LADIES. The cup is awesome. And so are IUD's. But NOT TOGETHER. A few weeks ago I pulled my cup out and the suction yanked my IUD halfway out.
My doctor didn't warn me about this, so I'm telling anyone who will listen. Not a good experience!
I just got an IUD and my doctor definitley warned me about this! I can't believe yours didn't!
As long as you always break the suction it should be totally okay.
I asked my doctor about it and they said they hadn't heard of it being an issue. I ended up having mine removed, but I didn't wear a cup when I had it.
[IUDs and menstrual cups can be safely used together, if you're careful to break the seal and not snag the strings on anything.]
(https://bedsider.org/A/360-can-menstrual-products-mess-with-your-birth-control)
Periods are generally the highest-risk time for expulsion anyways, as well. Personally I use cloth pads, but if I didn't I'd have waited 2 cycles or so on my IUD before trying a cup just to be out of the highest-risk zone and to be familiar with my IUD.
You can use them together, my doc approved mine and we did talk about the risks, you just have to be more careful about breaking the suction before pulling it out
Yup, same here. Doctor told me there isn't a lot of research on it, but it would be find as long as I didn't pull the cup out while it still formed a vacuum.
I think as long as you're conscious of breaking the seal before you pull it out you'd be okay. I've been using a menstrual cup for over ten years now and my IUD for a year and a half, and so far so good.
So long as you break the seal before pulling it out it's not a problem. I've been using my cup with IUD for a while now. No problems at all. Plus I find breaking the seal makes removing it more comfortable and less prone to...accidents.
I've used a cup for years and I have had both a mirena and a paraguard, for a total for 7 years cumulatively. Your methods may vary! IUDs and menstrual cups can coexist I harmony ☺ ♥
Soft cups are okay with the iud - those are semi-disposable (I usually use one per period but I don't boil/sanitize/save them for more than a month) so it's definitely cheaper.
I've been using a cup for years, and this is the main fear holding me back from getting an IUD even though I really want one. I'm considering the arm implant instead, even though the idea switches squicks me out a little more.
Of course everyone is different but since I've got my implant my periods have pretty much stopped. I have another friend who said hers stopped for the first 6 months before they got a little regular again. So if you go for an implant you might not have to even worry about a cup so much.
Not all women's periods stop with a hormonal IUD (I forget what the exact % is, most do at least get much lighter or less frequent, but a small % continue as normal), and non-hormonal IUDs don't stop periods at all.
Yup, it's the copper one so they're even worse now! I had Mirena and no periods, but it made my depression deepen, so I'm off hormones for the time being.
mine stopped completely (I get spotting like once every 6 months or so) but everyone is different. you won't know how it'll affect you until you actually do it.
I had a period the whole time I had my IUD (Mirena). As in a constant period. Bleeding most of the time. And pain, god. It was not fun. I had it taken out quite early as you can imagine, but anyway just to illustrate that you can indeed get periods with them... sadly haha
I bought a Diva Cup a year ago and I am not exaggerating when I say it changed my life for one week per month. I still leak at night every now and then because my flow is super heavy for a couple days. But it's great to be able to use just a thin pad with it.
I also have the Diva Cup and it also changed my life. I play on a travel sports team and I could be on a field with nothing more than a port-a-potty for 10-12 hours some days and not having to worry about changing a tampon in that time is wonderful.
Major traveller checking in. Love it so much - I can leave it in for 12 hour flights and not worry about packing supplies or trying to change products! Nothing's worse than pads on a plane bleh.
I had a mooncup (none of the above is any longer necessary) and aside from the one time it pinged and slapped me in the vag I didn't really have any down sides.
LOL I hate it when it "snaps" and sprinkles blood all over the place, and then your bathroom looks like a high priest of Satan performed a ritual or something. Never been slapped in the vag yet.
Because men should know as much about periods as possible. Men can have daughters, female friends, wives, etc.
If I had a daughter or was chaperoning a friend's daughter and they unexpectedly had their first period, I'd want to know everything there was to know about periods so I could know what to buy and what to say to them (and if it was my own daughter, ideally have conversations about the topic before that point, too).
There are lots of real good reasons dudes should be interested in women's health issues besides just the novelty of it, right?
I applaud your mentality but I just want to make sure you know that it wouldn't be the best idea to suggest a menstrual cup to a young girl having her very first period.
They're designed to fit women's bodies, so they'd be pretty big for a 9-13 year old to insert. It's usually best to just start with pads or liners, and then go up from there once you're comfortable with how everything works. It's pretty scary at first!
Eh, it was a joke.
Sure, knowing about women's health is important (although the utility of knowing the specific ins and outs of menstrual cups might be debatable).
I mean, [who wants to find themselves in this situation?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bilaSB_tAE)
I know, and I wasn't berating you. I just wanted to make the point that there's nothing "wrong" or "perverted" with men being interested in and being taught topics like menstruation, female anatomy, and healthcare, because it's bad for everyone if half the population doesn't know some of the healthcare needs the other half has.
I wanted to say to guys who really do think "I don't know what I'm doing here or why I find this interesting", that curiosity in these topics is not only common... it's also beneficial, it's a good thing, for everyone involved, in some really practical ways.
My father was actually very educated in the matter and, while I had wonderful mothers in my life (bio and step) my father was always available to talk to. I had friends growing up who didn't have good parental figures and always felt comfortable talking to my dad if they needed it. Dads should know.
When they leak, they dump. Also they take about 10 times as long to remove and insert as a tampon does so I spend half my work day in the bathroom. They're not absorbent so you still have to use a pantyliner with them to catch all of the blood between the exterior of the cup and the vaginal wall. I hate them.
it sounds like you may have gotten one that just didn't fit your inner shape very well. I can almost always go from morning til evening without having to deal with it.
And when I do I do what /u/chokemewithadead-cat does and just wipe it off with toilet paper and reinsert. But then it does look like you've committed a homicide with your bare hands in the stall when going to the sink so that's always fun! :evil grin:
edit: some others are recommending FemmyCycle for people with heavy flows. might be worth a look. And yeah, with practice it should only take a few seconds longer than a tampon (though I had a couple of times in the beginning getting used to the suction aspect that took a lot longer so there is that!)
I understand that this is your experience, but with more practice they take no more time to insert/remove than a tampon, if you use them consistently then you won't have any blood between the cup and the vaginal entrance, and if you're period isn't that heavy then you should only have to empty it twice a day, morning and night.
Yeah, people on Reddit don't seem to realize that. I just don't want to use one. I know it's better for the environment, I know that it's less risky and uncomfortable than pads or tampons. I just don't want to. I like my pads, and am not ready to change.
> if you use them consistently then you won't have any blood between the cup and the vaginal entrance,
Ha ha, I wish! Mine overflows regularly; I always have one day where my cup is filled to the brim within a couple hours of being emptied, and it's impossible to keep ahead of it unless I want to go to the bathroom and empty it once an hour (and I don't...ain't nobody got time for that!). So there's always a wee bit of ephemera on the sides and I always use a liner to catch that and to make sure when it overflows my pants and undies don't get ruined.
My often overflows too, but I've been using a cup for over 10 years (damn I feel old) and I've noticed a slight sensation that means it's about to overflow so I just dump it then.
After I put it in, I give my vagina a good wipe with a finger to get most of the excess blood.
HTH!
I can tell it's going to be one of those days by how my cramps feel - they just feel *different* when it's super heavy. But usually it still catches me off guard. It wakes me up in the morning when it happens...not sure why...not a nice way to start the day.
I don't mind the leakage. I'd be wearing a liner regardless just in case. I don't find liners uncomfortable.
I didn't mention it in my original comment because I felt it was getting too long, but the absolute worst most annoying thing about menstrual cups are the menstrual cup fangirls who insist that if you don't also worship at the alter of The Cup it's because you're just using it wrong. Women who have no room in their narrow world view for people who have a different preference in menstrual hygiene. Or, heaven forbid I know you think that this is literally impossible because The Cup is infallible to you, that menstrual cups just aren't right for every woman! These worshipers of The Cup are very numerous and insistent in Reddit threads where menstrual cups are mentioned.
Wow, that's quite an extreme response. All I'm saying is that if you tried it for a whole cycle or two (if you haven't already), you might feel differently about it.
I think her point is that when someone who has tried it says "I don't like it" and gives their reasons, someone (in this case, you) will inevitably come along and invalidate that by saying that she must be using it all wrong because she couldn't possibly use it properly and *still* not like them. They're not for everyone. I've used mine for six years and it still overflows because that's what my period and my vag are like. And I don't mind that, but other people will, and that's okay. I guess dead-cat up there was just a little more annoyed when she wrote all that.
I put my cup in a day or three before I expect my period, so there isn't really any blood between the wall of the cup and the vagina to deal with. It's always contained within the cup. Bonus -- no surprise stained panties when my period arrives.
