s/o tampons- can we talk about diva cup?

[heythere]

I bought a diva cup last month, and it arrived toward the end of my period, so I tried it a few times, but didn't get it inserted just right. I want to try again this month, and I'm wondering if any diva cup pros out there have good tips. The problem I was having is that I couldn't get the cup to open and rotate once inserted. Thoughts? Tips? Thanks!!

[bonquiqui]

When I think of Diva cup, I think of a Martini glass with sparkles that says "diva" :drink: lol

[SKP82]

I don't have one yet, but I read on Amazon about a LiveJournal group dedicated to menstrual cups. Here's a link for ya:
menstrual-cups.livejournal.com/tag/first%20time%20use

[Bonita]

Which fold method were you using to insert it? I think the 7 fold works the best

[frauschmindy]

Sometimes if I poke the side and try to compress it more after inserting it, it's enough to make it pop open. I normally don't rotate it and I haven't had a problem there.

I would also try folding it a few different ways until you find one that works best.

[wildfloweragain]

I fold it in fourths. I do rotate. Last month was the first time I tried it. I loved it for the most part. One day there was tiny bit of leakage and I felt like there's no way to tell if that will happen or not, like if it is placed properly or not. Most days it was perfect, but I might wear a backup liner on important days.

[pinkeggs]

Sometimes I have to pull it out a little bit to get it to open up and suction (sorry) properly. I found that there was a 1-2 month learning curve on it.

I have been using it exclusively for three years and I will never go back to tampons!

[lightbulbsun]

Aug 1, 2012 9:51:08 GMT -5 pinkeggs said:

Sometimes I have to pull it out a little bit to get it to open up and suction (sorry) properly. I found that there was a 1-2 month learning curve on it.

I have been using it exclusively for three years and I will never go back to tampons!

I agree that there's a learning curve. When I first got it I used it once and then gave up for the rest of my period. Then I tried it again the next month and got the hang of it. I've been using it for a couple of years now and I love it.

Sometimes I find it's easier to insert if I'm laying on my back.

[craftymrs]

I don't rotate either. I push one side towards the other and pinch it closed. I push on the bottom of it once it's inserted and that makes it open.

[Deleted]

Glad someone posted this... I keep considering the Deva cup but haven't bit the bullet yet and bought it.

[papie]

I fold it like a tight C, insert all the way, then release and rotate. If it doesn't rotate, I pull it out a bit, rotate, and push it back. It did take 2-3 months to learn to do it right. Just make sure to wear a pantiliner in case you don't insert right.

I have crazy heavy periods, and love my diva cup. I can go a few hours on my heavy days, which I can't say about tampons.

[MrsAggie]

I hadn't even heard of a diva cup until someone on here brought it up. So...does it stay in your whole period? Do you buy a new one every time or do you have to wash it? When you pull it out, do you risk stuff splattering out everywhere?

[papie]

Aug 1, 2012 12:00:45 GMT -5 MrsAggie said:

I hadn't even heard of a diva cup until someone on here brought it up. So...does it stay in your whole period? Do you buy a new one every time or do you have to wash it? When you pull it out, do you risk stuff splattering out everywhere?

You take it out to empty it. Some people can do it every 12 hours, but if you have a super heavy period, you might have to do it every 4-5 hours on heavy days. You empty it in the toilet or in the shower, wash and reinsert. And then you desinfect it after your period (boil or soak in alcohol). If you empty it in a public washroom, just empty in the toilet, wipe and reinsert, and wahs it next time.

It is super easy, and I love how you never run out, and you don't have to worry about disposing of bloody tampons (or clogging your toilet if you flush). It costs about $30, and lasts a long time. I bought a new one after 3 years.

It doesn't splash anymore than taking out a tampon does.

[broc]

I always get leakage, but I think it's because I bought size 1 the month before I got KU, and I refuse to get rid of it until it's good & done. I use the punch down fold.

To get way TMI, I tend to have very clotty periods, so tampons never really worked properly for me, so I always felt gross during my period because I had to use pads. The diva is a lifesaver.

[cheesierthanchedda]

The whole concept grosses me out. BUT. I have REALLY heavy and long periods, so I'm curious about it. I also spot all. the. time. during my cycle. I spend a lot of money on tampons. I like the idea of not having to worry about whether I have any tampons around (and not spending money on them). But I don't know. I'm still kind of grossed out by the Diva cup.

[papie]

lol tamb

This is weird, but I, um, feel full when it is full. I can just tell and then I go to the bathroom.

[heythere]

Just getting a chance to check back in. Thanks, all, for the tips, forum links, etc.

I have only tried the U fold so far, so I'm going to give it another shot with some of these techniques, a different fold, etc., tonight. I am so sick of tampons, and I know there are so many people who love this -- I really want it to work for me!

[Deleted]

Aug 1, 2012 12:35:14 GMT -5 cheesierthanchedda said:

The whole concept grosses me out. BUT. I have REALLY heavy and long periods, so I'm curious about it. I also spot all. the. time. during my cycle. I spend a lot of money on tampons. I like the idea of not having to worry about whether I have any tampons around (and not spending money on them). But I don't know. I'm still kind of grossed out by the Diva cup.

I was initially grossed out but tried it out of desperation when my period got super heavy and didn't stop. It was WAY better then the super heavy flow tampons and pad combination I had resorted to (and was changing at least every hour). I had to use a pad as a back up because I was bleeding so much that it would loosen the cup and leak but it seriously saved my life until the doctors found something that finally stopped the bleeding.

Also it has measures on the side so you can track how much you bleed in ounces (i think it holds 2 oz?) And that's what helped my doctor understand what I meant by "really, really heavy" and sent me for an ultrasound which found fibroids that had to be removed. So I'm sold on it being the way to go and wish I had done this sooner.

Even better, if you're going on a beach vacation and think your period might start you can put it in first thing in the morning and not worry for the rest of the day. Now that things are back to normal for me I can make it through the work day without having to empty it.


OP, I was told to "burp" the cup like you would tupperware to create a seal.

[chickadee77]

Chiming in to say I love mine! It's worth it to never have to pull out a dry tampon at the end of my period ever.again. Ick. And ow.

[underwaterrhymes]

Never mind. Should read whole thread before posting.

[cheesierthanchedda]

Aug 1, 2012 16:52:13 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

I have a curiosity question about the Diva cup.

How do you handle emptying it / cleaning it in public restrooms? Or do you only need to deal with it like once a day?

Someone up there answered this. They said you empty into the toilet and wipe it off with TP. Wash it when you get home.

But then Tamb said when she would do that the TP would stick to the cup. :-| +o(

[baconlettucetomato]

I love mine. Been using it for a little over a year. I turn mine inside out so the little knob thing doesn't stick out. So much more comfortable and I love that I can put it in after I shower in the morning and it's fine until after work.

[cheesierthanchedda]

Aug 1, 2012 17:21:31 GMT -5 baconlettucetomato said:

I love mine. Been using it for a little over a year. I turn mine inside out so the little knob thing doesn't stick out. So much more comfortable and I love that I can put it in after I shower in the morning and it's fine until after work.

How do you get it out then?