Diva Cup or Similar

I don't personally use the diva cup but I do use glad rags (washable sanitary napkins) You do need to use the right size which is: either before having children and c-sections or after vaginal birth-they do have a website, yes it is a bit messy when you take it out to wash it and then need to re-insert it, but much healthier than tampons. I run a wholesale co-op so if you would like to try one wihtout paying retail (they are $21-$24 wholesale) let me know and when I place my next order I could get one for you. my email address is ____@____.com. T. (I am in Wonder Lake IL)

Oh my God, I LOVE it! In fact, it was the first blog I ever wrote: http://urbansuburbanfamily.squarespace.com/home/2009/12/3... (for my full review).

It's easy to use, but does take a period or two before you really get good at it so that you don't even need a panty liner or anything. Use the "after children" after you've been pregnant - it's pretty well documented at this point that it's the weight of pregnancy that stresses the pelvic floor far more than actual vaginal delivery.

I got the diva wash with mine and just give it a quick wash in between insertions, which is only twice a day, so no big deal. It's seriously awesome!

J.
www.UrbanSuburbanFamily.squarespace.com

Like everyone else, I found it difficult at first, but my flow is really heavy after kids and the pad/tampon combo wasn't even working well. Now I love it. Even on really heavy days I can go a few hours without emptying it. I too will never go back.

I love my Diva cup! It took a little to get use to it but so worth it. I would read into it because of size for you I believe if you have had no vaginal births you don't want to get the larger size. That might be the only thing you would want to double check with I know I use the larger size because I have had three vaginal births. Anyhow just make sure you keep it clean and sterilize it after every monthly cycle is done. I believe a typical cycle you loose roughly 3 oz of fluid and it holds 1 oz so you do the math you don't really have to change it very often. And best part ever is no messy undies at night. At least I always had an issue with that with pads, and I refused to wear tampons through the night.

I really like my Diva Cup. I've heard good things about others as well but the Dive Cup was the only one I was able to find locally.
A few things:
- There is a learning curve, unlike a tampon which is inserted up and back at an angle the Diva Cup is inserted straight back towards your spine. And you have to do it right so that you get a good seal. I recommend using a panty liner in addition, at least at first until you get an idea of what it feels like to get a good seal.
- It holds about an ounce of fluid so depending on how heavy your flow is you don't have to empty it that often. I typically empty mine once every 8 hours or so and by doing so I'm able to completely avoid doing so in a public restroom (which would be kind of a pain, although easily done, especially if there is a stall that has a sink in it).
- While its' super easy to urinate with it in you do have to take some care when having a bowel movement to avoid pushing out the Diva Cup and having it fall in the toilet. I usually cross my legs or kind of hold it in place with a piece of toilet paper.
- I think it took me maybe two cycles to really get the insertion of it down properly. I still wear a back up pad on super heavy days when I'm working or might otherwise be distracted and risk having an overflow. I don't feel it and can swim and do pretty much whatever I want while I have it in (except sex, there just would be enough room). I forget how they put it on the packaging but vaginal birth has nothing to do with how it fits and you'd need the post-baby one.

I just have to agree- I LOVE mine! I never thought I'd be smiling when I have my period and not worrying about leaks, etc. Twice a day or at most 3 times a day changes are so worth it. With tampons I had days that I was worrying after 2 hours. You just can't go anywhere feeling like that! It definitely takes a little getting used to- the first time each month you kind of have to remember how it's supposed to feel- but then it's like riding a bike. I think the best thing about it is that you almost feel like you aren't having your period when you're using it. Oh and I have been swimming with it- no problems at all. Aside from the washing with Diva Wash- I boil mine for 20 minutes once a month. Good Luck! K

I LOVE my Diva Cup! I was totally grossed out by the idea of it when I first heard about it, but after having my 2nd baby, tampons just weren't working as well anymore.

As others have said, there is a learning curve to it, so don't give up. I think it took me 2 or 3 cycles before I really figured it out. And in the 2 1/2 years I've been using it, I've only had once cycle where I just couldn't figure it out for some reason. I sometimes use a pantiliner right when I insert it just in case it's not quite right and I have some leaking, but that is rare.

