15 August 2008 @ 11:54 pm
sucess!!!!!!
Hello everyone! I'm so happy to tell this story and I hope it inspires girls like me!

So I posted a post a couple months ago asking a pretty popular question: "I'm only 14 I've only had my period for a short amount of time and I'm a virgin. Will the cup be too big? Will it hurt?" and so on. Anyway I got my lady cup a month ago, did a quick dry run (worked ok not much like the real thing) and today my period starts, and it was the first day of school! Ugh! But I decided to use my cup anyway so I popped it in. (It has popped open every time I've used it, four times so far, including the dry run.) And I couldn't feel a thing! So I went to school, confident it wouldn't leak because it was the first day of my cycle so it was a moderate/light day. I wore a pantyliner just in case but I didn't need it. I had no leaks the entire time!!!!!! I felt like I didn't have my period!!! I tell you my biggest worry now is that I'll forget to take it out!!!!! So about 8 hours later I took it out. Removal was pretty easy, the stem was right there (even after cutting it a tiny bit) so not a very far reach and bearing down really, really helps. The only thing is it was sort of messy, I'm sure I'll get the hang of it though. I was so surprised how heavy of a flow it was!! Then I washed it and reinserted and I tell you this is amazing!!!! I had faith it would be good but I never dreamed it would be this good or comfortable! I just want to say I recommend this to everyone!!!

Anyway, sorry I babbled but I hope this may help any of you that may be undecided about the cup, especially young girls, I know people don't post as many success stories as problems but there are lots of people out there that have used the cup successfully from the start.

I want to thank this community!! Without your help and posts I would have never tried the cup or picked the lady cup which I'm completely and totally in love with!!!! (wow, that was super corny and sounded like a graduation speech but it's true!)
30 July 2008 @ 02:17 pm
Childbirth
Hi everyone,
I purchased a small ladycup a few months ago and fell in love. However, I conceived during the month of April, and have only used my cup one time. I know everyone else's experience may not apply to me, but I'm curious to know how many of you who are in your twenties and who have given vaginal birth have still been able to use a small cup. Of course, I haven't given birth yet, and i may have a c-section, though I really hope to give birth naturally. But, since this is my first child, is it possible I'll be able to use the same cup? All the ones for women who have given vaginal birth look so much bigger, and I couldn't use a small diva cup because it was too big.
28 July 2008 @ 09:19 am
wich cup
im 13 im not sure what cup i want i liked the small ladycup for along time but what about my heavy days and then theres the miacup but its really expensive i thought about the lunette but alot of people said theres leaked im trying to find out more about the femmecup but i cant find alot of information have you had any problems with the femmecup or really good things any links? or should i just suck it up and get the ladycup or save up to get the miacup anything about the miacup thats worth spending the extra money i just wanna get the right cup 

P.S. sorry if the comments are screened im not sure if i got them unscreened yet im new to this community but ive known about it for 6 months and i finally got an account
 

thanks so much
 
 
Current Mood: confused
25 July 2008 @ 02:36 pm
Using a cup from menarche?
Hi everyone! I'm a dad with a pre-teen. I know eventually she'll get her period and this may sound weird, but I really want her to use a menstrual cup/cloth pads. She swims like everyday and we live somewhere costal so internal protection is a must. (She should at least have the option.) So here's my first question: How practical is it that a teen use a menstrual cup for her first periods? I mean I can't help her in that department, and I don't want to resort to tampons. (The health concerns/enviornmental impact do it for me.)

Also, How should I approach this stuff with her? We're both comfortable talking about this stuff, but I'm guessing all her friends use tampons/pads..

