using soft cups for ttc

xxljxx2

Who uses soft cups while ttc? I just recently heard that they possibly work but so far everytime I use them I wonder if they are actually keeping the sperm closer to my cervix, I worry that maybe it's actually blocking them from getting up there.

Lulucooks

xxljxx2 said:

Who uses soft cups while ttc? I just recently heard that they possibly work but so far everytime I use them I wonder if they are actually keeping the sperm closer to my cervix, I worry that maybe it's actually blocking them from getting up there.

It takes sperm seconds to get to where they are going, the soft cup is just holding dead sperm and semen inside you, neither will get you pregnant.

TheBorg7of9

Gross and ineffective. Sperm know how to get where they're going and they get past your cervix before you have time to insert a menstral cup.

WitandWhimsy

xxljxx2 said:

Who uses soft cups while ttc? I just recently heard that they possibly work but so far everytime I use them I wonder if they are actually keeping the sperm closer to my cervix, I worry that maybe it's actually blocking them from getting up there.

It's a good way to get a UTI. Don't do it.

tripledaggerWed95976

As others have said, soft cups are a total waste. The forward swimming sperm will get to where they need to be within a matter of minutes. Soft cups basically hold dead or non-motile sperm near your cervix and they are very unsanitary... But more than anything they're just totally unnecessary. If you just Lie flat on your back for a few minutes following sex, the swimmers will get where they need to be all on their own :-)

Kjcalloway

Not to mention, when you'd pull that thing out...

beachbunnyxo123

What PPs said

virginiaham

WitandWhimsy said:

xxljxx2 said:

Who uses soft cups while ttc? I just recently heard that they possibly work but so far everytime I use them I wonder if they are actually keeping the sperm closer to my cervix, I worry that maybe it's actually blocking them from getting up there.

It's a good way to get a UTI. Don't do it.

So is sex......

How would it cause a UTI? Not flaming or poking, I'm genuinely curious how it would do so.

ETA above.

LadyMillil

virginiaham said:

WitandWhimsy said:

xxljxx2 said:

Who uses soft cups while ttc? I just recently heard that they possibly work but so far everytime I use them I wonder if they are actually keeping the sperm closer to my cervix, I worry that maybe it's actually blocking them from getting up there.

It's a good way to get a UTI. Don't do it.

So is sex......

How would it cause a UTI? Not flaming or poking, I'm genuinely curious how it would do so.

ETA above.

I would think a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis would be more likely.

WitandWhimsy

virginiaham said:

WitandWhimsy said:

xxljxx2 said:

Who uses soft cups while ttc? I just recently heard that they possibly work but so far everytime I use them I wonder if they are actually keeping the sperm closer to my cervix, I worry that maybe it's actually blocking them from getting up there.

It's a good way to get a UTI. Don't do it.

So is sex......

How would it cause a UTI? Not flaming or poking, I'm genuinely curious how it would do so.

ETA above.

Well, if you go to the bathroom after sex it's generally going to clean out the "leftovers". If you're using a cup to keep everything in there it's unsanitary and is really pointless. It's the same as holding your hips up for long periods of time. Maybe I'm getting UTI and yeast infections mixed up in this case -- but there is an increased chance.

penelope4612

WitandWhimsy said:

virginiaham said:

WitandWhimsy said:

xxljxx2 said:

Who uses soft cups while ttc? I just recently heard that they possibly work but so far everytime I use them I wonder if they are actually keeping the sperm closer to my cervix, I worry that maybe it's actually blocking them from getting up there.

It's a good way to get a UTI. Don't do it.

So is sex......

How would it cause a UTI? Not flaming or poking, I'm genuinely curious how it would do so.

ETA above.

Well, if you go to the bathroom after sex it's generally going to clean out the "leftovers". If you're using a cup to keep everything in there it's unsanitary and is really pointless. It's the same as holding your hips up for long periods of time. Maybe I'm getting UTI and yeast infections mixed up in this case -- but there is an increased chance.

UTIs occur after sex because the positioning/rubbing in that area can cause bacteria to spread to your urethra (which is next to your vagina). If the bacteria gets up your urethra and into your bladder, that is a UTI. If you pee after sex, it helps rinse the area so the bacteria is less likely to stick around and cause an infection.

If you use a soft cup, it's inserted in your vagina and has nothing to do with your urethra so wouldn't cause a UTI.

