[related-post align=”right”]So there are some people who are a little embarrassed to hear about, um, well…ahem, “feminine issues.” This is not an article for them. This is an article for the other people who like to get all in other people’s personal business, but understand that because of the constraints of polite society, they can’t always ask all the questions they like.
There’s this thing called a menstrual cup! You may have heard of it. It’s a reusable alternative to pads and tampons in the form of a cup that fits comfortably up in your vagina and collects rather than absorbs menstrual blood. Different brands are available in both silicone and rubber, but it’s not my purpose to endorse any particular brand, just to tell you about the ways switching to a menstrual cup had a positive impact on my housekeeping.
Sponsor:
Bathroom storage
I have a tiny bathroom in an old building where storage is at a premium. A big box of tampons would take up approximately 60% of all hidden bathroom space I have. Having a single menstrual cup has allowed me to free up that area for toilet paper storage, hair products, the boyfriend’s shaving accoutrements, and bathroom cleaners.
Sleeping in
I love sleeping in. It’s one of my greatest joys and greatest talents. But if I wanted to sleep in on a heavy flow day, tough luck! I had to get up to change my tampon, or my bed sheets would pay the price. I have not conducted rigorous scientific double blind studies, but my menstrual cup has never failed me in this regard. If I want to be a lazybones who sleeps for 12 hours straight, I can without staining my sheets.
Money
A menstrual cup generally retails for $20-$30 making it a little pricier than a big box of tampons right off the bat. But your box of tampons will run out. I will never have to buy another menstrual cup unless a) lightning strikes my current one or b) I decide to have kids, in which case I’d have to move up to a different model. I’ve been using my cup for 6 years, and I’ve saved tons of cash.
Trash
Blood gets stinky really fast. Ask anyone who works in the restaurant industry, and they’ll tell you, their least favorite job is cleaning out the tampon boxes in the bathroom. Since a menstrual cup collects blood, rather than absorbing it, I can just pour it out and flush it. My trash still smells like regular trash, which isn’t great, but is a world better than decaying tampon smell.
It’s reusable!
After a simple cleaning with hot water (and soap if you like), a menstrual cup is sterile and ready to be used again, as opposed to a tampon which goes straight in the trash with the thousands of its brethren that the average woman will go through in her life. I know that if there’s one thing all our offbeat homies seem to have in common, it’s that they care for our global home.
And for extra bonus hippie points…
Gardening
So apparently menstrual blood is an amazing plant fertilizer. I know, it sounds gross, but let’s put that aside and just think for a moment. It’s a uterine lining. Your body was planning on growing a frickin’ baby in it. So it can probably grow some plants, right? I don’t have a garden to try this myself, but I have friends with menstrual cups who have done this, and swear by it. Many people might have knee jerk reactions to this — hell, I do and I’m the one who brought it up — but blood decomposes quickly, which makes menstrual blood seem pretty innocuous, especially considering some of the chemicals that commonly turn up in commercial fertilizers.
Have questions? Now is your chance to ask things you’d be embarrassed to ask about in person, through the magic anonymity of the internet!
I always had such a horrid time with tampons (always leaked), and pads were constantly overflowing and leaking on me since I always sit crooked for some reason. I started with a Diva, no luck, and used the MC Sales community to trade around until I eventually found one I loved (large Fleurcup). You do have to be patient and find your “goldilocks cup” as it’s put. It’s great, since I feel like I’m not on my period the whole time, instead of that awful wet sweaty grossness I had with pads. That, and it’s saved me so much money considering how often I had to change pads.
On the IUD subject, I think there was actually a study done with tampons and cups about expulsion rates, and they really weren’t any higher for cup users than the general population, some people are just prone to expulsion from what I gather.
On staining! A very mild solution of water and a little bit of hydrogen peroxide gets rid of most stains, as well as sunning your cup. I only got rid of one of mine because it was ripping (manufacturing defect).
In short, love them, and never going back!
You traded cups??? Are people willing to do that since you can boil to sterilize? I ordered a size 2 Lunette and it’s too long 🙁 So I’d be interested in some way to find other ones without having to shell out another big chunk of change….
i got my lg Fleur from the LJ MC sales comm. I cleaned it with alcohol a couple times, boiled it a couple times. It’s been my favorite heavy flow cup.
oh man. I just got my diva cup and i WANT to love it but we don’t have a great relationship just yet….after one menstrual cycle, i’m still using tampons here and there. I’ve tried a few times and it is just as messy, if not more messy than tampons. I’m going to keep trying til I get it but the removal is not as easy as i thought it would be. I’m kind of bummed but i believe you all! Which is why i will keep trying!
