Menstrual Cup

calmwaters · 02-25-2008, 09:41 PM

Reading that other thread on tampons and cramping made me remember my pre-Divacup days and something that was a frequent tampon problem for me.

Anyone ever get a wet tampon, like from taking a bath the water would soak up in there? Or if not intersted very high up the vagina, when you pee the string acts like a wick and draws pee up into the tampon? I would notice this a lot in the past, a heavy feeling tampon which I thought meant I had a heavy flow and needed to change it, only to pull it out and see it wasn't full at all, just... wet with urine I presume. Sorry if gross.

Edit: 4/20/08 I switched from OB tampons to the Diva Cup November 2007 and will never go back. I had gone to the store to buy my usual multi-absorbency box and was so ticked off that my friggin period was going to cost me another $7.99 I decided something had to change. No way was I goign to downgrade my brand of tampons. The cup was initially the cost of less than 3 periods worth of OB's but will last me the next 10 years.

I made the switch, not to save the planet (I use more TP now... lol), not to improve my vaginal health (though I do feel less dried out and such), not because I was tired of string-wicking and leaking from my tampons (though now is a complete non-issue), but because I am cheap! The added bonus is when I am "raggin" now I hardly pay attention to it! I LOVE IT! Read more below.

To all my fellow Menstrual Cup converts I will give you the gift of "trophy" because (as Italian Friend pointed out) it looks so much like a Menstrual cup!

calmwaters · 02-27-2008, 03:00 AM

No-one?

polly-pcos · 02-27-2008, 04:16 AM

I don't ever remember that, but was wondering if your Diva cup is like my mooncup- a rubber cup that you use instead of a tampon. I use one of these and it's fab

FrostedGoodness · 02-27-2008, 04:22 AM

This happens to me. I always thought I was the only one. This is why I have to change my tampon every single time I go to the bathroom. Given that it's a cycle where I *can* use a tampon.

deb_e_deb26 · 02-27-2008, 07:37 AM

I too had this but found usually it was from not inserting it in far enough...I usually change my tampon every time I go to the toilet cause when I wipe, I feel like I have started to pull it out and then it annoys me....

Stacie M · 02-27-2008, 08:28 AM

I have always had the same problem, and it drives me crazy. I really need to get around to buying a divacup. I would love to try it. I tried the Instead cups and they were too big for me.

Italian Friend · 02-27-2008, 11:41 AM

it happen to me ll the time!!not to mention when i go to swimming pool..
question about the diva cup (tmi/gross alert!

):is not the disposable one but the one you re-use right? how is the cleaning? complicated?

calmwaters · 02-27-2008, 12:12 PM

Thanks gals, I was starting to wonder if I really was the only one with that problem! Which, of course, here on this wonderful site is not true about anything!

The cleaning of the Divacup (or Mooncup or Keeper) is not complicated. During the day I wipe it out with TP when I need to empty it, and then put it back in. I rinse it with water every morning in the shower. And then, at the end of the cycle I boil it for a few minutes. It's silicone, and non porous so there is really nothing about it to harbor infection or germies, whcih is why it's safe to use over and over. Apparently one cup will last 10 years. Sweeeeeet. I paid $17 for mine online, and if I AF monthly for 10 years it will cost 14 cents per period. Nice.

Italian Friend · 02-27-2008, 12:24 PM

i guess it's worthy.. i hate pads but sometimes tampons make me toooooo dry down there when the flow is reducing..

Italian Friend · 02-27-2008, 12:52 PM

..mmm..do you mind me asking just another thing? i'm planning to pass to nuvaring from the next month.. do you think i can use them together? you can use tampons and ring (i red it on the ring instruction book)..

sunshine75 · 02-27-2008, 03:18 PM

Hmmm, that sounds a lot like the tampon not being inserted all the way.

Doesn't that hurt?

I know if I have a tampon not fully inserted it hurts at the opening. Haven't tried the cup. I'm curious about it, but for some reason, I feel weird about not changing something and throwing it away or flushing it several times a day.

aimes16 · 02-27-2008, 09:03 PM

Where did you order the divacup from? I looked it up, and there are a lot of websites that carry it. I figure I'll just pay the $30 for a store I'm familiar with instead of paying less at another store, unless you can recommend one.