Also, is there a natural soap she could wash her cup with? (Besides Dr. Bronner's its very expensive where I live.)
Any advice you could give me would help. (Especially if you're a teen/parent.) 
23 July 2008 @ 04:00 am
Hello :)

I am 14 and even after just two periods (pads are villainous and tampons just do not appeal to me when there's a far better option out there, it seems), I have been seriously considering buying a cup.  I've been reading through the posts in this community and I've read all the FAQs on the DivaCup website, but I'm wondering if I should buy the DivaCup (because there's a store nearby that carries them) or try to order one of the other brands.
I daresay I'm a virgin, and I'm around 5'9" so I can't honestly say I have a slight build ;)
Also, I was wondering if any of you would have any ideas as to how I could approach my mother in regards to the subject.  It's hardly as though periods are an unmentionable topic, but, I don't know, it just seems as though it might be a tad awkward.

And, finally, does anyone know how much a DivaCup would cost, here in Canada?

Thank you very much, all of you :)

ETA: Thank you for all of your wonderful, insightful answers :)
 
 
Current Music: Frank Sinatra - Witchcraft
20 July 2008 @ 07:53 pm
I'm sure you've seen a trillion and one posts ike this, but I am so confused. I'm not sure how I found this community, but I've gotten really interested in this cup thing. I've been using tampons almost since day one [I've had my period since thirteen and I'm eighteen now]. Over the last year or so, I become nauseated and my cramps intensify. I have no idea where to begin, though. I thought about the Diva, but now I think a different one would be better.

I'm a virgin, and I don't think my hymen is broken, but then again, I have no idea how to tell. Will having my hymen intact make the use of cups more uncomfortable? What about comfort and leakage? Which brands are easiest to insert? I've never explored myself, if you will, so I don't know a whole lot. Also, I am uncomfortable discussing these things with my mom...is the packaging pretty discreet? She's also nosy, and likes to see what's in any packages I get. Just a couple more questions, I promise. How are these with sleeping in? I'd prefer not to rely solely on pads, if at all. I can get up to twelve hours a night of sleep. And. I just finished my period, so my next one won't come until the middle of next month. How long do these cups take to ship? I'm asking because I'm moving to uni on the 23rd of next month, so I want to know whether to use my uni address or my home address.

Sorry I asked so many questions, I am just really curious and confused. Any information as all that you could give would be absolutely wonderful.

ETA: I forgot to add that I'm from the US.
18 July 2008 @ 02:30 pm
Drive-by posting!
I used to be a lurker on this community but haven't even had the time to be that for a while, however, I wanted to pop back on here to say how pleased I am to have my Mooncup and to pass on a tip/thought.

I recently found myself having to use tampons for a few days as I was without my Mooncup (I may possibly have boiled it dry by mistake!) and what a nightmare - they were useless! I was changing them every 2 hours at least and between those times, I was constantly wary of leaks - I wouldn't consider myself a particularly heavy flow person. And then there's what to do with the used tampon/applicator; I'd forgotten about having to decide if you can throw it down the loo (let's face it we all do/did it!) or if you need to put it in the (usually not very) sanitary disposal bin. And that's without having to think about all the other hassles with tampons like actually remembering to carry some around with you!

I was overjoyed to be back using my Mooncup yesterday evening. I'm back to only having to worry about it twice a day and my (and my office's) drains are once again 'safe'!

One quick tip/thought - I'm 32 and have given birth twice vaginally (although admittedly both times pretty quickly and with very tiny babies) but I am finding the smaller B-size cup far more comfortable than the larger A-size cup that I assumed I'd need by now. I certainly don't seem to be having any leaking issues. I just say this in case anyone else thinks that they should probably be on the larger one but it feels a bit uncomfortable, don't assume that the smaller one would be too small based on their age or how many babies they've given birth to.