Everything I saw before I bought mine said give it at least 2 cycles to get used to it. it also takes a while to figure out what works for you in terms of folds for putting it in and grip taking it out. I find it’s not messy at all if it hasn’t leaked and I manage not to tilt it too much when I’m taking it out. the secret for me was taking it out/putting it in sitting down, but that’s peculiar to me and the lunette, I don’t know about anyone else or any other cups. (also I find sitting on the toilet works because if I DO spill, it’s no big deal. And SO FAR I haven’t dropped it in. >.>)
I was telling my fiance about them the other night and of course he said, “what about when you drop it into the toilet at work?” uuuugh yeaaaah….
I didn’t have a great relationship with my cup at first, either. But that was almost 7 years ago! Some choice excerpts from my old journal:
“Second removal: in the shower. NOT FUN!!!! so.. it was finals week, i had places to go, and things to study. i couldn’t really reach the damn thing, and then it hurt my hand trying to shove my thumb and forefinger up there. i fought with it for about 5-10 minutes… got pretty stressed, though to myself ‘Fuck this stupid bitch! at least tampons come with strings!’ and I then FINALLY got it out. it had cool stuff in it (read: blood!) and it was like a nifty surprise (in a nicely-contained-package-thing), so i was like, ‘heh, neat’ and put it back in, without any regards to my feelings 2 minutes earlier.”
If it’s in right, it should “pop open” and feel completely circular. When mine is not in right, it feels like there’s a dent in one side with my cervix poking out over the edge.
Good luck getting the hang of it!
I’m in a similar position, have not had the best experience with my MoonCup. It leaked all the time and I have just as much blood in my underwear as in the cup. The cup was comfortable and I could feel it had a seal, but it still was as if I was not wearing anything. I used it for about 6 months and then finally switched back to pads. I think I needed a different size of cup. So while it might mean spending more money, from this thread I’ve learned it might be worth it to try some more options! Thanks guys!
Try MeLuna (http://meluna.eu/) They have some sales with 2 sizes of cups for less price 🙂 They also have different end options..I like the ring one, because it makes it easier to grab on when you are trying to get it off.
I first tried the silicone Keeper, and, let’s just say, things were NOT easy or successful. Leaking, discomfort, all of that. After three cycles I said screw this, and switched to the Diva cup. HUGE difference, MAJORLY better. Night and day, really!
However, although I love my Diva cup, I do still have some problems with leaking if I’m not careful, so I might change to another brand in the near future. Sometimes you have to try a couple to figure out which one is best for you!
The two big reasons I love my Lunette: no more dried out vagina from tampons, or blood-matted pubic hair from pads. I’ve worn it breakdancing and to acrobatics classes, never had a significant leak.
Oh god, it’s been so long since I’ve worn a pad that I forgot about the blood matted pubes. Thanks for the trip down menstrual memory lane.
Well I’m totally sold on the virtues of the cup, but I’m so thrown by all the choices! I’ve seen a heap of comparison charts with the dimensions etc but don’t understand how to choose one off that information…do I need long or short, wide or not, silicone or latex?
How did everyone else figure out which brand would work best for them?
I read all the charts and finally decided on the lunette, both based on size and the flat tab on the bottom (which is trimmable, unlike some of the others, so if it was too long I could adjust it) and some people had noted some of them had raised writing which made them harder to clean. In the end though, I think there isn’t as much difference between them as you would think. If you know you’re generally a small person, maybe choose a shorter one (or longer if you know you’re bigger framed, taller, whatever) or if you know you have very heavy periods, maybe choose a slightly bigger one, but generally I think most cups would work for most people. If you have a big problem, it might be time to look at those charts and reevaluate, get one that solves whatever issue you’re having, but the initial choosing, there isn’t a huge difference.
I’m just trying out my Lunette this week… I wasn’t sure how long I needed and figured it would hopefully be OK since it’s shorter than the Diva.. but it’s too long. The bottom of the cup sits below my pubic bone and just won’t go up further. So with the ridges on the bottom it HURT. But I saw someone on here suggest to someone to turn theirs inside out, so I tried that and it’s definitely better. It still sticks out, but at least it’s soft and smooth, and there’s no handle sticking out too. It’ll do for now, but it’s still kind of uncomfortable because it’s too long… bummer! 🙁 I guess that’s what I get for not waiting for a period and measuring before i ordered one!