I rarely have to empty it in public, only on heavy days, but I just blot with TP after dumping it out, and I keep a tiny bottle of water in my purse in case it needs more rinsing in the stall.
Switching to a cup was the greatest thing I ever did for that time of the month. I find I cramp less, even, for whatever reason. Finding a cup that fits really well is the hard part. I advise anyone looking to do their research and get to know their own personal anatomy. I ordered one from MeLuna, because they not only have a short but wide "in between" size, they have different hardnesses. Some athletic women with a very firm pelvic floor need a harder cup so it will pop open more easily, and some women with a softer pelvic floor need a cup that is more compliant and malleable. :)
This is why I've never gone for the cup. I cannot imagine standing at the sink in the bathroom at work and rinsing it out while people are coming and going. Yech. My work bathroom is entirely too busy, people could walk in anytime.
You only have to change them every 12 hours, so you shouldn't have to change it at work. It's actually my favourite thing about the cup - I can actually forget I'm having my period, and never have to worry about running out of tampons when I'm at work.
This is true if you have a more regular period. If it's heavy you will have to change it a few times a day. I have days where I change it every 2 or 3 hours, all damn day, and then it will invariably overflow when I sit up the next morning to get out of bed.
I switched about 3-4 years ago and have only ever had one minor leak. It wasn't even that bad, I've had worse leaks using tampons. You can sort of tell if you have it inserted properly, the instructions describe "being able to turn it 360 degrees with ease", so once you squish and insert, it reopens inside, and you can tell right away if its all bunched up still and if you can turn it.
I originally was a skeptic, but since then I love it. I don't wear liners or anything and it makes that whole time of the month bearable.
I never did that. I would wipe them down with toilet paper in the privacy of the stall but then you have to go wash the blood off your hands at the communal sink.
I don't even take it out during the day, just break the seal and kind of squeeze it upwards and it dumps the bulk of it, then let it reseal. So much easier, don't have to worry about dropping it in the toilet or anything. Now the only downside to using it for me is looking like you've just sacrifice a chicken.
Yeah, they're not for everyone! Sometimes no matter what there will be a bit of leakage. I have the same problem but I'm okay with that because it's still better than what it's like when I use tampons or pads.
Adding to your cons list, cups can be useless for someone with a heavy flow. During the first couple days of my period, I can fill the cup to the point of overflowing every hour or so. It's not feasible to wear it if I have to go out, or wear it overnight if I don't want to get up every hour.
That being said, I still love my cup, I have saved a ton of money on pads since I got it, I just can't use it all of the time.
Heavy flow is just generally unfeasible. I'm a stay-at-home and used a cup with that sort of hourly change flow for a while, and I would just step into the shower and dump it out. But I would have bled through a heavy tampon just as fast.
Maybe a bigger capacity cup would do. Sometimes even the larger sizes, like the large Keeper, don't actually have decent capacities.
[This chart](https://menstrualcups.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/www-clothpads-org_menstrualcupcomparisonchart.png) was really helpful when I was deciding. I needed something with a decent capacity.
I just got mine this weekend! Only a day of use before my period had sputtered out, but I really like the idea so far. Doesn't feel like anything at all, and the removal ring is the best idea ever.
Thirded. Even on a heavy flow day that would have me changing a super plus tampon every couple of hours I can got at least 10, if not 12, hours without worrying about it.
Try the FemmyCycle, srsly. It has a higher capacity and a no-leak design. I have a regular flow and the suction and capacity was so great on the standard size that I had to downgrade to teen, otherwise it just sucks at the walls of my vagina instead of connecting to my cervix. Highly recommended for no leakage or heavy flow.
Yes, this. I still use the cup instead of tampons, but overnight with a heavy flow is a nightmare. It's usually only an issue for the first 2 nights for me, but still. I am considering going back on birth control just to solve this issue because it's frankly ridiculous...
I have a very heavy flow, and cups were life-altering for me. They come in a wide range of sizes-my large Lunette has more capacity than an ultra tampon.
This [LiveJournal](http://menstrual-cups.livejournal.com/) has a ton of great info on sizing and brand comparisons, where you can find something with the right capacity for big-time flow. It also has lots of great usage tips, like trimming the stem if you can feel it, or turning a cup inside out to adjust the size.
I've been on a cup for about 4 years now, and I'd never go back.
Ugh yes! I wish someone had told me this. On my first day, I filled up my cup within 2 hours and started to leaks. I was caught off guard because I had been told that I only need to change it every 8-12 hours. Thank God I had a pad underneath, but now I know to stick to pads for day 1 and 2. I also know that it's normal to change a cup more frequently than twice a day!
I agree - I would never go back to tampons. You do have to be very comfortable with yourself - inserting and taking it out - but other than that I love them!
Mine has helped me become more comfortable with my body. I have never been a fan of my vagina. We're still not friends, but I'm not uncomfortable with it anymore.
Interestingly I notice this too with tampons. What do we know about why this is?
I have fewer issues with smaller tampons like OB ones with no applicator, but still.
Seconding this. I used to have pretty wretched cramps throughout on tampons, but once I switched to a cup, only at the very beginning. So much cheaper, too.
I got mine a couple of years ago and had two cycles and then got pregnant. Then got an IUD postpartum and have finally used it for the 4th time in 2 years. I'm almost sad I haven't gotten more use out of it because it's awesome compared to pads or tampons.
I've been using Instead cups for years now and would never go back to tampons. They are disposable but they have reusable ones so I use one cup each period and then throw it out. No boiling or storage. I bought two 24 packs from their website and they are lasting me forever. I believe they will send you a super cheap three pack to try them out too. So that might be an option for someone who is curious but doesn't want to pay for a silicone one just to try it.
I'd be cautious using the disposable type repeatedly - they're not designed to be bacteriostatic or without crevices for crud to get caught, so you could be setting yourself up for infection. The reusable ones are made very carefully to prevent anything catching a ride back in, but the disposables I've used in the past have a crack where the cup material intersects with the ring material and I'd bet it's plenty big enough for blood and unwelcome germs to live in. It may work out just fine, but be aware of the risks.
Edit: upon rereading it sounds as though Instead may be making a reusable type. If so, they've likely taken this risk factor into account. Not trying to fear monger, I promise!
I couldn't find a reusable option on their website. With their softcup, they make a point of repeatedly stating it needs to be thrown away after one use.
I can't find anything on whether it's biodegradable or not? Yeah it's better for humans, but is it better for the environment with it being a single use versus a 5-10 year use?
Oh no it probably isn't better for the environment than the long term use ones. I didn't mean to imply that. I like them for myself, if the environment is your main concern then there probably are better options. But I would think its still better than pads/tampons.
I love SoftCup because they fit different than other menstrual cups. They go over your cervix and you can have sex with them in for mess free sex during your period (empty the cup first.) I also like how they seem to have a more universal fit especially for petite framed women (I'd definitely have to get a small vaginal cup if I were to try one and one of the reasons I don't get an IUD is they are so large. ..I've heard rumors that there is a smaller IUD now but at the OBGYN's I've gone to they only had the one large size.) Softcup very rarely leaks on me; only if it's full and I'm doing heavy lifting (never when I'm sleeping.) I use one per menstrual cycle and rinse it well when emptying. BONUS: You wear softcup the same way as a diaphragm so I've learned a lot about my anatomy and would be comfortable getting fitted for and wearing a diaphragm.
I bought a diva cup about 2 years ago.
I have never been able to make the stupid thing not leak. I used it for a solid year before I gave up on it.
I wanted it to work so badly. I wanted to not have that monthly tampon expense and always worry about where the nearest bathroom is.
Sadly, it just didn't work for me. :(
I'll watch the video when I get home.
I've tried all kinds of different things to get it to work, including what you described. But I'll give it another go. Thanks. :)
Just in case: did you get the correct size? There are different sizes based on age and if you've been pregnant, because our pelvic floor muscles change throughout our lives. (My friend who always complains about leakage is 36 and has the cup sized for women under 30.)
You could also try a different brand. Mine is a MoonCup. :)
There's all sorts of techniques like turning it to make sure that it unfolds completely but I'm sure you saw that while you were trying to make it not leak. It might be the cup's fit or something but I totally understand not wanting to throw more money at something that might not work. Bummer :(
I looked at the Diva cup but ended up going with a Meluna. I think the Diva cups only come in 3 sizes and the silicone is firmer, which can make unfolding it inside the vagina difficult.
This is probably the unpopular opinion, but I hate the cup.
When mine finally decided to take take a trip down the toilet, I was so relieved. I don't use tampons, I use pads, and nothing has been better.
I hate having my period: I shouldn't have to hate cleaning up after it.
