Menstrual Cups - Divacup, Mooncup, Instead, Lunette, Miacup

Leakage No Matter What!!

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:41:32 GMT

It seems my DIVA is gonna leak no matter what I do!! I've tried EVERY THING!!
1-make sure it's SEALED via twisting/rotating
2-SWISH finger around to remove residual
3-turned it INSIDE OUT
4-locate my cervix & TRY to place cup accordingly
5-make sure ALL HOLES are CLEAR

After ALL this my cup still leaks. Since I've been doing #4 the leaking isn't AS BAD.
My cup is NEVER FULL when it leaks. It comes to the 1/2oz line at most.
Also since doing #4, the cup is usu. betw. 1/4 & 1/2oz marks.

I have been using my DIVA since 2004. I used it for about 6 to 8mo. w/GREAT dificulty. So much so I put it away for about a year!
Then I found this site:-) I got a lot of tips & was finally able to use it w/some success. I've always had leakage though. I'm envious of those who can wear their cup alone!! I'd NEVER go w/o a backup, never!!

Oh and how do you KNOW your cervix is IN the cup???
I thought every thing inside there was 'smooshed together. So if there's a seal the cup should catch the flow rather the cervix is IN the cup or not..................

So I finally decided maybe the DIVA isn't the RIGHT cup for me. I ordered & am waiting on a green LadyCup.
I do hope this one is for me. If you have any suggestions, PLEASE let me know.

Got my Pinkcup Today!

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:26:44 GMT

So I've been awaiting this for like a week now. I was at my college yesterday and when I was gone, it came.. I live in a condo complex so they couldn't leave it at my door. So I had to go to the post office. Picked it up and now I'm home! It's so cute. I can't wait to use it. I'll probably use it lots cuz of discharge (TMI I KNOW) but I do get a lot of that. Unfortunately, even though I've had my period for 5 years now, it's NEVER REGULAR. Last time I got it was in May.. No, I'm not preggo. So maybe I shall get it soon. I'm gonna do a few try runs to see how it is. I will definitely let you guys know, and maybe post some pics. HOORAY!

Uncomfortable Insertion

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 05:21:33 GMT

Ok so I just used my BlueCup for the first time and, as was expected, I had a few insertion problems and could use some helpful suggestions.

I seemed to get it in fine but the first time there was a LOT of pressure, sort of like a speculum feeling. Then it suctioned perfectly but the bottom of the cup was sticking outside of my vagina. So I got it out and tried a few more times.

Trying the C-Fold (first time was Punch Fold) I got it in but I had to pee REALLY bad. Then I couldn't. This led me to thinking that I inserted it straight up as opposed to back so I took it out, washed it because it was a tad messy, then re-inserted it.

As of now I am in the bathroom and not feeling too comfortable. The bottom of the cup + stem are sticking out of me and I can definitely feel it when I am sitting down or even walking. It's not that uncomfortable, but a tampon is looking pretty good right now. Should the cup be sitting this low? Should I try getting it higher up? If it's that high I have a problem fitting my fingers into my vagina to check for the rim and I don't want to accidentally hit my IUD strings.

I'm going out of town to a wedding this weekend and want to be able to use it. I will definitely bring tampons and pads just in case. Some help will be much appreciated. I'm not ready to give up yet and will try again in the morning. Thanks!

Squee!

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 02:23:54 GMT

I fail at cutting so please forgive me if this breaks again.
< lj-cut text="questions and a posative doctor!">First, my question
I'm getting an IUD soon, and I should ask this of the sister community, but is there a number of periods that I should have with just the IUD before adding the cup because of the possability of the cup polling out a newly inserted IUD?

You ladies will like this after the not so nice comments from a fello journaler's doctor from a few weeks ago. I went in to see my Gyn today, and I asked her about the use of the cup with an IUD, and she said no trouble, and then went on to say that she'd not met to many organic ladies like us. She then went on to tell me about the insteads and how excited she was when they came out and how she bought a bunch and then menapause hit and she was sad. Yay for finding awsome gyns out there who don't think we're crazy or unsanitary!

I've been jinxed.

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:13:17 GMT

SO, exactly the SAME DAY that I had a conversation with my roommate about how I've never had a problem with not only my diva cup, but 'embarrassment' involving my period (never leaked in public..etc)...
My diva cup starts to leak... and I don't know what the heck is going on.