It helps if you know where your cervix sits during your period. I wasn’t really aware of it before using a cup, but mine sits waaay down low. I had to cut the stem off my Lunette as it prtruded out to far and was uncomfortable. Mostly you should just follow your instinct, and if in doubt pick one that’s mid-range in everything (length, softness etc) and go from there.
My concern would be having plastic or silicone up inside my lady-parts. What say you, good people?
I’d say it’s a world better than chemical bleached cotton. I know the silicone cups I’ve seen are all medical grade silicone, I don’t think there’s any risk associated with them. If the objection is having ANYTHING up there, then maybe stick with cloth pads, but I can’t see cups being anything but better than tampons which dry you out and are full of chemicals.
I don’t use tampons, only organic, unbleached, cotton pads because the chemical factor frightens me. Latex doesn’t seem any better. The medical grade silicone is safer you think?
For me, I have had no ill effects what so ever for the last 3 years I’ve been using my diva cup. It’s medical grade and therefore could, theoretically, be used as an implant for at least a small time. The silicone is not reactive towards your body at all, and it’s really safe.
I’d say if people can get silicone permanently implanted into their bodies, that we can temporarily contain it within us for a few hours a day. We have to do SOMETHING about our periods and this one seems less of a hassle overall than leaky tampons. I can’t do pads because I’m too heavy so this sounded perfect. I am sold that i can adjust to the differences. i mean, australia doesn’t sell applicators with their tampons ( so i’ve heard ) so using a cup sounds a lot better than that to me.
also-think of all the other surgical materials that they can implant into people. steel plates in brains and other locations. at least we can remove it
Tampax is the only brand we get in aust. that comes with applicators, but the one time i used them the applicators just tore the things to shreds… better to just use a finger.
Medical grade silicone is perfectly safe.
Latex is fine if you’re not allergic to it, it’s the same stuff that most condoms are made of. It is possible to develop an allergy to it over time though, so i’d steer away from it if you’re the type of person who gets alot of allergies.
Ugh just thinking about Tampax makes me cringe, and look forward to getting my first cup in the mail! My office kindly offers free tampons in the bathrooms, but they’re standard Tampax in cardboard applicators, and when I unfortunately forget to bring my own tampons with me… too many times I’ve had the sensation of cardboard sticking to dried out lady bits! OW!
It’s not the same as a cup, and it is disposable, but I like the Instead. I use one per period, and like your cup, I wash it out and reuse it and throw it away at the end of that period. It is maybe a little less convenient to grasp, but it does seal very well and the only leakage I see is when I go to the bathroom because the muscles that hold it in are relaxed.
I don’t worry too much anymore since my birth control has caused my periods to stop, but if I change my BC I will continue using the Insteads or maybe try the cup thingy.
Either way, I much prefer them to tampons.
I have personally never tried a Diva cup. I use the reusable Instead Soft Cup and I love it. I have a hard time reaching all up in there to grab things at it is so being able to stick a finger in and grab the rim is nice. The other added benefit is that while you can wear the same cup for your entire cycle, you can also have sex while wearing a Soft Cup. That, as far as I know, is one of the cons of a Diva Cup and the Moonbeam (I feel I got that name wrong). I don’t know about any of you other ladies, but when I’m surfing the crimson tide I’m super HORNY. The fact that I have a clean alternative to sex without the mess makes the Soft Cup great for me. I pay about $6 and change every two months to buy a two pack of the reusable ones.
I was so excited when I bought my Diva Cup… but then my period never came and it turns out our son will be coming in June! I know the first few weeks of bleeding post birth require pads (anything going up there is a big no-no) but has anyone used it a few weeks after birth? I’ve been warned I may bleed for 4 weeks or so. Stick to pads? Any reusable/washable pads folks have heard of?
Hi!
Lunapads makes cloth pads, as does Glad Rags.
You can find any number of cloth menstrual items on etsy too, just please check their feedback first and don’t go with stores that have not had a lot of sales yet.