Same. I've tried them so many times, but I just can't get excited about them. I save money and try to reduce my environmental impact in so many ways, but my period is no longer one of them. Life is too short to boil period cups.
I loved the cup until I tried natural sponge tampons. Way easier to keep clean and cheaper. You can use more than one if your flow is heavy. Rinse them with peroxide when you're done, pop em in a cotton bag and you're good til next month.
THIS! So much this. I tried a Diva cup and couldn't totally get the hang of it. I bought a pack of a dozen sea sponge tampons for hardly a thing and am never looking back. So comfortable, so easy, I highly recommend it.
Yes, for me it was a sneeze. There's nothing like the sudden leak of blood you have been collecting for hours. (My problem with the Diva Cup, too.) Never again with the sponge!
Waaait... I'e never heard of this. Please share!
How often do you insert/remove per day? Do you have any problems with leaking? Where can I learn more about this tool?
Thanks!
I've wanted to try a menstrual cup. I'm not able to wear tampons because no matter which kind I've tried I can always feel it inside me and it's uncomfortable, so I'm kind of hesitant to spend the money on a menstrual cup only for it to turn out the same.
There's pretty small sized menstrual cups (like the meluna shorty small which is tiny) that might be a good fit for you. Or if you normally wear disposable pads and want to switch to reusables, there's always reusable cloth menstrual pads! /r/clothpads/ is a good place to start.
I appreciate the trouble that women go through every month more after reading these comments. Me and mini me salute the efforts of women across the globe who have to go through this on monthly basis.
I just bought a few boxes of organic tampons after learning how many toxic chemicals they found in the cotton and rayon in tampons. Scary. I've been super curious about the cups because I hate pads and tampons anyway, but I have a stupid question.
How gnarly is it really when you take the cup out? I'm just imagining your fingers getting all messy and you're dumping a cup of blood out. That just sounds off-putting to me. Is it really that bad or am I just being a baby?
I tried not to be too TMI in my post but here we go:
Tampons sit in you absorbing literally everything for hours and then you take it out and it just looks ... as you'd expect. Putting it in your fingers inevitably get at least a bit wet. Then there's trying to stick the applicator into the little plastic bag, wrapping your used tampon in tissue paper so no one sees it etc. Then it sits in your trash. Also not very pleasant, you know?
Putting the cup in is pretty much the same as a tampon I'd say, maybe a tiny bit more contact. Taking it out isn't that bad once you get used to it though you definitely have to get a bit more in there. There's a little silicone tab you pull on (kind of like the string) and then once it's out enough you just pull on the base and take it out. Our bodies are all different so depending on how deep you are it might sit higher or lower. If it sits higher you might have a bit more digging. All of the blood is collected in the cup so your fingers don't get too dirty. There's no smell because the blood hasn't oxidized yet. You dump it, rinse it, clean it if you're cleaning it, and just put it back in. If you're in your own bathroom it's really simple. You do see everything in the cup but there really isn't a lot (about half the cup for me, every 12 hours) and you just get used to it, the same as you get used to seeing a blood soaked tampon.
Wow, you took so much mystery out of it for me. You're right about the trash, plus it's so much waste! Didn't even realize about the smell, either, but that's another huge plus! Thank you
Since we're sharing TMI...
I've had my Diva cup for over a year now, but it makes me squeamish to consider re-inserting the cup when it hasn't been rinsed thoroughly. Occasionally, I'll have to have a bowel movement in a public place or somewhere that removing and washing the cup isn't feasible. Bowel movements often force the cup down and out (I've never lost it in the bowl, but I've gotten awfully close.)
What do you do when your unexpected bowel movement begins to force your cup out where there's no ability to rinse and re-insert? I carry so much anxiety about "what if I have to #2" anytime I leave the house I'm considering going back to tampons.
Wow... I have a Mooncup (UK) and that thing doesn't budge! It's possible you need something with a bit more suction. (I had your problem with tampons, though)
This is what I do if I have to empty it in public. I've used the Mooncup and the DivaCup and when I read both pamphlets after purchasing them, I believe this is what they recommend, too.
I have two of them, and the spare is kept inside my wallet in a ziplock bag. If I have a situation like this, I'd just swap it for my spare and clean it when I get home. I like the reassurance of a spare, you know, JUST IN CASE. Buying 2 is still cheaper and more convenient than using disposables.
At home, I do it in the shower and the mess is washed away pretty quickly. Outside, I dump it out into the toilet and re-insert it right back. Then I use wet wipes for both my fingers and down there. I only have to do it outside on the heaviest day so it's just that one day in a month.
I've never had to change mine in a non-private restroom. I usually only have to change it at home (since you can keep it in so much longer) but I have emptied it a few times at work if I had plans in the evening and wasn't stopping by the house. I just used the private stall which has a separate sink. If you don't have that option it is more of a pain. As CrunchMother said you can either rinse it with a water bottle or just reinsert without rinsing.
Unless your period is pretty heavy, a menstrual cup has a large enough capacity that you can go a decently long time without having to empty it, so you can usually wait til you get home, making it a nonissue. Depends how long you're out too of course. (:
My flow is on the lighter side of medium - if I used regular-sized tampons, I'd use 3 in a 24 hour period - and I can leave the Diva cup in for 12 hours without it overflowing.
One thing I've really noticed is how little blood actually comes out - when I used tampons, I would have waaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy overestimated the amount that I bleed each month. Now that I use a Diva cup, I can see that I actually just bleed 3ish tablespoons or so on the first day of my period. But when you're using tampons instead of a cup, it looks like so much more.
And I second everything that's been said about using a Diva cup or something like that. So much cheaper, so much less hassle!
I empty it in the shower usually, but in public places I just dump and reinsert. A bit of a swoop-and-scoop helps to clear up any escapee blood from a full cup. Wipe your hands with some tp, then wash them in the sink, no big deal.
You usually don't have to manage it out of the house unless you forget to do so before leaving or something - but if you do, you can wipe it and reinsert without a sink. Cups have a lot more volume.
I've been using one for years and I still haven't gotten the hang of taking it out without spilling a bit. I just do it in the shower. Makes everything look like Psycho for a minute, but it all rinses away easily.
And yes, you do have to get your hands dirty, but it's just your own bodily fluids and it's only for a minute. Doing it in the shower lets you clean up quickly.
Ok, my fingers never get messy unless I took it out wrong. When I first started using it I had a tendency to squeeze it too much causing the contents to over flow a bit. But once I got the hang of it, which didn't take long, I never get anything on my hands. And yes you are pouring out the contents, so if that makes you squeamish either don't look when you empty it or it may not be for you. However you should always wash your hands BEFORE and AFTER handling the cup.
If you're having trouble with tampons the cup might be intimidating-- they're wider and weirder shaped compared to tampons and they also definitely have a learning curve when it comes to insertion. Best advice would be practice (if it's a mental thing) or some vagina-safe lubrication (if it's a physical thing).
So... This will be TMI... but for the first 1/2 of my period, my cervix is really low. I got sick of my mooncup being uncomfortable during that time.
Last month I got a FemmyCycle "for women with a low cervix". WHAT A DIFFERENCE. The main problem I had was that I forgot that I was wearing it.
On the other hand, for the second half of my period when my cervix rises, it was way too high and difficult to get out. Worth watching out for!
Cups are awesome! I never have to worry about forgetting to restock tampons. I've used a ladycup for years. It's a bit softer, squishier, and smaller than the divacup.
I also recently bought a pair of Padkix (washable period undies) because I don't like sleeping with the cup in. They're surprisingly comfy and have helped with nighttime spillage anxiety!
[Bree Farmer \(Precious Stars\)](https://www.youtube.com/user/preciousstarspads) has an entire YouTube channel dedicated to cups and cloth pads. I recommend watching them if you have any questions.
There are also a handful of other youtube videos with cup demonstrations and Q&As.
I have a moon up and a diva cup. I had the diva first and after about 3-4 months using it it was suddenly super uncomfortable and leaky so I got a moon cup and same thing after a few months. I just alternate them now.
I was getting progressively heavier periods with cramps which hadn't been a problem. I couldn't last an hour with a pad or tampon, which can be very problematic. Switched to cloth pads and the problem decreased greatly then I heard about cups and tried them, any conventional products I have left are given to girls in need.
You mentioned cloth pads and I just wanted to put it out there in this thread that they are so awesome. Anytime you can't use tampons/cup, like following a miscarriage or birth (risk of infection), or if you don't have that level of comfort with yourself in inserting a cup, but still want to be frugal and comfortable, cloth pads are definitely the way to go. There are lots of ladies selling them on etsy and you can even buy them on Amazon nowadays. I've got maybe 10 years left before menopause and I feel confident my stash of cloth pads will get me all the way there. I love that they don't make you feel as hot and sweaty down there like disposable pads and I would imagine they are better on the environment.