Oh - one last thing seeing as I'm here... be warned that Mooncups *can* dislodge coils - mine did and I thought I was being fairly careful. Of course, it might not have been the Mooncup but the suction was pretty strong at times so I think it may well have been that.
15 July 2008 @ 11:57 pm
First Timer?
Hey, I've been researching a lot on tampons and cups... and to be honest, I just can't find very good information. I stumbled onto this community.. and it was like the heavens opened up to me, lol.
I've tried using tampons for months... but they don't quite seem to work. I've gotten them in once or twice... but they make my cramps worse, and after doing some research, I've found out that the swelling of the tampon inside the vagina irritates the inflamed cervix and does make cramps worse. I would stick with pads, but I'm a fencer, and I can't sit out of competitions just 'cause I'm on my special time of month!
So during my late nights on the web... I discovered the idea of mooncups. I was like, wait, what? They go in you? And they're like.. WHAT? I mean.. I guess you guys aren't surprised with that reaction, lol. I was a bit freaked, to say the least... but now they're starting to appeal to me. (: But... I'm a 15 year old asian (small-framed because ofi t) virgin. I had difficulty getting a tampon in... I'm afraid using a cup will be much worse!
Thoughts/suggestions?

Oh, and also: My mom.. freaked when I even mentioned tampons to her (she's old fashioned... she hates the idea of tampons, but she's not active, like me.) I couldn't even imagine asking her to order a mooncup for me! Do they sell cups in convenience stores or anything?
15 July 2008 @ 07:54 pm
small teen, heavy flow, which cup?
Hi, I just discovered menstrual cups/cloth pads a couple of days ago. I want to order a cup ASAP, but I'm confused as to what size/cup to buy. I've narrowed it down to the lunette or the lady cup. I am a small teen virgin with a HEAVY flow. The lady cup/lunette appeal to me because their smaller(eaisier to get in i suppose because of my frame?) , but at the same time I have a heavy flow and I don't want to empty it every hour. 

So what should I do? I'm also considering getting the smallest of the big cups, but i'm confused as to which cup that would be because they're slightly different shapes!

I know this post may not make a lot of sense, but please help me if you can! Your advice would be very helpful!
02 July 2008 @ 03:40 am
which to go for

ok i just found out about menstural cups and im so excited im getting sick of tampons cuz they sometimes come out when i sneeze so i tried the super it was better but was just uncomftorable and i was wondering if anyone would know which one would be best for me and i am 14 years old  

 
 
Current Mood: calm
22 June 2008 @ 08:28 pm
Demographics poll!
We're at 3400 members, I think it's about time we did one of these. I'll try to do them every now and again, maybe twice yearly or at every 500 new members or so. We'll see how it goes.

With thanks to the [info]sextips mods from whom I pinched some questions.

Answers will be viewable to community members. ALL questions can be skipped if they do not apply or you would rather not say. Poll question nitpicking is welcomed and will be taken on board, but I would rather keep discussion here focused on the content so I may screen the exchanges if they get too long.

Click here to view the responses without needing to answer the questions.



Poll #1209049 Demographics: June 2008
Open to: Friends, detailed results viewable to: Friends

I identify as:

Female
383 (98.7%)

Male
2 (0.5%)

Other
3 (0.8%)

I am:

13 or younger
0 (0.0%)

14-15
3 (0.8%)

16-17
9 (2.3%)

18-19
36 (9.2%)

20-21
47 (12.0%)

22-23
70 (17.9%)

24-25
58 (14.8%)

26-27
43 (11.0%)

28-29
29 (7.4%)

30-35
61 (15.6%)

36-40
22 (5.6%)

41-49
12 (3.1%)

50 or older
1 (0.3%)

I live in:

The US
273 (70.0%)

Canada
39 (10.0%)

The UK
26 (6.7%)

Europe
27 (6.9%)

Asia
3 (0.8%)

Australia
15 (3.8%)

New Zealand
3 (0.8%)

Africa
0 (0.0%)

South America
0 (0.0%)

Central America
1 (0.3%)

The Middle East
3 (0.8%)

Other
0 (0.0%)

About how long did it take you to learn to use your (first) cup to your own satisfaction?

I've not yet managed
39 (10.1%)

From the first time I tried it
62 (16.1%)

By the end of the first day using it
63 (16.4%)

By the end of my first period using it
97 (25.2%)

By the end of my second period
50 (13.0%)

By the end of my third period
53 (13.8%)

By the end of my sixth period
8 (2.1%)

Even longer than that, but I got there in the end
4 (1.0%)

I can't remember how long it took
9 (2.3%)

My main initial problems were...

