Yep

thank you for your comment! I don't know for sure, but I suspect I might have vaginismus myself. knowing 1) it's possible to overcome this and 2) cups aren't as bad as tampons is quite encouraging to here!

oh god, yes! I thought I was the only one. It felt like someone was ripping the inside of my vagina as it came out 🤢

Wow I never even thought that I could be allergic... I also just assumed everyone had the same annoyance with pads and tampons. Mind blown LOL

I used to be okay with pads over tampons but idk if they changed the type of material in pads or added something but recently pads have given me rashes and irritation despite how often I change or shower or brand of pads. It’s gotten to the point that I want to call out from work even though my cramps aren’t too bad. I’m currently doing as much research as I can to buy myself a cup.

Hi. Sorry if its weird to reply to this a full 2 years after you posted it.. But I've gotta ask, did you try it? And if so, what are you honest opinions? I've really been struggling because I feel like im missing out on activities like swimming by not being able to wear tampons but I've tried so many times. They just can't go fully in. I feel so ashamed and I just really want something that'll work :(

@@brh.1892 Hey! not weird at all, I still haven't tried a menstrual cup after 2 years!!! wow! I think I was just scared of trying something new which is stupid, but I still struggle with tampons I think its because I'm so aware so I keep thinking about it and then psych myself out. I usually just end up using pads, but I am trying tampons again slowly, slowly, I think the more you practice the more you get use to it? I don't really know (lol) but never feel ashamed about not being able to use a tampon, everyone is different and takes time to adjust to things. I hope this helps even though I'm sure it didn't really answer your question. I wish you all the luck!! xx

I actually spoke with a fellow Smashing Pumpkins fan yesterday and he said he suggests them to friends with periods regularly which was a super nice thing to hear! In context I don't see why men can't be vagangelists too!

Where can I find that sweater!!!!!!!!

my body did the same thing. When I first inserted a tampon and a cup, I got horrible cramps and got nauseous until I took them out. The nausea would stay for a few hours afterward too. Idk why that happens, but I tried again the next day and I was more or less fine and have been since then. It may be your body getting shocked by something entering that area suddenly

Do cups affect ur cramps at all?

I had a similar experience. Turns out that the tampons were actually touching my cervix and making me nauseous. I have a sensitive cervix so that's why cups are so nice since they sit lower than tampons. Maybe trying a cup might alleviate that pain?

@@melaniequai1504 I feel like they help a little bit over time. I get swollen and tender still but cramping overall is better. It's not yet proven but I swear for me that cup acts like a stress ball for when I get cramps. They've gone down like 70%. That's my personal experience

Cups are amazing because they don’t have chemicals and are made out of medial grade silicone

Can I ask how it went? I'm so relieved reading this comment section and seeing there are people who share my experiences with tampons.. To be honest I've been feeling this weird sense of shame about it, I don't know why. I really wanna try the cup and was just wondering how you got on with it if you ended up trying?

@@brh.1892 Yes, I do use one and I love it! I have done two periods without it and it feels like a mistake. It's so much less messy, using the cup. My cup only leaked once and it was because it was full, first thing in the morning. TMI but it was more of a squirt when I rolled over and I immediately knew it was time to get up and empty. The only actual trouble I've had with it is getting it to open after I inserted it. And I found that only happens when I'm rushing to get it in and done. I'm glad you commented on this because I was just thinking, this morning, about how stupid it was that I wasn't using the cup this month.

@@brh.1892 Also, I tried the Saalt regular and ended up getting the Saalt Soft regular and it's much better for me. I'm gonna go boil mine now and use it for the remainder of this period.

There are many belief systems either stemming from the society itself or based on a religion that value "purity" in some way and falsely believe inserting a tampon would taint that purity or are so obsessed with the idea that a young woman may derive pleasure from inserting a tampon that they are not allowed to use them. It's more than I could put into a comment but it's likely one of those two reasons and neither are based on any form of fact. Tampons definitely don't "take your virginity" and no one gets pleasure from inserting a tiny plastic tube in their vaginas...

I've literally considered asking a friend to help.. I feel so validated rn reading these comments 😂 this makes me feel a lot better about trying the cup now.

@@brh.1892 I got the cup in and working on my first attempt. I was so scary because of my tampon experiences. But the cup was so natural! I hope it works well for you.

how did you break your hymen? asking for a friend🙈

@@victoriawagner5930 I just pushed the tampon in until it was all the way in i couldn’t use tampons because of my hymen being in tact and on one cycle I just went for it and broke it with the tampon and it worked

eww yeah I would be too! Those cheap ones were like weaponized tubes for the vagina.

