When Menstrual Disc Firmness Matters
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- čas přidán 12. 06. 2024
- Menstrual discs are the far less finicky cousins to menstrual cups. Firmness, a HUGE influencer on how/why cups work, is a lesser concern for discs. It matters, but in different ways and to a lesser extent. This video explores the ways in which menstrual cup firmness affects the insertion, removal, efficacy, and comfort.
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Skip Ahead:
00:00 Start
01:00 Cups vs Discs Firmness
01:57 Insertion/Removal Firmness
03:16 Firmness and Function/Comfort
04:20 Firmness Scale for Discs
04:45 Rating Discs for Firmness - Cora Disc, Hello Disc, Lumma, Saalt Disc, Nixit, SHEPeriod, Ziggy Flex Disc
07:10 Auto-Dumping Menstrual Discs and Firmness
09:05 Bladder Pressure from Menstrual Discs
I just wanted to give you another perspective. You said it is good to start with a cup because it's easier than a disk. I actually have the opposite. I could not use cups very well but I just got my disk and it'd great!
I struggled with cups for like 5 cycles trying to make them work and I couldn't even get them in. It was so painful and difficult. I would get so frustrated, cry, and give up. And then I decided to try a disc. I popped it in perfectly first try, no pain or struggle, no leaks. I couldn't believe it. Discs are sooo much easier than cups.
Same!🙌🏻
💯 agree
Yep!
100% agreed I used cups for a while but they leaked and were an absolute pain to put in and out, sometimes they’d also feel very uncomfortable especially when trying to break the suction with a high cervix 😵 Disks are soooo much easier, just slide in and tuck
I hated cups and found them so uncomfortable. Discs are the future ladies! SO much better than anything else out there :D
I know the cups are in different sizes, but some of them are just huge!! She (Period Nirvana) has a video on this channel actually showing the diameter, or girth, of some of these menstrual cups are wider than a large penis, and you can tell that just by looking at some of them. So, it's no wonder having something that big inside would not be comfortable. I think discs offer more individualized sizing and flexibility to make using them more comfortable. You shouldn't have to use something so big it hurts just to work, that is ridiculous.
I have the opposite experience to most people here. I don't feel cups at all, but discs are more uncomfortable for me, because when I wear them, I feel the pressure of the disc on my bladder, and I feel like I have to pee the entire time.
I use a cup, but I have an IUD and have pulled on it like a ripcord a few times 😬 this has convinced me to switch, thank you!
THE SUCTION IS TERRIBLE. I had stage 4 uterine prolapse at 15 years old and the suction of the cups SCARE me. If it can pull an iud, it can pull my organs out again. Never again
@@gimygaming8655 lord that is horrifying 😭
Fwiw I did switch to the Corra Disc, been using it for 3 cycles now and I LOVE IT! No suction, painless to remove, and really no messier than the cups are
I’ve never been this early.
I love the new Saalt small disc
I really want to love discs and be as comfortable with them as I am with cups
Love this channel!!
The term "auto dump" just sounds so funny to me 😁
I knew it! I had just tried out menstrual discs for the first yesterday. I couldn’t wear tampons as they always slipped out. Apparently I have a tilted uterus as well as a low uterus. Anyway, I wore a disc overnight with a little discomfort, but thought it might be just because it was new. I tried wearing one to work today, but after a few hours I thought it just didn’t feel right. It felt like inner pressure. Not like pressure of it coming out, but inner pressure of expansion and it was uncomfortable enough that I just removed it. It was auto dumping for me though. After watching this video, I see why- I was using the Flex disposables and they are the most firm!! I will definitely be switching to another brand. Maybe something in the 3 range. Thank you for posting!
I have the same problem with the hello disc. Did you find a softer one?
@@beckyklassen5506 no, but I just had a hysterectomy so I don’t think I’m looking anymore. Good luck
Thanks for this!
