Diva Cup Question [tmi]

mrscaty · April 2015

I know that many of you ladies use the diva cup so I decided to try it out. I got it in but it's kind of uncomfortable. My question is: are you supposed to feel it? Right now, it feels like I'm wearing a tampon that isn't in all the way. Should I push it up farther? I've been googling and I can't find any answers - please help!

thank you!!!!

WinstonsGirl · April 2015

I don't feel mine, but the first time I tried it, I though it felt like it was too big and pushing slightly. It took me about 6 months to get pretty used to it and early on it would feel weird. I would just take it out and try again.

Remember, they go more back versus back and up like with a tampon. That was different to get used to

larrygaga · April 2015

I think I'm allergic to my tampon brand so you guys should tell me more about them!

princessofgenovia · April 2015

I've heard if the tip part is too long you can feel it then. Some people snip their tip shorter.

Note: I don't use Diva Cups. I'm going on the advice I've read on the internet.

mrscaty · April 2015

@larrygaga This is it - you shove it up there and then wait 12 hours, empty into the toilet, clean, and repeat until your period is over. I was on the NuvaRing for a few years so the ick factor isn't really there. I like using tampons, but something like this is more environmentally friendly, and I've heard good things.

falsara · April 2015

Ok so if it feels likes it's not quite in there deep enough, or its uncomfortable, I would take it out and try again. When it's sitting correctly the tip part should sit just a little outside of you. Once you move around with it in,it will shift a little, not enough to unseal, but more like just moving to a spot that will make it more comfortable and sit better in you body.. I know that's way TMI.

ashley8918 · April 2015

mrscaty said:
@larrygaga This is it - you shove it up there and then wait 12 hours, empty into the toilet, clean, and repeat until your period is over. I was on the NuvaRing for a few years so the ick factor isn't really there. I like using tampons, but something like this is more environmentally friendly, and I've heard good things.

Oh wow, this looks way different than the disposable ones I use

I find them a million times more comfortable than tampons, and have never had any mess issues taking them out.

mrscaty · April 2015

ashley8918 said:

mrscaty said:
@larrygaga This is it - you shove it up there and then wait 12 hours, empty into the toilet, clean, and repeat until your period is over. I was on the NuvaRing for a few years so the ick factor isn't really there. I like using tampons, but something like this is more environmentally friendly, and I've heard good things.
Oh wow, this looks way different than the disposable ones I use

I find them a million times more comfortable than tampons, and have never had any mess issues taking them out.

I didn't even think to look for disposable ones...the diva Cup is reusable, and they last (from what I've read) upwards of 5+ years.

JCbride2015 · April 2015

The only times my DivaCup has felt uncomfortable is if it didn't pop out of the fold all the way and thus wasn't "sealed." I would take it out and try again. Make sure to turn it once its inserted so the fold pops out and it creates a seal. You can also feel around the edges to make sure it's sealed in there.

ashley8918 · April 2015

mrscaty said:

ashley8918 said:

mrscaty said:
@larrygaga This is it - you shove it up there and then wait 12 hours, empty into the toilet, clean, and repeat until your period is over. I was on the NuvaRing for a few years so the ick factor isn't really there. I like using tampons, but something like this is more environmentally friendly, and I've heard good things.
Oh wow, this looks way different than the disposable ones I use

I find them a million times more comfortable than tampons, and have never had any mess issues taking them out.
I didn't even think to look for disposable ones...the diva Cup is reusable, and they last (from what I've read) upwards of 5+ years.

Yeah, I wasn't really interested in the reusable aspect. Once it comes out of my body, I have no interest in putting it back in, hahaha. I just like cups better than tampons for comfort and longer wearability reasons mostly. I keep the same one in all day and it is awesome.

WinstonsGirl · April 2015

Yes, I did feel mine at first cos the tip bit was too long. I trimmed mine back and don't feel it anymore.

sarahufl · April 2015

I think y'all have convinced me to give it a go! Once my period comes back after this stupid Ectopic business, I might give it a try.

jacques27 · April 2015

You should not be able to feel it. I recently went back to the Diva Cup (in fact I'm wearing it right now - yay TMI). I used to have one about 7-10 years ago and could never get the hang of it. It would leak, it would never pop open like it's supposed to, and I would get so aggravated at all my attempts to get it in properly that it actually hurt and I just gave up and eventually went back to tampons.