Thanks for mentioning it. I haven't been aware of newer products that are better then what was put on the market years ago.

calmwaters · 02-28-2008, 03:09 AM

I can't remember where I ordered it from, someplace online and it was $17 with free shpping. RIght now I Googled it and foudn a different site http://www.southcoastshopping.com/?C...FRkGagodIDwqeQ

Also, Here's a run down I got from Wikipedia:

General
Advantages

Can be worn up to twelve hours before emptying. Manufacturers recommend that tampons and pads be worn for no more than eight hours.
Contain no harmful substances (e.g. dioxin and bleach), unlike many commercial tampons and sanitary napkins.
Compared to sanitary napkins
Can be worn during sports such as swimming. Tampons can also be worn swimming, though they may wick water, become saturated, and then drip dilute bloody water. Menstrual cups are therefore more reliable menstrual protection for public swimming activities.
Will not cause cystitis by transferring E. coli from the anus to the urethra or vagina, as long as proper hygiene is practiced.
Will not cause the warm, damp conditions around the vulva that favor bacterial growth.
Will not absorb the natural fluids present in the vagina, which can cause dryness.
Compared to tampons
Do not dry/scratch the vaginal walls or leave fibers behind.
Do not interfere with the vagina's natural sloughing off of dead cells.
Do not disrupt the vagina's natural acidity as bleached menstrual products do.
Have never been linked to Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).
Can be inserted at any time of the month. This allows the user to practice inserting the cup or to insert the cup when they are expecting their period, instead of having to wait for it to begin.
After urination, leaves no wet string behind.
Longer-lasting
Useful for travel, where access to tampons or sanitary napkins could be limited.
Cost less than tampons or sanitary napkins, if expenses are added up over the long-term.
Some manufacturers, such as The Keeper and Instead, offer a money back guarantee.
Manufacturing may be less harmful to the environment, as it does not use bleach, wood pulp, or other potentially environmentally damaging substances.
Require very little storage room, making them ideal for packing in luggage or for those who have very limited living space.
Menstrua tends to have less odor compared to tampons and pads.
Allow the user to track the amount of menstrua by visually inspecting the contents of the cup.
Can be used for a wider range of anatomical structures (ex. with tilted uterus).
Are ideal for paramenopausal women or women on certain hormonal contraceptives who can have irregular spotting (light bleeding) during much of the month and for whom using tampons for such long durations is not possible because of dryness, irritation and health risks such as TSS.

Stacie M · 02-28-2008, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calmwaters

Can be worn up to twelve hours before emptying. Manufacturers recommend that tampons and pads be worn for no more than eight hours.
Contain no harmful substances (e.g. dioxin and bleach), unlike many commercial tampons and sanitary napkins.
Compared to sanitary napkins
Can be worn during sports such as swimming. Tampons can also be worn swimming, though they may wick water, become saturated, and then drip dilute bloody water. Menstrual cups are therefore more reliable menstrual protection for public swimming activities.
Will not cause cystitis by transferring E. coli from the anus to the urethra or vagina, as long as proper hygiene is practiced.
Will not cause the warm, damp conditions around the vulva that favor bacterial growth.
Will not absorb the natural fluids present in the vagina, which can cause dryness.
Compared to tampons

Do not dry/scratch the vaginal walls or leave fibers behind.
Do not interfere with the vagina's natural sloughing off of dead cells.
Do not disrupt the vagina's natural acidity as bleached menstrual products do.
Have never been linked to Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).
Can be inserted at any time of the month. This allows the user to practice inserting the cup or to insert the cup when they are expecting their period, instead of having to wait for it to begin.
After urination, leaves no wet string behind.
Longer-lasting
Useful for travel, where access to tampons or sanitary napkins could be limited.
Cost less than tampons or sanitary napkins, if expenses are added up over the long-term.
Some manufacturers, such as The Keeper and Instead, offer a money back guarantee.
Manufacturing may be less harmful to the environment, as it does not use bleach, wood pulp, or other potentially environmentally damaging substances.
Require very little storage room, making them ideal for packing in luggage or for those who have very limited living space.
Menstrua tends to have less odor compared to tampons and pads.
Allow the user to track the amount of menstrua by visually inspecting the contents of the cup.

Can be used for a wider range of anatomical structures (ex. with tilted uterus).
Are ideal for paramenopausal women or women on certain hormonal contraceptives who can have irregular spotting (light bleeding) during much of the month and for whom using tampons for such long durations is not possible because of dryness, irritation and health risks such as TSS.

The two that I highlighted are the reasons that I am very interested. I have a tilted uterus, and notice that when wearing a tampon I have a lot of cramping.

Also, as far as tampon fibers being left in side of you, I have an interesting story. Last year I went to my RE for a check-up. I was spotting and wearing a light absorbency tampon that I took out when I got to her office for her examination. Anyway, she started to perform an utrasound and the image was distorted and grainy. She said, "Did you have in a tampon?" I told her that I had, and had taken it out about a half an hour before. She said it was easy to tell, because of all of the "tampon dust" on the ultrasound. You could clearly see that the image was affected by it. That freaks me out! Who knows what the long term consequences are of using them!

Do you know if the DivaCup comes in different sizes? I thought it did, but couldn't find that online. I have tried Instead, and it was way too big and uncomfortable for me (never been PG).

Stacie M · 02-28-2008, 07:59 AM

Duh, I just found the two different sizes. And...I just ordered one from the Southcoast website. You do have to pay shipping, but it came out to just under $24 after shipping. Not bad considering what I spend in tampons anyway.

I'll update when I get it!