Mama Bear Lady Wear is a good one: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MamaBearBabyWear?section_id=5887106
Good luck! Congrats on your baby and making a switch for the better with your personal products. =)
Thank you for this link! I keep looking at cloth pads (to go with my new cup!) but not ordering any because I feel like I would need to order a ton of them and that would be a lot of money, but the great price and fast dry aspect of these definitely make me want to give it a try! And that they have the Try Them 3 Pack with one of each size… neat!! 🙂
Just adding myself to the chorus of people who love their cups. I’ve been using mine (Diva Cup) for about 8 years now and it has made my period a complete non issue.
I’ve found it particularly useful for travel. Since I got mine, I’ve done extended trips to places where it was recommended that I bring my own feminine hygiene products. Packing 6 months worth of pads vs tossing my cup in with my toiletries was a total nobrainer for me.
I wouldn’t go back.
Like everything else out there, a cup may not be the right tool for everyone, but if you’re interested and think it might suit you, it’s totally worth checking out.
I find that a combination of mooncup and lunapads works for me. I always sterilise between periods by boiling it or using baby sterilising solution. However it is quite stained now and I’m hoping to get another different brand (I’ve heard the JuJu is quite good). I tried a different fold recently, and it really helped with insertion. I only use hot water to wash it during my period, and I’ve had no problems with yeast or UTIs.
i love love love my diva cup! been using it for about 6 years. i have insanely heavy periods and the diva cup has made my life livable during that one week a month. no more bunchy pads or uncomfortable tampons. it’s one of the best things i own
I’ve never HEARD of these things but I always wondered what I could do (as far as period things go) to help the environment. I tried using ‘ob’ brand tampons since they didn’t have an applicator…I figured that was one less piece of plastic in the dump. I’m pretty stoked about giving one of these bad boys a whirl and if I like it I will DEFINITELY convince others to get on board. But I can’t believe I have never heard of any of these products!
I also wanted to input on the IUD. I had one for two years. Loved it as I didn’t have a period…however it made me depressed. I guess it happens to one in a million or whatever…but it was night and day when I took it out. I had a therapist that wanted to put me on anti-depressants and I said: “lets just get all the crap out of my body and see what happens”. So after 15+ years of bc pills and (at that time) the IUD…I stopped and the depression went away. Funny thing is…the docs DID NOT want to take the thing out (which is what I read in other forums) and each check up they try to ‘sell’ me on it. I’m all for BC but I’m an adult I can practice safe sex with my husband people! LOL
Have you considered the copper, non hormonal IUD? or are you just all for having nothing? 🙂
Just had to add that I have had a diva cup for 5 years and was starting to get mild leakage issues. I bought a new one and it feels less flexible then the old one. No leaks through the rest of my period 🙂
Does anyone with sensitivity/texture issues have any recommendations? I cannot abide by pad – I went to tampons on like my 3rd period because I could feel the pad there the ENTIRE time. I’ve found that if I use o.b. tampons, I don’t have that issue. (Other brands seem bigger maybe?) Since I’m really sensitive to different stuff touching me, I was really hesitant about trying a cup, and the one time I did, it nearly drove me bonkers. It was like having a small child do the “I’m not touching you!” game. Does it get any better?
I started using my diva cup in 2005, so about 7 years with the same cup. I adore so many things about it, most of which have been mentioned by others.
About a month ago, my husband said “Why don’t more women use cups? We save SO much money, and I never have to run out for tampons! I mean I want to tell people about it.”
I love that it is so awesome that even my husband is enthusiastic about it. 🙂
I’m excited! Even though some people put out warnings for cup + IUD, I looked around some other communities for a bit and figured that I’d give it a shot anyway. I’ve had my IUD for 5.5 years now, so hopefully it will be fine! I ordered mine the other day and am excited to try it out! Though I fear accidentally making a mess! Haha, I’m thinking I might just try it out weekend and nights and not wear it to work until I’m used to it.
But I also wanted to pass along that I was at drugstore.com ordering Sliquid Spash ladybit cleaner and I was looking around for something else to order to get free shipping and I thought to look for cups there… and I found a Lunette, and right now they’re giving a free gift of the Lunette cup cleaner solution, normally $10, for free! So that’s cool! I compared the cost at other sites and decided to go for it given the free stuff, I’m cheap! I don’t think I’ve ever been looking forward to getting my period so much… I’m not counting on it, but if it helps my cramps that would be AWESOME, and I have a heavy flow, so… I’m excited! Thanks to this post and all the awesome comments!! Thanks all! 🙂
Aw dang, you guys have convinced me – I need one of these! I’ve been thinking about getting a Diva cup for years, but I’ve never had the time to try it. I was in college, then working in a kitchen with a bunch of men, and now I’m back in school. I never seem to have those 2-cycles-worth of time to adjust to a cup… and I can’t imagine dealing with it in a public bathroom right before I go teach a bunch of freshmen. I think I’d freak out.
