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

Need to try something new...

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:13:27 GMT

Hi, I'm new to this community *waves*. I've been using a small DivaCup for about 6 months. Things seemed to be going pretty well in the begining--no trouble with insertion/removal and no major leaking issues...but around the third month I started having a difficult time be able to reach the cup for removal. This has gotten progressively worse over the past three months and during my last period, my husband had to assist in removal of the cup almost EVERY SINGLE TIME! The times that he did not help it took literally hours of trying and I ended up having to use the handle of a toothbrush (one with rubber grippies) to break the seal and bring the cup down...this was still very difficult to accomplish.

I started my period today and I think I'm going to have the same issue this time because when I went to check the position of my cup a little while ago, I could barely touch the end of the stem with my pointer finger. No amount of squatting, kegels, or pushing has helped to bring the cup within grasping range. I don't know if my vagina has gotten longer or what but this is frustrating!

I really like using menstrual cups for various reasons and don't want to have to give up on them...so today I ordered a large MeLuna with a ring stem. I am planning to tie a piece of ribbon to the stem and use it to hopefully bring the cup to where I can actually reach and remove it on my own. But who knows...maybe the MeLuna will "ride" differently and I won't need the string at all. I will report back after I try it out!

Video sponsored by Diva Cup

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:21:25 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjNm8eoLMLc

eta on large melunas in other colors?

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 03:45:43 GMT

so I've been wanting to get a large meluna in green, and the new colors were supposed to come out last month... and eventually they did - two new colors (if you count clear as a color!). but there's been a message up there about the other colors coming out in "the following days" that's been up there for a damn month. anyone have any idea what's going on? I really wanted a new cup for this next round of gushing cause I really need it :\ I've also been waiting to order a medium meluna for a discharge cup and I've just been fed up and still dealing with constant goop while I'm waiting! :P

thanks in advance!

Diva vs. MeLuna?

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 05:09:52 GMT

Does anyone have, or know where I could find, a picture comparison of the Diva Cup vs. MeLuna cups? Preferably the Diva size 1 vs. any of the MeLunas.

Sorry to be a bother, but I've been looking on here all day and I can't find one!

Thanks so much,
May

Cleaning question.

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 22:09:59 GMT

I just got a DivaCup, and while the DivaWash is recommended to use for cleaning I was wondering if other things were suitable. (I would have to order the DivaWash online since I don't live near any health food stores.)

I was thinking... could I wash it with toy cleaner? I figure, you put toys in you washed with the cleaner, so why not use it on something else that goes inside. The toy in question is made of vinyl, so would it still clean medical grade silicone okay? Should I avoid toy cleaner altogether?

What do you all use that doesn't cause irritation?

Thanks in advance!

Theory about functional capacity- less than "to the holes"

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 18:20:18 GMT

While watching the cool-but-flawed fleurcup animation on the fleurcup page, where they show it catching tinted water in a wine glass, and contemplating how my large lunette always leaks through the holes at exactly 7.5 ml every time, I thought about this: it isn't only the capacity to the holes, and the concern of a cervix taking up room in a cup (my cervix is almost unreachable, it does NOT take up the entire other 7.5 ml of space in my cup!). It also matters what angle your vagina is. Because the cup doesn't sit straight up and down inside us... so the true capacity is the amount a cup can hold up to the holes while tilted at a 30 degree angle!

given this information, I wonder if any cups will eventually be made with holes on only 1/2 of their circumference? I wish there were a safe way to plug up 1/2 the holes, but I'm not putting any glue/etc on something I'm putting inside my body, no way :)

So what do you think, could this be the answer to leaky 1/2 full cups as opposed to it always being cervix or position?

Lunette Troubles

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 15:23:58 GMT

Hi everyone! This is my first real post here, I've been lurking for several months now.

I just got my Lunette Selene in the mail about a week ago or so. I decided to give it a dry run. Before my Selene, I used a small OrangeCup for a few cycles and I LOVE it! I bought the small Lunette because I wanted a small cup with a higher capacity for my heavy day, just to ease my mind. I learned so much already from using the LadyCup. Apparently, I'm really not that heavy. On my heaviest day two cycles ago, I went 9 hours without emptying and I was just shocked. I get very paranoid of leaking, probably since I converted from only disposable pads to cups.

So, the dry run was unsuccessful to say the least. I used the 7 fold like I do with my OrangeCup and I put it in fine. It refused to pop open and suction no matter what I did. In fact, I think it even flipped upside down, making removal reeeeally difficult. Maybe I just need to practice a little more, or maybe I need a new fold. (I have seen Melissa's video on youtube.) I was wondering if you ladies would be able to help me out. (Just in case you need to know, I'm a 17 year old virgin) Thank you so much! =]

Lunette or Fleurcup??