This time is going much much better. There's a few youtube tutorials out there - I would highly recommend watching them. I found the C-fold method (instead of the triangle punch-in method) works best for me as well as doing what the pamphlet suggests and insert halfway, then let the cup unfold, and then insert the remainder of the way and turn. You should be able to spin/turn the cup completely once it is in place and properly unfolded. If you can't, I've found that tensing the muscles and relaxing them - similar to kegels - helps maneuver the cup a bit to unfold properly.

Viczaesar · April 2015

I trimmed the tip of mine and it was still too long, so I turn it inside out and it works perfectly. I also swirl my finger all around it once it's in to make sure that it's completely open and sealed properly.

hellohkb · April 2015

I have a DC but don't really like it or use it anymore. It was incredibly wide for me and the stem was too short. I may try a MoonCup because I've heard they're smaller.. I keep wanting to get used to a reusable option because of the environmentally friendly aspect. =/

lovesclimbing · April 2015

No, you should not be able to feel it. I would either try to push it in further or pull it out and try again. There's also the possibility that you're feeling the stem or tail that sticks off the end. If so, you can try trimming it. I cut off about half of the one on mine.

@larrygaga and everyone else considering a cup. I love my Diva Cup! I will never go back to using anything else. There are a couple of cons, but the pros vastly outweigh them, in my opinion.

Pros:

--Long wearing. This is the biggest pro in my book. They say to change it at least twice in 24 hours. Twelve to 16 hours of wearing it is much longer than tampons are recommended to be worn. I have also worn mine more than 24 hours before and have not had a problem. How long you can wear it does depend on how heavy of a flow you have and/or wear you are in your period. It can get full and overflow, but you learn pretty quickly about how long you can wear it before you need to empty it (just like tampons).

--No string. My annoyance with tampons is the string, which can be uncomfortable and you have to hold it out of the way when going to the bathroom.

--Cost. The Diva Cup is $40 at REI (where I bought mine). The Diva Cup site says you'll save $100 to $150 per year on feminine hygiene products by using the cup. Their site says a good guideline is replacing it once per year, but it's really up to you. I can't remember when I first got mine but it's been at least three years and it's still in excellent condition.

--No leaking. Unless I left it in too long so it gets too full, it never leaks. I have worn mine doing all sorts of activities - kayaking, canoeing, running, biking, hiking, swimming, soccer, ultimate frisbee, rock climbing, snowmachining, yoga - I have never had it leak during any of those activities. I ran into issues when I used tampons of them occasionally leaking when I played sports.

--No TSS risk, according to the company.

--Using a reusable product is much better for the environment.

--If you're into backpacking or hiking or taking trips in remote parts of the world or third-world countries where hygiene products may not be available, it's less stuff you have to pack.

Cons:

--It has a learning curve. It took me two or three cycles to fully get familiar with the cup and get used to using it.

--It can be messy and a bit icky. Sometimes you'll get some blood on your fingers. You have to be comfortable sticking your fingers up inside yourself.

--You have to wash it before re-inserting it and some people have issues with that in public restrooms because there's no sink right there next to the toilet. I just wipe it out with toilet paper (even the website says that's ok) and re-insert it. However, due to the long hours it can be worn, I have only once in my three years of wearing it had to empty it in a public restroom, so this last con is not even really a con in my book.

larrygaga · April 2015

Well seeing as how I am not at all grossed out by my period, I think I'm sold on the diva cup for my next cycle. I have been having issues with tampons all summer. I'm usually really sensitive to them but I found one brand that didn't make me sore and itchy! And now that brand suddenly is making me sore and itchy.

And you know how it's really rare to have a piece of tampon break off and make you sick? Yeah, that happened to me.

I fucking hate pads.

