If you know or suspect you'll be starting your period that day, you can insert it preemptively. There's no risk of TSS like with tampons, so it's ok to wear before you start.
I just have one, don't know why I would need more. I think it's suppose to last up to 10 years. Mine stays at home in it's little bag that came with it.
If you know or suspect you'll be starting your period that day, you can insert it preemptively. There's no risk of TSS like with tampons, so it's ok to wear before you start.
This is what I have always done. I used mine for about four years before getting pregnant, and will start again when my period returns. :-(
You just need one. You boil it btwn each monthly cycle. I had a C/S when I had my son so I am still using the same one (no need for a bigger size). It has a carrry bag say for taking it on a trip OOT but I love it. I have heavy periods and needed the Super Plus tampons before.
I used my first one for 9 years. Then I had a baby and decided to upgrade to size 2 and a different brand (Lunette).
It's my "this will change your life" product.
I'm considering doing exactly this. Do you like the Lunette better? The Diva always worked well enough for me but it wasn't perfect. I need to buy either a new Diva or another brand post-baby and I just haven't done it yet.
I used my first one for 9 years. Then I had a baby and decided to upgrade to size 2 and a different brand (Lunette).
It's my "this will change your life" product.
I'm considering doing exactly this. Do you like the Lunette better? The Diva always worked well enough for me but it wasn't perfect. I need to buy either a new Diva or another brand post-baby and I just haven't done it yet.
The Lunette is nearly the same, but it has bigger air holes at the top. I like it, but I did have some minor leaks. It's been over 2 years since I used anything, so I think it's just learning curve issues.
I want to try this, but am a little grossed out by how you empty it. Do you just dump the blood into the toilet and shove it back in?
Yes. I wipe it off with a tissue if I'm in a public bathroom, or rinse it in the sink at home. Far less gross than pulling on a slimy string & wrapping a tampon with toilet paper once you're used to it.
My periods aren't heavy enough to require emptying it often. I typically only empty once a day while I'm taking a shower. I wash it at that time with their special wash. There's really no gross factor for me for whatever reason.
Also, it took me maybe 3 or 4 months to truly get the hang of it and not be nervous about it leaking. Definitely a bit of a learning curve, but it's so much better than disposable products once you get used to it.
There is definitely a learning curve to using it. I have a fairly heavy flow often with large clots. A tampon does not work. While the Diva Cup has been a life changer for me, I tried out a SoftCup recently and think I might prefer it over the Diva Cup. I thought it was easier to get in and was more comfortable to wear. But they are disposable, so that's certainly a con to using them exclusively.
Love love love it! I think I'm somewhere around year 4 or 5 with it. Switched when we bought a house with a septic and I didn't want to flush tampons or put them in the trash. Now I can't believe I waited that long! Its a life changer, for sure! And I've converted others, too.
I want to try this, but am a little grossed out by how you empty it. Do you just dump the blood into the toilet and shove it back in?
I usually empty twice a day, both at home. Once in the shower, and the other time at the toilet. All my toilets have a sink you can reach while sitting, so I just reach over and rinse it out (I soap it up in the shower).
On the off chance I need to empty while I am out, I just wipe with tp and reinsert. Then I'll usually empty and wash as soon as I'm back home.
I would be afraid that I would drop it in the toilet when I'm emptying it.
This has happened to me a couple times (it's not slippery but there have been times where I am pulling it out and lose my grip) No biggie, I just clean like normal, put on a pot of water to boil and do the 10 minute sterilization like before I start using it for the month. This has never happened in a public bathroom - only when I'm not totally with it at home (early morning and no coffee yet is the only times it's happened).
I know you are supposed to be able to keep one longer, but I try to replace mine after 1 year - on the first one the permanent staining made it look ick by 1 year (I was using the divawash) the current one may very well be 1 year out at this point, but it's still new looking (using purpose gentle face wash to clean).
Post by benitabutrell on Sept 19, 2012 12:04:51 GMT -5
When rinsing, use cold water as opposed to hot and then before you boil it, again rinse with cold water. That should eliminate any staining. Definitely a life changing product!