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 07:27:49 GMT

I have a small Lady Cup and I like it really, but its just such a small capsity. Plus, I just need a new cup! I'm a cup addict! haha
So, I've narrowed it down to Lunette and Fleurcup!
I really like those two, but I'm not even sure why!

can you help me pick? which one do you like better, if you've used them? the differences between them? or even anything helpful!

first timer!

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 06:03:45 GMT

Hullo! I'm Laurel, 16, virgin, etc etc. For Christmas I got a small Diva cup, which was very joyous. I have a really heavy flow and so I was always using tons of tampons. They have never really been comfortable for me, and always a hassle to carry around and buy.

So I attempted to get it in twice today. The first time I couldn't get it in at all, using the C fold. It wouldn't go in all the way and kept coming out. Then I found this lovely community, and some people mentioned that the push down fold was easier to insert. So I tried again in the shower using the push down fold and it went in fine (after about 5 tries...). The only problem was is that I don't think it popped open inside. It didn't feel very comfortable or suctioned. In the instruction booklet it says that you have to turn it 360 degrees. I found this really difficult to do. I couldn't get a good enough grip on the end to turn it. What is the best way to do this? Should I turn it while it is inside, or halfway out? I tried poking around the cup, but it was very hard to tell if it was suctioned, the walls of the cup didn't feel like they were spread out completely. When I removed it, it seemed like one side was still partially folded. Should it come out completely unfolded?

Are there any folds you recommend that are small and easy to insert but suction well? I find the push down fold is so much more easier to insert and hold than the C fold. Does anyone else have problems with it?

Obviously I'm very new at this and still getting the hang of it. I want this to work out very badly! Especially since my period is coming soon and I really don't want to use tampons.

Thanks for any help you may have.

Uh, duh...

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 02:03:16 GMT

So, I'm a college student, right?

I bought my cup about a year and some odd months ago and it's my love. I never go anywhere without it when I know my period is coming...or so I thought.

I'm currently home on break and I think I've left my cup back in my room 1,000 miles away. We have a Whole Foods that stocks Divas (which I use), but I really don't feel like shelling out another 30-40 bucks for one.
Fail, Sam. Fail.

LadyCup Clear Size Large gently used up for grabs

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 01:58:41 GMT

Will send to anyone interested, just need to cover shipping.

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 18:27:08 GMT

I just got my Lunette in the mail from the U.S. order!!! *EXCITED!* So I hope those of you who ordered one will get it today!!!

I love it! It is certainly different than the Ladycup (I LOVE the ridges on the Lunette and also that the rim isn't as stiff!) and even though it's not as "bouncy soft" as the LadyCup It is soft in a different way. I was surprised at how small it was even though it has a little larger capacity than the LadyCup...now I cannot wait for the Selene to be available in the states! ♥

I can say with confidence that the Lunette warning is correct! :P

WARNING: The use of this product may give rise to a haughty kind of confidence, which may cause the user to smirk uncontrollably. This in turn may also lead to open discussion of menstruation. Bless your cotton socks!

Boxing Day FUN :-)

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 10:17:17 GMT

Just for fun, Ladies.
I have just had a sandwich. Can you guess what was in it? 2 ingredients.
The first person to guess either one of the ingredients will win a Lunette Pin Badge http://www.femininewear.co.uk/lunette-badge-p-659.html so there are 2 pin badges up for grabs!
If anyone correctly guesses both ingredients you can choose any cup from my website as a PRIZE! http://www.femininewear.co.uk/menstrual-cups-c-15.html - If you win and are in the USA you can't choose a Lunette Selene, Mooncup or Fleurcup as we can't ship those to you, but there are plenty of others to choose from.
One guess each, just for fun. This competition ends at midnight today - UK time, it's 10.00am now.

Please answer on my Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Feminine-Wear/262280740292

Teresa
http://www.femininewear.co.uk
Reusable menstrual products

Hey, new comer.

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 03:52:58 GMT

Hey, I need a little help with my Divacup. I bought the smallest one but I'm still having trouble putting it in. I tried to insert it the smallest way I could put it but folding it in. I can get it in just fine but I have trouble pushing it up more. I already tried trimming the end a little but it still pokes out. I relaxed for a while then tried again and again. It's my 5th time trying to insert it as far as it can go without feeling uncormfortable, but it won't go in... >_< Is this problem because I've never had sex or something else? I really want to use this but I feel that my money has gone to waste right now. I'm at the point where I'm about to cry.

