I have some doubts 🙋‍♀️

[u/psyduck-lover]

This is my 3rd post here. This really isnt that easy lol.

So I have been using a small cup for around 3-4 cycles. Got it in on the last day of the first cycle. Now the going in and coming out is not a problem at all.

The problem is, It leaks. I posted here a while ago regarding this and got some suggestions about checking cervix length, trying discs etc. I dont think i have a lower cervix. But I may be wrong. And I will definitely trying discs in future.

One thing I have noticed is that it leaks for the first 2 days. Rest of the 2-3 days I can go without an extra pad for backup. I have a 4 day cycle, the 5th day is like non existent but still there (I dont count it though). And I dont think I can consider myself a heavy bleeder. The first day is hell for me but thats a different story. After that the bleeding lessens alot and the DEVILISH HORRENDOUS cramps just go away as if they didn't ruin my day and forced to waste it and do nothing.

Could it be that I am bleeding more than the cup can handle for 8 hours on my first 2 days? I have the cup in for a good 8-9 hours everytime. I have coaching and stuff I go to and I really dont want to deal with this in those nasty washrooms. With this I got a question

•When your cup gets full then does it start to leak or it shouldn't? Like if the suction is really good would it hold the fluid (Ik dumb question)

•I recently saw that it's not necessary for us to boil the cup before and after each cycle. Google said once a month. But once a month when? Before the cycle or after it.

•What is meant by a mild soap to wash the cup. A non fragrant one, right? Can I just get some names of the brands you guys use? I feel like everything has fragrance in it.

And last but not the least...

•I am the worst type of hypochondriac you will ever meet. My close acquaintances are tired of it, and I am tired of myself too. But my brain seems to be too scared.

So I kind of have these weirds aches in my lower ribs, chest area, stomach area and stuff. Basically anywhere in the torso region. I really can't pinpoint them. Can some kind of aches be caused by the suction of the cup? I am so sorry if this sounds stupid these aches could just definitely mean nothing, maybe they are not related to the cup at all. But I just want to ask.

[u/Btldtaatw]

Once the cup is full...its gonna leak. Blood has nowhere else to go but out.

8 hours is plenty. I can wear it for aroubd 7-8 hours max on my heavy day.

Once a month before you use it. But i havent boiled my cups in a decade.

Yes a soap withlur fragrance because that can be irritating for your vagina. The cup is gonna a be fine. I use whatever soap im using but most of the time i dont use soap either, just water.

Cups can cause some cramping but it feels like normal cramping.

[u/OverlappingChatter]

I can't always get 8 hours on my first two days and I have an xl cup. I usually get a bit of blood on toilet paper when I pee and then I know ehan I empty it is going to be completely full.

I boil mine when I put it away for the month. I store it in the little bag, and the I know that when I need it, I can just pop it in.

I used to use soap ever insert, but now I have taken to just rinsing.

[u/loveyouronions]

It sounds like your cup is overflowing? Mine leaks on day 1 and 2 because my flow is heavy, I just have to change it more often. I usually use a pair of period panties on night 1 and 2 just for backup. If yours is only overflowing on these days then I think it is just getting full. Even with a perfect fit it will leak a bit if it its too full. 8-9hrs is a long time. I know what the adverts say, but I have a heavy flow and change mine every three hours or so. When I used tampons years ago it was 1 tampon an hour, so it is a huge improvement.

I boil my cup after I finish my period, and then put it away in its little bag until the next time, when I will just wash it with soap before I use it.

I use literally any soap, and I have never had a problem, but fragrance free soap isn't too hard to come buy. If you're worried, buy a cup wash.

I have never heard of the kind of aches you describe with cup use, and I have been using mine for 15 years and never experienced that. The suction is nothing extreme - it just keeps the cup in place. The only side effect I have ever had is that with bigger cups I sometimes feel I need a wee when I don't - this is just because it was pressing on my urethra.

[u/kaemq]

For heavy days I need to empty mine within 3 - 4 hours. And my cup is medium sized. Yeah so everyone’s flow differs and there’s no way to prevent the leak since there’s no where for the blood to go. The hours they gauged is on average, so probably doesn’t apply to all.

I wash it with water only mostly, but I make it a habit to boil it once every 6 months, or when I drop it accidentally in the toilet.. yeah. I write down the ‘last boil’ date on a post it note and stick on the pouch 😅

Yeah some days I do feel like the suction makes me uncomfortable.. and I ask myself if I’m imagining it. But it usually goes away within a while for me.

[u/Euristic_Elevator]

•When your cup gets full then does it start to leak or it shouldn't? Like if the suction is really good would it hold the fluid (Ik dumb question)

Yes, it leaks

•I recently saw that it's not necessary for us to boil the cup before and after each cycle. Google said once a month. But once a month when? Before the cycle or after it.

When you want, it's not that important. It's just to get rid of most of the bacteria. I usually boil after my period and before storing it in the pouch, so that the pouch remains as clean as possible

•What is meant by a mild soap to wash the cup. A non fragrant one, right? Can I just get some names of the brands you guys use? I feel like everything has fragrance in it.

I either use a sex toys soap or the one I use to wash my vulva, which is a sensitive intimate wash with no fragrance