It is actually not nearly as messy as changing a tampon, once you get the technique down. Since the cup forms a seal, all the blood stays inside the cup, so your fingers should not get bloody. When removing it, you want to make sure you are positioned over the toilet so if any blood spills out, you don't make a mess on the floor or your clothes.

What I like about it is that if I know my period is coming, I can insert it that morning, and then I don't have to worry about it until evening. That's especially nice if my period is due when I will be at work. I've never had to change it in a public place.

It is FABULOUS to have on vacation, especially on the travel days.

I will NEVER go back to tampons again.

I LOVE the diva cup. super easy to use, and clean. you cannot feel it after it's in, as long as it's in correct placement. i've had a c/s and a vaginal birth, it doesn't matter. there is no way i would ever go back to tampons. yes you can swim with it!

I've been using the Diva Cup for about 4 months now and have been really happy with it. I didn't like the chemicals and all the waste of tampons. I bought mine at Whole Foods. I hardly ever have to take it out and if you leave it in, it's not like a tampon where you can get sick. It takes a while to get the hang of but once I got it, I loved it! I can swim, go to the washroom, etc. I don't feel it and if I do it's because it's not in correctly. It's not messy, or no messier than any other form of feminine period products. I usually reserve taking it out for home where I'm next to my sink and can rinse it out and wash my hands right away but I've done it while in public and managed just fine. I've seem them cheap online. I paid too much for it at Whole Foods :(

I was just reading about the Instead Softcup. (I don't feel like tampons anymore either. Since having my son, I don't feel like they fit properly.) Anyhow, the Softcup is not reusable like the Diva Cup, but one benefit to it is that you can have intercourse while it's in. You can't with the Diva Cup. In general, these cups can be a little messy to remove, but periods are messy! It's just a different messy than we're used to with tampons and pads. For the Diva Cup, there are 2 different sizes, one for after age 30 or childbirth (vaginal or csection) due to hip widening, but the Softcup comes in one size, and fits most, so they claim. Another nice thing about the disposable ones is that if you needed to change it in a public place, you could just insert a new one. With the Diva Cup, you have to wash it after use so that you can reinsert it. They say that you 'can' just wipe it off with a soft cloth, then wash it thoroughly before the next insertion, but I like the idea of being able to insert a new one if I had to and not worry about the whole cleaning thing. They say you can't feel it if it's inserted properly. Yes, you can swim, or do just about anything. You can urinate or have a bowel movement with them in as well. And you can keep them in for up to 12 hours. Most women say they only use 2 a day, one in the morning, then change in the evening, unless they have super-heavy flow.

That's about all I know. I haven't used them, but I am going to get some to try today. I'm curious too! Maybe try the Instead Softcup first. Since they're disposable, they won't be as much of an investment, if you don't end up liking that type of period protection. Plus, the Softcup is sold at many retail drug and super stores.

I have one and Have used it more times than not, but for me, I can never get it in before I actually start bleeding. I usually place it in several hours after it starts. There is a learning cuve for sure, but even after it's in, I still have to wear a panty liner to catch what was already coming down. It says you need to replace it eveyr 12 hours and I am not a heavy bleeder, but HAVE to pull it out for sure, otherwise I will leak. I think due to the suction, it helpes it pull it down for me (if that makes any sense). Usually, I only have my period for 4 days, but when I have this in, it's only 3 days. The first day you put it in, it always the hardest and the first time you pull it out, you may want to be in the shower.

Once it's in, and if it's in correctly, you don't feel it. I had to clip a little part of the tip off as it was still sticking out and causing some irritation. I had 2 c-sections and it was advised for me to get the bigger one.

Yes you can swim with it. I only insert it and pull it out when I'm at home, but the good thing with this is when I insert it, I still get my period, if I were to insert a tampon, my period would instantly stop. So, for me, it's healthier all the way around too.

Good luck.