Difficulty with insertion
136 (36.7%)

Difficulty with removal
116 (31.3%)

Positioning the cup inside and/or 'popping open'
186 (50.1%)

Messy removal
71 (19.1%)

Leaking
126 (34.0%)

Pain/discomfort/chafing while it was in
97 (26.1%)

Other (please feel free to elaborate in the comments)
8 (2.2%)

Brands: I own or have at some point owned...

A small Divacup
218 (56.5%)

A large Divacup
71 (18.4%)

A small UK Mooncup
63 (16.3%)

A large UK Mooncup
29 (7.5%)

A small Lunette
18 (4.7%)

A large Lunette
31 (8.0%)

A small Keeper
25 (6.5%)

A large Keeper
11 (2.8%)

A small Keeper Mooncup
19 (4.9%)

A large Keeper Mooncup
3 (0.8%)

A small Femmecup
2 (0.5%)

A large Femmecup
4 (1.0%)

A small Lady Cup
12 (3.1%)

A large Lady Cup
11 (2.8%)

(cont in next question)
0 (0.0%)

(continued)

A small Miacup
2 (3.5%)

A large Miacup
1 (1.8%)

A small Pinkcup
0 (0.0%)

A large Pinkcup
0 (0.0%)

Insteads
55 (96.5%)

A diaphragm (which I use for catching menstrual blood)
2 (3.5%)

If you have used more than one cup, which did you most like? Feel free to elaborate on your experiences in the comments.

The Divacup
56 (41.8%)

The UK Mooncup
33 (24.6%)

The Lunette
23 (17.2%)

The Keeper Mooncup
7 (5.2%)

The original Keeper
7 (5.2%)

The Femmecup
0 (0.0%)

The Lady Cup
7 (5.2%)

The Miacup
0 (0.0%)

The Pinkcup
0 (0.0%)

Insteads
1 (0.7%)

Diaphragm
0 (0.0%)

Which cup(s) sadly didn't make the cut above? (again feel free to tell us more)

The Divacup
37 (46.2%)

The UK Mooncup
5 (6.2%)

The Lunette
2 (2.5%)

The Keeper Mooncup
2 (2.5%)

The original Keeper
9 (11.2%)

The Femmecup
1 (1.2%)

The Lady Cup
1 (1.2%)

The Miacup
1 (1.2%)

The Femmecup
0 (0.0%)

Insteads
38 (47.5%)

Diaphragm
1 (1.2%)

I switched sizes within the same brand
1 (1.2%)

The things I most enjoy about my cup use are...

Good for the environment
343 (89.1%)

Saving money
340 (88.3%)

Not worrying about leaks
164 (42.6%)

Being able to use it for sports/swimming/physical activities
171 (44.4%)

Particularly convenient for my very heavy period
125 (32.5%)

Particularly convenient for my very light period
86 (22.3%)

Don't need to empty the cup as often as changing disposables
306 (79.5%)

Feeling more in touch with my period
146 (37.9%)

Learning about my body and my menstrual cycle
154 (40.0%)

Being able to forget about my period
227 (59.0%)

Insteads/diaphragm: being able to have non-messy vaginal sex
11 (2.9%)

Reusable cups: being able to have non-messy other kinds of sex
46 (11.9%)

Reducing cramps
85 (22.1%)

The company and support of fellow awesome cup users
131 (34.0%)

I'm in this community primarily to...

Get some help with my cup troubles
172 (44.9%)

Help out other people with their cup use
210 (54.8%)

Help spread the word
203 (53.0%)

Learn more about the female body/menstruation etc
168 (43.9%)

Keep up with the exciting new developments currently underway
236 (61.6%)

Chat with this lovely bunch of people
168 (43.9%)

14 June 2008 @ 04:13 pm
too soon?
hey! wow I've been reading all of your posts for a while and now I'm actually going to post one!!