I’ve been wearing disposable discs for years. I tried nixit when it first came out and hated it. Too soft. Couldn’t get it to work. Glad there are firmer options now! I’ll have to try one of those out. Thanks again!
I’m trialing disposable softdiscs and the rim is so hard it (along with me being very small down there and having never inserted anything before now) is quite painful to insert and remove even at my most relaxed, (along with possibly being the cause of tucking struggles and issues with it untucking but that might be its size I’m still figuring that out) so firmness can definitely be an issue if you’re super sensitive or small. Going to hop to a super soft rimmed reusable disc in hopes that’ll help because I do want to keep trying discs even though inserting them into my vaginal canal has proved painful enough to make me want to stick to pads only lol
I believe Saalt makes a small one! Iirc it's pretty soft, and I think she might actually have a review of it up but I can't remember and I'm worried if I go to check I won't be able to find your comment again to reply
My periods are shorter when I use a cup by a day. I theorize that the cup suctions the blood out the cervix faster than unsuctioned silicone flex disc. I also dislike that disc auto dump everytime I urinate and the bloody messiness when I take it out. I do like how easy the disc is to insert and how comfortable it is that I don't even notice I'm wearing one. I guess it will come down to how I feel on deciding which one to use 😅
Can you pretty please make a Flex Reusable review? I'm curious, it holds the same amount as the Nixit 👀
I’m really hoping for a flex reusable review soon too!!
Theres a review on her tik tok but it’s not too long 💯
@@violacarretero Yeah, I saw that she liked it from her tik toks, I was just hoping for a more detailed review.
I like the flex throwaway. I just used a Cora… it’s sooo hard to insert. Going to just bite the bullet and by the flex reusable.
@@amnityfuleky5879 May I ask why the Cora is so hard to insert for you? Isn't the flex throwaway disc even more resistant to pinch?
The disposable flex disk was the first one I've ever tried, and it was way too big and so uncomfortable. The firmness was harsh, and it kept popping out with the slightest movements. I don't think I could actually get it tucked behind my pubic bone without pain. I'm glad that there are softer and smaller options out there. Relieved, actually. Flex was a nightmare. Once I'm off my IUD, I'll probably give disks a try again.
Have you tried a smaller softer one yet? I’m having the same issue with the reusable flex and the hello. I just ordered the Cora soft so hopefully that will help ☹️
@@cait. I haven't tried anything else yet. The flex turned me off from disks for awhile. But trying a softer smaller one is the plan! I don't get my periods at all with my IUD in at the moment, so I'll give it a try when my IUD gets removed.
@@cait. Did the Cora soft work?
@@ReaGool09 yes it did! The best one I tried
I love my nixit disc. I have tried cups they were ok but my body was sensitive to the suction so I like the disc better because there’s no suction.
It's such a shame that the Hello disc isn't available worldwide. I live in the Germany and there is no way of getting the disc here. I hope that will be possible in the future
I bought a flex cup due to insecurities with ob tampon availability and a desire to produce less waste. The cup came with two disposable discs and I thought I'd never use them, but out of curiosity I did. After getting used to inserting and fitting it I loved it; couldn't feel it at all and no had no leaks. After a while I went to check and see if I should dump it and made an absolute mess, but I was very impressed by how much it had held! I went out and got a reusable Saalt disc and so far I've had mixed feelings. I have the regular size, I slept with it in with no issues, but it has leaked once while I've just been sitting (not full) and that's been kind of discouraging. I also haven't had much success with the removal indent in the cup; I usually have to reach over the rim anyway and it gets pretty messy. 'Had a nice auto-dumping experience but afterwards I have concerns about it being displaced. I want to try the smaller Saalt disc, the Flex reusable, and the Hello disc (for that nice tab design).
Hi! Did you try the hello disc? I’ve been reading about it and I’m so curious…👀
How does firmness affect cramping caused by heavier periods?
