to use the organic ones because they don't have applicators. I want them to use Divacups but I think they might hurt them too much. I've been using cups for a few years (the Instead) but just found the Divacup and love it. One of them tried an Instead and said she couldn't use it. Can anyone comment?  Thanks.

Edit 1: I'm looking more for anyone who has experience at this age or has a daughter or sister who has used them at that age as opposed to comments as I originally requested. I already have the same concerns that have been posted.

Edit 2: Via some of the responses here, I realized that I really need to reword this sentence: "I want them to use Divacups but I think they might hurt them too much." I should have written this: "I just started using the Divacup and love it. They've been asking about it and wanted to broaden my knowledge on it's use by women of their ages so I can respond to their questions from a better perspective.

Thanks to all who have and who will respond!

I looked through the memories and found lots of great advice, but nothing that really answered my questions, so here goes:

I'm a 21 year-old, not currently sexually active (so you're up-to-date on the state of my vagina); I had been interested in cups for a long time and finally recently bought the Diva cup (size 1) after reading Kimya Dawson's latest monthly flowetry haiku. I was super excited to try it out but I had some troubles with it when doing dry runs and stuff, so I put it aside and decided to wait it out. Anyway, I started my period two days ago and had some terrible cramping; I tried and tried to insert my cup but I was feeling pretty terrible overall and couldn't get it in properly so I gave up and went back to OB tampons for two days until this evening, when I decided to give it another go. I used the origami fold and got it in alright, but I felt some poking when I stood and walked around. I figure that's just the stem, right? Also, if I bear down, I can feel the cup sort of moving down (which is normal, that's what it should do when you bear down) but it feels like it's reeeeally low. I know it rides lower than a tampon but is there any way to tell if I've inserted it too low? I guess it'll settle into a spot naturally, so I shouldn't worry too much, but I was just wondering if that's really normal or if I've done something wrong. Lastly and most importantly for me, is there a way to tell when you've created a seal? I got my cup in and didn't feel or notice any popping -- I should mention that I couldn't get it to rotate easily at all but I kind of felt around with my finger to feel whether the cup was open and no longer folded in on itself (it was open), but I'm not sure how to tell when you've got a good seal. Are there any tips or tricks? I was a little worried that maybe that was why it kept riding down so low.

Thanks so much, I'm totally looking forward to discovering the ins and outs of my cup... even if my mom thinks it's gross and I haven't yet told my best friend about it because I don't know what she'd think -- seriously though, it's only "gross" if you think your body is gross, which it isn't. Ever since I started researching cups and environmentally friendly menstruation information and alternatives about a month ago, I'm on this total crusade, trying to explain to everyone I know that our bodies are super cool and fascinating and that there's nothing to be ashamed of. It's your body, you might as well familiarise yourself with it, right? It's a shame people are being taught to feel that our bodies are just big disgusting slabs of meat when they're totally beautiful and miraculous, haha.