Menstrual Cup (Part II) - Page 6

LaTejanaFria · 06-19-2008, 05:56 PM

I have a clear sign on when to tell it's time to get a new Keeper. When I removed it last night, I noticed that there are tears in the stem. I guess it's time to get a new one before the actual bell portion starts to break down. I got a DivaCup a few months ago but I'm not in love with the lack of stem. I have gotten used to using it to help in removal. I'll have to experiment a little more before deciding if I want to go back to the Keeper/MoonCup.

calmwaters · 06-20-2008, 04:05 AM

Eww, I would say that what you described is not just spotting. I have had days with my cup and spotting where it's in for 12 hours and I got to dump it and there's barely a few drops in it. Two ml is more than normal discharge or spotting to me. Spotting is a normal amount of discharge but it's tinted red or brown. JMO.

Also to PP, Your Diva cup doesn't have a stem? Mine came with one that is sort of circular like a tube at the end. Always got grody with vaginal goo (nice huh), so I cut it off.

LaTejanaFria · 06-21-2008, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calmwaters

Also to PP, Your Diva cup doesn't have a stem? Mine came with one that is sort of circular like a tube at the end. Always got grody with vaginal goo (nice huh), so I cut it off.

It has a "stem" in the loosest sense of the term in comparison to the Keeper's, which is at least 1/2" long. That little nub on the Diva is just enough to get a finger on and have it slip. Talk about frustrating!

novachick · 06-22-2008, 03:43 AM

Question, ladies: Roomie and I have both converted, but she's having trouble. She's got APS, a clotting disorder, and is on blood thinners. Come AF, she's basically bleeding out for a few days, and the cup isn't quite up to the task (she says: it seems to sit too low, no matter what she does, and when it's getting full and she bends down/crouches, it "folds" and breaks the suction).

Do you guys think switching up to the larger size would help? She'd appreciate the extra volume, but isn't sure if it would fit right, as she hasn't given birth. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

calmwaters · 06-22-2008, 05:41 PM

I've not given birth and started with the larger size. It's recommended for women 30 and older who have given birth or not. It's worth a try, I say, even if she is not yet thirty. She could boil the heck out of her current one and basically sterillize it for someone else (a sister?) to use. That's a question: Would anybody do that? I suppose I would from a friend or a sister... They do that with medical/surgical equipment all the time (reuse it). Is that a gross thought with a menstrual cup?

Italian Friend · 06-23-2008, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calmwaters

I've not given birth and started with the larger size. It's recommended for women 30 and older who have given birth or not. It's worth a try, I say, even if she is not yet thirty. She could boil the heck out of her current one and basically sterillize it for someone else (a sister?) to use. That's a question: Would anybody do that? I suppose I would from a friend or a sister... They do that with medical/surgical equipment all the time (reuse it). Is that a gross thought with a menstrual cup?

i was wondering about that too.. i wouldnt mind but i guess i'll have to personally re-boil it just for my mind sanity sake! even if i could swear my friend is the cleanest person ever...

eww · 06-23-2008, 11:54 PM

I "spotted" for 3 days. It probably added up to a grand total of 2 mL. I was being pretty optimistic about the other day. Other than that it's been just drips or tinged CM.

sapphirepl · 06-26-2008, 01:27 AM

Today's day 1 of my 3rd cycle with the keeper. It's working great, but I'm wondering why my flow is so light. I think my situation is similar to what eww was describing, but I'll have to wait and see. Day 1 is normally heavy, so I'm a little confused.
LaTejanaFria - my keeper is doing the same thing on the stem, but I thought it was just from my nails! hmmm. I've had it for 4 years, but only just started using it because I couldn't get it in before.
I always use a pantyliner with my cup, because there is always a VERY SLIGHT leak--I wouldn't even call it a leak, it doesn't bother me; I'd rather cut down on the waste throwing those away creates, though.
Last month it was leaking a little, so I used a lunapad for backup. I had gotten so used to disposable pads that I didn't think they scratched, but the cloth does feel softer by comparison. The problem with that now, is I am living with my boyfriend, and he doesn't have a washer and dryer so we have to take our laundry, so yeah...I'm not really able to get those washed LOL! Oh well, I shouldn't need them if I keep at the "learning curve" of using the cup. I am interested in the LadyCup too, it looks so nice and squishy. I think it's worth a shot. I'll try to save up. I've done quite a bit of internet reading about menstrual cups while bored at work. lol. Some people have strong opinions about which ones work the best for them, others don't.
As far as folds go, I will not use the dang 7-fold again. I did it twice and both times it proceded to leak all over the place. hmmm...dunno why. So...that's my update

sgordon · 06-26-2008, 11:20 AM

OMG Girls...I finally figured it out!!! It only took me 2 whole cycles....(insert embarrassed face here)

I didn't realize how horizontally it had to be inserted. For some God forsaken reason, I thought that "towards your tailbone" meant on a 45 degree angle. If I don't insert it parallel to the floor, I'm completely screwed!

I also discovered that only the C-fold works for me. I can't seem to get any of the other folds to sit in the right place, so I guess I learned them all for nothing.

I still don't trust it 100%...I keep going to check if it is leaking. So far (with the exception of yesterday morning when I had tried another fold only to discover that I can't do that), I haven't had any! I'm so happy!

Manchola · 06-27-2008, 08:05 PM

I don't know if I could use those! Just the thought of cleaning my own...ewww! There are cheaper GREENER tampons if you are into that and they aren't made of rayon so you don't have to worry about TSS.

aimes16 · 06-27-2008, 10:35 PM

SGordon, I'm happy for you! It's sooo much better than pads and tampons.

eww · 06-28-2008, 09:46 AM

Manchola- I thought it'd be gross too. Not so. At all actually. And greener tampons are still tampons. They'll still leave residue in your ladybits. When a ultrasound technician knew I'd used tampons recently it was far grosser than cleaning my cup! But different strokes for different folks and all that.

Jess1216 · 06-29-2008, 03:35 PM

Well...started AF this morning and I've got my Diva Cup in! So far so good. I never did get around to playing with it before AF came so when I got it this morning I wasn't sure how it would go. I tried the C fold first and I honestly wasn't sure if it popped open or not....I also had a hard time turning it. I took it back out & cleaned it...and tried it again with the punch fold. I still wasn't 100% sure it had popped open, but it turmed much easier for me that time. I also tugged lightly on the tail & I felt a little suction so I thought...ok I'll leave it alone for now & see what happens. I've got a pad on just in case but so far so good.

I was telling my sister & my mom about the Diva Cup because I think it sounds really awesome and this thread convinced me! My mom was interested but she doesn't really have AF so much any more so it was a no-go for her. My sister (19yo) seemed so grossed out by it. She pretty much doesn't like touching herself there in any way, shape or form...so inserting it, turning it and cleaning it seemed repulsive to her.

To each their own...but the more I think about it the more I think TAMPONS are gross!

cemomster · 06-29-2008, 06:12 PM

Hey I just had a group of friends convert me over to the cup! But I have a few questions, I hope have not been asked yet.
How do you deal with the lighter days? I am not as "wet" I am sooo dry on my light days. During AF I do not have ANY cervical mucous, and only have wetness on my heavier days. So inserting the cup is a pain. Any suggestions? Since AF is so rare around here, I have only tried it once so far. Would KY work, or make it too lubricated???

eww · 06-29-2008, 06:55 PM

Hm. I've not had to deal with lack of "wetness" lol. But I'm imagining a drop or two of KY would ease that sucker in nicely. Let us know if it works.