Can you use a reusable flex disc with condoms?

I’m using a reusable flex disc and I’m really trying to make it work especially after spending money on it but I’m wondering if it’s time to give up and find a different one.

The issue I’m having is even though doing my best to insert the disk downwards, once it’s fully in, I just can’t push up the outer end behind my pubic bone, it’ll always bend the opposite way I want it to go, and it borderline hurts since I’m forcing it. The outer rim is basically always slightly popping out and I don’t know how to get it behind as I keep trying to push it in.I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong and if it’s a me problem or just a problem of fit. Is there any tips to getting it to work? Cause I really want it to work. And if there’s no tips, any suggestions for new discs that I may have an easier time with?

Hi: I recently bought a flex disc because I was told it’s the firmest disc and I needed a firmer one. But the reservoir is really thin.

I usually clean my discs with a menstrual cup steam sterilizer.

So my question is: can I put my reusable flex disc in the steam sterilizer? Or will I damage it if I do?

Thanks!

I’ve been using Nixit for a while now (after 10+ years of the Diva Cup) and typically empty + rinse it mornings and nights. Sometimes it will self empty when I pee throughout the day and I just push it back into place afterwards. I’ve never found the self emptying to be a benefit because the disc still has to come out regularly, right? Are folks only self emptying and not rinsing throughout their period? Is it safe to leave the disc in and only self empty for your entire period or is that risking TSS?

What’s your experience having sex with a menstrual disc? Still pleasurable? Can the guy/girl feel the disc? Can it get messy?

I tried using cups years ago and could never get them to work for me. I have an extremely low cervix and even the smallest cups would stick out of me and leak no matter what. Tampons are often uncomfortable to insert and take a few tries to get the angle right depending on where I’m at in my cycle too, since my cervix almost seems to get in the way. I’m also one of those lucky women whose period “stops” for one day at the end and then releases a final gush of blood lol which makes tampons tricky during that time.

I finally decided to try a disc after seeing that they’re recommended for women with low cervixes and purchase the Saalt disc in size small. I used it for the first time yesterday and it kind of blew my mind how easy it was to position it properly. Like… it literally just went in and tucked up where it’s supposed to go. I kept thinking I must’ve done something wrong since I had to fiddle with the cup so much when I used that. It was day 2 of my period and I was able to wear the disc all night with no leaking, empty it this morning, and have been wearing it all day again with no leaks so far. Removing it definitely took some dexterity but wow, I am kicking myself for not trying a disc sooner. I’ll have to see if anything changes as I get later into my period but I’m so thankful for all the helpful information on this sub!!

I’ve tried *a lot* of discs in my attempt to find my holy grail. And I mean *a lot*. But, like I always say, I don’t mind supporting the reusable menstrual product industry, and especially women-led businesses, so even the ones that didn’t work out at all were an investment I stand by.

That said, one thing I’ve done with the discs I really wanted to make work for me has been to retry them every cycle. Just in case any mishap turns out to have been user error or something that can be bypassed. Sadly, some consistently didn’t work, but one turned out to be absolutely wonderful after two entire cycles that made me think it wasn’t for me. 

Enter Saalt Regular 💙 The first few times I tried it I made some insertion mistakes, so it wasn’t in fact covering my cervix and made me believe it was a touch too small and leaking. Also, removal felt very difficult every time. Well, it took some patience on my part to realize that both of these things were fixable. They say there’s a learning curve for a reason, I just mistakenly thought I’d mastered discs.

Now, for the third cycle in a row, I tried it again on a whim and found it to be pretty darn flawless. I even woke up on that dreaded heaviest morning expecting it to leak horribly (I’d never tried it at night before) and nothing. No leak at all. I thought I maybe hadn’t bled as much as usual, but it was just very well contained. I even felt confident enough to wear it for an entire office day on the heaviest day and same, no leaks whatsoever. Perhaps the best part is that, unlike any of the other discs I’d believe to be near-perfect-size, it doesn’t auto-dump every single time I go to the bathroom, leaving me to deal with residual blood all day long. It’s secure, clean, and comfy. Now, if only it came in Mist Grey like their Soft Cup…

So, moral of the story, before giving up on specific discs, try them again. Maybe you missed something, maybe your nether regions were particularly fussy that day. You never know. 

Hi! This is my second period using the Hello Disc and I have issues with the insertion, as it is a little too rigid– last time I had a lot of trouble trying to insert it dry, so this time around I got a water-based lube and it did help but now the disc's been moving around a lot more which makes me have cramps and leaks, and I'm thinking it may be because of the lube. I'm guessing it makes it too slippery so it rotates easily, untucks and hits my cervix in the process.