Can anyone help me please????

Yet another "I love my cup" post/NuvaRing

Fri, 25 Dec 2009 05:14:16 GMT

I'm visiting my boyfriend's family for Christmas, and just my luck that I start my period my second day here. When I realized this would happen, my first thought was "man... this sucks," and my second was "I love my cup". They're very open people but I'm not quite that comfortable with them yet, so it's nice to know that this part of my life stays private. YAY CUPS.

Also, this was my first period after starting using the NuvaRing. So far I really like it, I haven't noticed any emotional issues (which I expected since I was using pills with the same hormones), and it's so much more convenient (I sleep odd hours so taking a pill at about the same time everyday isn't always easy). I'm on my second day using both the ring and my cup, I didn't leak at all yesterday but have been spotting a little today. I suspect it's just another thing I need to figure out, but if anyone has any tips I'm happy to hear them (I'm currently wearing the ring above the cup, but over the course of the day it sometimes eases its way so the cup is partway through the ring).

I also noticed my cramps were a lot less severe than they usually are, though enough has happened lately I don't know if I can pin it on the NuvaRing.

Anyways, Merry Christmas all :)

That was dumb

Fri, 25 Dec 2009 03:03:33 GMT

My nightmare finally happened. I dropped my cup into the toilet bowl. The good thing is that I'd just flush minutes before, so the water is clean, and the cup is now soaking in a hydrogen peroxide mix with water as I don't have the opportunity to boil it (it's Christmas on my end and mom's in the kitchen- she doesn't know I use a cup and would be grossed out if she did).

My question is: is leaving the cup in for about 2 hours enough to disinfect? I ask cause this is the second day of my period and it's usually the heaviest, so I'm hoping to have to deal with just ONE pad instead of many.

Thanks and blessed Christmas to all!

Lady cup and bubbles?

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 21:23:59 GMT

Hello lovelies!

So! I've been a happy Diva user for a few years, but I just got a LadyCup, and it's working very well, except one thing is odd. Not bad, just odd, and I'm wondering if it's somehow because the holes in the LadyCup are bigger than in the Diva, but I'm not sure. It seems as though there are more... bubbles... appearing in my vagina. Literally. Like, little bubbles of air that somehow escape from the cup and come tickling down and out. Weird? Yes. Bad? No. Amusing? Terribly! Anyone else found this?

Merry Christmas!

Cupless = tears

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 21:23:12 GMT

So I had my doctor appointment today. He took tests and a pap smear and said I had a yeast infection. I didn't think it was so I had been wearing my meluna (which I have decided I don't like because it's too stiff and leaks). He lectured me about the only best, natural, and safe way to deal with a period is pads. His nurse was going on about how HER daughter only wore pads, etc etc. Needless to say, I'm getting a new doctor, ASAP. I didn't have any swelling like I have before, granted I've been putting hydrocortizone and anti itch stuff on it for the past week and it looks better. I'm assuming the swelling and redness was due to scratching before because I scratch less as well. OTher then that, I FEEL fine...I have a normal discharge and it HAS increased but it's not that gross fish smell like with a yeast infection that I recall when I'd get 'em. But he had no desire to hear what I had to say. And I admitted wearing a cup during a yeast infection wasn't good, IF that's what I had (I ordered a new Diva today for when I'm cleared up to be on the safe side though) but as long as it's cleaned properly it's not a problem. He looked at me like I was crazy. And he did check me but the pressure on my abdomen had me leak, so I had to wear a pad home too. I'm very VERY upset. On top of that (unrelated sorta) I have an eczema breakout like whoa. I KNOW it's eczema, I've had it before. It's clearing up on it's own cause I've been treating it at home, it's not weeping and I'm on the mend, most of it is from scratching now. You know what he says? I have scabies. Srsly??! I thought scabies was contagious, WTH, man. I did find that the eczema coulda caused the vaginal itching and things that I was experiencing....so I'm going with that. It IS improving, I had HOPED the doctor woulda helped push it in the right direction since I DO believe both the infection/itching I have and the eczema can be related. *sigh* I also bought tampons today....I leaked. It was HORRIBLE. We (bf, my kids, and I) were driving home from the store and I looked out the window and about cried saying I miss my cup. I really do. :( Tampons are just...UGH. And pads......OMFG. *Cries* I feel like I'm missing something.

yeast treatment.

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 12:14:41 GMT

Hey people,

This question may be more suited to vaginapagina but since im trying to post on my phone and for some reason I can't post to VP, ill post here. Also, it does relate to cup use so it is relevent.