I've used diva for 3 years now, minus 11 months of pregnancy/childbirth...etc (yeah even though I breast feed my period came back at 8 weeks booo.. back in January)..
I have NEVER had a problem with it.... I got the larger size in Jan. and have been using it every month with no problem until 2 days ago...
Any ideas ladies?
I think of my self as a pro at this thing....what could be different?!

Leakage and removal help!

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:09:29 GMT

So, i've been using the Mooncup UK (B, as i'm 18 and no kids) for a few months now, and i've had no problems until now. (This is a great community btw, it helped answer many of the questions when I was first starting out!)

My first problem is leaking. I insert the mooncup using the punch down fold, and then when it's in, I move my finger round the cup and then press inwards to release the fold, thus causing a suction. This has helped me before with no leaks, but now it's leaking! And when I take the cup out, it's only half full. I've checked all the holes to see if they were blocked, but they weren't. This leads me onto my next main problem.

Removal. When i first used the mooncup, I kept the stem intact and used to take it out by pulling on the stem, and pressing my finger against the the side of the cup to release the suction. Although this lead to all the contents of the cup not spilling, as the rim is huge, it used to hurt. So then after a while I cut the stem (because it was pinching me. Ouch!) and then I started using the C fold to take it out. This lead it to be less painful, but I find that as i'm pulling it out, blood spills onto my hand and it looks like a murder scene! I can't keep all the contents of the cup from spilling onto my hand, as when i'm squishing the cup into the C fold, this pushes the contents upwards, and when it's halfway out, the blood dribbles onto my hand. As a result of this, I can't tell whether the leaking is from the suction not forming (although I check and it hasn't leaked before), or if the cup is too full (because by removing it used the C fold, I find that if the cup is half full, but I think that the other half of blood has run down my fingers)

Sorry for the long post, and I know, TMI! So I guess my main problem is removal, as I can't seem to remove the cup with all the contents in the cup, and not all over my hand! I have heavy periods btw, and before using the mooncup, I used to have to change my pad every 2 hours. Also, I wear my mooncup high up, as everytime I try to keep it low, it always migrates up.

I hope I explained it well and it's not too confusing

Tips for first time user w/ IUD

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 04:42:59 GMT

Hi all! So I finally got my BlueCup late last week and my stubborn first post-IUD period seems to be starting, about a month over do. I've had spotting for the past 4 days which finally got heavy this afternoon, but once again tapering off to near nothing. Hmm...

Anyway, so because it seems as if I'm starting I would like to try using my menstrual cup. At the very least to catch the spotting fluids I've been having that has ruined several pairs of panties. I've been looking up videos on how to do folds and insert the cup properly. Are there any tips on inserting the cup with the IUD? What should I do with the strings? How should I insert it? What should I do upon removal?

I've already used a couple tampons with no problems so I'm hoping the cup goes the same way. Any IUD users out their with their input would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Green donna email?

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:20:55 GMT

I want to purchase a green donna but the website they link to purchase it is down as well as their link to contact them, I was wondering if anyone had their email on hand?
Thanks!

cup cleaner recipe (for odor-killing)

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:04:00 GMT

Wanted to share a cleaning method I just came up with. Because it uses substances that have been considered potentially damaging to silicone, I wouldn't recommend this as your typical cleaning method, but when you've got vile, stubborn odors that other methods don't take care of, it shouldn't hurt.

Mix several drops of tea tree oil with 1-2 capfuls of peroxide. Rinse your cup well with hot water, then dip an old toothbrush in the solution and scrub the cup inside and out. Then rinse the cup and the brush and sprinkle a little baking soda into the cup. Use the brush to distribute/scrub the soda all over the cup so it breaks down the oily solution, then rinse well in hot water.

*If you have the time, try diluting the TTO/peroxide with just enough water to submerge the cup and let it soak overnight. Then follow it with an overnight soak in baking soda solution.

*If the TTO smell (it's minty!) lingers on your cup and you're not too keen on shoving it up your box that way, try wiping with alcohol or washing in soap and water. (I didn't bother with either, so mine still smelled TTO-y when I put it back in. It didn't irritate my bits, just made them feel a little tingly and cool. TTO is recommended as a treatment for yeast infections, so it's likely to be friendly to your vag.)

