Anyone use Divacup?? Sorry if TMI

WinstonsGirl · September 2013

I'm ready to throw mine against a wall. It never opens properly, though I don't get a lot of leaking. I have tried every method of putting it in that I can find and it still won't open all the way. I have never been able to turn it easily. And reaching up to open it myself never gets it moving in any different direction, it just pushes that side down more. Sorry for TMI. I am almost ready to give up it completely so any suggestions??

monkeysip · September 2013

Sorry, I have no suggestions. I don't have a problem with it not opening. My problem is trying to get the sucker out without spilling it everywhere :P

Are you more concerned with the leaking or the comfort? Is it uncomfortable since it's not fully open?

I don't know if you've seen it, but this website is a community of support for being with questions using menstrual cups. Someone there may have an answer.

http://menstrual-cups.livejournal.com/

thejucheidea · September 2013

Which size are you using?

Which method are you using to place it in your bidness?

WinstonsGirl · September 2013

@monkeysip - I don't feel it when it's in. Taking it out kind sucks, but no big deal really. I'm not concerned about leaking, since my flow is pretty minimal compared to a lot of people and I can just throw in a pantyliner if I need to, but I would like it to work as it's supposed to. I've been looking on Livejounal. That's where I've been getting different suggestions for trying to get it to open.

thejucheidea - I've got a size 2 (I'm over 30). I've been using the push down fold, and I've tried putting it in facing up, down, sideways. I've tried putting it in and then turning, putting it halfway, turning and the pushing it in further and using my finger to try and get air in to help it open (using kegels too to help move it into place).

thejucheidea · September 2013

I think the sizing is too generalized. You may just not have a wide enough cervix for the 2. I'm a nulliparous 28 year old, but I use a 2 because I have a wider cervix. It may be worth it to try using a 1.

doeydo · September 2013

I have not tried or used one but this seemed quite informative: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfHF0p7X4MI

WinstonsGirl · September 2013

@thejucheidea - I was wondering that too, though I really don't want to spend another $35 to try. I have tried Soft Cups in the past, and they don't fit me (too big, too small, I don't know), but they tended to pop out of place after a bit of time

ETA - besides, it's only 3mm difference. Is it really that big of a deal??

JoanE2012 · September 2013

Am I the only one that had to google to find out what a divacup is? I've never heard of this before!

thejucheidea · September 2013

WinstonsGirl said:

@thejucheidea - I was wondering that too, though I really don't want to spend another $35 to try. I have tried Soft Cups in the past, and they don't fit me (too big, too small, I don't know), but they tended to pop out of place after a bit of time

ETA - besides, it's only 3mm difference. Is it really that big of a deal??

I think it really can be. You may want to talk to your gynecologist -- maybe you have an oddly shaped cervix? I have a relatively wide and long one, so the issue I have is getting it up there too far and having to walk around and Kegel to get it out sometimes, heh.

And @JoanE2012 : They are totally awesome. I've been using mine for over a year now. It's nice to not have keep a stock of tampons. I have a reusable fabric pad for light days or for extra protection and then use my DivaCup for everything else. The greatest thing is that you don't have to guess how heavy your flow is going to be. There's also none of the dryness that I used to get from using tampons. You can even put the cup up there when you think you're starting that day, and you can keep it in for up to twelve hours (though I've gone longer)!

Viczaesar · September 2013

TMI Ahead, warning:

I have to run a finger around the outside of it (while inside me, to be clear) to get it to fully open, pushing basically the walls of my vagina away from the side of the cup. I have a really low-set cervix and it's a struggle sometimes to get my cervix inside the cup rather than under it. It's not really something that I can do in a public bathroom with stalls. But I still love my cup and it works great once it's in properly.

WinstonsGirl · September 2013

@Viczaesar - Ok, a TMI question for you, cos I've tried that too. How do you work around the back end of the cup?? When I try, I'm touching it with my nail rather than the pad of my finger due to the angle/rotation or whatever you want to call it. I can't seem to do much with it that way

lovesclimbing · September 2013

I use the Divacup and I have never once had a problem with it not opening. I use Size 1 and it always pops open on it's own. I use the "punch-down" method rather than fold in half.

FutureMrsN3312 · September 2013

JoanE2012 said:

Am I the only one that had to google to find out what a divacup is? I've never heard of this before!

I'm in the same boat!

emmyg65 · September 2013

Yeah, I use the Divacup, size 1, with the punch down method and it usually opens fine. But I let it open when its just inside and then push it the rest of the way in. Sometimes if its not positioned properly (to one side of my cervix instead of all around it, I guess), it won't open up or go in all the way. That happens a lot actually, so maybe that's what's happening to you?

Maggie0829 · September 2013

JoanE2012 said:

Am I the only one that had to google to find out what a divacup is? I've never heard of this before!

Same here. When I first opened this thread I thought it was going to be about some sort of bra insert LOL!

Nicmorrison14 · September 2013

I JUST heard about this form a coworker. I'm not judging anyone, because anyway you can make a menstraul cycle less disgusting is fine by me, but when she was explaining it I was kind of grossed out. Can you guys explain to me why you prefer this method over tampons? My coworker thinks tampons are digusting, but to me, I'd rather pull that sucker out and flush it then pull a cup full of blood out and dump it. Isn't it messy? Just curious.

selenathegreat · September 2013

I love mine...not sure if it actually does pop open all the way, but I don't get much leaking so I'm not bothered. I like it for the laziness factor...it lasts way longer than tampons...and the green factor...and I won't be blamed for plugging any toilets! PP, I don't find it super gross...no more than pads and tampons are.

thejucheidea · September 2013

It's no more messy than if you completely soak a tampon and have to pull the bloody string. I was iffy about the whole thing at first, but now I can't imagine using anything but a cup.

