Looking for Advice About Menstrual Cups

Hi J.,

I can only speak to the Diva Cup as that is the only one I have tried. My vagina is a little wonky and I have to spin the Diva cup around sometimes several times to get it to open up. I have only had it for a few months and am still working on finding the best position but so far I have had the most luck with just letting the stem stick out a little bit. It definitely makes it easier to grab later but it feels weird at first to have the stem out just a little. I don't know if that would work for you but maybe you could play with how far in you place the Diva and see if you can find a comfortable place. You have had some really great replies on other things to try. I hope you find a solution that works for you!

S.

I am not quite sure what the products are you are talking about, but they sound alot like the Instead. I used those (prego now) and loved em'. The are alot like a diaphram in the shape and what not and very comfortable. I believe if I remember right they can be worn for 12-14 hours. And not to make anyone queasy or be to graphic, you can have intercourse with one in less the mess. Good Luck and have a Happy and Safe Holidays.
S.

Hi J.,

I have been using the Diva Cup for over six months now and I love it! But it took me a few months to work up the courage to really use it. Give yourself some time.

I also found this website incredibly thorough and helpful:

http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups

Good luck!
D.

I've tried the Moon Cup and it worked pretty well. It's very flexible with a long stem, so it was easy to insert and get into position. My only issue with it is that it can be difficult to remove, and having small children who love to bang on the door when I'm in the bathroom I find it hard to relax enough to get it out sometimes. I haven't tried the other menstrual cups so I don't really know if the shape is different. I might try the cloth pads - they sound easier to deal with and take less time to change.

Hi J.,

I use and sell cloth menstrual pads as well as The Keeper, The Moon Cup, The Diva Cup and Sea Sponge Tampons. I like the Seasponge tampons for comfort and ease of application, but like you said, they aren't as convenient as you'd like especially when it comes to needing to change it in a public bathroom. Unfortuantely, that is an issue I have with any of the internal devices. They are all a little messy and I find I only like to change them if I have a sink next to me where I can wash my hands during the changing process.

In regards to getting it to fit or sit properly, these are the things I do. First, once I get it in place, I turn it a half turn to get it to slip into the correct position and to get it to pop open and create the seal needed to make sure it doesn't leak. If it feels wrong or crooked, I have also squatted down once it was in and I push bare down on it so it pushes out a little and use my fingers to get it twisted to the right spot.

Have you used the Diva Cup prior to having children or something like it? It may be that you are just tilted back or to the side a bit naturally. Or, you may not be putting it in far enough. The Diva Cup has a shorter stem than The Keeper and The Moon Cup. So you may need one that you can push farther in to get a better fit yet still be able to reach and pull out.

The Fresh Moon cloth menstrual pads we sell are divine. They are lush, thick, comfortable, and so much better than Glad Rags! If you live near Tualatin, you are welcome to come see them. We have received nothing but positive feedback from customers and I personally love them more than any other cloth menstrual pads I have tried, so that is why I switched to selling those exclusively. The AIO's are my favorites for ease and convenience. But if you want an all natural one, the wool bodies with soaker pads are great too!

You can see everything at Punkin Butt:

http://www.punkinbutt.com/just-mama-cloth-c-61269_61294.html

There are also some packages of cloth menstrual pads sold in the packages category.

Feel free to call me if you need help with you already have or if you would like to come see anything in person.

A.
www.punkinbutt.com
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Well, since I had my son (he's now 2 1/2)I have had a very heavy flow and I hate it! I am also using an IUD, which I believe contributes to the heavy bleeding. The IUD that I am using is the 10 yr. copper non-hormonal one. I have a friend that uses the 5 yr. hormone one and it has totally ended her periods. I chose the non-hormonal one because I was afraid of weight gain, but now I just don't care. I asked my doctor if I could start taking birth control pills (with the IUD) to stop my period and she told me yes! She gave me seasonique, which I think is the same as seasonal, but you only have your period 4 times a year. And the best part is that it was free. She just gave me a sample pack for four months. The hardest part is just to remember to take them everyday. And so far no weight gain. So, instead of worrying about what to use, just get rid of the stupid thing! Lol! Like I did!

J. - I have been using the Diva cup for about a year total (had a baby in Feb, and just got my period back, so it's been a little while) but I've really liked it. Did you read that it is not meant to be worn high in the vagina like a tampon? The stem is meant to stick out a bit, or at least me flush with your body. My only problem comes at the end of my cycle when there is less fluid and I find it creeps upward a bit. But if you haven't already, give it a try using it a tad lower and see if that helps.

I have never heard of these products you are mentioning. Are they new on the market, as in the last couple of years? I do understand what you mean about your vagina being wonky. After the birth of my 1 son 11 years ago, I found that tampons were really uncomfortable to use. Not that they were so wonderful before, but they were really not fitting right no matter the size or brand I used. I found a new product at the time called Instead. I loved it. I hardly noticed it in. I have used them up until my last son 3 years ago. I opted for Mirena, knowing that my last son was to be my last and not wanting to deal with taking pills. I have not had a period in over 2 years. But If i was having them i would still use Instead.

I use a Diva cup, and it did take some time for me to get the hang of it. I didn't begin using it until years after giving birth, so I don't know how to guide you through that transition. I would suppose it would be like starting all over again as far as figuring out what works for you. The most helpful suggestion I have heard was to think of pushing it back, rather than upwards. I also use Mamacloth in tandem with the Diva cup on my heavier days, or when I wear a light-colored dress, etc. I bought these at: www.dominopads.com and I like them very much! Don't feel too badly that this is so awkward. I compare it to the first time I tried using a tampon, which was a NIGHTMARE!!! LOL Blessings to you and yours! :)

I tried the Keeper, and I had the same problem you had with it (I've had four children-- I never tried it before I had kids, so I don't know if that's why it doesn't fit right.) I guess I don't really have any great advice, I just wanted you to know that you're not the only one it doesn't work for (They make it sound like it should be wonderful for everyone.)

I use regular pads now, but am planning on trying to make some non-disposable ones.

I have been using the Diva Cup for about 3 months now and really like it. I do occasionally have a bit of discomfort if I don't put it in quite right but it's fine if I take it out & reinsert. The weird thing is I'm actually using the pre-baby one because I bought it before having my kids but never got to use it until now because I had 3 kids in 3 years & with nursing, I just finally got my period back a few months ago. So I wasn't going to spend more to get the different size & I figured I'd give it a try. Well, so far so good. I hardly ever have any leaking, especially now that I am more used to using it. So I'm wondering if even after having kids, some women just don't have such a big opening. Perhaps the one you got is actually too big for you? Or, like the others mentioned, try to wear it lower.
Otherwise, I love my Diva cup because I have found that I only have to change it twice a day: once in the morning & once in the evening which takes care of the issue of having to deal with it in public restrooms since I just do it when i'm at home.
Anyway, hope you find something that works well for you.

S.
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