I effing hate tampons!!!

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 05:14:32 GMT

Has anyone ever had trouble with leakage after using tampons and then going back to a menstrual cup?

I've been using my Keeper for almost a year. I love it, and have rarely had leakage problems. This weekend I was stupid and forgot it at home, and of course my period showed up unexpectedly while I was visiting my boyfriend who lives about an hour and a half away.

Sooo... I made him rush to the convenience store to pick up tampons, because I knew there wasn't anywhere nearby where I could purchase a menstrual cup. Now that I am back home, I have my menstrual cup back in and it seems to be leaking like crazy. Anyone ever had this problem before? Will things go back to normal for my next cycle, or should I get the larger size Keeper?

TIA!

First post: Leakage and messsssssy

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:39:12 GMT

Hi all! I've been following this community for a little while now (ever since I heard of Diva cups). I finally got the courage up to buy one and try it out for this cycle which started yesterday...

I kept the stem on for the first few hours but it drove me nuts, so I cut it a bit...still drove me nuts, so I cut it a bit more. Now I can't feel it at all, but I do have to fish around for a bit to find the cup to remove it at times...

Anyway I LOVE the cup and the idea of not having to buy tampons anymore especially since I won't be polluting the environment with them like crazy...but here are my two concerns that I was hoping to get your advice on...

1. leakage. I was hoping to have no leakage but I guess life can't be perfect, right? My cup keeps leaking...it's not a lot, just a little blood on the panty liners, but it's annoying. My cup is no where NEAR full, but it leaks around the cup...am I doing something wrong or is this normal? It seems like I can usually tell when there's leaking too, so I go to the bathroom and yep, I'm right.

2. messiness. ewww. I know it's blood and it's normal, but it grosses me out. When I bear down and fish for the cup, I always come out with the cup and my fingers all messy...looks like a murder scene. I've yet to remove the cup in a public restroom, but I worry about this happening there....is this normal or am I doing something wrong?

Thanks all!

The only problem I have with menstrual cups :P

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:47:17 GMT

[Imagine me saying this with a grin on my face - it really isn't a genuine whine :P]

Today. 10 am. I put my cup on the sink while bathing, thinking to myself - "I'd better not forget it, my period's due any minute now!"

Well, I forgot it.
And didn't realize I had forgotten it till I went to a friend's place and checked for it - at 6 pm.
I didn't have any pads on me.

Ahhh... the trouble my cup would have got me into.

<i>Can't it just be uncomfortable enough to be felt?</i>

Edit: Since I'm still gloating, and this post is still high up... cup users will never have to face THIS!

Today, I went to a neon themed party. Standing by the UV light, I looked down and realised my pad was glowing through my tights. FML
I mean, really. Poor girl :(

DivaCup and cloth protection

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:53:44 GMT

Hello,

I want to buy the DivaCup and want to get some cloth pads or liners to go with them. I will probably use the DivaCup the entire time I need it and I want some back-up protection to protect my undies when using the DivaCup. Should I get a 7 day supply of panty liners? Or should I get pads with removable liners? I'm not sure if the pads might be too heavy duty for what I need. I'm going to buy my supplies at Lunapads. Any recommendations would be useful since I have never used the DivaCup or cloth protection.

My flow is normally pretty light. One or two tampons during the day and a pad at night. In the morning my pad is pretty much clean.

Thanks!!

T

Finding Your Cervix

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:58:33 GMT

So, yeah, I'm not on intimate terms with the innermost parts of my vagina.

I've read (on here) that it's like the tip of your nose, high up in your vagina. I can't seem to find it at all - would that indicate depth, or am I not looking properly?

Just, generally, how should I look? I'm very puzzled.

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:10:36 GMT

if you have hemorrhoids, does your cup cause or exacerbate any problems with them?

probably tmi, my cycle is due in about a week and just wanted to know if anyone else has had problems here.

Mooncup arrived!