Lulucooks

People who are trying the "softcup" "method" aren't usually getting up to pee after sex. More than likely they are also putting their feet in the air for 30 to infinity minutes. The softcup isnt directly related, but can contribute to a UTI if you aren't peeing

PrimRoseMama

xxljxx2 said:

Who uses soft cups while ttc? I just recently heard that they possibly work but so far everytime I use them I wonder if they are actually keeping the sperm closer to my cervix, I worry that maybe it's actually blocking them from getting up there.

It's a nice way to get an infection. Not sure it will get you PG.

virginiaham

Ahhh @Lulucooks the correlation of not getting up to pee makes complete sense. (And now I understand what FF means by the search criteria of "using menstrual cups." Looking it up on Google turned up way too many forums.)

PrimRoseMama

penelope4612 said:

WitandWhimsy said:

virginiaham said:

WitandWhimsy said:

xxljxx2 said:

Who uses soft cups while ttc? I just recently heard that they possibly work but so far everytime I use them I wonder if they are actually keeping the sperm closer to my cervix, I worry that maybe it's actually blocking them from getting up there.

It's a good way to get a UTI. Don't do it.

So is sex......

How would it cause a UTI? Not flaming or poking, I'm genuinely curious how it would do so.

ETA above.

Well, if you go to the bathroom after sex it's generally going to clean out the "leftovers". If you're using a cup to keep everything in there it's unsanitary and is really pointless. It's the same as holding your hips up for long periods of time. Maybe I'm getting UTI and yeast infections mixed up in this case -- but there is an increased chance.

UTIs occur after sex because the positioning/rubbing in that area can cause bacteria to spread to your urethra (which is next to your vagina). If the bacteria gets up your urethra and into your bladder, that is a UTI. If you pee after sex, it helps rinse the area so the bacteria is less likely to stick around and cause an infection.

If you use a soft cup, it's inserted in your vagina and has nothing to do with your urethra so wouldn't cause a UTI.

This is not at all true. Bacteria from your rectum, hands & whereever else can be transferred after intercourse with insertion of the cup. It's the same issue that can happen if bacteria happens to be on a penis that makes it into the vagina after poor hygiene practices or transfer from anal to vaginal sex without a washing.

Trust, it's highly questionable. The UTI or vaginal infection doesn't always have to do with infection of the urethra.

You can have a cervical infection or even a uterus infection using a menstrual cup for purposes other than your period.

You don't need to "keep" sperm near your cervix. The force of ejaculation is enough to get the sperm up & through the cervix. They are on their way before you even put the cup in. It does nothing but trap excess seminal fluid & other dumb sperm that couldn't make it past your cervix. It's truly unnecessary.

virginiaham

Agree with all above @PrimRoseMama except that urethra, bladder, ureters and kidneys would all fall under the umbrella of urinary tract and so UTI. I am a cup believer (for their original purpose ONLY) and read this and was so afraid I had missed something bad about them. So, really careful hygiene and NOT for TTC. I got it. I agree and wouldn't want to give any struggling sperm a chance anyway.

penelope4612

PrimRoseMama said:

This is not at all true. Bacteria from your rectum, hands & whereever else can be transferred after intercourse with insertion of the cup. It's the same issue that can happen if bacteria happens to be on a penis that makes it into the vagina after poor hygiene practices or transfer from anal to vaginal sex without a washing. Trust, it's highly questionable. The UTI or vaginal infection doesn't always have to do with infection of the urethra. You can have a cervical infection or even a uterus infection using a menstrual cup for purposes other than your period. You don't need to "keep" sperm near your cervix. The force of ejaculation is enough to get the sperm up & through the cervix. They are on their way before you even put the cup in. It does nothing but trap excess seminal fluid & other dumb sperm that couldn't make it past your cervix. It's truly unnecessary.

I'm not arguing that people should use soft cups.  I personally don't view it as being helpful for TTC.  But I think there seems to be a misunderstanding of what a UTI is, which is why I posted.  UTI stands for Urinary Tract Infection, which, by definition, is an infection in your urethra, bladder, ureters, or kidneys.  An infection in your vagina, cervix or uterus does not qualify as a UTI and unless it progressed to the point that it became systemic, it would not cause a UTI.  Your reproductive system and urinary tract are separate systems.  I'm not saying that it wouldn't cause an infection in your reproductive tract.  I am saying it likely would not cause a UTI (unless it makes you less likely to get up and pee after sex, in which case that would be the culprit, not the soft cup).  