Thank you so much for this. I'm currently use a Mooncup but find it so painful to remove because it's so firm and big. Hopefully the Nixit will be soft enough for pain free removal but will stay in place for me/won't be too large (wish it wasn't so expensive).
I wish the flex disc came out with the hello lever or I wish hello disc came with the same flex firmness
Are You Going To Do Pixie Disc? I Totally Love Their Products.
I’m curious if anyone has experienced severe cramping when using a cup on the firmer side of the scale? My first cup was Lumma M and L, and I loved it at first and found it to be completely painless going in, but after the first month I started having insane cramps that only subsided if I took my disc out… switched to Nixit and my cramps are back to normal. I love both brands in terms of ease of insertion and comfort (aside from the cramping thing). I assumed this was due to the firmness, though I didn’t consider Lumma to be particularly firm in my hands… is there any other factor that might have played a role in this?
I literally NEVER cramp.... but I tried the cora disc for the first time this week and I was left whining on the couch for an hour before realizing it was the cup. Removed it and the pain was gone. Tried again and I was VERY aware if the discomfort and had to take it out.
I've also been having some issues lately with my cups giving me sharp "emergency poop" pains upon insertion that make me have to take them out and rely on period underwear for Day1.... but that goes away entirely on day 2. I never used to have this issue.
I’m glad I’m not the only one. Just tried a dry run with the hello disc and not only had trouble keeping the disc folded for insertion (my vagina got slapped and thanked me with some blood), but I noticed the same cramping that I have with Cora cup and Softdisc. And since I wasn’t on my period, I now know it’s device cramping and hit period cramping.
@@djk5v its comforting to know this isn't just a me issue, and so I was curious about the new Hello disc but was skeptical about its firmness. Hoping the Nixit solves my problem for next month 🤞
Are you referring to the Lumma cup or Lumma disc?
@@lookingatdaisies9901 disc! Sorry, I always forget and use the words interchangeably
I'm one of those people that loves the firmness of the flex disposable as I fine it stays behind my public bone alot better. I've tried a couple reusable disc's and they just don't want to stay up behind my bone. They need to make a really stiff reusable disc lol in canada and can't get the flex one yet.
I,m a first time user of a cup,just try it for 3 cycles,and love it.But because I,ve seen your video about the disc,makes me want to try, and i love it so much, rather than my cup, because it is more convenient to use, easy for a first timer, and no leak at all, while my cup still have a leak sometimes, and the important things is mess free period sex. Thanks for your video, makes me never regret my decision to try a disc, my disc is cora by the way. Can you make a video to encourage more woman to try the disc, because i think woman out there, still not familiar or well inform about a disc or maybe just to scare to try it, i think they will love it, because it is the best experience during our period time.
Can you touch the "cup" area? I want something like the flex disposable in terms of the spot blood fills. I need something very flexible there. I don't care about rim firmness. I care about the bottom part and how flexible that is. The disposable ones have a plastic so I can't feel it. I would be able to feel firm cup area
I’m having an issue where the disposable Softcups insert great (although it does feel a bit uncomfortable when inserting and taking out given the firmness) but I’m having trouble inserting my Saalt large disc altogether. I am trying discs straight from having used pads so perhaps I need to give myself more time with the Saalt since it’s less firm? Softcup is also slightly too big for me so was hoping the Saalt would work great but no success inserting yet
The flex disposable disks auto-dump for me, but they always leak in general, and I got the Cora disk, but it won't auto-dump for me, & I can't keep it folded up while trying to get it inserted 😣
I am curious, at this point, have you included Hello Disk as an option in the quiz? I think I always got Lumma or Cora as recommendations.
Not yet. There are updates in the works but it's complicated to adjust the logic and basically requires my entire full attention for weeks. I haven't had that kind of time. I would rather it be accurate that shoehorn the Disc into the results as it's set up now
What about the firmness of the actual collection cup? I do like my Lumma, but I feel like it gets scrunched up and needs to be emptied more because it’s floppy and thin. Would the Cora/Saalt/Hello stay a little more open?
