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This thread sold me on trying out menstrual cups, and I got a Divacup from Amazon last week (just in time!). When I got it, I didn't think it was big at all, though I changed my mind once I started trying to get it into place. But once in, I didn't feel it at all, and just forgot about it for the next 12 hours. AWESOME. However the next morning, it took me a full 15 minutes just to get it out. It was pretty tricky, I got a bit concerned, and yes, I almost didn't want to bother with it afterwards. But I did, and now that I'm starting to get the hang of it, it's a 5 minute out, wash and back in deal. Bottom line: Tricky at first, but after a week I'm hooked. This is SO MUCH BETTER. Thank you, ladies!!
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Feb 27, 2011 03:40
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For those of you having trouble getting it out, remember that your vagina is designed for pushing stuff out-- use those kegels! I don't know whether it would help in a suction situation (Somehow, mine works okay, even though I never know if it's suctioning or not), but it's a good way to move it on down.
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Feb 27, 2011 05:40
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Thanks for the advice, everyone! I think my main problem was that I didn't expect it to be difficult to remove and that's why I panicked, should have done more research! Also, I blame the vague instructions I got with the cup. Basically I couldn't break the seal, because the cup sat too high for me to get my finger around it - I even struggled just to pinch the bottom. So I had to try a variety of long objects to get in next to the cup and break the seal. Banana Cat, I checked out the Miacup website, so I might try that out - I like the colour! I will give the MPower cup one more chance, because it was quite expensive (20 months worth of tampons) and I was hoping that using a cup would save me money and you know... save the Earth.
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Feb 27, 2011 06:07
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I sort of remember having a heck of a time getting it out my first time, too. It does make you panic and the panic makes everything 10 times worse. I bought an extra to keep in my car, and when I used that new one, removing it became difficult again. My first one is well worn in and has been boiled many times, so I just took the newer one and boiled it for 20 minutes several times over the course of a few days. It now is just as broken in as the old one. It seems when they are new, they are very slippery and hard to work with. As for boiling it, I went to a thrift store and got an old beaten up pot for 99 cents that's only for my cups.
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Feb 27, 2011 06:37
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Mielie posted:Thanks for the advice, everyone! I think my main problem was that I didn't expect it to be difficult to remove and that's why I panicked, should have done more research! Also, I blame the vague instructions I got with the cup. Basically I couldn't break the seal, because the cup sat too high for me to get my finger around it - I even struggled just to pinch the bottom. So I had to try a variety of long objects to get in next to the cup and break the seal. Hey! I have the mpower cup (also South African) and also experienced some difficulty in getting it out. I found it helpful to pinch the bottom of the cup and pull on it instead of the stem. I found the stem too long and trimmed a chunk of it off, couldn't get a grip on it anyway. Don't give up on it, it is a pretty good cup!
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Feb 27, 2011 10:08
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Oh my God, I'm ordering this off Amazon right now. I always have to buy hypoallergenic pads constantly since I break out from normal pads/tampons, which is more expensive than regular ones and I always have to custom order them. Even with those, I get super dry near the end. These things sound like the most amazing thing ever.
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Mar 2, 2011 01:03
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This is embarrassing, but I have to ask. I recently had a hymenectomy to remove my unusually thick and stubborn hymen which had prevented me from having penetrative sex and wearing tampons. Penetration has always been extremely painful for me (I may also have vaginismus), so now, even after healing up from the surgery, I'm still kind of leery about sticking anything larger than one finger up there. That said, I also have started having issues with random spotting that can strike at any moment, at random levels of intensity. Today I had so much blood I thought I was getting my period early, and freaked out because I was only wearing a regular-strength pad and didn't have any backups, so I had to use paper towels all day...and yet right now I'm not bleeding at all. WTF, uterus. So I've been thinking that a menstrual cup would be ideal, because I could wear it as soon as I started spotting and wouldn't have to worry if there was a little blood or a lot. I also would save $$$ since I wouldn't have to go through pads at 4 times the normal rate, since I've usually been spotting for 2-3 weeks at a time. My problem is, I'm afraid that I won't be able to remove the cup because I don't know if I can fit two fingers *plus* the cup in order to pull it out. Do you think it would be possible to get it out by sticking one finger up there to push against it and break the seal, and then use kegels to push it out? (All this uterine and vaginal grief, and I have ovarian cysts, too. My entire reproductive system is broken.  )
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Mar 2, 2011 03:12
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I just want to hug you, Rabbit Hill. It does sound like the cup would be perfect for you with your type of bleeding. I'm not sure how removal would go for you, though. Or even insertion, to be honest. Insertion is quite bulky. The cup is folded, increasing its bulk, and my insertion/fold method uses 2 fingers and a thumb. In response to your actual removal question- it IS possible to push it out using only kegels. I've done it myself. BUT only if the cup is extremely full and heavy. If I'm only spotting, removal is slightly more difficult. I'm not very familiar with vaginimus and I certainly don't want to offend anyone and/or stick my foot in my mouth. But it seems to me that dilators are sometimes used to help a woman "train" herself out of having the condition? Perhaps just trying with a cup off and on could be used in a similar fashion? Maybe even better, since there's an actual goal at the end that you want- an easier, cheaper method of dealing with menstruation. I hope I didn't come off offensive. I'm bad with words  Oh. And don't be embarrassed. Really! 