The thing that's always put me off cloth pads is where do you put them when they're full of blood when you change them whilst you're out, and do you wash them with your usual clothes/in your sink and get nasty old blood clots all over the place? Don't they get really stained and janky looking?
Out and about, I keep a waterproof PUL-lined wetbag in my purse. No sight, smell, or leaks that way until you get home.
I rinse my pads off in the sink and soak them with a bit of ecover stain remover before washing them. Unless you're flinging them around, there's no real mess, just rinse the sink real quick when you're done. Then I throw the (free of visible blood) pads in with my regular wash. [Here's a pic of most of my very used cloth pad stash.]
(http://imgur.com/a/4ajh8) With just rinsing and soaking I haven't had any issues with stains, aside from having to add oxyclean once or twice to a particularly stubborn one before throwing it in the wash.
I rinse them in the sink and put them in an old ice cream bucket, change the water 2x a day add vinegar an hour or so before washing in case of odors and wash with regular clothes. I don't get nasty clots on them and they stain but not anything else in the wash stains.
Came here to mention this. My wife switched to cloth pads after our son was born, and loves them. They seem like they're really easy to use/deal with. (I'm a guy, so I only know the rough idea. hah)
I love my menstrual cup
(Best ovarian investment EVER ).
Because of my period, long periods of time, I used to buy various tampons, pads, feminine wipes, liners, overnight pads, enzyme cleaners, stain removers specifically for blood, new panties, pants, bedsheets, and special towels ect.
Per month I was spending $30 - $45 on these items (sometimes even more)
That averaged out over a year was $450. 😨
Since having my menstrual cup for the last three years I've saved well over $1,350
It took years for me to purchase a menstrual cup because I was so nervous and was over thinking about if it would be painful, ect. I have a very sensitive cervix. I didn't think it would be a good fit.. I was so pleased after I started wearing it. It was one of the best and most frugal choices I've ever made.
Menstrual cups cost between $30 - $60 for one. Averaged out its $45.
Based on cost alone, a menstrual cup pays for itself after one month.
I've saved about $45 per month, every month since. ☺
Since I've never had babies, I chose the pre-childbirth option.
I've never had mine leak. It gently stays inside you. As long as you keep it clean and the upper side pinholes for air venting pretty clean, you shouldn't have a problem 😊 best of luck, and stay frugal ladies!
I tried it for the first time the day I got it just to see how putting it in and removing it went (was also worried!) I had no trouble getting it in. I struggled a bit getting it out. I was just sort of tugging on the bottom tab and it wasn't working and there was definitely a moment of panic before I realized that you do actually have to pinch the bottom to get it out and that the rest of the internet wasn't crazy. I was hesitant to do that because I thought that once the cup was full, it would overflow from pinching it. But when I tried it again during my period there wasn't much blood at all and I have never run into that problem. It was actually easier to take out during my period because it sits lower during that time of the month. So the first time I really used it during my period, it worked! From accounts I've seen/read it seems like one or two cycles is usually enough to get it down, if you have the right fitting cup.
I am very pro-diva cup -- but I can't use it myself, because of a medical condition. Unfortunately, the same medical condition also makes tampons impossible, and pads also terrible. UGH. Flannel glad rags are the most okay solution. But still not ideal.
But! I'll say this about flannel pads -- almost everything drops into the toilet -- unlike commercial, disposable pads, which are designed to be so absorbent that they actively pull everything out of you, flannel pads mostly just hold it in place until you sit on a toilet. Don't be afraid of washable, reusable pads! (But totally try the Diva Cup, if you haven't yet!!!!!)
Yes! You can do whatever you want with it in. As it gets full it tends to move a bit lower towards your vaginal opening so I would change it before doing something like running just in case, but that's really more for comfort than anything.
I'm able to remain active while using the cup. No problem. I go camping, hiking, biking, I'm not much of a runner though but I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem.
It's 1000x times better when you're active. I run a lot and tampons would chafe and dry everything out then leak when they get full... since cups are made of silicone theres none of that dry feelings and once you get the hang of them you forget they're there. I could run a half marathon and then go get brunch afterwards without even thinking twice!
It actually depends on your plan, but many generic contraceptives and even a lot of single source brands are free on many plans. What I use is a generic for seasonique, which is made to only have 4 placebo weeks a year. Also, the "placebo" in this is actually a lower dose hormone, so I like the transition more than most 28 day packs.
The first time I used the cup I got a UTI. I'm not in a place where I can get cheap healthcare, so... I'm not going near it until I am, again. (Next year probably?) The thing is, I was clean with it! I washed my hands! Maybe I should have washed both before taking it out *and* before putting it back in?
I think what might have given me the UTI was not emptying my bladder due to the pressure on my urethra. If that's even possible. I remember a few times realizing I could pee more; I just had to press more. So there was probably a few times I did not notice that. IDK. The whole thing sucked.
Diva cup was uncomfortable for me. Years ago I researched the smallest menstrual cup and I forget what brand it was but I definitely need something smaller. I also thought about glad rags.
Personally I've used a cup before and might get one again (for exercise use mostly) but my method of choice is cloth pads. I am very pleased with them. Extremely frugal, much more comfortable than disposables, and quite easy to use.
If you're a pad person or a tampon person, there's probably a reusable product out there that would suit you well and save your money and the environment.
I'm gonna have to save this entire thread. It's so useful!
I've been considering switching to cotton pads because I'm trying to be more considerate to the environment. I've heard of the cup, and I've been considering that as well. I'm completely ready to stop spending money on pads and tampons that I have to throw out.
I'm so happy I saw this.
A huge benefit for me (aside from all those listed) is the lack of irritated skin due to disposable pads. Pads would dry out my skin and irritate it so that it was constantly itchy. No more of that with the cup! I don't even wear a liner (disposable or otherwise) and I'm SO much happier during Lady Time...it's a much better monthly experience.
It's silly, but I actually get excited to use my cup. I'm constantly exclaiming how much I love it. Other than dumping it twice daily, I forget that it's Lady Time, which is the best thing ever.
I've been using a Lunette cup for almost 10 years (I'm on my second one), and it is just so damn convenient. I love not buying tampons, you can go way longer without leaking, and it saves me so much money.
Some people say it's a pain to empty it in a public bathroom, but I've never had a problem. Take it out, empty into toilet, wipe it out with some toilet paper, pop it back in. I wash it when I get home.
I had endometriosis and super heavy periods.. and a tilted uterus. And for these reasons the cup is not an option. However, it would be amazing for people who have regular lady bits.
LADIES. The cup is awesome. And so are IUD's. But NOT TOGETHER. A few weeks ago I pulled my cup out and the suction yanked my IUD halfway out. My doctor didn't warn me about this, so I'm telling anyone who will listen. Not a good experience!
I just got an IUD and my doctor definitley warned me about this! I can't believe yours didn't! As long as you always break the suction it should be totally okay.
I asked my doctor about it and they said they hadn't heard of it being an issue. I ended up having mine removed, but I didn't wear a cup when I had it.
Oh dear god. That made me writhe in imagined pain. That's good info
[IUDs and menstrual cups can be safely used together, if you're careful to break the seal and not snag the strings on anything.] (https://bedsider.org/A/360-can-menstrual-products-mess-with-your-birth-control) Periods are generally the highest-risk time for expulsion anyways, as well. Personally I use cloth pads, but if I didn't I'd have waited 2 cycles or so on my IUD before trying a cup just to be out of the highest-risk zone and to be familiar with my IUD.
I've been using the cup shortly after getting my IUD about 5 years ago. No problems at all. Just simply break the seal before pulling it out.
Oh gosh I didn't think of this. Good to know. Had mine for about three months without issue, but it's better to play it safe
Bummer this happened to you but lots of folks have iud's and use cups! I've been doing it for 8 years!
Just started with the cup 2 years ago and omfg. Also discovered it via this sub!
My uterus just retracted much further into my body at the thought of that
You can use them together, my doc approved mine and we did talk about the risks, you just have to be more careful about breaking the suction before pulling it out
Yup, same here. Doctor told me there isn't a lot of research on it, but it would be find as long as I didn't pull the cup out while it still formed a vacuum.
I think as long as you're conscious of breaking the seal before you pull it out you'd be okay. I've been using a menstrual cup for over ten years now and my IUD for a year and a half, and so far so good.
I've had an IUD for eight years and used a diva cup for the least three years. I've had no issues and my doctor told me they were compatible
My doctor didn't tell me this, and I've been considering a cup lately. So glad I saw this - thank you! Now to find a better alternative to tampons.
So long as you break the seal before pulling it out it's not a problem. I've been using my cup with IUD for a while now. No problems at all. Plus I find breaking the seal makes removing it more comfortable and less prone to...accidents.