Cora/Saalt/Hello all have a tad more structure to their baskets. I personally don't notice a difference for capacity but others have. I wouldn't consider the basket part of a discs's firmness so that aspect wasn't covered. But you're correct that these brands have more stiffness than Lumma/Flex Reusable/ Nixit
I got the hello disc and it's my first reusable menstrual product. I'm finding it difficult to squeeze to keep it skinny so I can insert it. The firmness keeps wanting to open up. But maybe with practice, I'll get better. I'm very comfortable playing around the vagina canal. I had to fish out a condom that slipped off during intercourse. Auto dumping doesn't seem to happen with me but I consider that as a plus since I rather clean up in the shower than in the toilet with no bidet.
I agree. It has been a struggle get the disc in. I have to use two hands.
i also struggle to insert it. once it's about halfway in and i have to resituate my grip to push it the rest of the way, it seems like the whole thing wants to slide right back out. i almost wish it had some... idk, grip rings around the lip of the cup?
@@kaciwells5868 I think it needs notches like flex reusable (because it is a firm disc like that one). I am getting the flex one next month to compare but the concept makes sense when struggling with the hello disk. Like it needs help staying folded while inserting otherwise it just fights to open up and can’t be inserted one handed. The notches act as a perforation to keep the firm silicone folded. I wish Kim would talk about it but at this point I’m convinced she’s too biased to speak up about the differences on how one design could benefit others than the hello since she’s profiting from the hello disc. Like anyone notice how the hello disk is now in every video comparing products? Like even in ones that are suppose to be about cups….I love this channel but it’s feeling a little pushy now. The hello just seems like you’d have to prefer the pull tab above all other features and she’s not mentioning that. I will keep trying to use hello disk but to me the pull tab feels gimicky. Especially cause it is uncomfortable when you feel it and never stays “flipped”. But these are my initial thoughts and hopefully things will change as I round the learning curve. Tho I didn’t expect such a big learning curve since I’ve used discs for years.
Oh okay, I don't use Hello Disk, but buying some cheapie disk model for trial and what you described is what happened to me too. I do notice the rim of this cheap disk is rather thick and firm, and I struggled to find a position of fingers that's strong enough to keep it in the fold position. This also makes it hard for me to navigate downwards (to the tailbone) then upwards. All I did was pushing it (this is a dry run so I had no way to see if there is any leak).
But since I have been using menstrual cup, Lena to be exact, this "springy" difficulty isn't new to me. Lena is quite firm and I did have difficulties inserting it the first time. Later I found a fold that put less resistance and fingers position that is strong enough to hold and navigate it.
I have ordered Hello Disk, waiting for it to be shipped, and now I wonder if I will encounter this problem once I can try it out. I guess I will practice first with the cheapie and get back later to discuss this if I still can't insert it properly.
@@shelbelee by perforation, do you mean the notch gives space to the folded basket part, so in theory, it puts less resistance?
I use a disc and it’s so much better and easier than a cup in my opinion. I tried for months to get my cup to stop leaking but I just couldn’t figure it out. The only thing about my disc is that I feel like it’s not secure so I only wear it at night with a pad. Maybe I need a different disc
Has anyone mentioned experiencing excruciating rectal pain with menstural disc use? I switched from the disposable to a softer disc due to this. But it happened again , woke up with stabbing pain with passing gas. The pain has presisted after removing and still is painful with passing gas and having a bm. If you have any idea what is happening.
Where do the Cora Soft and Diva Disc lie on the firmness scale, please?
i am looking into this product because i bleed so heave igo through 1 super plus in every hr 7 days and pads i need a cheeper prodecd
I want a 3 firmness in a disposable disc. But can't find one. Any recommendations?
Could being constipated, your rectum area being full, effect the insertion of a cup/disc, making it hard to get the cup/disc not positioned right therefore causing things to leak where before things didn’t leak?