Here's the deal, when I started to read you posts, do some research and read about these cups I got obsessed! All I want to do now is read about them! And trust me that's a little weird for a 14 year old to do!! It's just that I have had my period for only 4 months so far and the first time I used pads I got a weird itching rash type thing! OWWW! I used cloth pads but they are still bulky! Anyway I know that in a normal person's world they would go from pads to tampons and then (if ever) to menstrual cups. But I think why even waste the time on horrible tampons?! why not just skip a step to the next best thing?! Anyway you guys have completely convinced me about cups and I really want to try one but my question is do you think it'd be too soon? I mean I'm a virgin, only 14, never tried tampons and have only had my period for a very short amount of time. I feel like I'm pretty comfortable with my vagina and I don't think I'd have a problem with the mental part of insertion but do you think it'll be too big or too advanced for someone my age and experience level?

I'm pretty sure i'd like to try the lady cup because it is small and felixible. Do think that's a good choice? if not what would you suggest?

thank you soooo much for your time and answers!I means so much to me!
29 May 2008 @ 05:38 pm
Diva Cup Disappointment :(
I have been reading this community for several months but this is my first post.  I have learned a lot from all of the chatter and appreciate the great information.

I am going on four months with the Diva Cup and struggling with a love-hate relationship.  I am 37 and no kids but went ahead and ordered the larger size (against my better judgment).  I have come to the conclusion that it just simply does not fit - it is too big.  I have tried many of the recommended folds, rinsing in cold water, enlarging the holes, most of the time when I put it in it will not pop open without a lot of help from my fingers.  That's not really how I want my menstrual cup to work. 

Today I think i finally realized that the Diva Cup is simply too long for me - it is getting hung up on my cervix (my cervix tends to hang down about a half inch at the beginning of my period).  There is no room to pull the cup out farther though! 

I decided to order a Keeper today from eBay, although I probably won't have it until my cycle ends.  I ordered the smaller size and am hoping to have better luck getting that to pop open. 
01 May 2008 @ 06:10 pm
Hi, I really want to buy  a menstrual cup/cloth pads, but I have one problem: I have no idea to tell my mom! I have no idea how to facilitate conversation! She always seems busy and I don't really talk to her about this stuff AT ALL.  I printed out a lot of information about dioxin, dangers of tampons/pads and 3 types of menstrual cups, but i think that would freak her out to! (Has my underage daughter been perusing sex sites?)

So, I have these questions:

1. If you were/are a virgin/teen, what was/is the biggest problem you faced with your cup/cloth pads?

2. How can I convince my mom?

3. If your a teen, how do you successfully use your cup at school? 

4. My school also goes on retreats for extended periods of time and I live in close quarters with many girls. My cup would probably be ok for those instances, but what about cloth pads?

5. I've already decided I'm going to use the lunette or diva. (I'm petite, under 5 ft, and 110 pounds.) What advice would you give for pads?

6. Do you have any other advice for me?

Thankyou so much!

 
19 March 2008 @ 01:24 pm
AGE & SIZE does matter - Diva cup
So i have had a keeper for over 10 years now (actually i had 2 of them in 13 yrs due to losing one) and i was totally ready for something new, and i already knew i wanted a diva cup. My problem was that i turned 30 this year and i couldnt believe that i would need the larger size due to that fact of age.

So i sent Diva a message with all my personal stuff saying basically that i am 30 this year but i do not have sex with men never had a baby etc... things that i thought would make a difference about the size. they responded, very quickly and very nicely (i was nervous since i did add a lot of personal items) and their basic answer was the sizes are so similar that since our bodies do loose elasticity with age that i should choose size 2.