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Mar 2, 2011 03:38
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Rabbit Hill posted:My problem is, I'm afraid that I won't be able to remove the cup because I don't know if I can fit two fingers *plus* the cup in order to pull it out. Do you think it would be possible to get it out by sticking one finger up there to push against it and break the seal, and then use kegels to push it out?  This thread should be renamed 'Menstrual cups are for broken vaginas' or some poo poo, I swear.I've only had to use one finger so far, removal and insertion. And I had to turn mine inside out, which was kinda.. weird, the first time (again, thanks threefish for mentioning that in thread because I'd have never thought of it). Mind you, I've only had mine for a few days, too. And it might be super different for you.
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Mar 2, 2011 03:42
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Aw, thank you, guys. (ThreeFish, you weren't at all offensive, no worries!) It's so awkward talking about this IRL -- I'm glad this thread exists! And wow, it sounds like the cup might be doable after all. I'll try boiling it first to break it in, and turning it inside out and/or getting the kind with the loop at the bottom so I can attach a string or something in case I need to pull it out. My OBGYN has mentioned dilators before, and she also shares her practice with another doctor who is a well-known pelvic pain specialist, so I have the option of going to him for help, too. The spotting may end of being a blessing in disguise, since that's what got me to the gyno in the first place, and if this saga could end with me using a menstrual cup and finally able to have pain-free sex, I will officially apologize to my uterus for ever hating it. 
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Mar 2, 2011 04:57
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I think it's fantastic you want to try it! Good for you! You know where to come if you have any questions. PSST. It's here. This thread. 
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Mar 2, 2011 06:45
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For what it's worth, I've found a 'softer' cup that might be up the alley (no pun intended) of folks having trouble inserting. It's called the MeLuna Soft and is made of a softer material (Rubber, not silicone). I use the regular MeLuna and they've worked for me.
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Mar 2, 2011 23:33
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Arrrgh, please help me with my gross issues. After reading this thread, I decided to man up and stop grossing up the bathroom (and the environment, I guess) with manky used tampons. I went out and bought a Divacup a couple of days before my period, did loads of reading and watching of videos and even did a few dry runs (haha). So I felt really prepared for the actual event. I got my period last night and got down to business. I got it in fine, it rotated as per the instructions, I couldn't even feel it (though I did feel a certain pressure), and I felt quite triumphant. Except that this loving thing will not stop leaking. It leaked when I put it in. I fiddled with it. It leaked some more. I got tired and went to bed with a tampon in. I woke up and gave it another shot. It leaks. And leaks! I have tried positioning it all over the place, and I'm following the instructions to the letter. And still it leaks. Could I just have the wrong size? As a childless 33 year old, I was uncertain about sizing, but I went for the larger second model as they seemed adamant about that "over 30" thing. Should I try the smaller size? Should I try turning it inside out? At $40 a cup, I can't really afford to experiment too much more.
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Mar 7, 2011 01:42
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The diva cup might not be for you. Are you sure it's opening completely and/or you aren't just shoving it up against the inside of your vagina instead of under your cervix? If you're just pushing in and up, it won't work. It's one of the things I was doing wrong. Literally cram it toward your rear end and it works so much better.
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Mar 7, 2011 02:51
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And there's no harm in trying it inside out. It doesn't hurt the DivaCup at all. You can flip it back tomorrow or next year and it will still be the same. If you have even the slightest suspicion your cervix might be lower than normal, try to flip it inside out. It's the thing that turned my cup from a $40 hunk of trash to something I would pay $500 for now just because it's made my periods so easy to deal with.
