Menstrual Cups and Cramping

maria1012

[Post brought over from Health and Fitness Board] Hi Ladies,I'm new here and traditionally a Knottie (wedding is in 20 days then I will officially join you!), but I thought this would be the best place to come for menstrual cup advice.I recently purchased the Diva Cup and am on Day 4 of using it. While it does take quite a while to get the hang of insertion, I did have success with the push down fold and when inserted I don't feel it at all (even the stem). However, I do get HORRIBLE cramps and this odd pressure on my tailbone. I've been alternating using the DC during my waking hours and a tampon in the evening/night.I'm really irritated about the cramping because I tend to only cramp for one day of my period and so far, the cup has been causing me to cramp every single day and they are much more painful than my normal period cramps. Even IB profin doesn't help. When I use a tampon, the cramping stops and I feel like a normal human being again.  Anyone else experience this during the first time using the Diva Cup or another menstrual cup?  I hear your body needs to get used to it and the cramping will go away, but I'm not convinced yet that this cup is as wonderful as it is cracked up to me. Thanks for any input or advice! 

CDMay2006

I'm not sure... I've heard people say it helps with cramping, but never heard a complaint that it made it worse.  All i can think is that either it is not in the ideal position, or maybe it's not the right fit for you (there are other brands make cups that are different dimensions and sizes).  I hope just a tweak to its position is all it takes!

MrsOjoButtons

Are you sure it's sitting low enough?

My menstrual cup improved my cramp situation.  I only feel pressure (it's above my pubic bone, kind of pressing on my bladder, I guess) when I need to empty it.

LolitaC

The only times I ever experience cramping with the DC is when its positioned wrong for me.  Try inserting it more horizontally positioned rathar than up like a tampon is inserted if that makes any sense. 

maria1012

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I am guessing that perhaps it isn't in the right position, so I'll play around with that. The stem is completely inside of me and I have to bear down and insert two fingers to reach it - does this sound normal? If not, then perhaps it is up too high and I just need to trim off the stem a little. 

I've read that the Diva Cup is the longest cup on the market, so if a few more trials still causes cramping, then I'll try a smaller, more pliable cup. I really don't want to give up because each time I throw away a tampon, I feel so guilty...

GRKaters

maria1012:

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I am guessing that perhaps it isn't in the right position, so I'll play around with that. The stem is completely inside of me and I have to bear down and insert two fingers to reach it - does this sound normal? If not, then perhaps it is up too high and I just need to trim off the stem a little. 

I've read that the Diva Cup is the longest cup on the market, so if a few more trials still causes cramping, then I'll try a smaller, more pliable cup. I really don't want to give up because each time I throw away a tampon, I feel so guilty...

Sounds like it's too high. The instructions say something like "no more than 1/4" inside" which should reasonably be felt without going in deep at all. Also try putting it in more horizontally. It took me a few cycles to get it down. You're only on *day* four! Keep trying. 

Why the tampon at night?

maria1012

Thanks! I definitely think its too high because the stem is completely inside me and it sounds like it should stick out a bit for most women.  

I wore the tampon at night because I wasn't sure yet if the cup was inserted right so I was afraid of leaking (I have white sheets!) and just didn't want to take the risk early on. Also, the cramps became so unbearable at points that I just wanted some type of relief, which the tampon gave me. 

Next cycle I'm going to give it another college try  

juno

For some people (me) the stem is always way up in there.  It doesn't matter how I put it in, it rides up in there.  I spent the whole first month constantly in the bathroom tugging it back down to where everyone said it "should" be, but I finally gave up and let it ride to its own spot.  If it helps, I don't position mine at all.  I insert horizontally and not too far, then I move around a litte, and the cup slides to where it wants to be, which for me is very very high.

maria1012

Good to know! I think this is what happens to me as well. I insert and for the cup to completely open, it makes its way up. Problem though is I think it's irritating my cervix being so far up there which is causing the cramps. I'm going to keep trying and them maybe try the Lunette, which is smaller and more pliable. 

 

 

MrsOjoButtons

maria1012:

Good to know! I think this is what happens to me as well. I insert and for the cup to completely open, it makes its way up. Problem though is I think it's irritating my cervix being so far up there which is causing the cramps. I'm going to keep trying and them maybe try the Lunette, which is smaller and more pliable. 

I had problems with the Diva too, so I was on again-off again with it.  I switched to the Lunette in 2008 and it is definitely more pliable and the bigger air holes cause less suction, so for me, it's been much better and I don't feel the need to keep tampons on hand since the cup doesn't frustrate me.  If you didn't see it already, I posted about Lunette cups coming in colors now!

SuperGreen

Ditto PP, it sounds like you have it too high.  The DC should be inserted perpendicular to your body, so kind of horizontal if that makes sense.  It shouldn't be inserted "up and towards the small of your back" like a tampon is.  Try inserting it lower.  Mine sits right at the entrance of my vagina, it's much lower than a tampon.

doglove

Ditto PPs, it's too high. Cut the stem, it is so irritating and sounds like you don't need it. I'd try it with a cut stem and sitting lower before you buy a different one.

dugfdkg

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