We got another one, girls…
Make that two. I never posted about it, but I bought one right after this thread originally started. 
How does removing the Diva cup compare to removing an Instead cup. I have no problem inserting an Instead cup, and I love not using a tampon or pad. However, I have a heck of a time removing the cup, I have to bear down like crazy to be able to grab the rim. I end up getting so much blood all over the place that I have given up on Instead. Will I have an easier time with Diva?
You’ll be grabbing the base here, not the rim. Reach in and past the short stem, grabbing the very bottom of the cup. Pinch down with your thumb to start folding it in half. Shouldn’t be that difficult, just a little awkward until you’ve done it a couple times.
I just got my new DivaCup in the mail and I’m - well, I suppose “eager” isn’t a word I’d use about anticipating my period, but I am looking forward to trying it out. It’s a replacement for my almost ten-year-old Keeper, so it’s not a new concept for me, but it seems a lot more pliable than the Keeper, so I suspect it’ll be more comfortable in the long run.
I don’t know the difference, I’ve never used any other cup before. But, I can’t just pinch the bottom and pull, if I do that there’s alot of suction going on, and it’s painfull since that whole area is already sensitive. What you do is start by pinching the bottom and work your index finger up along the side of it. (I pinch it to keep from pushing it in farther in the process) It doesn’t have to be up to the rim, but push it away from the side of you. Usually that will break the seal enough so that you can just pinch it in half, bear down and out it pops. I haven’t spilled a drop doing it ths way. That has been the first question I’ve been asked about it. “Isn’t it messy?” The diva cup is pretty flexable though, if the Instead cup is more stiff that might not work.
I’m in the club! Started using mine today, and I love it! It holds a lot, and I’m so glad not to have to change my tampon every hour.
Can’t… stop… reading…
(male 26)
Mods, it’s a zombie, but let it live, please. Stick up for us girls! Best invention EVER if you have two X chromosomes.
I was going to ask about the Instead cup as well. If you click on the link, you can see what a cup looks like. It is much shallower and wider than the Keeper, Diva, or other permanent menstrual cups.
I picked up a box, not realizing the different in shapes, because I wanted a trial run before committing to a permanent cup. However, I just couldn’t seem to get it seated right. It’s supposed to be inserted horizontally and then make a seal. While I didn’t leak, it poked and hurt, and at one point (I think I laughed), I just about pushed it out.
I run into two other problems (well, problems when it comes to this topic; they’re advantages in other areas). First, my vaginal vault is extremely long. Second, it’s extremely narrow. Third, my cervix apparently plays hide and seek. (Getting pap smears is not a fun time for this gal.) This makes slender tampons easy to put in, but sometimes difficult to retrieve. I think it’s made the Instead cup a non-starter for me. Any advice on that or the permanent cups?
Bear down, grab the bottom of the cup itself and squeeze it, and pull out and forward.
The first time I used a cup (my first one was the Keeper) I had to grab it with pliers to get it out.
Yes, please, let this zombie live!
I love mine, though it did take upwards of 6 months of experimenting before I figured out how to prevent leaks entirely, etc.
I boil mine for 5 minutes after each period, but the H2O2 idea is interesting… The main reason I switched from the Keeper to the Diva was because silicone can be disinfected more easily than rubber. If I had an autoclave, I’d use it!
I can’t boil mine; my roommates would flip! Even if I had my own pan for it, they’d get grossed out. What bugs me are the four little things along the top edge. They’re like pinpricks in the silicone and stuff get in them and I keep thinking that it can’t be sanitary that way.
Other than that I love it! During fall travel (marching band) its a godsend as we stop often, but not every 2-3 hours like I need to with a tampon. Plus it sucks having to hit the bathroom at every potty, snack, and meal stop instead of goofing with everyone in the parking lot. Not anymore! And give me a pantyliner and I can not worry about getting it out on time, since even the leaks are minuscule.
I tried for three months and really wanted to love it, but I cramp horribly whenever anything touches my cervix - can’t stand tampons either. So after three cycles of spending a day lying in bed in pains reminiceint of labor - and reinsterting it until I was sore trying to tilt it to the miraculous “can’t feel it” place - I gave up for good. I CAN feel it and it feels like someone is tearing out my insides with a serrated knife.
I just started using my Diva Cup last month. After a rough first day or two, I searched online and found a LiveJournal community for menstrual cup users, and found lots of good info on folds to make it easier to insert, cleaning methods, etc. I don’t understand the obsession with boiling it… that sounds dangerous to me. I clean it carefully with gentle soap twice a day and then with rubbing alcohol at the end of my period and that’s about it. I’m pretty sure I read somewhere you weren’t supposed to use hydrogen peroxide on the Diva Cup.
hawksgirl, you need a dedicated cleaning brush for the little holes. Some people get a toothbrush just for it. I happened to have a little cleaning brush that came with something or other than I had never used. I’m trying to master the technique that some people do of clamping their hand over the top of the cup and expressing the water through the holes, but that can get splashy.
I am in love with my cup. I recently forgot to take it on a camping trip where I had an early period and I was miserable. I had forgotten how heavy my periods are (I went through 12 tampons) and how miserable and painful it is when you don’t get the tampon in just right.
TMI:
I also love looking at the blood and other products when I empty out the cup.
I got my DivaCup a few months ago, and what’s really great for me is that it’s the first time in my entire menstrual life that I have been able to not have to worry about leaks or the fact that my period is heavy that day. The worst I’ve had so far is having to empty it three times in one day as opposed to having to use five or six tampons and two pads in the same amount of time. What’s better is that I just don’t feel gross or smelly because it’s all contained. It’s almost as if I didn’t have my period at all! My mom thought it was weird and possibly unsafe (somehow anything new might not be good for you these days), but didn’t seem that horrified once she actually looked at the thing.
I can only imagine what the first experience of “do you have a tampon/pad?” is going to be like; most people get this horrified look on their face at the thought of something besides tampons and pads being available.
Why? I boil mine at the end of every cycle - it’s not like I boil it and then reinsert it! :eek: Basically, I like to ensure any lingering staph bacteria or other nasties are dead. I haven’t heard of any cases of toxic shock from cups, but I also don’t want to be the first.
You invert it so that your hand is at the bottom after filling it with water–I always do this in the shower because of the splashy/spray.
For cleaning, I put a tiny (TINY) splash of bleach in a plastic cup of water and soak the diva cup for about 15-30 minutes. I do this once a month. Comes out looking brand new.
I’m afraid of melting it. I have a history of forgetting things on the boil. I’ve thrown away several saucepans over the years. Also, I’d have to buy a special pan just for the Diva Cup because my husband would have a fastidious germophobe nightmare freakout if I didn’t. So rubbing alcohol for me.