Tbh I have ulcerative colitis and I’m always in the toilet and the owner of period nirvana has crohns. She may answer but in my opinion it only shift when in the toilet if your “doing it” it has never shifted in the day to day life (gym too)
Is there a review of the Pixie Disc?
No I won’t be reviewing that one sorry
Cool
Hi! This is my fist time using the menstrual disc. I used cups, but I had problems with the empty… the last one was to big, I supuse to, and it wouldn't let me pee. However, with the disc I’m experice the same ): will it be for the same reason?
Out of that, the disc is working perfectly! I don’t have leaks and I don’t feel unconfortable. Is only when I have to pee, that I do it can’t well, I feel some kind of pressure and I need to push.
In the past, the cups that I needed the highly firmness ones, because I practice hypopressive.
i'm trying to flex disposables after not having much success with the cup (organicup) and i really like how firm it is. also liking discs better than the cup because it's more intuitive to me -- putting the cup part of the way up the vagina is much more finicky than putting the discs all the way up and back into the fornix.
but the auto-dumping has been really unpredictable, and sometimes it gets tilted so far that i reach up and can feel the top of the disc starting to come down into my vagina. everytime i use the bathroom i have to put it back into place or it seems like it will continue to leak. this has only happened when i go to the bathroom, but i'm kinda terrified of it happening when i sneeze or cough. i feel like i can feel the hardness of the pubic bone towards the front of my body and use as guidance to realllllly tuck it up as far as it will go.
i'm wondering if the disc is not the right size and if not, which direction to go in. i think that flex is on the larger end of discs based on the chart, so should i get a smaller one? i really like the firmness of the flex disposable, as well as the capacity, and so i would want to just go with the flex reusable but it's the same size.... the only other one i leaned towards after taking the quiz was the cora disc but does the 4mm diameter difference even really change anything?
pls help because i really want my perfect reusable product and the hours i get with the flex disposable before this toilet issue are really nice.
Do you know the height of your cervix? There is a video on this channel about measuring if you don’t, and based on that you can get the right fit for you. If you have a lower cervix you might want to try a saalt small or lumma short!
@@yethul182 helloo, thanks 4 responding. I do have a lower/average cervix during my period. I tried the saalt regular as my first reusable for the last two cycles. Pretty good fit but I felt like it wasn't consistently tucked after having some leaks so I went and bought the flex reusable and the saalt small so I could try both a firmer disc (without a notch bc I suspected that might be giving me the trouble) and a smaller disc. I brought the saalt small home but never even used it, it is just way too tiny and I felt like it would be hard to find, let alone position it behind my cervix which is tilted. Bc of that -- my cervix being kinda low but also tilted back and a lil to the left -- I think bigger sizes work well for me; there's more space for them than maybe there is for other ppl w similarly low cervices. The firmer completely plain/round flex reusable stayed tucked completely and consistently for me, even when having BMs. I'll need to test it again during my heavier days but it seems like a better fit plus easier to insert and not difficult to remove despite not having the notch the saalts do. So I think I've got it figured out now!!🤞 but thank u again
Any reason why you don’t add the Softdisc when comparing discs? It’s the only disc that has worked for me so far…looking for a reusable one similar to it. Would it be the Flex reusable? Is the disposable Flex somewhat similar to the disposable Softdisc?
it's because SoftDisc/SoftCup and Flex are identical. Essentially the same product minus the color
Question. I’ve seen those squiggle things you have to set your cup or disk on to dry. Where am I able to purchase one?
She sells them on the Period Nirvana Shop, but I think they sold out fast so you gotta be checking her Instagram for updates
Hi, is the Pixie disc good? I can’t find any videos of it and not sure why.
I have the blue one (large size) and it's both larger and firmer than most discs I've tried. I also hated the pull string so I cut it off. I like it for heavier days but at certain stages of my period it can be a bit trickier to insert. Also it's too firm for auto dumping if that's something you like to consider. I do like the oblong shape and the fact that it's a darker color so it never really looks stained.