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:42:09 GMT

Hey girls,
Finally, my Mooncup arrived! :D

I boiled it and try to insert it with the pinch fold, what worked great! It immediately went in a comfortable position, became airtight and even the stem wasn't annoying yet. :3

Bu then i tried to remove it and experienced SUPER SUCTION. :(
As i assume before, my missing fingerails made it very diffcult to hold the cup. The stem was no help at all, and i couldn't insert my fingers deep enough to break the seal. :(
Maybe i was too excited?
I ended up pressing the cup downwards and tried to grab it, and finally it worked, but if it had been filled, the content would have been spilt everywhere :(

How do i fix this?

Thanks,
Salviaviech

Lamenting the loss of my Diva Cup

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:26:45 GMT

Last week sometime I put my cup in my purse expecting shark week to show up eventually. Unfortunately sometime in those days prior the damn thing escaped from my purse! I was hoping I'd just misplaced it or that it fell out of my bag at the boyfriends, but it's nowhere to be found.

Oh the woe!

Using tampons again royally sucks!

They leak way more than my diva ever did, and I forgot what a mess they make! There's no good "clues" when you're leaking like there is with the cup, so the leaks tend to take you by surprise. By golly I'm almost 30 years old and washing my sheets, towels and undies again like I'm 13 and still not used to the damn thing.
Not to mention the anonymity! I mean, I have enough confidence to walk into a Walgreens and buy what I need, but I hate the looks I get from the males in the store... most just get really awkward and pretend like they don't see what I'm holding. Being discreet with a diva cup is easy, there's no tell-tale evidence in the trashcan to show that you're experiencing the red tide, with a tampon however there's leftovers and it's quite annoying.

In a desperate bid for the comfort and convenience that is a cup I'm going on a hunt today in town to see if ANYONE carries them in a brick and mortar store. I tried Wholefoods previously with no luck but I might, just might, get lucky with REI. Here's hoping, I'm definately crossing my fingers because I can't take the rest of my cycle with these cotton pieces of nonsense.

EDIT 14:28 -- REI for the win! Other than sticker shock ($40 w/tax!!!) I'm happily back to being a cup user and 3 days without it was MORE than enough thank you very much.

Cup migrating up overnight

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 08:51:46 GMT

I usually use cloth pads during the day and my ladycup during the night so I don't have to worry about my pad or underware shifting. It's my first cup and my second cycle with it. I love my ladycup and I was surprised that it pops open right away and it's really easy to remove when many people said theirs was too slippery. Eventhough it's the small it has just right amount of capacity for my heaviest night.

The only problem is when I wake up in the morning my cup seems to have disappeared up inside me and I can't reach the stem or base to pull it out. I think it's because on the second day of my cycle my cervix move up quite a bit. Usually it's okay to spend 5-10 minutes to get it out but sometimes that's not always possible when I'm in a rush to get out of the house in the morning.

I've read that doing kegels will get the cup to come down farther. But that only works sometimes. Maybe my muscles down there are weak? What else can I do to get my cup farther down so I can reach it? Thanks :)

Love my Lunette!

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:54:36 GMT

I just wanted to share how happy I am with my cup with everyone, since I'm pretty sure my experience is relatively unique.

For the last 4 summers, I have been marching/playing with an all-age Drum and Bugle Corps. Basically, this is a marching band but with much more difficult music and drill. And its for people of all ages(12-200!). Since its for people of all ages, its only really active on the weekends, when a majority of people aged 12-200 don't work. So, with my period expected to arrive on a Friday, I knew that this weekend would be a test, regardless of what happened on or off the field.

I'm happy to say that my Lunette passed with flying colors. I didn't actually start bleeding until I got home tonight, but it was such a relief not to have to worry about leaking all day long, rather than every few hours, and to not go all the way to my backpack for a tampon before heading for the bathroom, just in case. I didn't begin my period due to stress from the weekend, but once me and my boy alleviated some of that stress, there it was, just as predicted.

So, for the few of you who participate in Drum and Bugle Corps activities, thats one less thing to bring on tour: disposables!

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:31:38 GMT

The main reason I switched to Menstrual cups was because I had been having symptoms of a yeast infection with my last two periods, but no weird discharge. Just more irritation... sort of like diaper rash (no idea what else to compare it to, sorry lol!). So this period I have used my Diva Cup... super happy with it! No symptoms of pain, irritation, itching.... NOTHING! YAY!

Then today I pulled the Diva Cup out for the morning cleanng etc, and there was definitely unusual discharge going on. Yeast-like... so Have been having yeast infections all along, and if I hadn't used my cup I would have never known, so Thank goodness for becoming more familiar with our bodies eh?

