Are all cups made equal? (menstrual cups, that is)

I got mine within a couple of weeks. Used mine for the first time last night. Was a bit uncomfortable at first, but now no worse than a tampon. Will now try taking it out. Wish me luck.

WM, how did you go?

Got it really good yesterday, wouldn't have known I had it in if I hadn't put it there. Still very messy taking it out, I find it a bit difficult to break the suction. I guess it will take a little longer to get totally used to putting it in and taking it out. I keep getting leakage but I'm guessing I'm not getting it in the right spot, coz it will usually start making its way down if you know what I mean.

How do you know if you got the right size. I got the medium. Even though I'm 173cm and had a delivery. But I find it difficult at times to get it to open up, but then not sure if its leaking coz its not properly covering my cervix. Got any tips?

Run your finger all around the outside once it's in, give it a push up to make sure the cervix is inside it and then give it a tiny tug to form a suction, that's what I do anyway.

I squeeze it a bit and twist it around to get it to open up properly. It can be a bit tricky. If you put it up too far before it opens I found it can just all go up behind the cervix sort of so then it can't open. So I've figured out you just fold it and get it in a bit and then let it open and then push it up a bit more IYKWIM.

I have the MeLuna too and I got a large I think so maybe it is a bit small? I have no idea! I have only had one leak though and that was overnight.

Thanks for the tips ladies. Much more success today. Doesn't feel like I'm wearing anything, almost forgot it was there, and no leakage. I did what you recommended heaven, opened it as soon as I was in and put it in whilst standing like I used to when I first started using tampons. Hooray at success. And worked out how to remove it to. Seems so easy now. Thanks for all your advice.

Cycle number 3 and I think I've got this cup worked out. I haven't had any leaks at all (so far although today is the worst day).

Are there any cup users who also use cloth pads? What type did you get? I'd like to wear one while having the cup in just in case.

I have twinkle lily and Scarlett eve pads and they are so awesome. Love bamboo velour topped ones

I am NEVER going back to pads. I'm just finishing up my first period since November, and have been using my cup - no spillage whatsoever. I even went underwear-less to bed and you wouldn't even know I had my period. I've got a pad on right now, but only because my overnight "collection" was pretty much nothing but some blood-streaked mucous.

It's a bit gross emptying it, and I was really freaked out by how black the blood looked the first time, but it's so worth it :) I never really used tampons, and I'm always paranoid my pads will show through my pants, so something tucked away inside me is perfect :lol: I'm going to get a proper branded one though, I thought I'd buy a cheap crappy one off eBay first to see if I liked using a cup. I'll hunt around the threads for brand suggestions :)

MeLuna comes in differant colours and softnesses. And if you set up a tax free account it is far more economical than the others.

im going yo get another one...i cant find mine anywhere!! wanting to see what specials pop up in the nappy hunt yho (if any)

Teni - I'm happy with Meluna. But never tried anything else so have nothing to compare.
Do you need to get another one? If the current one is safe and works, stick with that.

I have hi-vis yellow. Next time i will get glitter. Make the whole process a little more sparkly ;)

I have the sparkles. With the blood and the glitter it's all just a bit too Twilight for me. Also the plastic is clear so it's kind of a bit stained.
I'm going for a pink or orange next time.

Ooo, that wasn't something i envisaged. Perhaps high-vis yellow is not so bad after all!

If you get staining I recommend soaking in napisan

TBH I would rather a bit of staining over putting napisan up my hooha. I might chuck a bit of salt or vinegar in when I boil it next but that's about as chemical as I want to get.

I like the sound of the hi-vis yellow. Safety is important. Safety orange v hi-vis yellow. It's not an easy choice lol.

napisan is fine, like anything rinse well lol

Mooncup recommends a steriliser like milton.