TrixieJess · April 2015

Make sure the little holes aren't blocked, sometimes that can prevent it from opening properly and sitting comfortably.

[Deleted User] · April 2015

So I bought my Diva cup last month, tried inserting it, but it didn't feel right and I had to get to work, so I put in a tampon and went about my day. It's the 'turning it' aspect that got to me. Maybe I need to watch a youtube tutorial or something, but I can't seem to turn it. I just can't seem to get a grip on it well enough to turn it. Advice?

TrixieJess · April 2015

adk19 said:
So I bought my Diva cup last month, tried inserting it, but it didn't feel right and I had to get to work, so I put in a tampon and went about my day. It's the 'turning it' aspect that got to me. Maybe I need to watch a youtube tutorial or something, but I can't seem to turn it. I just can't seem to get a grip on it well enough to turn it. Advice?

Make sure that you fold it in half, insert it halfway and twist it the rest of the way in. It takes about 2-3 cycles to be completely comfortable with it. I've worn it for 10 years. I love it!

ETA: included quote

mrscaty · April 2015

Total TMI warning ahead - do not read if you're squeamish.

So I thought I had the hang of it and I wore it to bed. This morning, I could. Not. Get. It. Out. I tried for 10 minutes. Finally, I relented and asked H for help. So he's trying to get it out and I forgot to mention that he needs to kind of shimmy it out. He pulls too hard and it pops out - cue blood EVERYWHERE. It seriously looks like someone got murdered in my bathroom. Thank god he loves me because I'm just apologizing profusely and he's like "it's cool, I'm fine".

I can't post a gif because I'm mobile knotting but IM MORTIFIED. So yeah, there's a definite learning curve.

hellohkb · April 2015

mrscaty said:
Total TMI warning ahead - do not read if you're squeamish.

So I thought I had the hang of it and I wore it to bed. This morning, I could. Not. Get. It. Out. I tried for 10 minutes. Finally, I relented and asked H for help. So he's trying to get it out and I forgot to mention that he needs to kind of shimmy it out. He pulls too hard and it pops out - cue blood EVERYWHERE. It seriously looks like someone got murdered in my bathroom. Thank god he loves me because I'm just apologizing profusely and he's like "it's cool, I'm fine".

I can't post a gif because I'm mobile knotting but IM MORTIFIED. So yeah, there's a definite learning curve.

YES. I also had this issue. It's why I eventually stopped using it.

blabla89 · April 2015

mrscaty said:
Total TMI warning ahead - do not read if you're squeamish.

So I thought I had the hang of it and I wore it to bed. This morning, I could. Not. Get. It. Out. I tried for 10 minutes. Finally, I relented and asked H for help. So he's trying to get it out and I forgot to mention that he needs to kind of shimmy it out. He pulls too hard and it pops out - cue blood EVERYWHERE. It seriously looks like someone got murdered in my bathroom. Thank god he loves me because I'm just apologizing profusely and he's like "it's cool, I'm fine".

I can't post a gif because I'm mobile knotting but IM MORTIFIED. So yeah, there's a definite learning curve.

That's awful! One time I was using the single restroom to empty it at work. Dump, wipe with toilet paper, then go over to the sink to wash it off. NBD right? Well it turns out the sink in that stall is shallow and has crazy water pressure, and it splashed everywhere.

lovesclimbing · April 2015

adk19 said:
So I bought my Diva cup last month, tried inserting it, but it didn't feel right and I had to get to work, so I put in a tampon and went about my day. It's the 'turning it' aspect that got to me. Maybe I need to watch a youtube tutorial or something, but I can't seem to turn it. I just can't seem to get a grip on it well enough to turn it. Advice?

I have never turned mine. I could turn it slightly, but I have never needed to. I have never had a problem with the cup not "popping open" when I put it in. If anything, I have the opposite problem. Sometimes it can be a big difficult to keep it folded up until you get it all the way in. If you're using the fold in half method, I personally find the "push down" method to be a million times easier to get in and open up.

When I remove it, I will grab the base and slowly pull it down, then when I get it part way out, I'll squeeze it to break the suction. They say to break the suction before removing it, but maybe the tiny holes do that already for me? I have never been able to stick my finger far enough up to break the seal before removing it.