But someday, someday… I dream of freedom from tampons!
Maybe I’m special or something, but it only took me a day to get used to. And unless you’re really heavy on flow, you only change it in the morning, when you get home, and once before bed to make sure.
Try it! Try it now! =D
NEVER, EVER going back to tampons. Even if at some point the Cup can’t work for me, I will do menstrual cloth pads.
So enjoying my Diva! It was the testimonials on the site, like the ones here, that convinced me.
I love the pretty little bag, I keep it in my purse at all times and never have to remember to stock up or start carrying products.
My periods have been so easy that my husband won’t know I’m on unless I say something or leave the bag out! I’m happier, can swim, dance, exercise, go on long outings, hanky panky, and so much else.
If you don’t care for the yellowing and discoloration, soaking in hydrogen peroxide will take care of the staining. Worked for mr and my Diva cup. My cup is also going on its sixth year of use, and shows no signs of wear or tear. Interesting that at thir your hips widen and you need a new one, will keep an eye on that next year!
Can anyone direct me to an extremely, explicitly clear set of instructions on how to properly use a cup? I mean, finding all your own bits, insertion, removal (preferably without pouring everything everywhere.) How does this work for any of you heavy girls out there? To be perfectly frank, big girls don’t have easy access to our inside parts. How long does it take to change? I’ve got an impatient 18 month old who’s always in the bathroom with me. I’m REALLY interested but hesitant to spend the upfront money and not be able to use it.
I’m a rather full figured girl and it works well for me. For insertion I usually use the toilet for balance, sitting over it in kind of a Plie position, then bend forward at the waist. I’m able to reach perfectly well that way, you might just need to experiment with some different. Strategie
(sorry, I was typing on my phone and it cut off my comment)
You might want to try a few strategies for yourself before you buy it, just practice with a tampon or don’t worry about using anything at all, just figure out comfortable positions for reaching. I’ll admit I did that a few times before i bought one. It takes slightly longer than changing a pad, but never added any significant amount of time to my routine.
For insertion, you should roll or fold the cup in to a U or S shape (there are a lot of ways to fold it, everyone finds their own preference.) then relax your pelvic muscles and slide it in, aiming it toward your tailbone, NOT aiming up the way you do with a tampon. Keeping hold of the end of the cup, rotate it to make sure it’s open. If you can reach, try to feel if it’s still folded or if it has popped open. If it’s open then you’re done.
For removal, find your comfortable position again and feel for the cup. If you can’t reach it well right away, use your pelvic muscles to bear down. This will make it descend slightly. Then pinch the bottom of the cup (the bell of the cup itself, NOT the stem) and compress it. You should be able to feel it loosen. Then you can slide it out. I reccomend having some toilet paper in the other hand, and have it ready to catch any spillage. As you’re sliding the cup out of place, angle your wrist down, this should help keep everything inside the cup. Then just empty it in to the toilet, clean yourself up if at all necessary, rinse the cup, and put it back in place. There are detailed instructions for use http://www.divacup.com/en/home/faqs/ here.
Though that is just the Divacup brand. They all work generally the same way, but each brand’s instructions might be slightly different.
I’ve heard that many women have a very specific position which they always use. Some stand and put their foot up in the toilet or a counter. Some kneel or squat, and some just sit on the toilet.
I don’t use a cup. Never bought one.
I use cosmetic-grade sea sponges, from the health-food store like tampons. They can be squeezed out (the moon blood) into the houseplants, washed out into a jar for watering the houseplants or garden, or washed down the drain (which at my house goes into the septic system and out into the leechfield and feeds the grasses and trees! <3 ).
I wash them out with castile (or whatever natural) soap. Sometimes I soak them in white vinegar–for an extra cleaning. When they get TOO old and funky I burn them in the woodstove (could put them in the compost or bury them, but the woodstove is handy!). I love my sea sponge "tampons"!!!