I didn't have these issues once it was inside when inserting it dry but the process was a pain in the ass, but is it better to sacrifice the lube? Should I maybe apply the lube on myself instead of the disc itself? Any advice is welcome because I really want to make this work!

Any recs for a smaller pelvis, low cervix and a heavy flow? Currently using a diva disc and I like it a lot but 50% of the time it’s a little uncomfortable plus it pretty much always makes me feel like I need to pee. I think maybe it’s a little too long? Any recs? I also have a pretty heavy flow…

Here's all the discs I tried before finding my perfect fit, hope it can help someone figure out what disc to try next! For the seemingly many of us who tried Saalt regular and like the fit but struggled with removal, highly recommend the Shordy disc!

Soft Disc Disposable - Soft disc was too big for me, I can use in a pinch but it always slips out from my pubic bone and leaks. I also could not pee with this disc in place.

Saalt Large - Saalt fit me perfectly! I only got to use it for one blissful day but it inserted easily, didn't autodump, stayed in place and had enough capacity for 10 hours in my heaviest day. Unfortunately, it was impossible to remove, the notch was absolutely no help and I tried every technique and position possible until I finally had to have my partner remove it (and it was still difficult for them to get a grip on it!). I never tried the disc again bc I was too scared of it becoming stuck again.

Moonthlies Medium - I loved the ladder for removal on this disc, by far my favorite removal method I tried. Unfortunately, the disc would leak no matter how I positioned in, it also autodumped way too easy (probably bc of the poor fit). I really wished it would have worked for me cause I loved how easy the ladder made removing it.

Diva disc - Similar to the moonthlies disc, it always leaked. The shelf also didn't really prevent auto dumping. The hook for removal was nice though. In hindsight, trying the diva disc after the moonthlies was a bad choice since the moonthlies leaked and both are oval shaped discs

Shordy - My perfect disc(s)! The large (light green) is my main disc and I love it. Insertion is no problem, the disc tucks perfectly, stays there, and I can't feel it at all when it's inserted. I was able to wear it for 9 hours on my heaviest day with no problem. Probably could have went longer but I haven't needed to try that yet. The pull string makes removal a breeze. I can also use the bathroom with the disc in and it doesn't leak. As an extra bonus, it comes with a smaller disc that works great for my first day. Usually no disc fits on the first day of my period and I just use a panty liner or pad so it's nice to have an option for the first day of my cycle even though my first day is super light. Lastly, it's only $13 which is a steal!

It's worth noting that the shordy discs are weirdly listed as having the same diameter but that's not true. The large is the exact same size as the Saalt regular and the small shordy is a decent size smaller, I assume it's a similar size to the Saalt small but don't have that disc to compare.

Hey there! I’ve never considered a menstrual disc before - other than day 1 my flow is pretty light, very manageable with tampons. I just noticed however that I’m due to start my period on day 1 of a beach vacation over Christmas, which is a huge letdown. So a few questions - with just 2 months to try to perfect it enough to trust it in a bathing suit, is it worth even trying? I’m nervous about it getting stuck - is this a real possibility? I have nails on the longer side (nothing crazy, but def past my finger tips) - is this going to make it harder to insert and remove the disc? I do believe I have a tilted uterus (I’m sometimes asked to put my hands under my butt during a pap - not sure what direction of tilt that signifies though). Any brand suggestions for a newbie? I don’t even know where to start! 45 years old, no kids, located in Canada if that helps. Thanks!

Edited to correct a menstrual CUP typo.

Hellllppppp TMI

Day 2 of period and i don’t think it’s working I used the size small the day before my period for spotting and it worked great! But since my period started I’ve been using the large and every time I wipe after going toilet there’s blood!?

I’ve pushed it back as far as it goes and tucked behind my pubic bone but I just can’t seem to figure out if my cervix is in it or not. I’m guessing im not getting it in correctly but I also don’t want to pulling and pushing it all day long.

I’ve tried fixing it 3 times today and each time there’s been blood in the disc but there’s also been blood outside it so I’m not sure what’s going on because it is collecting I’d say most of it but I don’t think I should be leaking ?

Have been wearing period underwear along side it but right now I’ve a pair of light coloured underwear on just to see how much I am actually leaking

Any advice 😬

First time reusable disc user , never used a cup before either. I’ve given birth about 7 years ago if that’s any help

New disc user, flex disposaable. I took my disc out (it was full) and replaced with a tampon and liner as I was out and didn't have new disc…once home within a couple hours I noticed I had a really heavy flow, and put on a pad, I passed five clots the size of the palm of my hand, have replaced my pad again. Not sure if this heavy flow is due to the disc use or just a really heavy cycle (I don't normally pass this many clots). Anyone experience heavy flow after disc removal?

