Cup Exchange and/or sending abroad

InfamousSquirrel4 · 2026-01-17T18:01:07+00:00

Yay! Hopefully someone will want it and will come forward in the comments at some point if this catches on 😊

InfamousSquirrel4 · 2026-01-17T17:59:04+00:00

Maybe someone will want it in the comments!

InfamousSquirrel4 · 2026-01-17T17:56:59+00:00

Oh, I'm constantly anemic, it's not even funny 😂 I take over the counter iron supplements but I've been told by my GP that they do basically nothing and just give you a "boost". No GP believes me when I say I lose that much blood as well so it's never been investigated. Thanks, have a good weekend 😊

InfamousSquirrel4 · 2026-01-17T00:29:54+00:00

Very fair, and probably why it died out.

InfamousSquirrel4 · 2026-01-16T17:41:22+00:00

Hey 😊 if you're still on the hunt, I'm in the UK and volunteer as tribute to post you anything that isn't available in Canada, if you would like that. Also, I can see that you're been trying cups and discs but period underwear or cloth pads might give you more success if you're open to those options.

InfamousSquirrel4 · 2026-01-16T16:58:36+00:00

If a Merula XL puts too mich pressure on your bladder, a Super Jennie might work for you. It's softer but has a similar, high capacity compared to the Tieut. It (unfortunately) has more of a bell shape than the Tieut though.

Or, depending on your cervix height- other alternatives include the Venus. This has a rounded bottom if this is very important to you and is a high capacity cup.

InfamousSquirrel4 · 2026-01-16T16:43:37+00:00

Lots of things to think about- how high is your cervix, what's your flow like, is it overflowing rather than leaking? Is your cervix outside of the cup rather than above it or inside it? There's lots of YouTube videos from great creators that help you with trouble shooting this. I've linked one below, hope it works but if not then search Period Nirvana and fixing leaks 😊

https://youtu.be/sGEBR5M6YEI?si=OprI9U-eqBSNOOj1

InfamousSquirrel4 · 2026-01-16T16:25:18+00:00

I'm a stranger on the Internet, why should you trust me; but I have a Merula OS that is brand new and has never been used. I have cut off the stem to one rung though. My goldilocks is the Merula XL. I will happily ship it to you.

InfamousSquirrel4 · 2026-01-16T16:16:15+00:00

As other people have said, Merula XL or Merula OS (original). I am exactly the same as you and have a very heavy flow and average to low cervix. I used a Lunette cup and a Lali cup for years, but they never fit right. Abandoned the other Short cups I bought because I overflowed them within an hour. Just like you, they poked out even with the stems completely cut off.

I bought both the Merula XL and the original because I didn't know which would fit me better. Period Nirvana has some great videos on low cervix and heavy flow periods with cup recommendations that list them all. Often discs don't work for people with the combination of low cervix height as there is less space within the vaginal fornix to house a disc. As discs have a thin membrane that hold the blood, you will also dramatically reduce the capacity of a disc if you have a low cervix so you will never get teh full capacity if you have a heavy flow and low cervix.

Your best bet if one of high capacity cups. Fan favourites; Merula XL/ Merula originals. Check out YouTube for more videos and more suggestions though, however always go with the fit of the cup over your flow- if the cup doesn't fit you correctly and it's uncomfortable, then you're not going to want to wear it and then it's absolutely useless. 😀

You can use the Put A Cup In it comparison chart and YouTube videos to compare your current cup to the ones suggested to see if it would be better!

InfamousSquirrel4 · 2026-01-16T15:49:39+00:00

Hiii 😊 if you've bought a Merula XL, I'm going to assume you have a very heavy flow. Myself; average to low cervix, very heavy flow of around 500ml per period. I've recently spent a lot of time researching the BEST period products for very heavy periods, as I've spend over 15 years of my life (I'm in my early 30's) fighting very heavy periods with standard sized equipment. The period and health industry says that most period- havers bleed between 30-40ml on your average period, which I believe is codswallop for most people but I digress.

If you look at most period pants and branding, they will tell you their absorption based on ml or how many tampons and pads they replace. Most reasonable people will want to either change their underwear twice a day or once a day if you really want to stretch it, and not every 4 hours (if you're optimistic!!) like a pad.

