[persimmon_grrrl]

Hi Konphusion26: So far as I can tell, having a Diva Cup in one's vagina *and* having penetrative sex at the same time are contraindicated.

Anyhoo, I personally don't know much about leakage, but I think I read down below that someone had some leakage issues (possibly with a Keeper? I can't remember). If only I could get the darn thing comfortably in and out of my vagina when I actually have my flow...

[konphusion26]

Maybe this is a silly question, but I really want to know since I'm ***this close*** to buying a diva cup: do you have any leakage while you're rinsing the cup out?? Or do you just speed rinse and re-insert it?? LOL I'm very squeamish about blood or blood getting on my hands.

Do any of you ladies have problems with leaking while the cup is out for rinsing? Also, I read a review somewhere, and a young lady said that she has had sex with the cup in? Has anyone tested this out? Sounds uncomfortable.

[persimmon_grrrl]

Hi Ananke and KittenB:

Thanks, y'all. My period is sadly over, although it fortuitously started *after* my Diva Cup arrived via Canadian post (sigh). Perhaps I shoulda known that, as an avid-pad user and tampon-abstainer, I would not dig big, bulky things being inserted into my vagina.

I am not sexually active right now, but even if that does help, it's silly for me to wait till I get it on with someone before I can proclaim, "YES! Now I can start using my Diva Cup!"

I guess it just takes practice and patience, which seem to be sorely lacking when I have my period and am bleeding all over meself. Egads.

[ananke]

I've found that if I've been having more ...stimulation... prior to my period (or arousal during) getting the damn thing in isn't as awful. My last period had me swearing I was going to use pads, but this time round it hasn't been nearly as bad.

[kittenb]

The first time I tried The Keeper I had a nervous breakdown. No lie. I was crying and mad and sore. The Keeper Moon Cup (like the Diva Cup) was much softer and more flexible. Still took some getting used to.

[jsmith]

Persimmon_grrrl, have you tried the punchdown fold? It's what I always use.
I remember the first time I tried to get my cup in. I tried it initially with only water. Wouldn't go at all. So I went to wally world and got some generic lube. The lube made it slide in easier, but I was sooo tight and it was such a close fit. I was disgruntled for a bit afterwards (but, I guess, who wouldn't be LOL), but still glad that I got the thing in. I left it in for a little while, to see if I'd loosen a bit before taking the cup out. After a few 30-minute runs, some swear words, and those promises of "never again!", it got much easier.
But really think about relaxing next time you try. Make like Raggedy Ann, just don't fall over Focus on the jaw. I've noticed that my jaw is probably the second thing that'll seize up when I'm tense (first being shoulders, so I have to see to that, too).
Also, have you tried standing up vs. sitting vs. haunches?

[persimmon_grrrl]

hi jsmith! thanks for the jaw tip.

so far as i know, my jaw was relaxed, and i'd just finished showering when i tried to insert it. it may just take a minute for me. i remember when i used instead cups, they were rather handy and i didn't feel/notice a thing, but they seem much more pliable and a different design than the diva cup. once, it took me half an hour (of frustration, fear, and repeated thoughts of, "never again!") to get one out. every other time, it had seemed to come out rather easily.

i guess it's just a process...sigh.

[jsmith]

Persimmon grrrl & magnolias, my experience (and others', I've read) is that if you're feeling tense about it, then you'll clench your muscles. Try to pay special attention to your jaw. If you find that it's clenched, then your girl bits probably are also. Try relaxing your jaw, and see if the other muscles don't follow suit. Sounds strange, but it's worked for me and for others.
Or, have you thought about any of the other cups? I believe LadyCup offers one that's pretty small.
Magnolias, I'm a virgin, and I started using the divacup when I was 18.

[persimmon_grrrl]

hi all, and magnolias. i got a size a (1?) diva cup (the one where you haven't had a behbeh yet), and it don't fit.

while using such things has nothing to do with whether or not you've had penetrative sex, i can't get mine to fit in either. it sucks.

as an avid pad user, and disliker of tampons, i still wanted to do my part to stop using so much plastic! alack, i cannot get the thing to fit in my vagina. it's too big! ("too big" should be in bold and tho there is a [b][b], it is not bolded [sigh])

anyhoo, it's sad because it seems so...perfect. i do recall, though, when i first used a tampon, that a very kind friend stayed in the bathroom with me and helped me out for literally 30 minutes. it was strange and uncomfortable, but it finally worked.

all that to say, if the vaginal muscles are not relaxed, ain't nothing getting up in there. i guess i wasn't relaxed. but i don't want to have to use lube for my menstrual products. not cool.

[magnolias]

My mother bought me a Keeper (size B ), and I love the idea, so I tried to use it. It wouldn't fit. No matter how I folded it (I looked at that livejournal link, tried the ideas there, and others online) I could not get it in. And this was kind of a painful process.