Well my friends the 1st 2 days of my period i struggled with the discomfort and the weirdness of being able to feel it all day long. Now like i said i had a keeper for over 10 years and never had any of these issues.

so i thought i would give it another try on day 4 & 5...(yes ladies i'm a lucky one i have my period for about 7days on average)

anyways no luck!!! its way too big!

so any 30somethings out there...if you dont have sex with men (or penetration sex) you may not want the bigger size.

so now i still need to buy another cup and i guess i should hold onto this one until my body catches up with my age!
 
 
Current Mood: uncomfortable
06 March 2008 @ 11:01 am
First-time poster: sizing?
Hi there! I'd no idea there was an entire LJ community for this; cool!

I'm 33, and I got my Diva cup a couple of years ago. I'm one of those strange people who in spite of being six feet tall and built, has a fairly small vagina. :) I've never had a child, but I had passed age 30, so I asked the Diva people which size I should get. They recommended the 2, simply because I'm over 30, I think.

At first blush, everything was fine, and I was completely in love with my cup. Often, though, I'd find that I had an almost impossible time getting it to pop open and sit properly. I'd usually finally get it with quite a bit of struggling, different positions, and sometimes a little lube, but it was annoying.

Lately, this problem has gotten worse. Especially during the first few days of my period when I need it to work best, my vaginal walls get a little swollen and tender, and it seems like the cup won't fit properly at all. Yesterday it kept leaking, and even when it *seemed* to be fully open inside me, I would still see red when I wiped, and spotted my underwear considerably.

So: should getting a size 1 solve this? Has anyone else had issues with sizing, and does this sound like a sizing issue or like something else?

Many thanks.
24 February 2008 @ 05:08 pm
helpp!

I really do not like using pads or tampons. Pads are just so uncomfortable and tampons are just a pain. I would love to try something new. When i herd about menstrual cups it sounded like a great idea. I mean the idea of not having to carry around a purse full of feminine products and change them constantly is amazing. I am only 14 so i was wondering if menstrual cups will work for me and if so which kind. Any suggestions?

20 February 2008 @ 11:56 am
Question re:Cups and young/virgin users
Hello,

I'm new to this community but not to menstral cups.  I've had a Diva for a couple of years and have successfully converted any of my friends who would listen.  

My daughter is fast approaching the onset of menstration.  We've talked about different products and options that are available for use during a woman's period and she's expressed intrest in something like my DivaCup.   

 
 
Current Mood: curious
09 February 2008 @ 11:28 pm
diva cup = my best friend
I would just like to say that I love my Diva Cup. I hate the name, but love the product.

I had heard about menstrual cups a few years ago, actually, and it had always peaked my interest. However, I didn't start thinking about it seriously until a few months ago when I realized how much I really despised pads (I couldn't bring myself to use tampons - the idea of bleached fibers absorbing themselves into my mucous membranes didn't sit well with me). And then I was reading Ecoholic and it said that the annual amount of pads dumped into landfills is 12 billion, tampons (and/or their wrappers) was 7 billion. I can't believe I was part of that!

I found this community and after reading through the tags, I found that instead of paying nearly $40 for a Diva Cup I could go to betterlife.com and get one there for only $22 (I'm 22 & I haven't had any children yet - so I ordered model #1)! It got here in about 10 days. I was actually excited for my period to get here.

It was definitely different at first. Since I've been celibate for nearly three years, it was a smidge uncomfortable during the first insertion. It took a few tries to get it, but now it takes no time at all and I actually forget it's there! My period is relatively light (I'm used to monstrously heavy, yet over the years it has calmed down somewhat). I haven't had any leaks, and I'm able to wear it over night without waking up every few hours to check if my sheets are (yet again) stained.

I've since convinced my mom and two of my friends to get one for themselves.

However, I refuse to wear that pin that it came with :)
10 December 2007 @ 06:54 pm
menstruation for teen girls
Hey guys. My friends just started this company kalily. It's for teenagers and girls getting their first period. I was thinking they should try to partner with Diva Cup or something to get young girls into menstrual cups.

What do you guys think? I don't know if young girls would be that receptive to alternative menstrual products, but I guess at that age it's all what adults tell you anyway.
Tags: