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BlueMage
Snowy Owl
Joined: Jun 12, 2009
Posts: 130
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 Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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To put it in you fold it up first and then let it unfold inside you.
Usually I just change it in the shower, only one day of my period is heavy enough that I should change it once during the day. You have to be careful, and get the hang of it, I don't have much of an issue changing it in a public bathroom. I just use plenty of toilet paper to prevent messes.
I guess they aren't everyone, but It helps you really get in touch with your anatomy. Ideally the cup settles into a spot where its cupping your cervix, which for me anyway, doesn't tend to be too far back, so it's never hard to reach to get out. |
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zen_mistress
im not sure what to write here.
Joined: Jun 12, 2007
Age: 32
Posts: 2397
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| Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 2:58 am Post subject: |
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I think it might perhaps provide convenience if it needs to be emptied only once per day, but I dont think it would be for me. It seems sort of like having a wine glass in your bajingo.
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LadyMacbeth
They made me do it.
Joined: May 28, 2007
Posts: 1907
Location: In the girls toilets at Hogwarts, washing the blood off my hands.
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| Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 11:15 am Post subject: |
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| grendel wrote: | | I keep hearing about these but I've been leery of trying them... my main concern is getting it in and out. They look so large. How do you get it in? How do you get your hand in enough to get it out again? Isn't it hard and uncomfortable when installing/removing? It also seems like it would be messy to pull out full of blood without spilling on your hand, clothes, etc. Sorry about the graphic images this may bring up but I am concerned about it though on one hand it seems like a good idea. |
This is my reason for not really looking into it.
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Rain_Bird
Deinonychus
Joined: Mar 19, 2007
Age: 20
Posts: 367
Location: Ohio
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| Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 11:28 am Post subject: |
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| zen_mistress wrote: | | I think it might perhaps provide convenience if it needs to be emptied only once per day, but I dont think it would be for me. It seems sort of like having a wine glass in your bajingo. |
If you put it in right, you can't even feel it. You'd think that it would be uncomfortable, but it's not.
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mgran
Phoenix
Joined: May 23, 2009
Posts: 891
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| Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 12:38 pm Post subject: |
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I've been using a mooncup for three years. It's just incredible how much less crampy my periods are when I use it, and you can't feel anything up there at all. I've got a very heavy period the first few days, so I have to change it three times a day for the first couple of days... but after that I only have to change it once before I go to bed, once in the morning. It's saved me a fortune... not only that, I can actually go out for a run, or ride a bike, if I want to.
But the main benefit which I hadn't been expecting is that it has cut down my period pain, very dramatically. Does anyone have any idea why? |
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grendel
Blue Jay
Joined: Aug 27, 2006
Posts: 95
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| Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:36 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks for the additional info.... I had a few more questions. 1) Does it start leaking when the cup gets full/is this how you know it is time to empty it? (So, do you still need to wear a backup pad?) I always tend to have heavy periods lasting a week or more so I'm probably more on the three times a day end and I am wondering what happens when it overflows. 2) Can you wear it laying down or sleep in it, or do you use something else at night? In my mind, if it's a cup with liquid in it, and you turn it on it's side, it both spills and also the additional blood seeps sideways instead of collecting in it when you are lying down. Or does the "suction" somehow prevent this? |
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greenlandgem
Raven
Joined: Dec 05, 2008
Posts: 102
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| Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:29 am Post subject: |
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Hey Grendel!
I'll answer your questions here instead of PM because others might want to know too. 
1) It can leak when the cup gets full, but this takes a surprisingly long time. Periods look heavier using pads and tampons and look like more blood than they truly are. When I started using mine, I would put it in for an hour, check it and empty, then two hours, then three, etc, until I got a general idea of how heavy my flow was. Once you know your cycle better (and using the Divacup will let you know it better, trust me) you'll be fine, but in the beginning it is probably a good idea to wear a back-up pad - not just because of "overfill" but it may take a little practice before you get it in the right place every time.
2) You can do headstands, cartwheels, swim, skydive, ride horses, spacewalk - anything you like - including sleep! You see, you insert the cup (it's silicone - I run it under HOT water prior to this as it softens the cup significantly, close to the feeling of those silicone baking pans) folded into quarters (well, that's what I do) - I pinch it flat, then use my fingers to fold the flattened cup into a "U" shape. You insert it (using a hilarious "football player" stance - the hut-hut moment - haha) then when you let go, it unfolds inside you and creates a weak vacuum. The soft silicone allows the cup to seal against you, inside, but to flex while you move. You can actually feel a tiny bit of suction when it unfolds (I wiggle my hips a bit to make it do this). This seal prevents the blood from leaking out of you, no matter what position you're in. To get it out, you just need to reach in far enough to pinch the bottom of the cup, thus releasing the vacuum (which is weakened by the increased volume of fluid in the cup - but not enough to leak!!!).
I have "tested" the Divacup pretty intensely over the years, and I've only had it leak once - on a gentle meander through a department store! I had actually thought when I put it in, "Hmm - that felt... different" but was too lazy to check. It wasn't disastrous - just a bit of a knicker scrub was needed is all.
Removal is very simple - the cup doesn't (for me, anyway) actually "cup" the cervix - it's nowhere near that high. The little nib on the bottom of the cup almost (but not quite) sticks out. You don't exactly have to fish around for it! Just get in the aforementioned hut-hut stance, bear down gently, and the little nub thing pokes out enough to pinch the bottom of the cup (which has grip ridges) and pull it out. Now, if you're not sexually active or haven't used tampons it's a little odd - but I was neither when I started using it and I was just fine. Now I tend to empty the cup once a day (as in, 24 hours) in the shower, which negates any messiness. But it isn't messy so long as it isn't completely full - if concerned, pull it out with one hand while cupping the other just underneath in case it spills a little. And it isn't as gross as it sounds, trust me!
And as for cleaning - if you have to empty in public toilets, you can just wipe it with some clean toilet paper, or carry a small bottle of water in your purse if you like. (I've never had to change it in a public toilet - usually in 24 hours I can find somewhere private!) I wash mine in the shower, or in the bathroom sink with hot water. I use Cetaphil, the liquid cleanser with no soaps or fragrances, and I've never, ever had a problem. Every few months I boil the cup to ensure that it's sterilised, but that's not really necessary if you clean it thoroughly after use.
Em, I thought I'd add this but beware it touches on a bit of grossness: I've heard a lot of people say that they wouldn't be able to stand the smell of the blood. Well - here's the thing: because the cup seals inside your body, the blood doesn't contain outside bacteria, which feed on the blood on pads and tampons and release pungent byproducts. The blood in the cup barely smells at all - even of the typical "blood" odour. I wasn't expecting that!
Any other questions, feel free to ask! I love the Divacup and fully support anyone interested in trying it!!!
Oh - and mgran: yep, I noticed the same thing regarding cramps! I am virtually cramp free now - though I will admit that I was one of the lucky ones who was really only "uncomfortable" most of the time, rather than in real pain. I think it's because it allows the blood to flow at its natural pace, and perhaps because it doesn't involve any chemicals? I'm not sure. |
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greenlandgem
Raven
Joined: Dec 05, 2008
Posts: 102
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| Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:01 am Post subject: |
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Hey Grendel!
I'll answer your questions here instead of PM because others might want to know too.
1) It can leak when the cup gets full, but this takes a surprisingly long time. Periods look heavier using pads and tampons and look like more blood than they truly are. When I started using mine, I would put it in for an hour, check it and empty, then two hours, then three, etc, until I got a general idea of how heavy my flow was. Once you know your cycle better (and using the Divacup will let you know it better, trust me) you'll be fine, but in the beginning it is probably a good idea to wear a back-up pad - not just because of "overfill" but it may take a little practice before you get it in the right place every time.
2) You can do headstands, cartwheels, swim, skydive, ride horses, spacewalk - anything you like - including sleep! You see, you insert the cup (it's silicone - I run it under HOT water prior to this as it softens the cup significantly, close to the feeling of those silicone baking pans) folded into quarters (well, that's what I do) - I pinch it flat, then use my fingers to fold the flattened cup into a "U" shape. You insert it (using a hilarious "football player" stance - the hut-hut moment - haha) then when you let go, it unfolds inside you and creates a weak vacuum. The soft silicone allows the cup to seal against you, inside, but to flex while you move. You can actually feel a tiny bit of suction when it unfolds (I wiggle my hips a bit to make it do this). This seal prevents the blood from leaking out of you, no matter what position you're in. To get it out, you just need to reach in far enough to pinch the bottom of the cup, thus releasing the vacuum (which is weakened by the increased volume of fluid in the cup - but not enough to leak!!!).
I have "tested" the Divacup pretty intensely over the years, and I've only had it leak once - on a gentle meander through a department store! I had actually thought when I put it in, "Hmm - that felt... different" but was too lazy to check. It wasn't disastrous - just a bit of a knicker scrub was needed is all.
Removal is very simple - the cup doesn't (for me, anyway) actually "cup" the cervix - it's nowhere near that high. The little nib on the bottom of the cup almost (but not quite) sticks out. You don't exactly have to fish around for it! Just get in the aforementioned hut-hut stance, bear down gently, and the little nub thing pokes out enough to pinch the bottom of the cup (which has grip ridges) and pull it out. Now, if you're not sexually active or haven't used tampons it's a little odd - but I was neither when I started using it and I was just fine. Now I tend to empty the cup once a day (as in, 24 hours) in the shower, which negates any messiness. But it isn't messy so long as it isn't completely full - if concerned, pull it out with one hand while cupping the other just underneath in case it spills a little. And it isn't as gross as it sounds, trust me!
