Menstrual Disc Distress

[tubularRock]

Ever since I’ve started my period I’ve used pads and every cycle I leak, usually at night. I avoid sitting or sleeping certain ways so I can avoid leaking but it’s unsuccessful early into my period.

I’ve looked into menstrual discs/cups and I feel like they can make existing more comfortable while also being environmentally friendly/cheaper in the long run. I’m leaning towards discs because they can hold more and I don’t know how high my cervix is to find a right fitting cup.

The issue is that the idea of shoving something that high up freaks me out. I don’t even like putting my fingers in my vagina so the idea of putting something larger into the unknown is spooky

I know the learning curve and possibility of auto-dumping will be worth it but would it even be comfortable to insert and remove? I pass large blood clots so my biggest fear is going out of my comfort zone just to leak again due to uncontrollable blood clots or not inserting it correctly.

Help :[

[Andy]

Hi and welcome to the boards, tubularRock!

I don't have any personal experience with discs or cups, so I can't speak from that, but a rightly placed and sized cup/disk shouldn't be uncomfortable. And from what I gathered from my friends, most using them were surprised how easy and comfortable to use they were when they learnt how to do that.

But if you aren't yet comfortable with fingers inside your vagina, another option to try in the meantime could be period underwear. Especially those labeled as for "heavy bleeding" or "for nights", like these for example: https://periodaisle.com/collections/hea ... -underwear. A boxer shape can provide some extra security against movement too.

Big perk of period underwear is that it can be paired with most other menstrual products like pads, tampons or the cups/discs to prevent leaks. Which can be extra helpful when you decide to switch to these so you feel safer at the beginning.

I also wanted to mention that what most people consider blood clots in menstrual flow aren't exactly that (most of the flow isn't even blood to begin with and what is behaves differently that when it's in blood vessels) but rather uterine lining mixed with thick vaginal discharge. But if it's something that is worrying you, it's best to check in with your healthcare provider about it.

Does that answer you question or is there anything else we can help you with?

[tubularRock]

Thank you for replying!

I’ve heard about period underwear too. I’ve been avoiding them as my main period product because of my “blood clots”. I never thought to pair them with pads.

[Heather]

Those blobs of flow and discharge shouldn't be as much of an issue when using washable pads or menstrual underwear because neither are as slippery as the surface of a lot of store-bought pads. But if and when you're bothered by one just sitting there, it's super easy to just wipe it off with toilet paper and flush what you picked up.

I wonder if what might work for you here, if you have the income to do so, is to go ahead and buy yourself both a couple pairs of menstrual underwear -- and like Andy said, you want to pick for heavy flow or postpartum bleeding (since anything that can handle that level of flow, which is basically like having all the periods one missed while pregnant at once, can usually handle menstrual flow -- and a disc or cup, whichever you think you'll like best if and when you are able to use them. Personally, if you're worried about overflow when taking one of the latter out or leaking, I'd personally say a cup is likely to work better for you than a disc. Since they also sit lower in the vagina, you don't have to get as far back in there to get them in or out. I also think it's easier to learn to use a cup, IMHO.