Having major leaks. I've been reading a bazillion articles and staring at dozens of diagrams and models of vaginas (half of which do not look anything like the other half!! 😡) and I think I've got the disc tucked in behind the pubic bone shelf. It's like there's an outer vaginal area, then a much more narrow canal area where I can curl up a finger at the end and feel around a little, but my finger doesn't go too far past that and I can't feel anything there really. If I bend my finger back it feels like a different texture than when I curl it, not smooth, but like wrinkly? Is that my cervix? Like I have a tilted one and the disc is just going in front? Or that's something else and my cervix is just high?

Have been using a Nixit for a few months. I find it much more comfortable than tampons and am generally a fan, but I do have an issue with it slipping and leaking especially on my heavy days - it's getting to the point where I have to wear a super pad as backup as the leaks can be major. On a recent trip to the States I got some flex disposables and they work much better - not perfect, a couple of small leaks, but a big improvement. I think they are a better size and I find them much easier to insert. Given all that - what reusable disc should I try next? I can't keep using flex disposables as they aren't available in the U.K. Am up for hearing any and all suggestions for reusable discs, available in the U.K. is a bonus but if it's the right one I don't mind having to hunt it out somehow. Don't know if it's relevant but I am 42, two vaginal births. Thanks!

So far I like the tab so the bottom loop is flipped through the top loop, making the tab shorter. I have had difficulties removing it when completely tucking the tab, but I am concerned about my guy feeling it during sex since it says completely tucked under the disc is best for sex. Does anyone wear it like I do, and their man cannot feel it? I probably won't get the chance to have sex before this cycle ends, so I'm anxious to know if I can wear it how I like it AND not bother him.

Hey y'all, just had my first period using the disc and omg do I love it. I did notice something though- the disposable flex disc was easier to put in and easier to remove, and the reusable one seemed a bit more difficult on both counts. Has anyone else noticed this, or was it just the cycle day difference / material difference?

hi everyone! i'm still in my trial-and-error phase and thought i had found The One but it's not going as expected..

basically, i have been using the saalt disc regular and it's almost perfect, except wearing it longer than maybe 4 hours makes my lower body sore and my cramps more painful. i used to think it must be inserted wrong and maybe pressing on my cervix, but it never leaks and the blood is always in the basin upon removal.

so i thought i'd give the cora soft fit a try, because the rim of the saalt regular is pretty stiff. i'm trying it for the first time this cycle and it's SO COMFORTABLE and both easy to insert and remove. BUT it leaks! i'm trying to figure out why it's doing that? it leaks within the first few hours of having it in.. when i remove it, all the blood is on the inside so i'm stumped as to what might be happening.

could it be that it's coming untucked because it's so squishy? it didn't seem to have moved much when i remove it and i still have to reach up to locate the removal notch so i'm not sure. was just wondering if anyone had any tips! this is the most comfortable disc by far so i really want it to work..

I used this subreddit to help me find my disc match so I thought I’d give back and post my experience here for anyone else who is seeking info to start their disc journey!

So I started my journey with the Lumma beginner starter pack because it had all three sizes for $70. I only ended up trying the small and the medium, but once my heavy flow started it constantly leaked and it didn’t work for me. It was flimsy and basically completely crumpled inside me which I think contributed to it not holding a ton.

I decided to try one more disc, the hello disc, and I think I’ve found my perfect match! My heaviest days are very heavy and it will still last me the 12 hours. It autodumps whenever I go to the bathroom. I have been pulling the second tab through the first which makes it easy for me to take out.

Has any one tried the hello disc during intercourse, what was your and your partners experience and what tab position did you use? Also how heavy was your period at that time?

So grateful for this community, this has been the least annoying period I’ve ever had! Feel free to ask any questions about my experience with either disc.

TLDR: Lumma didn’t work for me, the hello disc in the double tab looped position is perfect for me. Seeking anecdotes on hello disc during intercourse.

Hi guys!

I got my IUD about a year ago, and before that I was a hardcore menstrual cup girlie. Haven't used one since my IUD due to the suction and my roommate telling me a story about suctioning out her IUD with her diva cup.

Starting to think about using a menstrual disc as pads, tampons, and liners are starting to get a bit annoying. I'm wondering if anyone here horseback rides and can tell me if the menstrual disc works for them.

Thank you!

