[humanist77]

My beastly little cats chewed up my diva cup. I assumed it was Hermes who did it, but then...I wanted to take pictures of what was left for all to see, but as I sat down at my computer, I put the remaining cup on the coffee table-and in a flash, Calvin flew over the table, grabbing the cup in his teeth, and he was gone so quickly I couldn't even grab his tail. So...there's 2/3s of a diva cup somewhere in the apartment and I just can't wait until one of my roommates finds it and tries to figure out what the hell it is

I've had that thing for 3 years now

[candycane_girl]

I just have to say that I finally bought myself a Diva Cup last night and so far I love it! I had thought about it for a loooong time but hadn't gotten one. My period started on Sunday and finally I was like, "fuck tampons, I'm getting it!"

I have had to cut the tip a little bit because I could really feel it but it's just such a nice change from tampons.

[kittenb]

Thanks. I was being a little sarcastic but I was getting frustrated.

[kiss_the_fiddler]

Kitten, no, you don't have to have your whole hand shoved up there. Simply twist it holding on at the base. Chances are, you'll be able to feel when it's correctly in place.

fiddler

[kittenb]

With the Keeper Moon Cup, could someone please explain to me how to do the final step where you twirl it in a complete circle to make it stick? Do you hold it at the top? Do you spin it from the bottom? Do I need to have my whole damn hand shoved up in there or something? Some advice please. Thanks.

[Garlic]

http://www.tlc-pads.com/

those are the ones i have--the web site is really badly designed, but once you figure things out they're great.

No kidding! I had to giggle at that site, may be the funniest thing I've seen all day. The colours, ick!!! It reminds me of a Bed and Breakfast I once stayed in where everything was pink and had frills sewn on it! However, the pads look great. Now I just need to make sure they export to this rainy island of mine, as I can't help noticing that's an American site there Thanks!

[Garlic]

Mr. Pug doesn't care about my lunapads soaking in a container in the bathtub. I told my mom, Mr. Pug's mom and his sister about them and his sister asked me to email her the website link. I don't think most people care to be honest. I tend to use the spare bathroom during my period just cause I like the privacy but I've had my lunapads in our bathroom and he's never said a word. I think everyone (including myself at first) thinks it's going to be this big bloody mess. I saw more blood all the years I used disposables then I've ever seen in the three months I've been using lunapads. They are great.

Funny that, this is how people reacted to me announcing I was going to use those pads: in an accepting way. Boyfriend just said 'You dinnae have to worry about me disapproving, only really rubbish guys would have a problem with that: have some faith in me', mum thought it was a great idea and wants to get some herself - which is ace as I feel I have made a convert! My sister still does not know and just on the offchance that she eventually turns out to have a problem with it, pfft to her: she's meant to be doing a Sociology A level and for part of that she covers feminism and feminist ideas, so maybe she should start putting those ideas into practice.

Interestingly enough the council around my area are clearly going to start charging for trash disposal, which while it will encourage people to recycle which can only be good, is obviously going to be a neat way of them making money off families who are throwing away things like nappies and 'sanitary towels'. This will save my mum a lot of money in the long run.

[annelise]

the ones i have are envelope style. they were the least expensive ones i could find on the internet, but i'm very happy with them. the woman who makes them also sells partly-made ones for ppl who can do simple sewing, which makes them even cheaper, but i can't sew at all.

http://www.tlc-pads.com/

those are the ones i have--the web site is really badly designed, but once you figure things out they're great. at first i got patterns that were too brightly colored for my tastes, but the woman who makes them called me personally, described some colors/designs to me, and sent me replacement envelopes that i liked! i've had them for a while now, and they're comfortable, they wash just fine, and seem like they'll last.

[LoveMyPugs]

I have a divacup and I have just never been able to get the damn thing working correctly. When I leak with it, it's like I blew a gasget or something. It's a mess. Once I was helping Mr. Pug while he was coaching bowling and I felt an explosion so I went to the bathroom and I think I used almost all the toilet paper. Again, it was a mess. I've just never been able to get the thing working right and not leak.

I want more reusable menstrual pads just because I like them so much. I want a variety. I was out shopping the other day and I saw some really pretty flannel and I just really wanted to make some pads out of them. I keep finding patterns online to make your own but I don't even know how to turn a sewing machine on. I think I'm going to ask Mr. Pug's mom to show me how to use the sewing machine.

The only thing is that they have three styles. There are all in one pads, the envelope style, then the ones like Lunapads that have liners you layer on top. I've only used the Lunapads but I think I'd like to try the envelope style ones too. The all in one style makes me nervous cause you can't really see if the inside is clean if that makes sense.

Jeeze...wishing I could sew.

[kittenb]

I am so excited! I tried the Keeper a few two months ago and I just couldn't get the damn thing figured out. I found it so painful to insert that it was actually traumatic. After worrying that there was actually something wrong with me, I realized I just hated the feel of the gum rubber. So I exchanged it for a Keeper Moon Cup (like the Diva Sup, I guess.) Softer and smoother and tonight I managed to make it work! I am wearing it right now. Still have to get used to the feeling of it, but I this is already going better. On an unexpected note, I think using this is going to help me get past all of my gynocological phobias that crept back up on me after this ridiculous last year.
Go me! Go Moon Cup!