And as for cleaning - if you have to empty in public toilets, you can just wipe it with some clean toilet paper, or carry a small bottle of water in your purse if you like. (I've never had to change it in a public toilet - usually in 24 hours I can find somewhere private!) I wash mine in the shower, or in the bathroom sink with hot water. I use Cetaphil, the liquid cleanser with no soaps or fragrances, and I've never, ever had a problem. Every few months I boil the cup to ensure that it's sterilised, but that's not really necessary if you clean it thoroughly after use.
Em, I thought I'd add this but beware it touches on a bit of grossness: I've heard a lot of people say that they wouldn't be able to stand the smell of the blood. Well - here's the thing: because the cup seals inside your body, the blood doesn't contain outside bacteria, which feed on the blood on pads and tampons and release pungent byproducts. The blood in the cup barely smells at all - even of the typical "blood" odour. I wasn't expecting that!
Any other questions, feel free to ask! I love the Divacup and fully support anyone interested in trying it!!!
Oh - and mgran: yep, I noticed the same thing regarding cramps! I am virtually cramp free now - though I will admit that I was one of the lucky ones who was really only "uncomfortable" most of the time, rather than in real pain. I think it's because it allows the blood to flow at its natural pace, and perhaps because it doesn't involve any chemicals? I'm not sure. |
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poopylungstuffing
Have Asperger's not sure if I am diagnosed or not
Joined: Mar 09, 2007
Age: 34
Posts: 6941
Location: Super Happy Fun Land, TX
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LinnaeusCat
Deinonychus
Joined: Jul 23, 2009
Age: 42
Posts: 383
Location: Le Monde
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| Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 12:17 pm Post subject: |
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I use the Keeper (the earlier edition of the DivaCup) and it's made things so much easier during that time of the month.
It's nice not having to carry a purse to hide tampons as well as feeling cleaner and more comfortable.
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Aspie_Clarz
Hummingbird
Joined: Nov 20, 2009
Age: 18
Posts: 24
Location: London, England
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| Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 9:34 am Post subject: |
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My aunty told me that when she used it, it fell out while she was walking in the shops, so ended up walking like she'd sh*t herself. Does this happen to anyone else?
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greenlandgem
Raven
Joined: Dec 05, 2008
Posts: 102
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| Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 1:15 pm Post subject: |
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Apologies for the enormous double post. I have no idea why it did that - I didn't even have internet issues. Weird. Sorry!  |
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ticktockpop
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: Sep 29, 2009
Posts: 41
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| Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 12:02 am Post subject: Divacup |
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Hi girls,
** TMI ALERT ***
My period, on the heaviest days, is so heavy that if I sit on the toilet, it runs like a river (ok, maybe not like a river, but like someone just poured a cup of stuff out of you). I normally have to exchange the tampon several times a day, and MUST use a tampon plus a pad - if I use only one or the other, then disaster occurs. If I have only the pad and a "gushing" moment occurs, the pad is not absorbent enough to catch everything at once. If I use only the tampon, then there is leakage for sure.
I decided to give it a try anyway because a tampon can be painful during a couple days when I have my period.
So, when I tried the product, I had to empty it during the day, besides having to wear a pad.
It was a mess. There was no way for me not to have it touch my hand, and my nose is EXTREMELY sensitive -- even after washing several times with hot water I could still smell blood and hormones. I gave it a fair try as I figures I might get used to it after a while, and learn how to remove/replace it easily. Nope.
If you have heavy flows and a strong sense of smell, then stay away from the cup. It's a great product for some people, but not for everyone.  |
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greenlandgem
Raven
Joined: Dec 05, 2008
Posts: 102
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| Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 10:26 am Post subject: |
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Ticktockpop:
Huh! Interesting how different it is for different people. I have a very, very sensitive sense of smell, and this was always one of the worst things (to me) about pads - I could always smell them, no matter how often I changed them or showered or whatever (TMI, I know). The cup is the opposite. I've never had a gag moment - smells a bit iron-y, I wash my hands, gone.
I concur that it might be tricky if you have a very heavy flow. Mine used to be like that when I was younger (just how you describe - sneezing caused the most disgusting sensation and always made me leg it to the loo to check things - and I have very bad hayfever! Spring periods were awful!), but it's lightened a fair bit, most significantly when I went on the pill. Have you considered that? |
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ebec11
Missing In Action: Innocence
Joined: Jan 18, 2008
Posts: 6579
Location: Somewhere in Canada
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| Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 8:12 pm Post subject: |
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It sounds interesting, but I'm very anti-anything going up there, so I'll stick with the smelly pads until I get less queasy when I think about tampons and other products that go in the private part.
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