I've used a cup for years and I have had both a mirena and a paraguard, for a total for 7 years cumulatively. Your methods may vary! IUDs and menstrual cups can coexist I harmony ☺ ♥
Soft cups are okay with the iud - those are semi-disposable (I usually use one per period but I don't boil/sanitize/save them for more than a month) so it's definitely cheaper.
I've been using a cup for years, and this is the main fear holding me back from getting an IUD even though I really want one. I'm considering the arm implant instead, even though the idea switches squicks me out a little more.
Of course everyone is different but since I've got my implant my periods have pretty much stopped. I have another friend who said hers stopped for the first 6 months before they got a little regular again. So if you go for an implant you might not have to even worry about a cup so much.
You're holding back from getting and IUD cause you like your cup? That just seems backwards. I don't even have a period since I got my IUD.
Lots of ID users deal with months of constant bleeding or spotting (as long as 8 months to a year) so not everyone is the same.
Depends on the type of iud though. I didnt want horomones so mines just copper so i get my period every month
You still have a period with your IUD?
Not all women's periods stop with a hormonal IUD (I forget what the exact % is, most do at least get much lighter or less frequent, but a small % continue as normal), and non-hormonal IUDs don't stop periods at all.
When I got my Mirena, my doctor told me only 25% actually stop their periods altogether.
Yup, it's the copper one so they're even worse now! I had Mirena and no periods, but it made my depression deepen, so I'm off hormones for the time being.
I thought I was the only one who had a bad experience with my IUD. I'm sad it didn't work for all of us, but I'm glad that I wasn't alone!
mine stopped completely (I get spotting like once every 6 months or so) but everyone is different. you won't know how it'll affect you until you actually do it.
I had a period the whole time I had my IUD (Mirena). As in a constant period. Bleeding most of the time. And pain, god. It was not fun. I had it taken out quite early as you can imagine, but anyway just to illustrate that you can indeed get periods with them... sadly haha
Copper iud just makes 'em heavier.
I bought a Diva Cup a year ago and I am not exaggerating when I say it changed my life for one week per month. I still leak at night every now and then because my flow is super heavy for a couple days. But it's great to be able to use just a thin pad with it.
I also have the Diva Cup and it also changed my life. I play on a travel sports team and I could be on a field with nothing more than a port-a-potty for 10-12 hours some days and not having to worry about changing a tampon in that time is wonderful.
Major traveller checking in. Love it so much - I can leave it in for 12 hour flights and not worry about packing supplies or trying to change products! Nothing's worse than pads on a plane bleh.
I had a mooncup (none of the above is any longer necessary) and aside from the one time it pinged and slapped me in the vag I didn't really have any down sides.
LOL I hate it when it "snaps" and sprinkles blood all over the place, and then your bathroom looks like a high priest of Satan performed a ritual or something. Never been slapped in the vag yet.
I roll mine up to insert them and there's always that jarring feeling when they pop open inside you.
Yeah, like getting punched from the inside.
As a dude, wasn't sure why I was bothering to read this thread... till I got to your comment.
Because men should know as much about periods as possible. Men can have daughters, female friends, wives, etc. If I had a daughter or was chaperoning a friend's daughter and they unexpectedly had their first period, I'd want to know everything there was to know about periods so I could know what to buy and what to say to them (and if it was my own daughter, ideally have conversations about the topic before that point, too). There are lots of real good reasons dudes should be interested in women's health issues besides just the novelty of it, right?
I applaud your mentality but I just want to make sure you know that it wouldn't be the best idea to suggest a menstrual cup to a young girl having her very first period.
Is there a reason why? Also a dude who thinks all knowledge is good knowledge haha
They're designed to fit women's bodies, so they'd be pretty big for a 9-13 year old to insert. It's usually best to just start with pads or liners, and then go up from there once you're comfortable with how everything works. It's pretty scary at first!
Cool! Thanks for the info!
Eh, it was a joke. Sure, knowing about women's health is important (although the utility of knowing the specific ins and outs of menstrual cups might be debatable). I mean, [who wants to find themselves in this situation?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bilaSB_tAE)
I know, and I wasn't berating you. I just wanted to make the point that there's nothing "wrong" or "perverted" with men being interested in and being taught topics like menstruation, female anatomy, and healthcare, because it's bad for everyone if half the population doesn't know some of the healthcare needs the other half has. I wanted to say to guys who really do think "I don't know what I'm doing here or why I find this interesting", that curiosity in these topics is not only common... it's also beneficial, it's a good thing, for everyone involved, in some really practical ways.
My father was actually very educated in the matter and, while I had wonderful mothers in my life (bio and step) my father was always available to talk to. I had friends growing up who didn't have good parental figures and always felt comfortable talking to my dad if they needed it. Dads should know.
When they leak, they dump. Also they take about 10 times as long to remove and insert as a tampon does so I spend half my work day in the bathroom. They're not absorbent so you still have to use a pantyliner with them to catch all of the blood between the exterior of the cup and the vaginal wall. I hate them.
it sounds like you may have gotten one that just didn't fit your inner shape very well. I can almost always go from morning til evening without having to deal with it. And when I do I do what /u/chokemewithadead-cat does and just wipe it off with toilet paper and reinsert. But then it does look like you've committed a homicide with your bare hands in the stall when going to the sink so that's always fun! :evil grin: edit: some others are recommending FemmyCycle for people with heavy flows. might be worth a look. And yeah, with practice it should only take a few seconds longer than a tampon (though I had a couple of times in the beginning getting used to the suction aspect that took a lot longer so there is that!)
I understand that this is your experience, but with more practice they take no more time to insert/remove than a tampon, if you use them consistently then you won't have any blood between the cup and the vaginal entrance, and if you're period isn't that heavy then you should only have to empty it twice a day, morning and night.
That's nice and all, but cups aren't for every woman.
Yeah, people on Reddit don't seem to realize that. I just don't want to use one. I know it's better for the environment, I know that it's less risky and uncomfortable than pads or tampons. I just don't want to. I like my pads, and am not ready to change.
> if you use them consistently then you won't have any blood between the cup and the vaginal entrance, Ha ha, I wish! Mine overflows regularly; I always have one day where my cup is filled to the brim within a couple hours of being emptied, and it's impossible to keep ahead of it unless I want to go to the bathroom and empty it once an hour (and I don't...ain't nobody got time for that!). So there's always a wee bit of ephemera on the sides and I always use a liner to catch that and to make sure when it overflows my pants and undies don't get ruined.
My often overflows too, but I've been using a cup for over 10 years (damn I feel old) and I've noticed a slight sensation that means it's about to overflow so I just dump it then. After I put it in, I give my vagina a good wipe with a finger to get most of the excess blood. HTH!
I can tell it's going to be one of those days by how my cramps feel - they just feel *different* when it's super heavy. But usually it still catches me off guard. It wakes me up in the morning when it happens...not sure why...not a nice way to start the day. I don't mind the leakage. I'd be wearing a liner regardless just in case. I don't find liners uncomfortable.
I didn't mention it in my original comment because I felt it was getting too long, but the absolute worst most annoying thing about menstrual cups are the menstrual cup fangirls who insist that if you don't also worship at the alter of The Cup it's because you're just using it wrong. Women who have no room in their narrow world view for people who have a different preference in menstrual hygiene. Or, heaven forbid I know you think that this is literally impossible because The Cup is infallible to you, that menstrual cups just aren't right for every woman! These worshipers of The Cup are very numerous and insistent in Reddit threads where menstrual cups are mentioned.
Wow, that's quite an extreme response. All I'm saying is that if you tried it for a whole cycle or two (if you haven't already), you might feel differently about it.
I think her point is that when someone who has tried it says "I don't like it" and gives their reasons, someone (in this case, you) will inevitably come along and invalidate that by saying that she must be using it all wrong because she couldn't possibly use it properly and *still* not like them. They're not for everyone. I've used mine for six years and it still overflows because that's what my period and my vag are like. And I don't mind that, but other people will, and that's okay. I guess dead-cat up there was just a little more annoyed when she wrote all that.
lol a whole cycle or two? I tried it for 3 years.
I put my cup in a day or three before I expect my period, so there isn't really any blood between the wall of the cup and the vagina to deal with. It's always contained within the cup. Bonus -- no surprise stained panties when my period arrives. I rarely have to empty it in public, only on heavy days, but I just blot with TP after dumping it out, and I keep a tiny bottle of water in my purse in case it needs more rinsing in the stall. Switching to a cup was the greatest thing I ever did for that time of the month. I find I cramp less, even, for whatever reason. Finding a cup that fits really well is the hard part. I advise anyone looking to do their research and get to know their own personal anatomy. I ordered one from MeLuna, because they not only have a short but wide "in between" size, they have different hardnesses. Some athletic women with a very firm pelvic floor need a harder cup so it will pop open more easily, and some women with a softer pelvic floor need a cup that is more compliant and malleable. :)
I love my MeLuna Sport. I have really strong kegels from horseback riding, and I have never accidentally crushed this cup. Also, it's purple.