Same 😭 I used a plastic applicator after and yes application was different but same pain inside

I started out with cardboard applicators as well when I used tampons for the first time in 2001.The brand was tampax regulars I cannot stand cardboard applicators because they usually separate and sometimes it's hard to put in I switched to tampax pearl tampons when they came out in 2002 you're all familiar with tampax pearl plastic applicators right??? Those are my go to tampons. Then a few months ago I started wearing kotex security super tampons for the sake of the lower price ,now just this last month October I tried a menstrual disc and let me tell you soft discs are better than tampons of one thing the disc are very comfortable more comfortable than a tampon and through out the 19+years of using tampons I learned that they cause TSS toxic shock syndrome which that could be deadly and tampons leak alot and they also carry odor with the menstrual disc even a menstrual cup it does not carry TSS,are odorless does not cause irritation nor does it hurt.I was in my 20s when I started using tampons now I'm in my 40s and started using a menstrual disc an item that is different out there that's safe.

Yes. They both go in the vagina. The opening of the cup sits around the cervix. For a tampon it doesn't matter the specific placement of the tampon just as long as it is in the vagina.

Have you done pelvic floor therapy? It's not just for post-birth incontinence issues but can also help if you've suffered from vaginismus or have done too many kegels and overtightened the muscles. Lily Cup isn't the widest cup but there are narrower options to consider if it is a diameter issue- putacupinit.com/metricchart

Aren’t vaginal muscles suppose to stretch, I’ve already bought lily cup a and lily cup Compact a , i don’t think I’ll buy another one right now. And what is pelvic floor therapy do I need to see a doctor?

haifa aziz I had a similar problem, I also used to have vaginismus so I figured I would need a soft sensitive cup, which was great for easing me in but have found that I actually need a really firm cup to stand up against my tight muscles. The Yuuki and Meluna Sport worked good with opening fully and no leaks but just a little too firm to get it out easily. But the Lena cup has been successful which I think is just a step down from the Yuuki, in terms of firmness. Put a cup in it has a chart with the level of firmness which was really helpful to me. I also had pelvic floor therapy, referred by my ob/gyn, even though I thought I was mostly over those issues. I realized I wasn’t and was the best thing for me. I’d definitely talk to your doctor about it!

Alanna Apperson great advice thanks 🙏🏼

putacupinit.com/firmness-video We have a video and blog post :)

Look for enna cycle cups. They do one with an applicator, and have a kind of 'string', or longer stem which helps know where the cup is or what angle it's at

There is also a menstrual disk that has a string. She does have recent review of it.

If the cup is full when this happens I would empty it more on those days. Otherwise just be sure to get the holes free when you wash between uses. I like to press my cup between my hands and roll it under the water sort of. Another method is to fill the cup with water and place your hand on top of the opening. Turn it all upside down and squeeze to force water through the holes.

@@PutACupInIt Thanks so much guys! I'll definitely give this a try ❤️❤️❤️

Rachel Antonoff

Just one cup is needed typically. Some people do find that they prefer one size/length of cup for the beginning of their cycle and another later on.

We have heard from people who are able to use a cup with vaginismus. If you’re not in our Facebook group I would consider joining it and getting tips from others with a similar experience vag.life/cupcult

Thank you!

We actually have a video about urinating with a menstrual cup in (kzfaq.info/get/bejne/puBxea-L19q7ZJ8.html) and I will add that the new Tampax Cup was designed around the idea of not applying bladder pressure so maybe give that review a watch (kzfaq.info/get/bejne/iduaetRhs5_Vlqc.html) That being said in the cup world it's more about the firmness (usually) than diameter when it comes to pressure. The tampons are rigid and not flexible but the silicone varies in softness. A smaller cup is still a good idea coupled with one of the softer side. We have firmness scores and diameter measurements all on our sortable chart which might also help you pick a cup from one that ticks those boxes (putacupinit.com/chart) HTH! -K

purr bugaloo the Lena sensitive is quite small and specifically for women with more sensitive bladders. I’ve used it and it’s very soft and easy to insert. I’d say it’s worth looking into!

@@alannaapperson1973 thanks!

@@PutACupInIt thanks so much!!

Try a small Ruby Cup its likely the right size.

Boiling is just for sterilization, not to make it softer.

Be careful, you might be ruining your cup!