u/witchy_frog_

Pinching the base does NOT break the seal for me and I can’t reach the rim or close to the top of the cup (I have an Athena cup it’s like the exact same as a diva cup but slightly softer - I’ve tried 2 other ones but they are short and even harder to reach and are also not compatible with the cup applicator I have)

I have super short fingers (like, kid sized hands and my arms are short as well, I also have big boobs and find they get in the way lol) and I’m new to using the cup - I literally have to use an applicator to even insert it because my arms are too short to position my hands to get the angle to get it in

I have to go like all the way to my base knuckles which doesn’t feel far enough while bearing/pushing down in a full squat to even reach the stem and it’s so slippery inside that pinching just slips it further up and it takes me a longggggg time to work my way into getting it low enough and my fingers high enough to reach high enough on the cup to break the seal

Are there any alternative ways I can break the seal if squeezing the base doesn’t do it and I can’t reach the rim or near the top of the cup?

I’m not used to penetration in general so it’s still a bit anxiety inducing and a bit painful for me doing this and I’m currently practicing while not on my period, and I’m kinda scared to even leave it in for longer than a few mins😅

I am 23 (I’ve never had sex and I’m also a lesbian I feel like that is important to preface here to better gear the replies I receive)

I want to be able to use a period cup (I just ordered an applicator which should help after discussing with a couple of friends) because I am going on a very long trip next week and my usual period underwear won’t work for this type of travel and pads take up wayyyy too much of my already limited space.

I have never been comfortable with penetration, I have always found tampons scary and physically painful during insertion and even uncomfortable the entire time it’s in. (Trust me I’m not doing it wrong - I’ve tried everything) Because I am in my 20’s and haven’t had any kind of sexual or intimate experiences I’ve become very comfortable experimenting with my own body and no matter how turned on I am or how much lube I use, anything larger than a finger or a slim g spot toy I have is pretty painful 99% of the time. I don’t even bother anymore because I just don’t feel like dealing with that when I’m trying to enjoy myself. And because I can’t even do anything with penetration when I am exploring my body, doing it when I am not turned on is impossible.

Now to the period cup part: When I was 18 I tried menstrual cups and after several months I gave up because similar to toys, I couldn’t insert it because the entrance was just too painful. I’ve tried using marijuana to relax to try, I’ve had friends talk me through the process, tried every fold and position with the cup, lube, etc with no luck. Just too painful at the opening, so I got extremely anxious and frustrated with my body and didn’t try for several years, embarrassed because nobody I talked to understood.

I’ve googled and tried to find anything on becoming more comfortable with penetration, but the ONLY websites and videos and any kind of information that comes up is in relation to sex and hetero sex. I just want to get comfortable on my own and work my way up to being able to even comfortably use a cup, because I do want to have sex someday but I’m not there yet and there’s no information that’s not in regards to sex with a penis.

Does anyone have any kind of information or resources or advice of any kind. I’m desperate here and feel kind of self conscious given that there’s not one informational website that I can find that isn’t for straight women or isn’t about penetration sexually.

I have a lorazepam prescription and will be bringing 30 0.5mg tablets with me (I am travelling for 40 days) I will be travelling in:

• Albania
• Austria
• Czech Republic
• Croatia
• Germany
• Greece
• Italy
• Montenegro
• the Netherlands

I’ve seen several resources say that I may have issues with it in Greece - I have my official prescription and can ask my doctor to write a note that I will print and bring with me, but I’m still worried about what if it’s not good enough for them?!

Has anyone travelled with this prescription before and share what I need to do to ensure I have no issues (given that I am bringing lorazepam you can tell I have anxiety and this is causing me grief worrying about it lol)

(Please do not say I will be fine and the odds of anything happening are low - it’s not a risk I’m willing to take and I will be taking all of the necessary steps)