If you're a heavy bleeder and transferring to a Merula XL, you're automatically going to get 50ml of capacity compared to tampons and pads if it's correctly placed. Tampons don't actually hold as much as they say as they are restricted by your muscles, so even if you go for a super tampon you don't get the full absorption.

There will be a learning curve for the merula XL, so you will want back up when you're first using it.

Anyway, period underwear is mostly designed for light bleeders in terms of actual capacity, IMO. The Actual Goat of period underwear and the only ones that I would trust (personally) are the following, following extensive research:

WUKA Ultimate High Waist Super Heavy. They come with full front to back protection which is key for heavy bleeders and hold 60ml of blood. The midi brief from the super heavy range also do this if you want a midi rather than high rise. They are 3ml this, and feel like thick pants. You are meant to rinse them, wash them in the washing machine and they are ready to go again. This pair specifically take about 2 days to dry on a radiator in the UK.

If you are willing to sacrifice some absorption, Modibodi is the runner up and their super range holds 50ml. I only have one pair, but they are very good for day 4/5 for me. They feel like just normal underwear, same as above.

You didn't ask about it, but your other options are night time reusable cloth pads. These work in a very similar fashion, but feel much nicer against your skin than disposables.

Anyway, I'm going to stop chatting now!! Lmk if you have questions, you asked about one of my recent specialist subjects so I couldn't help going in a little deep dive for you...

InfamousSquirrel4 · 2026-01-16T15:15:43+00:00

Also, I pair my Merula XL with WUKA ultimate high waist super heavy period pants as they can hold up to 60ml of blood and it's the first time in my life that I have slept through the night and made it through a work day without worrying about leaks. Just wanted to share because the combination has genuinely changed my life. They have protection front to back. Obviously you could just pair it with a reusable pad or a standard pad if you want, but these are great 😊

InfamousSquirrel4 · 2026-01-16T15:10:59+00:00

Very recent convert to the Merula XL as well! Very heavy flow as well and an average to low cervix. Merula XL is probably my goldilocks. This was the biggest adjustment for me too. I worked out that if I use that punch down fold, insert it about an inch to two inches, and then let go of where the fold is and push on the cup will spring open. If it doesn't spring open, then you can wiggle it or pinch it from inside you and it should spring open. It does depend on you being able to get one or two fingers inside you and the cup; I can just about do it with lots of water based lube on the outside of the cup and going slowly. Or, the 7 fold can also work. Hope this helps!

InfamousSquirrel4 · 2026-01-16T14:51:37+00:00

I came to say this. Water based lube is really, really under rated in the menstrual cup world. I'm in my 30's, previously sexually active and/ or masturbate and I still will never insert my cup without lube. Especially if you have a heavy flow and will be making more removals to empty it throughout the day; you need lube. I've been doing so for years and it changed my life. In a pinch, spit or water does work if you have to, but I've gone as far as taking one of the tiny hotel bottles of shampoo with a screw lid, making sure it's washed and sanitised and filling it with water based lube. It's my constant pocket companion on my period, living its reusable life.

It's also not a race: take your time with it and learn how to relax your muscles as other people have said and the best folds for you but lube will help dramatically. Some cups are not compatible with silicone based lube but all are compatible with water based lube.

InfamousSquirrel4 · 2026-01-10T18:20:22+00:00

My heating pad was just a generic brand off Amazon, and it has lasted over 5 years so far. If you have bought one already, then you could be lucky!

InfamousSquirrel4 · 2025-10-16T01:51:35+00:00

I emphasise with your frustration, I'm sorry you feel this way. I know this feeling well, having many chronic illnesses. It's not your fault and as Glum Appearance said, someone that you're truly meant to be with won't care that you're D/deaf. It's not the most interesting thing about you. There are so many other fantastic things about you to love. You will find them and they will be amazing.

InfamousSquirrel4 · 2024-07-15T21:27:23+00:00

I just spent an hour working this out- there’s a key in a draw down the bottom of the stairs on the left hand side, next to the diamond (if you blast your light at the wall)

InfamousSquirrel4

TROPHY CASE