I have also had the issue where it seems to go up further inside you if you've worn it for a long time. Happens sometimes with doing active things for me but especially wearing it overnight.

First, if that's a big issue for you, don't cut off the entire stem! It's easier to grab with the stem. Second, sometimes you just have to stick your fingers pretty far up there to grab it. Finally, you may have to bear down pretty hard as if you were having difficult with number two in order to push it closer to the entrance so you can grab it.

kaitlynmichelle · April 2015

One of my friends recently texted me panicked because she couldn't get it out for about 20 minutes. She eventually did but it sounded rather stressful. I'm intrigued by the idea of the cup but I worry I'd have some epic failure using it or something.

hellosweetie1015 · April 2015

mrscaty said:
Total TMI warning ahead - do not read if you're squeamish.

So I thought I had the hang of it and I wore it to bed. This morning, I could. Not. Get. It. Out. I tried for 10 minutes. Finally, I relented and asked H for help. So he's trying to get it out and I forgot to mention that he needs to kind of shimmy it out. He pulls too hard and it pops out - cue blood EVERYWHERE. It seriously looks like someone got murdered in my bathroom. Thank god he loves me because I'm just apologizing profusely and he's like "it's cool, I'm fine".

I can't post a gif because I'm mobile knotting but IM MORTIFIED. So yeah, there's a definite learning curve.

This is exactly my fear, and why I haven't gotten one yet. Because I would have this happen, and I would then have barf all over everywhere too because of it.

WinstonsGirl · April 2015

Do I need to TMI in a TMI thread?? Anyway, I have never been able to turn mine. Ever. I don't get the turning thing. Mine just sticks in place and my fingers move around it, or it gets squished if I hold it harder.

I use a C fold, insert it about half way and let it open. Then I just shove it back. It took about 6 months to figure out they best way for me.

[Deleted User] · April 2015

WinstonsGirl said:
Do I need to TMI in a TMI thread?? Anyway, I have never been able to turn mine. Ever. I don't get the turning thing. Mine just sticks in place and my fingers move around it, or it gets squished if I hold it harder.

I use a C fold, insert it about half way and let it open. Then I just shove it back. It took about 6 months to figure out they best way for me.

Groovy. Thanks. This is good to know. I'm excited to try it again later this month. I'm such a 'green queen' that the idea of completely giving up tampons delights me. No more cotton in the sewage system put there by me!

mellowmarshmallow · April 2015

I stared using Diva Cup last year and will never go back to anything else. I find it easier, longer-lasting, and more environmentally friendly.

The first day I used it, I could feel it. I read some forums and figured out I needed to cut the stem completely off. The bottom is ridged so you can still grab it to remove it without the stem. I never had any problems after that. After a couple cycles, I also figured out that the "7 fold" works best for me. Clicky for folds tutorial.

I had a couple times that is was difficult to remove, but I found if I pinch it at the bottom and shift it to one side, the seal will break and it will come out more easily. Just don't pinch too hard or you may end up with a horror movie set in your bathroom.

charcoalandblush · April 2015

Probably another sub-TMI-TMI

Since I got Mirena my flow is extremely light. I basically spot for 6 or 7 days every two months.

Is it ok for light flow days, or does it hurt like a tampon does? I'm sick of wearing pads/pantyliners, but my flow is way too light to wear a tampon. So I never really know what to do for like swimming and sports and stuff where I really can't/don't want to wear a pad.

mrscaty · April 2015

charcoalandblush said:
Probably another sub-TMI-TMI

Since I got Mirena my flow is extremely light. I basically spot for 6 or 7 days every two months.

Is it ok for light flow days, or does it hurt like a tampon does? I'm sick of wearing pads/pantyliners, but my flow is way too light to wear a tampon. So I never really know what to do for like swimming and sports and stuff where I really can't/don't want to wear a pad.

You should be fine to wear it anytime, even if I you're just spotting. It might be harder to get out (because you have less liquid lubrication) but it shouldn't be a huge thing.

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