MoonCup for the (um) very small

[Juniper]

Warning: very explicit descriptions of matter-of-fact things

My vaginal canal is very small and I still have a small ring of hymen. I've always found inserting and removing tampons to be a chore, and removing a super-size tampon has occasionally brought me to tears. (I also find pelvic exams to be very painful).

I managed to get a MoonCup in with minimal fuss using the punch-down method and wrapping the bottom part tightly around itself.

Then I couldn't get the thing out! I finally just pinched (to break the seal) and yanked. The thing had a drop of blood on it (and I was trying it out on a no-flow day)! Nothing is torn, so I think it's from a teeny tiny internal scrape. Ouch.

SO, does anyone have any tips for getting a MoonCup out of a very small canal? I didn't have KY jelly around that day, so that might fix it. Also, the MoonCup was only in for a few minutes (just trying it out), so leaving it in for a while to soften it might do the trick.

The thing is that there is absolutely no way I could have put it in using the C-fold. Is there any way to get it out without it ending up being a C-fold?

Thanks a lot!

[Ursula]

I'm of the opinion that an intact hymen is not something that needs to be saved for sex. Don't worry if you stretch/tear things with tampon or mooncup usage, or whatever else.

You might also talk to your gynecologist about this - if your hymen is so tight, it might be worth having it stretched/cut under local anesthesia. If exams are uncomfortable, definitely tell them before they start the exam, they may be able to use smaller equipment, and they'll know in advance to watch for unusual discomfort, rather than being taken by surprise.

You might also try gently stretching things with your fingers, and some KY, now and then, just to get used to the feel, and maybe relax a bit.

When you try the cup on a no-flo day, you're likely to be drier than you would be during your cycle. So inserting/removing might be more of a problem. If you know your fertile days, practicing then will give you some extra lubrication to make things easier. And KY jelly is absolutely a good idea.

[lissomllama]

Juniper, I'm in almost the same boat as you are and I got the smaller size mooncup and it works just fine. I had to take some time to streatch things a little bit with the cup before it was comfortable but it was worth it. It's a little snug and hard to remove sometimes and I can't insert it without doing an extreme version of the punchdown method but I've gotten used to it and it is so much better than tampons or pads and saves so much trash a year.

[Teacherbear]

Lisa can explain this better than I can, but I understand that the uterus kind of moves/float (higher/lower) at different times in the cycle). For that reason, using the Mooncup/Diva/Keeper on a non-flow day will have more problems than using it during the flow.

[Juniper]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I think I'm going to buy some KY Jelly, shave the tail off (that was the main reason I wanted it out right away), and wait until an at-home flow day to try it out again.

[LisaJaney]

One thing that can help is that during your period (I think this is what TBear was meaning) you're gonna be much "slicker" there than on a non-flow day. Waterslide? Yeah, something like that.

When you need to maneuver stuff around down there (like removing this cup) take slow deep breaths, tell yourself calming things to relax, and then let your mouth hang open (you may drool, just keep that jaw dropped open). For some reason, if we clench our jaw -- which happens when we're stressed or worried or scared this thing's never gonna come OUT of us -- we also clench the muscles "down there". So, relax, breathe deeply (which will further relax you as your diaphragm presses certain nerves during those deep breaths) and hang your mouth open wide and things'll open up a bit for you.

You can have things stretched if you want, but I know of several young ladies who didn't have things stretched and just got the hang of the cup insertion/removal by really good relaxation. One's future hubby may appreciate that the hymen was not altered in an office-procedure...I only mention that as an argument for the preservation of things down there. The tissues are quite resilient and elastic; relaxation can do WONDERS

[moonchaser]

Originally Posted by LisaJaney

and then let your mouth hang open (you may drool, just keep that jaw dropped open)

Okay, this one needs to go in the hall of fame quotes, too! I almost fell off the couch when I read this one!!!



I had pain the first time I tried it on a "dry" run as well. I waited until my next cycle and had no problem. The extra fluids do make a big difference.

[Clare-Dragonfly]

I've actually read a similar thing, about the cervix moving higher and lower at different points during the cycle. I don't know much about it though. Ursula? Dianyla? You vaginal gurus? Any input?

[moonchaser]

At a certain time of my cycle my cervix drops so low it feels like my uterus is trying to run away.