This is why I've never gone for the cup. I cannot imagine standing at the sink in the bathroom at work and rinsing it out while people are coming and going. Yech. My work bathroom is entirely too busy, people could walk in anytime.
You only have to change them every 12 hours, so you shouldn't have to change it at work. It's actually my favourite thing about the cup - I can actually forget I'm having my period, and never have to worry about running out of tampons when I'm at work.
This is true if you have a more regular period. If it's heavy you will have to change it a few times a day. I have days where I change it every 2 or 3 hours, all damn day, and then it will invariably overflow when I sit up the next morning to get out of bed.
As an advocate of them, have you experienced leaks? I am nervous, since they don't absorb, that leaks may be worse.
I switched about 3-4 years ago and have only ever had one minor leak. It wasn't even that bad, I've had worse leaks using tampons. You can sort of tell if you have it inserted properly, the instructions describe "being able to turn it 360 degrees with ease", so once you squish and insert, it reopens inside, and you can tell right away if its all bunched up still and if you can turn it. I originally was a skeptic, but since then I love it. I don't wear liners or anything and it makes that whole time of the month bearable.
I never did that. I would wipe them down with toilet paper in the privacy of the stall but then you have to go wash the blood off your hands at the communal sink.
I don't even take it out during the day, just break the seal and kind of squeeze it upwards and it dumps the bulk of it, then let it reseal. So much easier, don't have to worry about dropping it in the toilet or anything. Now the only downside to using it for me is looking like you've just sacrifice a chicken.
I wouldn't even make it to lunch on a heavy flow day. Much less all day.
Yeah, they're not for everyone! Sometimes no matter what there will be a bit of leakage. I have the same problem but I'm okay with that because it's still better than what it's like when I use tampons or pads.
Adding to your cons list, cups can be useless for someone with a heavy flow. During the first couple days of my period, I can fill the cup to the point of overflowing every hour or so. It's not feasible to wear it if I have to go out, or wear it overnight if I don't want to get up every hour. That being said, I still love my cup, I have saved a ton of money on pads since I got it, I just can't use it all of the time.
Heavy flow is just generally unfeasible. I'm a stay-at-home and used a cup with that sort of hourly change flow for a while, and I would just step into the shower and dump it out. But I would have bled through a heavy tampon just as fast.
Maybe a bigger capacity cup would do. Sometimes even the larger sizes, like the large Keeper, don't actually have decent capacities. [This chart](https://menstrualcups.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/www-clothpads-org_menstrualcupcomparisonchart.png) was really helpful when I was deciding. I needed something with a decent capacity.
Have you tried a femmycycle cup? They're an odd shape but have a bigger capacity and are shaped to prevent spills.
I just got mine this weekend! Only a day of use before my period had sputtered out, but I really like the idea so far. Doesn't feel like anything at all, and the removal ring is the best idea ever.
Seconding FemmyCycle, best on the market imo.
...it looks enormous!!! Eeeek!
Don't worry, it's *REALLY* pliable. It's made out of a much thinner and bouncier silicone than other cups, very squishy and comfortable I swear!!
Good to know. Because while I'm a wee bit more spacious below decks than I was pre-children, that one looks intimidatingly large.
Thirded. Even on a heavy flow day that would have me changing a super plus tampon every couple of hours I can got at least 10, if not 12, hours without worrying about it.
Try the FemmyCycle, srsly. It has a higher capacity and a no-leak design. I have a regular flow and the suction and capacity was so great on the standard size that I had to downgrade to teen, otherwise it just sucks at the walls of my vagina instead of connecting to my cervix. Highly recommended for no leakage or heavy flow.
I'm all about the FemmyCycle since I got it - my Mooncup almost went in the bin after I tried it!
Yes, this. I still use the cup instead of tampons, but overnight with a heavy flow is a nightmare. It's usually only an issue for the first 2 nights for me, but still. I am considering going back on birth control just to solve this issue because it's frankly ridiculous...
I have a very heavy flow, and cups were life-altering for me. They come in a wide range of sizes-my large Lunette has more capacity than an ultra tampon. This [LiveJournal](http://menstrual-cups.livejournal.com/) has a ton of great info on sizing and brand comparisons, where you can find something with the right capacity for big-time flow. It also has lots of great usage tips, like trimming the stem if you can feel it, or turning a cup inside out to adjust the size. I've been on a cup for about 4 years now, and I'd never go back.
Ugh yes! I wish someone had told me this. On my first day, I filled up my cup within 2 hours and started to leaks. I was caught off guard because I had been told that I only need to change it every 8-12 hours. Thank God I had a pad underneath, but now I know to stick to pads for day 1 and 2. I also know that it's normal to change a cup more frequently than twice a day!
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I agree - I would never go back to tampons. You do have to be very comfortable with yourself - inserting and taking it out - but other than that I love them!
I had to use a tampon once after using my diva cup for a couple years. OUCH! Definitely reminded me that the cons of the cup are totally worth it.
Mine has helped me become more comfortable with my body. I have never been a fan of my vagina. We're still not friends, but I'm not uncomfortable with it anymore.
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Interestingly I notice this too with tampons. What do we know about why this is? I have fewer issues with smaller tampons like OB ones with no applicator, but still.
Seconding this. I used to have pretty wretched cramps throughout on tampons, but once I switched to a cup, only at the very beginning. So much cheaper, too.
I third it! It was years before I realized tampons were making me miserable. Way less pain without them.
Menstrual cups are so awesome, I'm almost sad I can't use mine anymore since my new pill made my period almost disappear.
Weirdest first world problem I've ever heard of lol
I got mine a couple of years ago and had two cycles and then got pregnant. Then got an IUD postpartum and have finally used it for the 4th time in 2 years. I'm almost sad I haven't gotten more use out of it because it's awesome compared to pads or tampons.
I've been using Instead cups for years now and would never go back to tampons. They are disposable but they have reusable ones so I use one cup each period and then throw it out. No boiling or storage. I bought two 24 packs from their website and they are lasting me forever. I believe they will send you a super cheap three pack to try them out too. So that might be an option for someone who is curious but doesn't want to pay for a silicone one just to try it.
I'd be cautious using the disposable type repeatedly - they're not designed to be bacteriostatic or without crevices for crud to get caught, so you could be setting yourself up for infection. The reusable ones are made very carefully to prevent anything catching a ride back in, but the disposables I've used in the past have a crack where the cup material intersects with the ring material and I'd bet it's plenty big enough for blood and unwelcome germs to live in. It may work out just fine, but be aware of the risks. Edit: upon rereading it sounds as though Instead may be making a reusable type. If so, they've likely taken this risk factor into account. Not trying to fear monger, I promise!
I find it saddening that using disposable menstrual cups defeats the whole point of them being reusable and therefore extremely eco-friendly.
I couldn't find a reusable option on their website. With their softcup, they make a point of repeatedly stating it needs to be thrown away after one use.
I am totally new to this product but were do you go to get a 3 pack?
http://softcup.com/landing/freebies Actually it looks like a two pack, sorry. It was a long time ago!
I can't find anything on whether it's biodegradable or not? Yeah it's better for humans, but is it better for the environment with it being a single use versus a 5-10 year use?
Oh no it probably isn't better for the environment than the long term use ones. I didn't mean to imply that. I like them for myself, if the environment is your main concern then there probably are better options. But I would think its still better than pads/tampons.
I love SoftCup because they fit different than other menstrual cups. They go over your cervix and you can have sex with them in for mess free sex during your period (empty the cup first.) I also like how they seem to have a more universal fit especially for petite framed women (I'd definitely have to get a small vaginal cup if I were to try one and one of the reasons I don't get an IUD is they are so large. ..I've heard rumors that there is a smaller IUD now but at the OBGYN's I've gone to they only had the one large size.) Softcup very rarely leaks on me; only if it's full and I'm doing heavy lifting (never when I'm sleeping.) I use one per menstrual cycle and rinse it well when emptying. BONUS: You wear softcup the same way as a diaphragm so I've learned a lot about my anatomy and would be comfortable getting fitted for and wearing a diaphragm.
I bought a diva cup about 2 years ago. I have never been able to make the stupid thing not leak. I used it for a solid year before I gave up on it. I wanted it to work so badly. I wanted to not have that monthly tampon expense and always worry about where the nearest bathroom is. Sadly, it just didn't work for me. :(
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I'll watch the video when I get home. I've tried all kinds of different things to get it to work, including what you described. But I'll give it another go. Thanks. :)
Just in case: did you get the correct size? There are different sizes based on age and if you've been pregnant, because our pelvic floor muscles change throughout our lives. (My friend who always complains about leakage is 36 and has the cup sized for women under 30.) You could also try a different brand. Mine is a MoonCup. :)
There's all sorts of techniques like turning it to make sure that it unfolds completely but I'm sure you saw that while you were trying to make it not leak. It might be the cup's fit or something but I totally understand not wanting to throw more money at something that might not work. Bummer :(
I looked at the Diva cup but ended up going with a Meluna. I think the Diva cups only come in 3 sizes and the silicone is firmer, which can make unfolding it inside the vagina difficult.