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Mar 7, 2011 03:04
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Once the DivaCup is inside you, run your finger around the outside of the cup. Is it a smooth circle or does it feel like there's a dent in the cup? If there's a dent, then it just isn't open all the way, and luckily you can solve that problem by either wiggling the cup until it pops all the way open, or taking it out and reinserting it. The inside-out trick works for a ton of people, too.
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Mar 7, 2011 17:17
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Christabel posted:leaky cup Raising my hand as a Diva evangelist! Y'all, when these ladies and gents say it changes your life they are not lying. I was that gross kid in high school who had to go home to change pants all the time because I bled through EVERYTHING. I had awful cramps, ridiculously heavy flow, and felt sick the whole time. Once I started using the cup, my cramps and my flow actually decreased. It's rarely leaked (as I said above, only when the little suction holes got clogged). I've been using it since 2004, and when I think of the money I've saved, I just . My only regret is that my husband won't let me pour the contents into his potted plants. (I've heard that menstrual blood makes great fertilizer!) I just turned 30 last fall and moved up to the bigger size just in case; plus I figured 7 years was a pretty good run for the old one.My one problem: I Can. Not. insert or remove it in the shower. I HAVE to be sitting on the toilet. Can't sit on the lip of the tub; gotta be the toilet. Maybe I'm doing something wrong? I've started working out; maybe with a few more weeks of squats it'll get easier? I don't know, it just seems like if I try to deal with it in the shower, it retreats up my vag. Any tips?
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Mar 7, 2011 19:01
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Chicken McNobody posted:My one problem: I Can. Not. insert or remove it in the shower. I HAVE to be sitting on the toilet. Can't sit on the lip of the tub; gotta be the toilet. Maybe I'm doing something wrong? I've started working out; maybe with a few more weeks of squats it'll get easier? I don't know, it just seems like if I try to deal with it in the shower, it retreats up my vag. Any tips? Thank god it's not just me. I thought I was just having problems because I was new to the cup, but I think it's some combination of muscles tensing up, maybe because it feels less balanced to do while standing and (for me anyway) our absurdly hard water irritating/drying stuff out.
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Mar 7, 2011 19:16
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I'm really thinking about trying this, but I'm a little hesitant, since I'm not quite so familiar with poking at my innards. I have no idea how far in my cervix is, or if I can reach that stuff, or even really how to fit my index finger and thumb in in a way that works. Should I hold off and familiarize myself first, or would jumping right in work out? Because goddamn, I'm on my period right now, and it's a huge pain in the rear end. Mine is usually fairly light, so I don't use super heavy duty pads all that much, but every few months, I have one really heavy day that I'm not expecting, and my underwear looks like a murder scene. I don't use tampons much, because I hate that feeling of cottony stuff rubbing the sides of my vagina. Today was really bad. It was a heavy day, but I somehow still felt too dry for tampon insertion to be comfortable. The feeling made me a little queasy, and I didn't have it situated quite right or something, because it felt really awkward to walk. I eventually gave up after a few hours and took it out. :/ That brings me to another question though. Is the insertion of a menstrual cup smoother, or more comfortable? And how do you know if it's in far enough? I feel so interested but so lost.
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Mar 9, 2011 12:09
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uberwekkness posted:I'm really thinking about trying this, but I'm a little hesitant, since I'm not quite so familiar with poking at my innards. I have no idea how far in my cervix is, or if I can reach that stuff, or even really how to fit my index finger and thumb in in a way that works. Should I hold off and familiarize myself first, or would jumping right in work out? I would suggest familiarising yourself with your interior before trying it. It's not difficult, though, so don't worry about it too much. I found the first dry run slightly uncomfortable but if you lube up the outside of the cup a little it should help.
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Mar 9, 2011 12:16
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uberwekkness posted:That brings me to another question though. Is the insertion of a menstrual cup smoother, or more comfortable? And how do you know if it's in far enough? I feel so interested but so lost. I found it much easier and more comfortable--for one thing, the material gets more slippery so it slides in more easily, and also, you aren't soaking up your natural lubrication as you are with tampons, so that helps. When I used tampons I always felt like I was trying to stuff a bath towel into a toilet paper roll :/ no matter what size tampon I used. The cup was much better. It is weird for a while to feel it unfold in there but you get used to it. I use the DivaCup, which is a little longer than the others, and I haven't cut the stem completely off, but I find that if it isn't in far enough I can feel it, and if it's in just-right position I can't. When it's where it's supposed to be I can just barely poke my fingertip in there and feel the end of the stem. But that's me; your innards may be different.