I seem to have made my vag unhappy recently. I've realised I have my first (or at least first recognised) yeast infection. Its fairly mild so no biggie, right?. Here's the problem though: my period is starting tonight, so I put in my cup. Now, I know that periods can help reduce YI symptoms, if not cure it since it washes everything out and essentially rebalances it all. I also know its not a good idea to use a cup while you have a YI due to a risk of reinfection. However my period is a week early (its actually due new year's eve) and it took me by suprise. I am at my Dad's place, and I only brought my cup and one cloth liner. I will not be able to get to the shops tomorrow to get supplies (being christmas and all - in fact, ill be suprised if I get replies to this since everyone will being doing christmassy things - happy holidays to you all!!) and there's no option this time of cutting things up to make my own since I have the bare minimum of clothes here. If I had a choice id just use a cloth pad and wait till my period is over and see if that sorts it out but I don't really have that option.

so, in the interests of having this cleared up asap, and having heard of inserting garlic as a treatment, I've done the following:

I've inserted some garlic, in my cup (first day or so will be light so no capacity/leaking issues from garlic taking up space overnight). Ill see how things are going tomorrow and if needed, ill put some fresh garlic in. I intend on boiling my cup each morning too to try and make things less risky in terms of reinfection.

So really, what I was wondering is if anyone has tried this treatment before? If so, am I doing the right thing? If its not a good idea please let me know!

I think its really me secong-guessing myself and wondering if I've just done something incredibly stupid?

Lunette Sticker

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:45:26 GMT

What will he do???

Another Lunette Shipping Update

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:19:32 GMT

Sorry if these updates are annoying you all...

This was posted on their Facebook Page on Monday:

HOLIDAY DEADLINE: The US base anticipates the arrival of our initial inventory on Dec. 22nd. Orders received by Dec. 23rd will be mailed before Christmas. Orders received after December 23rd will be shipped on Monday, Dec. 28th. Then we can enjoy the holidays!

This morning I received notification that my address label was printed off (again) so perhaps this means they're officially here and are being prepared for shipment! ♥

Feminine Wear can now ship the Lunette to the USA

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:57:01 GMT

We are now able to ship the clear Lunette to the USA. To celebrate Lunette's FDA approval we are giving away a free Lunette Pin Badge to the first 5 Lunette customers who buy a Lunette after this announcement. Just order a clear Lunette, whether you are in the USA or not and you will recieve the pin badge for free. If you live in a different country and want a Selene then you also qualify.
http://www.femininewear.co.uk/lunette-badge-p-659.html

Teresa
http://www.femininewear.co.uk
Reusable menstrual products
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Feminine-Wear/262280740292

hello again

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:42:29 GMT

this is a fallow up to this post.

The large orange cup with a ball stem arrived today (thanks Teresa!) so I put it in and it took me like 10 mins to get it out! ugh. I had no problem with the small bc it was shorter, so i could reach the rim but this one i couldn't reach the rim with bc i couldn't get ahold of the ball to slide it down. those pronounced rings on the bottom REALLY helped me if they weren't there i don't know what i would have done. But now im worried it will happen again. make me feel better! lol

should i try it again before my period starts? (i tried my small when i wasn't on it and i didn't notice a difference.)

My Lady, she has arrived!

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:50:23 GMT

Here is a batch of photos from just now, when I went to the mailbox to find an early Christmas gift!!

The package it came in... it's like Christmas morning. I'm so excited to open it, but at the same time, I'm too excited to open it!

Here she is, in all her glory! I'm shocked at how small it is in person!

And a cute little sticker in the package!

I also have a coupon code for 15% off if anyone wants it. Just send me a DM.

MY SISTER IS A CONVERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:28:41 GMT

So I found out about cups about six months ago and plunged in head first. I think they are awesome. My first finding was the Diva Cup, before I found this wonderful community. I told my sister about it, (shes 18, and away at school in Idaho) and she thought the concept of cups was great. When she came home last week for Christmas break, she asked for a tampon and I said I don't have any but I have your cup...she was a little intimidated at first but later when I wasn't home, she took the plunge!!! She came to me this morning to tell me of her experience. I was overjoyed because I had no idea of her adventure. She said she used it yesterday no problem, her and my mom found Melissa's folding video on youtube and insertion and removal was easy. She said when she wore it last night she thought that it was in right but during the night she had a little bit of leaking, and she was disappointed. She put it back in anyways and is soldiering on. We did a little bit of troubleshooting and I think she didn't have it completely positioned correctly...we'll see what the next few days bring.

I'm so excited for my second convert!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!