With the Moon Cup, they also sent me a sample Gladrag panty liner. I think I am going to buy some more. They really are so soft and pretty. And LoveMyPug's endorsements have really influenced me about them. Thanks!

[annelise]

with reusable pads, i soak them under the sink in a tupperware--change the water once a day and soak them all in some hydrogen peroxide before putting them in the laundry (it's MAGIC for getting blood out). i put my reusable pads in a lingerie bag in the laundry--they're rinsed adn soaked and cleaner than dirty undies by that point--and there's never been a problem at all.

[LoveMyPugs]

Just one thing: How do people manage using reusable menstrual products around family members? I will be living with my younger sister for a while who is bound to throw her toys out of the pram if I put a menstrual towel in the laundry, although she would be fine with doing the same to her stained pants. She's 17, so does anyone else have experience of telling someone the same age about the wonders of non-disposable 'sanitary' wear?

Mr. Pug doesn't care about my lunapads soaking in a container in the bathtub. I rinse them well first to get almost all of the blood out then I soak them in soapy water. I change the water every day so there is no smell or anything. There really isn't anything gross about it for him to see or even be upset about. After I'm done my period for the week everything gets rinsed again, i squeeze all the water out of them, then throw them in the washer and dryer with the towels. I love my lunapads. I'll never, never, never use anything else ever again. I told my mom, Mr. Pug's mom and his sister about them and his sister asked me to email her the website link. I don't think most people care to be honest. I tend to use the spare bathroom during my period just cause I like the privacy but I've had my lunapads in our bathroom and he's never said a word. I think everyone (including myself at first) thinks it's going to be this big bloody mess. I saw more blood all the years I used disposables then I've ever seen in the three months I've been using lunapads. They are great.

[annelise]

sorry--i shouldn't have gotten into a discussion of my ex-boyfriend's penis size. oops. but i think it was a combo of his penis size (or the angle maybe, i have no idea) and my wearing the divacup really really high up in my vagina. i could have sex with my divacup in just fine! i guess i have an unusual anatomy, and combined with my ex it worked out somehow.

i tried it once with my current bf and it was disastrous--i'd have a hard time imagining it too, if i hadn't experienced it myself!

[Garlic]

I use a mooncup and am usually extremely satisfied with it, but found it has, a couple of times, leaked and I think I know the reason why - nothing to do with sizing, my boyfriend claimed he found me shockingly tight the first time we slept together and the cup stays in place exactly as it is supposed to.

I used to also get the problem that tampons leaked for me while not absorbing fully (the tampon would be mostly white on removal and yet still I would have stained panties). The mooncup is a vast improvement on this. When a gynaecologist fitted me for a diaphragm recently, she said that my cervix was really unusually far back. This has got to be the cause. Someone else in this thread has had leakage problems and I think it's important they know that it's almost certainly to do with shape rather than size - you don't have a floppy vagina!

In response to this issue I'm probably going to get some of those Wemoon pads, just for 'backup'. They look nice anyway, the tartan one is cute.

Just one thing: How do people manage using reusable menstrual products around family members? I will be living with my younger sister for a while who is bound to throw her toys out of the pram if I put a menstrual towel in the laundry, although she would be fine with doing the same to her stained pants. She's 17, so does anyone else have experience of telling someone the same age about the wonders of non-disposable 'sanitary' wear?

[LoveMyPugs]

yes, how is that possible? either his winky must have been very wee OR he had no feelings in it OR you are indeed wearing it higher than i even thought possible

I too don't understand. I didn't think the average vagina was long enough to have a diva cup and also a penis in it at the same time without one bumping the other. Pepper, perhaps we are both just confused

[pepper]

son of a pup, i need the other size now. thanks a LOT second baby! *grumble grumble... fifty bucks*.

[erinjane]

I'm another one who cut the stem off completely. I filed mine down too so it was totally flat. My friend uses one too and asked how I could get it out, but I can easily stick two fingers around it to grab it out.

[pepper]

funny, funny looking? ha ha.

i cut the stick thing off too, very uncomfortable. how about a bottle of water and some paper towels in your purse for rinsing purposes?

i have to find my diva cup, i'm having a period already (10 weeks after giving birth, too soon!). i've been in denial about it but i've soaked like 8 panty liners today and ruined two pairs of panties so i guess i'll just have to give in and search around for that thing.

[kiss_the_fiddler]

pepper, you're funny.

I had a little trouble feeling comfortable with my diva cup. I've found that it wasn't comfortable until I cut the little pull thing off completely. It was pinching me. I have no trouble removing it so I'm glad I cut off that little protrusion. Anyway, I think emptying it is gross and I don't like to put it in unless I've been able to rinse it out (hard to do in public restrooms) but overall, it's more comfortable than tampons for me and not yucky like pads.

[pepper]

yes, how is that possible? either his winky must have been very wee OR he had no feelings in it OR you are indeed wearing it higher than i even thought possible