I am headed to the Doctor tomorrow assuming my period is all over by then. I am probably going to be the worst patient because some of the common treatments will be impossible... yogurt grosses me out beyond belief. I would rather eat dog food. I am considering going off of HBC once I am married, but I wanted to take a Natural family Planning course first and get used to NFP for birth control before going completely off HBC. So we will see what the Doc says.

Still, I suppose I could cross-post this with success stories if I wanted to, since one of the good things about Menstrual cups is that it keep women a lil more in touch with their cycles and bodies. That part was certainly a success with me! Still, total bummer about these yeast infections... I was hoping I would end up being one of those women that never get them, but no such luck!

A few months in, still having some issues.

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:17:58 GMT

Hi all. I've browsed the tags and such before posting this question. I've been using my lunette for about 4 months. I've gotten a pretty good handle on it in that time, but I am still having some leaking issues. I will do the following and STILL it is prone to leaking.

1. Make sure it has fully opened.
2. Make sure it has properly sealed.
3. Make sure I cannot feel my any part of my cervix outside the cup.

It's comfortable. It's not full. But I still get leaking. Not your run of the mill slobber but actually leaking. I've checked the cup for holes or tears. Any idea what might be wrong, or what else I can do to ensure no leaking? I don't mind using cloth pads as an occasional back-up on my very heavy days, but I don't want it to leak when it is 1/4 of the way full!

I am a 24 year old who has never had children, using a small lunette. I do yoga and I am a not a virgin but I am a bit tight, so I figured it was the best bet. But now I don't know why to think. Does it sound like it is a fit issue? I would love my lunette to death if it didn't leak. It's comfy, not painful to insert or removal, and easy to clean. I'm hoping I might be missing something. Thanks so much to anyone with any suggestions!

Green LadyCup

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 13:45:10 GMT

I finally won one on EBAY;-) I paid $19.99....Yay!!

I love my Diva Lg. but it tends to leak so I decided to try a ladycup. I 'kinda' did research but I didn't do any measuring...........I'm not SURE why my cup leaks SOME TIMES but anyhoo, I just wanted to try a new cup and this one is GREEN:-) I hope to get before my period starts. I'll be sure to tell ALL that happens:-)

MPowercup update

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 12:41:38 GMT

I have been in talks with MPower about possibly stocking them on my website.
As far as I am aware up until now they have been limited to South Africa only.
I have a few concerns about stocking them and I don't think I will stock them - but would value your input on one issue raised.
I asked if they sell them in different sizes and the reply was that there is only one size available. The reason given is this -

We only have one size - the two size cups are a marketing gimmick. This size is good for most women. We are bringing out a teenage size , smaller and more rounded on the top so as to appear less scary for the younger market.

My views are firstly that this is an outrageous comment to make. Cups come in different sizes so that they can fit different women. This company doesn't appear to understand women's needs and the market that they are selling to. They also contradict themselves by then saying that they are bringing out another size. Also, are the younger market scared of cups!!??

How long does it take for a cup to pay for itself in the UK?

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:52:38 GMT

I'm planning to move to the UK in a year or two, and I also want a Lunette or Fleurcup. Could any one of you tell me how long it would take to pay for itself - cost is 25 GBP, from what I've seen.
FWIW, I have a really light flow - I use about 5 XL ultra pads, and 5 liners per cycle.

Edit: Basically, my question comes down to - how much would 5 XL ultrathins and 5 liners cost in the UK?

(I love love love cups but it's really hard for me to justify buying another just 6 months after my first!)

One last chance.

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:02:24 GMT

I was having a lot of trouble with my size 1 Diva. It wouldn't go in, I was certain it wouldn't fit, and I was just sick of trying. Tampons give me panic attacks (TSS symptoms immediately upon insertion), and pads are itchy and smelly, but it looked like I was going to have to go back to disposables anyway. I was ready to give up, but then with the help of a number of people from this community, I caved and ordered a small LadyCup from eBay. It should arrive in a couple of weeks (it's coming from the Czech Republic and I'm in central Canada), but I'm excited to try something smaller that may actually work for me.

Before it arrives, does anyone have any advice for a first time user...a 19 year old virgin?