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Mar 9, 2011 15:53
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uberwekkness posted:I'm really thinking about trying this, but I'm a little hesitant, since I'm not quite so familiar with poking at my innards. I have no idea how far in my cervix is, or if I can reach that stuff, or even really how to fit my index finger and thumb in in a way that works. Should I hold off and familiarize myself first, or would jumping right in work out? I say just dive right in. I wasn't super familiar with digging around in there when I first got a cup, but I figured it out. There's no need to be able to reach your cervix either. I've never touched mine. Insertion goes very smoothly with a drop of lube, and I did that a lot when I first started with the cup! As I got more comfortable, I didn't need it anymore. It is nothing like a dry cottony tampon, even without any lube. If it's in your vag and it's not uncomfortable, the cup is in far enough. I put mine in just far enough so the stem is not sticking out.
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Mar 9, 2011 16:12
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I just started using one this month, and the insertion was much easier and more comfortable than tampons. I did have a little trouble getting it to unfold, but the "spin it around" technique worked pretty well.
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Mar 9, 2011 16:42
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Thanks to all for the advice - turns out it just wasn't fully opening. A quick spin around the outside with a finger to make sure it is rounded and some jiggling worked, now it's air tight and getting loads easier to get in and out. Whoever said "cram it towards your rear end" was right, too. It's so much more comfortable than huge drying tampons, strings everywhere, making furtive rustling noises in the loo, stashing tampons here, there, and everywhere and was not nearly as gross as I feared vis a vis the contents. It's less clotty and gross than a tampon is - it just looked like plain old blood. A bit of a swish of water and done! I ran with it in and everything. I even cut the stem off once I realised a half-assed Kegel brought the bottom of the cup into reach, and I can't feel it at all anymore. Those who have issues with the suction and getting it out may want to try pinching the bottom of it rather than drawing it out, it helped for me. Converrrrt!
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Mar 9, 2011 20:53
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I am the receptionist at my workplace, so the ladies here all ask me for tampons when they need them. I have converted two people to cups so far (although I was really hesitant to tell anyone because EWWWW) and I am working on a third. What I find hilarious is that she's scared of putting fingers up there, and she's a lesbian. I want to be like "just have [girlfriend's name] do it!" but we don't actually acknowledge that they're dating in the office. Lots of vagina talkin' today at work.
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Mar 9, 2011 22:03
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I got a Diva Cup after the GBS thread and haven't used tampons or pads since. I had some problems with it initially, I could always feel it and it was really uncomfortable. I found out my cervix sits really low, and the Diva Cup is one of the longest ones on the market. It was still too long after I'd trimmed the whole stem off, but flipping it inside out made it shorter and much more comfortable, now I can't feel it at all. I used to have to change super plus tampons every 2 or 3 hours during my heaviest flow, but now I empty the cup 3 times during the heaviest flow and once or twice a day after that. I used to put off buying tampons until the last minute too, and now I don't have to panic and run to the store with my underwear stuffed full of toilet paper if my period comes a little early. My husband is super grossed out by it, just like he was when I tried reusable pads. Anything menstruation related really disgusts him though so it didn't bother me. I haven't told any of my female friends, and even after I stopped using tampons I'd carry the extras I had around with me in my purse until someone asked if I had one. Didn't take too long to get rid of them.
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Mar 11, 2011 02:58
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I'm very interested in trying one, but I'm a little worried about how secure they are. I used Nuvaring for a while and more often than not it would slip out whenever I went to the bathroom. Earlier in the thread someone mentioned how the cup would accidentally slip off in the mornings when she went to pee, but only because it was full. Unlike other activities, the bathroom incorporates the body pushing everything out. So does anyone else have this problem or should it not be an issue?
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Mar 15, 2011 02:13
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Dazerbeams posted:I'm very interested in trying one, but I'm a little worried about how secure they are. I used Nuvaring for a while and more often than not it would slip out whenever I went to the bathroom. Earlier in the thread someone mentioned how the cup would accidentally slip off in the mornings when she went to pee, but only because it was full. Unlike other activities, the bathroom incorporates the body pushing everything out. So does anyone else have this problem or should it not be an issue? I've never had it be an issue at all. When my cup gets VERY full it tends to ride a little lower, but it's never in any danger of falling out. It gets low enough for me to start feeling that it's in there and then I know it's time to empty it. It's still up inside though, just a tiny bit lower than when I placed it, so I'm still reaching up and in to grab it and pull it out. For the record, I have had tampons basically squirt out while I was going to the bathroom, but I've been using a cup for 3 years now and haven't ever had a problem.