I found a really BIG cosmetic-grade sea sponge meant as a bath sponge, at the health-food store. It cost ten dollars, and I cut it up into like eight or nine "tampons". The smaller cosmetic-grade sea sponges that I usually buy at the health-food store for "tampons" cost about three dollars a piece! I love finding bargains! 🙂
Please make sure that you wash any cosmetic-grade sea sponges that you might want to use for tampons before using them, and frequently during use. Make sure to wash them, sterilize them in vinegar sometimes, and switch them out.
ALSO–one time I got one shoved up in there (either I forgot I had one in and put in a second–or I left one in and then had sex and THAT pushed it up there!). I didn't know it. I couldn't figure out why there were such FUNKY smells (and colors!) coming out of my yoni! It was a bit embarrassing to have the doctor pull it out (and then quickly tie up the garbage bag and get it out of her office! THAT made me blush! 😉 )…but she said it happens all the time to people using tampons.
Before I turned on to sea sponges, I got tired of paying lots of money for cloth moon pads (not that they are NOT worth it!). I found that cheap white washcloths work just as well. I fold two of them into each other if I need extra padding. I spread my labia and put the washcloth "pad" snuggly between them, if I have problems with slipping. But mostly–just sticking them in my panties works just fine. They can be soaked and (guess what I am going to say!) the water can be used to feed houseplants or the garden!
I LOVE nurturing and nourishing my plant friends with the food for the babies that didn't get made that month!
I also have it on good authority that pouring moon-blood water around the edges of your property will keep away unwanted animals and people. I use it (and pee) to discourage the cougars and bears (and bad vibes people!) from coming too close to my house!
TMI? Maybe–but people oughta know this stuff! 🙂
Blessings to all, and happy bleeding (and plant-feeding!)! <3
I use GladRags and water my plants with the soak water- it does indeed do awesome things for plants! One tip is if you are on hormonal BC then don’t water edible plants with it, as you’d get a secondhand dose of hormones down the line. I am ready for a menstrual cup- love your list of advantages!
Ok ladies, you had all convinced me to finally try a cup. I bought the smaller of the Divas and… I’m not entirely sold. I know you have to wait a couple periods and I will but what’s driving me crazy is that I can feel the end of it pushing against the opening of my ladybits. It’s the feeling I would get when my tampon needed to be pushed up. Except that I can’t push it up any more! I tried cutting most of the stem off but it’s still driving me bananas. The instructions say if you can feel it it’s in wrong but there’s nowhere else for it to go.
It seems to be doing its job well, as no leaks or issues in that regard. No problems with mess or removal. I want to love it but my gosh I don’t think I can stand this versus the “not even there” feeling tampons gave me.
It definitely shifted down during kickboxing yesterday but no leaks there either.
I did look at the size chart now and I see the Diva is one of the longest. Will going smaller solve my issues? Or are there other solutions? Being able to feel it even the slightest would probably be a deal-breaker.
I got a small MeLuna and a medium MeLuna and I like them a lot. They’re not as long as some of the other ones and you can choose if you want no stem, stem, ball or a ring on the bottom. I have a small MeLuna with a ball and a medium with a ring. Need to wait for a period to decide which I like best, though I did try the small one yesterday out of curiosity. Couldn’t feel it. It was great. I ordered them from femininewear.co.uk
I think going smaller probably would, but if you want to test that theory, I’ve heard people say with the Divas they have worn them inside out and that’s solved the length issue. I imagine that makes it a little more difficult to remove, but if it’s sitting that low, it might be fine. It would at least shorten it some and let you know if that’s comfortable. I know with mine, sometimes I have to sort of scoot it up, with my pelvic muscles but I don’t think that will help if it’s just too long for you.
I’ve heard people say with the Divas they have worn them inside out and that’s solved the length issue.
THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING.
I just got a Lunette and it’s too long. I tried the inside out tip and it DEFINITELY helps, but the cup itself is still too long. I can at least use it now, but it’s not a permanent fix. I’m having the same problem as you Anabelle… the cup itself sticks out a bit and the ridges on the bottom were hurting. It’s actually EASIER for me to remove it inside out too!
I went out and bought a Diva Cup as soon as I read this last week. It’s completely changed everything! I will NEVER EVER EVER go back to tampons. So horrid and painful and dry and blehhh. I only had leakage problems the very first time I used it. I readjusted and no problems since! Removing is a bit difficult the first few times, but eventually you get the hang of it. Thanks OBH.