Okay I'm unsure what your conclusion actually lies between the firmness of flex disc reusable vs cora disc reusable..
Trying to make a purchase and watching all the videos here but I feel some maybe older videos say flex is firmer and some videos say cora is firmer .. reusable please anyone?
Hi there, at what point will the Hello disc be available, not pre order?
I think it’s actually available. Some people already received their discs
I just ordered one on Saturday and it has been delivered to me already!
Right now we are shipping them as fast as they come in. For about 1 hour we have more than 0 then we were back to waiting for the rest of our order. NZ has had to ship in batches. So we have 2 shipments left to receive, part of one cane today. We are just playing this game of back and forth and I have no idea when we will be “in stock” fully. Once we are at the level things will ship the same day or within 3 days if it’s a weekend. Now, people are waiting about 1-2 weeks before we have the stock to ship.
Hi Kim I’m struggling with my Lumma disc since it needs to be emptied every 3 hours and because the collection basket is so soft. I’m wondering if I should go more firm or to the Nixit which has more capacity.
I have normal heaviness period and I can sustain the Nicky for 12 h easily without emptying it out. I’d recommend it but it’s less firm
@@OhWanya i will try again with my other disc. I think the problem is that the cup part keeps making a big mountain on the inside with the lumma. I don’t want to spend another $50. 😢
@@alinatheboob123 what i always do is bunch up the dome to be flat in the moment of insertion, i felt that if it was not inserted that way, the air traped inside stayed there and caused leaks. dont know it thatll help or not
@alina luong: Which Lumma disc size are you using? Their biggest size has actually a big capacity. If you are not using the biggest one, try their bigger size. 3 hours on your heaviest day? That ain't so bad! I'm using the biggest Lumma and on my heaviest day I need to auto dump every hour. So every 3 hours would be awesome for me! But I still love the disc as I can just auto dump, no need to take it out AND on my lighter days I can just forget about my period for 12 hours. I love my disc! Wish I would have had this earlier in my life.
By the way, Kim mentioned that the disc 'basket' firmness doesn't make a difference for her regarding capacity. For some it does. In this case try the Hello, Cora or Saalt disc.
@@katharina1788 I'm using the Medium. The largest size only holds a little bit more. I'm giving the flex disc a try
The hello disc is to firm for me
The flex disposable is the only disc Ive used, Its definitely a bit too big, I think, as I can't tuck it well and it doesn't stay in place. I'm really interested in the smaller Saalt, would this be a better fit for me?
It could be the firmness and the size or just the firmness. Saalt S is a pretty huge change in comparison, but a Cora Disc is 65 mm. There are measurements for all the discs on thecupchart.com if you want to compare. Flex disposable is the same diameter of Flex Reusable (on the chart)
@@PeriodNirvana Thank you! I appreciate the reply ♡ your videos are so helpful!
I started with the flex disposable as well. I had similar issues and even hated the auto dumping of it. I now use a Cora disc and it’s a better fit. It tucks in behind the pubic bone nicely and doesn’t move. I also have more control of the auto dump. My only complaint with the Cora disc is that the notch moves so have to scoot it over for removal. I’m hoping to try the hello disc next to help with that issue.
I actually tried out the soft small disc because flex and nixit were too big for me, and it’s my Goldilocks. The small size is really great for shorter anatomy. It inserts like a dream. I definitely recommend it, but I know Cora is highly rated too. You’ll probably be happy with either choice!
first!!! (for the first time!)
Being used to the softdisc reusable discs, trying a hello disc this month was a but tricky due to firmness, lol. The softer rim had me floundering a bit. I compared it to an octopus tentacle to my husband, lol. It still worked better than the softdisc usually did, despite my inserting issues. That's a win, in my book.
A video, for the women, about the women, and hosted by a woman Period All puns intended.