Help! Moon Cup Removal (not for the faint of heart)

[Ana]

I've read most of the threads I could find about menstrual cups. I've just begun using one and for the most part, I LOVE it

Okay, so the part I don't like: the painful removal

I have only used it for one cycle and insertion is find and it functions beautifully (besides the fact that I may have trimmed the stem too short...and now it pokes me but I am too terrified to cut it completely off). But when it comes time to remove it, yikes!!

The pain from removal does subside rather quickly although from repeated abuse, it hurts over time so I had to take a break I try to relax my muscles, etc. and have done some research from blogs online but there's only so much pain I can handle in one five to seven day time period!

Any tips, tricks or suggestions? I'm really loving the rest of it but the thought of having to remove it is such a deterrent...I may have to give it up

Oh, details. I am using the Keeper Moon Cup, Style B and have never given birth.

Am I the only one this happens to? Does it the pain subside over time?

I am extremely comfortable with my body and do not have issues with TMI so please share (and PM me if it's too personal, etc).

Thanks!!!

[Blueberry]

Where, exactly, is it hurting? With the Diva cup, I have to be careful for it not to "pop" out - I kind of have to pinch and ease a part of it out, and basically bring it out at an angle. That hurts much less for me - not completely comfortable, but no worse than removing a tampon. Honestly, because this method causes some spillage - I end up just taking 2 showers a day during my cycle and doing it in the shower. Would love to find a way to avoid that but....

CA

[Jewell]

Hey Ana,

I'm so happy to hear that your using the moon cup. I've been using my keeper size B for about 6 months, and I will never go back to pads or tampons. Ever!

You said you were having pain when taking the cup out. Could you be more specific? I know it may be odd to explain it in such detail, but it could really help me help you.

Is the pain from when you push out the cup?... or reach in to pull it out?

Also, do you tend to wear your cup high into the vagina, or do you tend to wear it down low - near the opening of the vagina? This would just give me some insight as well...


There will be some discomfort after the first cycle of use. It took me three cycles of use till I had insertion, sealing, and removal down comfortably. Be patient, it will take some time getting used to it.

If my questions are too personal I would definately talk to you via message.

[firenze11]

Hmm, I'm not sure exactly what kind of pain you're experiencing but I hope you find some relief. That does not sound fun.

I'm wondering if it's from the suction effect the cup has. When I first used mine and took it out, I didn't break the seal and it felt like I going to turn myself inside out! It was quite unpleasant. Now, like CA, I just make sure to pinch the bottom and start to take it out at a bit of an angle. It even helps to push one side of the wall in with a finger to break the seal. If that makes sense.

Good luck! I hope you find a solution. I had a few bumps in the road with mine, but I absolutely love it now.

[Ana]

But I never want to freak anyone out too much. I guess if you clicked on the link and knew it was about the moon cup, that should have forewarned you enough

So the pain specifics:

Surprisingly, I have not had any of this "suction pain" I read about...even when I push and pull it down to the entrance for removal.

For removal, I already use my muscles to push it out partly and can reach inside fine. My pain occurs when the rim/fatter part at the top is at the cusp of coming out of the narrowest part of the opening. It hurts and stings a lot in the front. I read somewhere that you have to "pull it down, not out" but I am not sure what that means, exactly. I also read that you have to wiggle it....but I don't know what that means exactly, either.

I also attempted to fold it back up the same way I inserted it (i.e. punch down fold) but could not keep it close enough to the entrance to use only one hand (I was holding it by the stem with one hand and using the other to retrieve it) and then things get complicated with space. I was also unable to get my finger around the rim enough to push it in. Is there a fold that is easier to do for extraction?

Mine does not easily release the suction so squeezing the base is futile. I usually have to get a hold of a good part of the cup (i.e. top-middle or the rim) to release it.

I also read that it becomes more pliable over time. Has anyone found this true of the moon cup (or diva cup)?

[arielmoon]

I use a Diva cup and like some else said, once I grab a hold of it, I gently squeeze it a little as I remove it. My cycles are infrequent and short when they do occur so I have not noticed a softening of the latex.


I never tried a Moon cup, but I am wondering if you might do better with a smaller one? Or maybe put some lube on it when you insert it???

Sorry, I dont think I was much help

[wackyjacky1]

The first couple of times I removed the Diva cup, I had what sounds like the same painful experience. Now I do it the way firenze11 described (break the suction by collapsing the side before pulling it out) and I have no discomfort at all.

HTH.