Nicmorrison14 · September 2013

that's interesting. Ok, another TMI question....doesn't it get all over your hands when you dump it out? How do you pull up your pants? Okay, I realize this probably sounds stupid but I have a vision in my head of what this entails...

selenathegreat · September 2013

LOL...it does take a little practice, and sure, you have to wash your hands (but you would be anyway!) but it's generally not bloody on the outside where you grab it, and you just dump it gently. My, this is getting graphic!

laylasaurus · September 2013

I

Nicmorrison14 said:

I JUST heard about this form a coworker. I'm not judging anyone, because anyway you can make a menstraul cycle less disgusting is fine by me, but when she was explaining it I was kind of grossed out. Can you guys explain to me why you prefer this method over tampons? My coworker thinks tampons are digusting, but to me, I'd rather pull that sucker out and flush it then pull a cup full of blood out and dump it. Isn't it messy? Just curious.

I got my Mooncup (same thing as a Diva cup but its the original brand from the UK, I got it while I was living there) mainly because they are better for the environment than tampons. I also use a washable pantyliner for light days. I just feel much better about being able to reuse something for a long period of time then throwing away countless tampons and all their wrappings. It's also cheaper over the long run than buying tampons.

I don't find using it to be messy at all. I actually feel more hygienic using it than tampons.

However, I also don't consider periods to be "disgusting", it's just something our body does naturally so eh..dumping the blood doesn't bother me. I often empty it while I'm in the shower, its super easy that way. I also have no problems with leakage with the cup, but tampons always had that problem for me. I can also leave it in longer without emptying than I ever could keep a tampon. Lots of girls I know that use them thought it was gross at first, but once they tried it they've never gone back. They can be a little tricky at first, and some people have problems like mentioned in this thread, but I still highly recommend getting one to all women.

Nicmorrison14 · September 2013

haha maybe I will have to give this a try. Sorry for making it graphic I was just curious. It doesn't sound as bad as my coworker made it seem. I was really grossed out when she told me. I guess periods dont disgust me, they are just inconvenient and messy sometimes.

Nicmorrison14 · September 2013

and yes, I hope everyone would wash their hands anyway lol

laylasaurus · September 2013

Also there is this, for information and amusement. It is ridiculous.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zj4NhC8ahM#t=79

Nicmorrison14 · September 2013

^ hahaha yessss that's great.

WinstonsGirl · September 2013

I get a bit of blood on my fingers, mainly from grabbing it to take it out. You don't get it on you though when you take it out cos you don't dump it upside down. I'm not sure why I tried it. I guess I really liked the soft cups, but they don't fit me, so I figured this was a close second. And I do like the idea of not throwing out tampons every month.

ETA - Oops, I forgot to finish my thoughts. Anyway, I get a bit of blood, but I just wipe it on the toilet paper and no problems after that. I get just as much putting in tampons sometimes, so it's no different for me

fre3doms · September 2013

I actually appreciate this conversation. I had heard about these awhile back and am considering buying one myself.

So you buy one and reuse it all month or what? I'm still a little confused about it. Waiting until I get a job and then I might buy one and some reusable pads.

WinstonsGirl · September 2013

fre3doms said:

I actually appreciate this conversation. I had heard about these awhile back and am considering buying one myself.

So you buy one and reuse it all month or what? I'm still a little confused about it. Waiting until I get a job and then I might buy one and some reusable pads.

They're good for up to 10 years. You use it instead of tampons or pads during your period. Basically, you take it out, dump the contents in the toilet, wash it and pop it back in, so it's always being reused. You can leave them in for 12 hours, so you only need to change it twice a day unless your flow is heavier.

fre3doms · September 2013

Thanks for the information!
I seriously think I will buy one once I get a job. Trying to come up with ways to save money and tampons and pads are expensive even if they are store brand.

WinstonsGirl · September 2013

Ha. I'm trying to figure now if it's worth it to buy the smaller size or continue to try and figure things out with my current one. Seems like such a waste, but could be worth it if the other size actually fits

lovesclimbing · September 2013

@nicmorrison14 this is why I love mine.

1. You can leave it in way longer than a tampon. With tampons, the max you can leave them in is about 6 hours - maybe 8. A cup can be left in for up to 12 hours, according to Divacup site, however I have left mine in for 18 hours with no problems.

2. Cups are not associated with Toxic Shock Syndrome.

3. The cup holds way more liquid than a tampon so it doesn't need to be changed near as often. (That's why you can leave it in for so long.)

4. The cup does not leak unless it gets too full (I know my cycle so this doesn't happen to me very often). Tampons leak all the time (at least for me)

5. It's more comfortable than a tampon, there's no icky string hanging out. It's also much easier to use the bathroom with a cup because there's nothing hanging out that's going to get wet. (Sorry if that's TMI)

6. You save a lot of money because you reuse it.

7. Going along with that, Divacups are much better for the environment because you're not throwing away 150 or more tampons or pads per year.

8. It's great for any activity. I have skiied, swam, canoed, hiked, rock climbed, ice climbed, snowmachined, ran, biked, danced, done yoga, and played ultimate frisbee with mine. Never had a problem with it moving, dislodging, feeling it, leaking, etc. For me, tampons would frequently leak when I played sports from all the movement.

Cons:

There is a learning curve. It takes at least a couple periods to really figure it out and get used to it. Once you do get used to it, it won't be nearly so messy as the first few times.

Anyone use Divacup?? Sorry if TMI

Re: Anyone use Divacup?? Sorry if TMI

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