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Mar 15, 2011 02:54
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Dazerbeams posted:I'm very interested in trying one, but I'm a little worried about how secure they are. I used Nuvaring for a while and more often than not it would slip out whenever I went to the bathroom. Earlier in the thread someone mentioned how the cup would accidentally slip off in the mornings when she went to pee, but only because it was full. Unlike other activities, the bathroom incorporates the body pushing everything out. So does anyone else have this problem or should it not be an issue? That was me. To clarify, I have to *make* it do that with my Kegel muscles and only when it's absolutely filled to the tippy top. I have never had it come slithering out with no movement from my end. I honestly don't think it's anything to worry about. When it is filled to capacity, it does ride lower than normal. I don't think most people can even get the cup filled to that point in the course of a normal day. But if and when they do, it is possible to push it out with Kegels, if you want. It won't just fall out, though. My biggest concern was swimming, since me swimming with tampons is about the grossest thing ever. The way I do flips and crazy dives and handstands... if it were possible for this thing to just fall out, it would definitely fall out for me while I'm swimming. Swimming is awesome with this thing
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Mar 15, 2011 13:54
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Congrats, ladies! I'm another convert for the thread's tally! However, as I've been using mine this week (small Diva Cup), it's been gurgling (for lack of a better description)...? I can't hear it, but I can feel it gurgling like air or blood is escaping, but it's not leaking. Is my seal wonky? Or is this okay? I've been feeling up the cup, and it seems to be sealed okay... But it could be my super inexperience showing.  I've also been having to empty my cup every two hours, if that helps or is relevant.
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Mar 21, 2011 04:32
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^^ I'm not sure what that could be, Niemat. As long as your cup isn't leaking, I wouldn't worry about it much. Are you leaking?
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Mar 23, 2011 15:14
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Thanks thread! My fiancee is a convert now and I can sleep easy knowing that we're not using a ton of disposable bullshit every month. Yay cup!
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Mar 24, 2011 03:21
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Yay! That's great! Send her our way if she has any problems, or to http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups. They really have their poo poo together over there. Lots of info.
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Mar 24, 2011 12:25
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Just want to add that I got my Meluna cup last week along with a second one for free (same size, different color) and unexpectedly woke up with my period, so today is the "maiden voyage" so to speak  I did do a dry run when I got it and had a slight panic attack when I presumed the cup was stuck and getting sucked into my uterus haha.Anyway, today I've had a bit of leaking so we'll see how it goes with a bit of adjustment. A little hard to remove but I've only done it twice so we'll see how it goes with a bit of practice.
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Mar 24, 2011 17:13
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Squeeze the end much harder than you think you need to then slowly pull. It'll just slide right out. Pulling without squeezing makes you feel like you're turning inside out.
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Mar 25, 2011 01:27
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So I got my medium sized soft, glittery Meluna, and it's great for my lighter days, but it turns out I bleed like a stuck pig on my heavy days. I'm talking filling my Meluna in an hour. Repeatedly. So I guess now I need to find out which cup is best for those who can re-enact the prom scene from Carrie on their heavy days.
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Mar 25, 2011 01:53
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Oh my god, they have glitter MeLunas now? There is no way I can justify a third menstrual cup, no matter how sparkly it is.
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Mar 25, 2011 02:50
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spatula posted:Oh my god, they have glitter MeLunas now? There is no way I can justify a third menstrual cup, no matter how sparkly it is. You act as if you have to justify making your vagina feel like a pretty pretty princess.
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Mar 25, 2011 03:34
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Just wanted to add that I've been using the cup (diva brand) four cycles now and I've gone from being a paranoid hematophobiac who wore pads the size of a third world countries whilst simultaneously sticking cotton logs up her cooch AND sleeping on towels to protect from leaks at night to wearing nothing but the cup and smug smiles every time i pass the feminine hygiene aisle at the local grocery store. Yeah. That silicon plastic rubber wonder has freed me from years of denial that with even all that padding and blood plug cotton security, stupid and unexpected leaks can still occur. One cup. My devout faith forever. 
Faux Pas fucked around with this message at 04:03 on Mar 25, 2011 |
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Mar 25, 2011 03:59
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Just thought I'd mention that Divacups are currently on sale over on amazon. http://www.flickr.com/photos/feminine-wear/sets/72157625728087036/ Those are the glittercups.
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Mar 25, 2011 04:38
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