I have never had intercourse, and I'm pretty young- just finished high school. The most that ever goes in my vag is a regular tampon- which is snug. Have any other virgins here successfully used the cup? Any advice?

[.eilleen.]

You lovely ladies have peaked my interest in these two wonders. As soon as I get a job where I can afford that kind of investment, I'm on them!! Good luck to all of ya.

Think about it this way: calculate the monthly cost of your tampons, pads, etc. Let's say you pay $5/month. You pay $20 for a Diva Cup (you can probably find one cheaper online) = 4 months worth of buying products. It pays for itself. As of month 5, you're set for the next few years.

[konphusion26]

You lovely ladies have peaked my interest in these two wonders. As soon as I get a job where I can afford that kind of investment, I'm on them!! Good luck to all of ya.

[nicolemr]

I just had a friend who was hospitalized for Toxic Shock. You hear that it could happen all the time, but I've never known someone who had gotten it. She was in critical condition for a while, but she pulled through. However, she has to be extra extra careful now because she is much more likely to get it again.
Anyone know anything about whether the diva cup can contribute to TSS or if it's just tampons? From what I understand the body is reacting to the presence of dead blood cells still in the body. It seems like with the diva cup, there is more of a barrier between the cells and the skin vs. tampons, but I could be misunderstanding. Any thoughts?

I read on the Diva Cup site that the risk of TSS is from the tampons absorbing the liquids in your vagina. Since the Diva Cup does not absorb then there is no risk. I think I read it on their FAQ page. Hope this helps. I have been reading up on it bc i am sick of tampons. Tampax changed their design and it leaks all the time and falls out!!! So I am in the market for something new and eco friendly is a plus also.

[mouse]

thanks for the responses ladies! definitely will look into lunapads.

kitten, i don't find i have to remove mine but it certainly sometimes feels like it's in danger of popping out! i also find that wearing the cup constricts urine flow which is kind of annoying, but i still prefer it miles and miles above tampons. i can't even imagine dealing with tampons now. i've had my divacup for about a year and can't imagine life without it.

[persimmon_grrrl]

i am so pleased.

my divacup starter kit arrived in the mail today! did anybody else notice a pleasant smell coming from the included materials?

it wasn't at all chemically, strong, or unpleasant. just a nice smell.

and someone wrote, "blessings!" in big, pink cursive lettering on the bottom of my billing statement! it was so sweet.

anyway, i am ready and excited to learn how to use this thing.

after years and years of wondering ...

[kittenb]

While I love my Keeper Moon Cup, I have never managed to make it work 100% of the time. And sometimes I just don't feel like wearing it. I use pads or pantyliners as a backup but I think I am going to save up for Lunapads. I am just tired of the itchy dryness that pads leave me with at the end of my period.
I want the Delux kit. It a wide variety of colors.

I will say that getting the Cup was a good idea. I really have learned more about my body and my cycle and just gotten more comfortable and respectful of my blood and all that comes with menstration. It just will not make a water-tight seal in my body so I always have leaks.

And am I the only person who needs to remove her Cup to have a bowel movement?

[LoveMyPugs]

I <3 my lunapads. I bought the full deluxe kit and it's the perfect amount. My period is medium to heavy. They are soft, especially after being in the dryer. Easy to take care of as well. Can't recommend them enough.

[erinjane]

For cleaning the cup and getting it to not look so brownish, I tried using alcohol swabs (which I have because i have diabetes). They worked great. I scrubbed it for 5 minutes with a few swabs this morning and it almost looked new.

[vegdumpling]

i boil mine before each cycle. it disinfects, but it's no longer a clear plastic. i don't care, though--it's not like i'm showing it to anyone.

i am crossposting in other pertinent threads but i have a question--i'm looking into buying cloth pads, just as a backup for the divacup or overnight, and there seem to be a few to choose from. does anyone have experience with a specific maker that they loved? any suggestions greatly appreciated.

thanks!

i use the divacup but i also use lunapads. i love them, pretty patterns, it snaps on my undies, or you could buy lunapanties from them. the pad is on top so if i need to change the pad i get something fresh and clean instead of like with gladrags the blood is still on top and the absorbing part underneath is changed. even better is how soft it is, it doesn't feel like you are wearing anything different than underwear. also, the ladies who work there are very nice and will help put together a package to fit your own specifications if they don't offer it. they have lots of options though, light, heavy, regular, long for nighttime, daily wear stuff, even hankies and blankets. okay, i guess you get that i am highly recommending their products and i'll quit it.

lunapads.com

[persimmon_grrrl]

hello all!

i'll keep the disinfecting tips in mind...cos *i just ordered* ("just" = last week) my first evah divacup (starter kit)!

i'm excited, and lately (for the past few days or so), my boobs have been sore. bring it on! er, i hope the post delivers the diva cup soon!

yay!