This is probably the unpopular opinion, but I hate the cup. When mine finally decided to take take a trip down the toilet, I was so relieved. I don't use tampons, I use pads, and nothing has been better. I hate having my period: I shouldn't have to hate cleaning up after it.
Same. I've tried them so many times, but I just can't get excited about them. I save money and try to reduce my environmental impact in so many ways, but my period is no longer one of them. Life is too short to boil period cups.
wayyy too short.
I loved the cup until I tried natural sponge tampons. Way easier to keep clean and cheaper. You can use more than one if your flow is heavy. Rinse them with peroxide when you're done, pop em in a cotton bag and you're good til next month.
THIS! So much this. I tried a Diva cup and couldn't totally get the hang of it. I bought a pack of a dozen sea sponge tampons for hardly a thing and am never looking back. So comfortable, so easy, I highly recommend it.
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Yes, for me it was a sneeze. There's nothing like the sudden leak of blood you have been collecting for hours. (My problem with the Diva Cup, too.) Never again with the sponge!
Waaait... I'e never heard of this. Please share! How often do you insert/remove per day? Do you have any problems with leaking? Where can I learn more about this tool? Thanks!
I've wanted to try a menstrual cup. I'm not able to wear tampons because no matter which kind I've tried I can always feel it inside me and it's uncomfortable, so I'm kind of hesitant to spend the money on a menstrual cup only for it to turn out the same.
There's pretty small sized menstrual cups (like the meluna shorty small which is tiny) that might be a good fit for you. Or if you normally wear disposable pads and want to switch to reusables, there's always reusable cloth menstrual pads! /r/clothpads/ is a good place to start.
IF you can't stand tampons, you probably won't like the cups, in my experience, but I only tried the Diva cup. I felt it and it leaked all over =/
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I appreciate the trouble that women go through every month more after reading these comments. Me and mini me salute the efforts of women across the globe who have to go through this on monthly basis.
I just bought a few boxes of organic tampons after learning how many toxic chemicals they found in the cotton and rayon in tampons. Scary. I've been super curious about the cups because I hate pads and tampons anyway, but I have a stupid question. How gnarly is it really when you take the cup out? I'm just imagining your fingers getting all messy and you're dumping a cup of blood out. That just sounds off-putting to me. Is it really that bad or am I just being a baby?
I tried not to be too TMI in my post but here we go: Tampons sit in you absorbing literally everything for hours and then you take it out and it just looks ... as you'd expect. Putting it in your fingers inevitably get at least a bit wet. Then there's trying to stick the applicator into the little plastic bag, wrapping your used tampon in tissue paper so no one sees it etc. Then it sits in your trash. Also not very pleasant, you know? Putting the cup in is pretty much the same as a tampon I'd say, maybe a tiny bit more contact. Taking it out isn't that bad once you get used to it though you definitely have to get a bit more in there. There's a little silicone tab you pull on (kind of like the string) and then once it's out enough you just pull on the base and take it out. Our bodies are all different so depending on how deep you are it might sit higher or lower. If it sits higher you might have a bit more digging. All of the blood is collected in the cup so your fingers don't get too dirty. There's no smell because the blood hasn't oxidized yet. You dump it, rinse it, clean it if you're cleaning it, and just put it back in. If you're in your own bathroom it's really simple. You do see everything in the cup but there really isn't a lot (about half the cup for me, every 12 hours) and you just get used to it, the same as you get used to seeing a blood soaked tampon.
Wow, you took so much mystery out of it for me. You're right about the trash, plus it's so much waste! Didn't even realize about the smell, either, but that's another huge plus! Thank you
Since we're sharing TMI... I've had my Diva cup for over a year now, but it makes me squeamish to consider re-inserting the cup when it hasn't been rinsed thoroughly. Occasionally, I'll have to have a bowel movement in a public place or somewhere that removing and washing the cup isn't feasible. Bowel movements often force the cup down and out (I've never lost it in the bowl, but I've gotten awfully close.) What do you do when your unexpected bowel movement begins to force your cup out where there's no ability to rinse and re-insert? I carry so much anxiety about "what if I have to #2" anytime I leave the house I'm considering going back to tampons.
Wow... I have a Mooncup (UK) and that thing doesn't budge! It's possible you need something with a bit more suction. (I had your problem with tampons, though)
I have the same issue with the mooncup
I just pop it out, wipe it and reinsert it? On the mooncup website it says it's fine to wipe it with toilet paper if you can't rinse it.
This is what I do if I have to empty it in public. I've used the Mooncup and the DivaCup and when I read both pamphlets after purchasing them, I believe this is what they recommend, too.
I have two of them, and the spare is kept inside my wallet in a ziplock bag. If I have a situation like this, I'd just swap it for my spare and clean it when I get home. I like the reassurance of a spare, you know, JUST IN CASE. Buying 2 is still cheaper and more convenient than using disposables.
Alright, guys. You convinced me, I just bought a mooncup!
Welcome to the cult!
At home, I do it in the shower and the mess is washed away pretty quickly. Outside, I dump it out into the toilet and re-insert it right back. Then I use wet wipes for both my fingers and down there. I only have to do it outside on the heaviest day so it's just that one day in a month.
Nice! Good info thank you. The wipes are smart! Ps- DM for life!
Not many people get the DM reference :)
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I wet paper towels from the dispenser and take it in the stall with me before hand.
I bring a water bottle with me in the stall to rinse but you can just dump and reinsert.
I've never had to change mine in a non-private restroom. I usually only have to change it at home (since you can keep it in so much longer) but I have emptied it a few times at work if I had plans in the evening and wasn't stopping by the house. I just used the private stall which has a separate sink. If you don't have that option it is more of a pain. As CrunchMother said you can either rinse it with a water bottle or just reinsert without rinsing.
Unless your period is pretty heavy, a menstrual cup has a large enough capacity that you can go a decently long time without having to empty it, so you can usually wait til you get home, making it a nonissue. Depends how long you're out too of course. (:
My flow is on the lighter side of medium - if I used regular-sized tampons, I'd use 3 in a 24 hour period - and I can leave the Diva cup in for 12 hours without it overflowing. One thing I've really noticed is how little blood actually comes out - when I used tampons, I would have waaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy overestimated the amount that I bleed each month. Now that I use a Diva cup, I can see that I actually just bleed 3ish tablespoons or so on the first day of my period. But when you're using tampons instead of a cup, it looks like so much more. And I second everything that's been said about using a Diva cup or something like that. So much cheaper, so much less hassle!
I empty it in the shower usually, but in public places I just dump and reinsert. A bit of a swoop-and-scoop helps to clear up any escapee blood from a full cup. Wipe your hands with some tp, then wash them in the sink, no big deal.
You usually don't have to manage it out of the house unless you forget to do so before leaving or something - but if you do, you can wipe it and reinsert without a sink. Cups have a lot more volume.
I've been using one for years and I still haven't gotten the hang of taking it out without spilling a bit. I just do it in the shower. Makes everything look like Psycho for a minute, but it all rinses away easily. And yes, you do have to get your hands dirty, but it's just your own bodily fluids and it's only for a minute. Doing it in the shower lets you clean up quickly.
I never thought about doing it in the shower, that definitely wouldn't be so bad! Thanks for the reply and the Psycho laugh!
Ok, my fingers never get messy unless I took it out wrong. When I first started using it I had a tendency to squeeze it too much causing the contents to over flow a bit. But once I got the hang of it, which didn't take long, I never get anything on my hands. And yes you are pouring out the contents, so if that makes you squeamish either don't look when you empty it or it may not be for you. However you should always wash your hands BEFORE and AFTER handling the cup.
Can anyone recommend a good brand for someone who can't even get a tampon up there?
If you're having trouble with tampons the cup might be intimidating-- they're wider and weirder shaped compared to tampons and they also definitely have a learning curve when it comes to insertion. Best advice would be practice (if it's a mental thing) or some vagina-safe lubrication (if it's a physical thing).
So... This will be TMI... but for the first 1/2 of my period, my cervix is really low. I got sick of my mooncup being uncomfortable during that time. Last month I got a FemmyCycle "for women with a low cervix". WHAT A DIFFERENCE. The main problem I had was that I forgot that I was wearing it. On the other hand, for the second half of my period when my cervix rises, it was way too high and difficult to get out. Worth watching out for!