Also, I am not sure I really get the soft cup thing and why people are so suspicious that it would cause an infection in your reproductive system, either.  People use them when they are menstruating and they are supposedly LESS likely to cause things like TSS than tampons.  Maybe the soft cups for menstruation are different than the ones used for conception and that is why I'm confused? I suppose introducing sperm into them makes the whole thing less hygienic, but is sperm really likely to contain something that would cause an infection?  If it does (ie, an STD) you're at more risk just by having sex because the penis carries the bacteria, not the sperm.

Anyway, OP, after a google search, I don't think there is evidence that using a cap (especially a menstrual cap, which is not intended for this use) is going to be helpful, and if you're able to have sex with your partner, then I think the general consensus is that that is going to be the most effective way of getting pregnant.

ETA: Ok I've finally figured this out.  So, OP, if you're saying you're going to have sex, and then lie there afterwards and put the soft cup in without moving, don't do that.  Prim Rose Mama is right, there is a lot of E coli (aka bacteria from your anus) floating around down there, which is why women get UTIs after sex (it goes up your urethra).  You are basically going to stick an object right in the midst of that cesspool and then get that bacteria on the soft cup and then stick it up your vagina.  Not a great idea, and that can cause an infection.  Sorry guys, in my head somehow I was thinking that the OP was going to have her husband ejaculate in the soft cup and then put it up there.  That's why my post is so confused.

babymish

I have no idea what a soft cup is....

Not helpful I know..

belle714

Maybe a stupid question, but a pp mentioned laying flat for a few minutes before getting up. I know that holding legs up in air is not a good idea but I normally get up right away. Should I be laying there for a while?

bsckgb7

belle714 said:

Maybe a stupid question, but a pp mentioned laying flat for a few minutes before getting up. I know that holding legs up in air is not a good idea but I normally get up right away. Should I be laying there for a while?

No you should not. Get up and pee.

ArtlessIbex

There is no evidence that "laying there" in any position after sex promotes conception. Same goes for soft cups. As PPs said, you're just holding in the dead sperm and seminal fluid. It's useless.

xxljxx2

Thank you for the help and advice everyone

tripledaggerWed95976

ArtlessIbex said:

There is no evidence that "laying there" in any position after sex promotes conception. Same goes for soft cups. As PPs said, you're just holding in the dead sperm and seminal fluid. It's useless.

Actually sperm can take a couple minutes to swim up to where they need to be. Both my OB and RE suggested staying laying down for 5 minutes immediately after sex. Some people lie down for 15-30 but that's totally excessive

jjtherockstar

Although this answer won't be popular, my doc told me to try to bd late so that I could stay in bed, hips elevated. She said it takes 30 min for the sperm to reach their destination and that gravity can affect that. I asked about peeing & uti and her response was we can treat that easier than getting you pregnant. I appreciate that she can put all of the risks in perspective & just be real about it. Hope this helps.

Lulucooks

jjtherockstar said:

Although this answer won't be popular, my doc told me to try to bd late so that I could stay in bed, hips elevated. She said it takes 30 min for the sperm to reach their destination and that gravity can affect that. I asked about peeing & uti and her response was we can treat that easier than getting you pregnant. I appreciate that she can put all of the risks in perspective & just be real about it. Hope this helps.

A UTI can spread and cause sepsis or a kidney infection which can then effect your kidney function for life. While UTI's are usually an easy thing to treat, that isnt always the case, why would you risk it? I've had sepsis, you don't want it. My kidney function is lowered, you don't want that either. I can see laying for a few minutes, snuggling with your partner. But get up to pee. I would also probably find a new doctor.

WitandWhimsy

jjtherockstar said:

Although this answer won't be popular, my doc told me to try to bd late so that I could stay in bed, hips elevated. She said it takes 30 min for the sperm to reach their destination and that gravity can affect that. I asked about peeing & uti and her response was we can treat that easier than getting you pregnant. I appreciate that she can put all of the risks in perspective & just be real about it. Hope this helps.

Your doctor is giving bad advice. There is no proof that keeping your hips elevated for that long of time helps your chances of conceiving. The sperm knows where it's going and the force of ejaculation is powerful enough. And why would you want to risk getting an infection regardless? Easier to treat, maybe, but if you get an infection (yeast, UTI, whatever) then you probably won't be having sex for a while if you get that.