It has a little tab, and when i wasnt on my period i tried it on for the 1st time and it slid right in, it was SO easy. I did use lube, but i am trying it out with my period now and the blood gives the same effect, yet i felt a lot more resistance doing it? And i think i wasn't even able to get it as far as the other time which is a bummer. I think even the tab is sitting lower than the first time it tried it, literally on my vaginal entrance.

I'm scared it's going to give me issues because of that. I know i have to be patient and just try it, but since the get go i have felt things are different. I think i have a high cervix, is it possible that today it is at its lowest or something??

Also, when i laid down on my back it was a bit easier, but when i did the dry run i was able to insert it on the toilett too...

Please help, i dont wanna be put off of it so soon :')

I have I think 4 discs at this point: a large flex disc, a small saalt disc, and 2 lumma discs (1 small and 1 medium). I was hoping you guys could give me some advice on size, because I have a high fornix but larger discs aren't working for me.

I first tried the flex. It tucked neatly behind my pubic bone but autodumped all the time and blocked my bladder. My medium lumma disc is too small to tuck behind the pubic bone (it just kind of floats right under my cervix), which made me think it was too small. But it autodumps and blocks my bladder as well.

The small just looks WAY too small, and yet it's the only size that lets me pee comfortably when it's in. But it leaks all the time, probably because it can't hold as much blood.

Have any of you had a similar experience? Is this more an issue of stiffness?

Not sure if this is particularly vulgar so I am putting this under NSFW.

Me if I spoke my mind out of nowhere: I am going to go finger myself in the bathroom because my menstrual disc is out of place.

Other people: pikachu meme

I have tried the Saalt disc for 3 months in a row and each time it slips down. It does collect blood but slide so far down it’s at the entrance of my vagina and leaks constantly. For context, I have had 3 vagina births (2 of which were twins). What am I doing wrong? Is there another disc that may be more appropriate?

Babes, I've been on the hunt for the best menstrual disc for the past week now. I've been experiencing relentless breakthrough bleeding from my depo shot. Every. Single. Day. For the last THREE MONTHS! it's a horror. Anyways, I primarily want the disc for sexytime, and am seeking a disc that is undetectable for both him and me, something we cannot feel at all. My choices are between the Cora perfect fit and the Cora soft fit. I'm leaning towards the soft fit because of the softer texture and hoping it gives an invisible feel, but worry about leakage during intense bedroom activities or various positions. I'm iffy about the perfect fit because I really don't want him to feel it. I've tried, and returned the nixit as it was just too big and kept sliding out of me. I'm also open to other suggestions that you think are amazing or ideal for sex. (For reference he's around 8')My main goals and concerns being comfort, undetectability, and leakage-free. Please help a girl out!

Edit: I love women. You guys are all so helpful 🥹💘

I've gotten my diva disc to work correctly 2 times over the past 10 months. I think I give up! no matter what I do... I can't prevent leaking.. Idk what's going on.... I push it back as far as I can, I even used the disc applicator.. no matter what. the disc isnt collecting my flow.. My flow is all over the outside of the disc and not the inside... So it must not be directly under my cervix.. but shit... It won't go back any further I'm so irritated because I want it to work so badly and it isn't... I gotta switch back to tampons....

Even during this cycle , I didn't get it right, eventhough I tried to insert it. My menstrual disc don't have a stem, so I don't know how do I pull off.

I’m on my first cycle trying a menstrual disc and so far I’m loving my Lumma size M. However, I’m experiencing something odd. When I remove the disc I notice all the blood is on the outer part of it, and very little was collected inside the cup. It’s my third day of period and it happened every time except when I first tried it. I thought maybe I was inserting it in a bad position (standing with one leg up), but when I tried squatting I had the same problem.

The oddest part is that even though it doesn’t collect the blood it barely leaks. The leakage I have is so mild that it’s basically just veeery diluted spots of blood sometimes, or an autodump when I go to the bathroom after many hours with it inside of me. I don’t even mind not using a menstrual panty as a backup if I’m home.

I wonder if my cervix is too crooked to the side and I can’t even scoop it in, which I tried. Otherwise that, the disc is very comfortable and somehow it is working well enough for the heavy days. I just want to understand what is happening and if there’s something I could do to make this disc work perfectly, or if I would need another size for that.

Heyall! I tried the flex disposable and absolutely love them. Inserts easily, catches on my pubic bone, can't feel it. I switched to reusable flex and now can't get it to consistently fit. It'll sit too low, not catch behind my pubic bone, or just generally seems too soft.

I know it's supposed to be one of the firmest so I'm wondering what I might need to do different.