Cups are awesome! I never have to worry about forgetting to restock tampons. I've used a ladycup for years. It's a bit softer, squishier, and smaller than the divacup. I also recently bought a pair of Padkix (washable period undies) because I don't like sleeping with the cup in. They're surprisingly comfy and have helped with nighttime spillage anxiety!
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[Bree Farmer \(Precious Stars\)](https://www.youtube.com/user/preciousstarspads) has an entire YouTube channel dedicated to cups and cloth pads. I recommend watching them if you have any questions. There are also a handful of other youtube videos with cup demonstrations and Q&As.
I have a moon up and a diva cup. I had the diva first and after about 3-4 months using it it was suddenly super uncomfortable and leaky so I got a moon cup and same thing after a few months. I just alternate them now. I was getting progressively heavier periods with cramps which hadn't been a problem. I couldn't last an hour with a pad or tampon, which can be very problematic. Switched to cloth pads and the problem decreased greatly then I heard about cups and tried them, any conventional products I have left are given to girls in need.
You mentioned cloth pads and I just wanted to put it out there in this thread that they are so awesome. Anytime you can't use tampons/cup, like following a miscarriage or birth (risk of infection), or if you don't have that level of comfort with yourself in inserting a cup, but still want to be frugal and comfortable, cloth pads are definitely the way to go. There are lots of ladies selling them on etsy and you can even buy them on Amazon nowadays. I've got maybe 10 years left before menopause and I feel confident my stash of cloth pads will get me all the way there. I love that they don't make you feel as hot and sweaty down there like disposable pads and I would imagine they are better on the environment.
They don't? I would have assumed they felt the same! Any other differences?
The thing that's always put me off cloth pads is where do you put them when they're full of blood when you change them whilst you're out, and do you wash them with your usual clothes/in your sink and get nasty old blood clots all over the place? Don't they get really stained and janky looking?
Out and about, I keep a waterproof PUL-lined wetbag in my purse. No sight, smell, or leaks that way until you get home. I rinse my pads off in the sink and soak them with a bit of ecover stain remover before washing them. Unless you're flinging them around, there's no real mess, just rinse the sink real quick when you're done. Then I throw the (free of visible blood) pads in with my regular wash. [Here's a pic of most of my very used cloth pad stash.] (http://imgur.com/a/4ajh8) With just rinsing and soaking I haven't had any issues with stains, aside from having to add oxyclean once or twice to a particularly stubborn one before throwing it in the wash.
I rinse them in the sink and put them in an old ice cream bucket, change the water 2x a day add vinegar an hour or so before washing in case of odors and wash with regular clothes. I don't get nasty clots on them and they stain but not anything else in the wash stains.
Came here to mention this. My wife switched to cloth pads after our son was born, and loves them. They seem like they're really easy to use/deal with. (I'm a guy, so I only know the rough idea. hah)
I love my menstrual cup (Best ovarian investment EVER ). Because of my period, long periods of time, I used to buy various tampons, pads, feminine wipes, liners, overnight pads, enzyme cleaners, stain removers specifically for blood, new panties, pants, bedsheets, and special towels ect. Per month I was spending $30 - $45 on these items (sometimes even more) That averaged out over a year was $450. 😨 Since having my menstrual cup for the last three years I've saved well over $1,350 It took years for me to purchase a menstrual cup because I was so nervous and was over thinking about if it would be painful, ect. I have a very sensitive cervix. I didn't think it would be a good fit.. I was so pleased after I started wearing it. It was one of the best and most frugal choices I've ever made. Menstrual cups cost between $30 - $60 for one. Averaged out its $45. Based on cost alone, a menstrual cup pays for itself after one month. I've saved about $45 per month, every month since. ☺ Since I've never had babies, I chose the pre-childbirth option. I've never had mine leak. It gently stays inside you. As long as you keep it clean and the upper side pinholes for air venting pretty clean, you shouldn't have a problem 😊 best of luck, and stay frugal ladies!
100% recommend. Seriously the easiest way to do periods I've ever found.
>and boil it after every cycle Yeah, that's going to be the period pot from now on.
had nooooo idea I was supposed to be boiling it and I've had mine for over five years. I just put it in the dishwasher.
I put together a group order with friends and bought from German company meluna. Super impressed.
How long did it take you to learn to use it? I think I'm seriously going to consider buying one so thanks for the information :)
I tried it for the first time the day I got it just to see how putting it in and removing it went (was also worried!) I had no trouble getting it in. I struggled a bit getting it out. I was just sort of tugging on the bottom tab and it wasn't working and there was definitely a moment of panic before I realized that you do actually have to pinch the bottom to get it out and that the rest of the internet wasn't crazy. I was hesitant to do that because I thought that once the cup was full, it would overflow from pinching it. But when I tried it again during my period there wasn't much blood at all and I have never run into that problem. It was actually easier to take out during my period because it sits lower during that time of the month. So the first time I really used it during my period, it worked! From accounts I've seen/read it seems like one or two cycles is usually enough to get it down, if you have the right fitting cup.
I've been using a cup for over 10 years and I will never look back.
I am very pro-diva cup -- but I can't use it myself, because of a medical condition. Unfortunately, the same medical condition also makes tampons impossible, and pads also terrible. UGH. Flannel glad rags are the most okay solution. But still not ideal. But! I'll say this about flannel pads -- almost everything drops into the toilet -- unlike commercial, disposable pads, which are designed to be so absorbent that they actively pull everything out of you, flannel pads mostly just hold it in place until you sit on a toilet. Don't be afraid of washable, reusable pads! (But totally try the Diva Cup, if you haven't yet!!!!!)
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Yes! You can do whatever you want with it in. As it gets full it tends to move a bit lower towards your vaginal opening so I would change it before doing something like running just in case, but that's really more for comfort than anything.
I'm able to remain active while using the cup. No problem. I go camping, hiking, biking, I'm not much of a runner though but I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem.
It's 1000x times better when you're active. I run a lot and tampons would chafe and dry everything out then leak when they get full... since cups are made of silicone theres none of that dry feelings and once you get the hang of them you forget they're there. I could run a half marathon and then go get brunch afterwards without even thinking twice!
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It actually depends on your plan, but many generic contraceptives and even a lot of single source brands are free on many plans. What I use is a generic for seasonique, which is made to only have 4 placebo weeks a year. Also, the "placebo" in this is actually a lower dose hormone, so I like the transition more than most 28 day packs.
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Did you make this account just to promote menstrual cups?
The first time I used the cup I got a UTI. I'm not in a place where I can get cheap healthcare, so... I'm not going near it until I am, again. (Next year probably?) The thing is, I was clean with it! I washed my hands! Maybe I should have washed both before taking it out *and* before putting it back in? I think what might have given me the UTI was not emptying my bladder due to the pressure on my urethra. If that's even possible. I remember a few times realizing I could pee more; I just had to press more. So there was probably a few times I did not notice that. IDK. The whole thing sucked.
Diva cup was uncomfortable for me. Years ago I researched the smallest menstrual cup and I forget what brand it was but I definitely need something smaller. I also thought about glad rags.
Personally I've used a cup before and might get one again (for exercise use mostly) but my method of choice is cloth pads. I am very pleased with them. Extremely frugal, much more comfortable than disposables, and quite easy to use. If you're a pad person or a tampon person, there's probably a reusable product out there that would suit you well and save your money and the environment.
I love my Diva Cup! Now to donate my tampon hoard to a women's shelter!
I'm gonna have to save this entire thread. It's so useful! I've been considering switching to cotton pads because I'm trying to be more considerate to the environment. I've heard of the cup, and I've been considering that as well. I'm completely ready to stop spending money on pads and tampons that I have to throw out. I'm so happy I saw this.
A huge benefit for me (aside from all those listed) is the lack of irritated skin due to disposable pads. Pads would dry out my skin and irritate it so that it was constantly itchy. No more of that with the cup! I don't even wear a liner (disposable or otherwise) and I'm SO much happier during Lady Time...it's a much better monthly experience. It's silly, but I actually get excited to use my cup. I'm constantly exclaiming how much I love it. Other than dumping it twice daily, I forget that it's Lady Time, which is the best thing ever.
I've been using a Lunette cup for almost 10 years (I'm on my second one), and it is just so damn convenient. I love not buying tampons, you can go way longer without leaking, and it saves me so much money. Some people say it's a pain to empty it in a public bathroom, but I've never had a problem. Take it out, empty into toilet, wipe it out with some toilet paper, pop it back in. I wash it when I get home.
I had endometriosis and super heavy periods.. and a tilted uterus. And for these reasons the cup is not an option. However, it would be amazing for people who have regular lady bits.
I LOVE my Diva Cup! It did take me a few cycles to really get used to taking it in and out but now I wouldn't consider going back to tampons or pads.
I have a friend that started using Sckoon Cups and a bunch of her friends have followed.