You've read the instructions, you've watched the videos, but in front of the mirror⊠it's not going to plan. The cup won't open, it slips, it's uncomfortable or you're worried it'll leak?
This is completely normal. Getting the hang of a cup takes a bit of practice and patience (1 to 3 cycles on average). Here are coaching tips to get you through it, step by step.
đ Just need the technical instructions? Read our Official User Guide here.
Table of contents
1- It won't go in (Stress or size?)
If you can't insert it, or if it's painful, there are usually two explanations:
- Stress (The main barrier): When you're tense, your pelvic floor contracts and closes off the vaginal entrance. It's a reflex. Take a break, breathe, or try again in a warm shower.
-
The "too big" myth: The vagina is one of the most elastic tissues in the human body (it allows a baby to pass through!). Anatomically, a cup is
never "too large".
đ Exception: If you experience dyspareunia (pain during insertion) or vaginismus, comfort comes first. A smaller size may feel psychologically easier to insert.
Watch out for common misconceptions:
- It slips? This isn't because it's "too small" (the vaginal walls always touch each other) â it's often because your pelvic floor lacks tone. See our Pelvic Floor article.
- It overflows quickly? Then yes, it may be too small in capacity.
- It's still empty after 6 hours? It may be too large for your flow. Too much air in the cup isn't ideal for bacterial safety. See our TSS article.
2- The fold: Switch technique
Using the C-Fold (cup folded in half) and finding it's too wide? That's normal â the insertion point remains fairly large with that fold.
The coaching tip: Switch to the Punchdown (also called the "Tulip") fold.
The Punchdown (Tulip)
By pressing one side of the rim inward, you reduce the tip to the size of a tampon. Ideal for beginners.
The C-Fold
The classic fold. A wider insertion point, but it often opens up more easily once inside.
You managed to insert it but it stays crushed? Don't panic â the "pop" is not mandatory.
đ My cup won't open: What to do? (4 Tips)
3- Insertion: The angle that changes everything
A classic mistake is pushing the cup straight up (vertically). But your vaginal canal runs backwards, towards your lower back.
The right move: Aim towards your coccyx, not your navel. And above all, don't push it too deep! The Moonpad should sit right at the entrance (about one knuckle in).
Too high and it leaks. Too low and it causes discomfort. It all depends on your cervix position.
đ High or low? How to position your cup correctly
đ I have a retroverted uterus â does that change anything?
4- It won't stay in place (Leaks, shifting)
You managed to insert it, but you feel like it hasn't created a seal, or it starts leaking straight away?
The secret is rotation. Once inserted, pinch the base and give it a quarter turn. If it rotates freely, it's sealed. If it doesn't turn, it's pressed against the vaginal wall.
Use our specific troubleshooting guides:
đ My cup is leaking: Diagnosis and Solutions
đ My cup shifts sideways or turns inside out: What to do?
5- A note for those used to "standard cups"
If you previously used a cup with a rigid stem, Luneale will feel different. It's softer and doesn't need to open with a dramatic "POP" to create a seal. Trust the rotation â not the sound!
Can't find the solution to your problem? Our customer care team is here for exactly that. Write to us â we never leave anyone stuck!
