New to Menstrual Cups? This Removal Tip Helped Me
I had the exact same panic my first cycle. Stop pulling the stem - it is not a handle. Reach up past the stem to the base of the cup and pinch it firmly.
You are denting the cup slightly to break the suction seal. Once the seal releases - sometimes you hear a soft pop - it slides out easily. Also try bearing down with your pelvic floor first, like pushing it lower before reaching in.
Took me 10 minutes that first time and about 20 seconds now. You are not doing anything wrong.