Wednesday, March 2, 2011

My First Experience With a Menstrual Cup

I recently wrote about my decision to switch from tampons and pads to a menstrual cup, and I'd like to follow that up with some points from my first experience with my Diva Cup:

  • Instructions: It's a good idea not to lose your menstrual cup instructions before reading them. I had opened the package to check out the cup and somehow lost the instructions by the time I was ready to use it. I decided to wing it, assuming that I'd already learned enough in my online reading about it.
  • Support: It's also a good to have friends to turn to if you have questions, especially if you happen to lose your instructions. Online groups are great, but I happen to have some family members who use the same cup I have, so I was able to call someone if I had any questions, of which I had a few.
  • I had NO LEAKING the entire time I used the cup. I had been cautioned to use pads the first few days or so just in case, but I didn't need them. I was very impressed, especially because even tampons leak when they get full.
  • Frequency: I only checked my cup every 12 hours, morning and night, except once in the middle of the day when I noticed a little pink tinge when I wiped after using the toilet. I checked the cup at that time and found it was half full, so I dumped it, rinsed it, and put it back in.
  • Insertion was easy for me. I used the C-fold recommended in the instructions (but I had actually read about this online prior to ordering my cup), and that fold worked really well for me. I tried the 7-fold and punch-down fold but couldn't get the cup to unfold properly after inserted, so I went back to the C-fold.
  • Removal was tricky. I had been cautioned to make sure I broke the seal before removing, so I thought I'd have to get my finger against the rim and break it there. After asking my sister about this, she told me all I had to do was squeeze the cup and twist slightly, and that worked MUCH better. It doesn't really leak during removal, but most of the time I removed it while sitting on the toilet. Once I took it out in the shower, and simply squatted. It helps to bear down when I want to take it out, which leads to my next point.
  • Sphincter muscles are amazing! Whenever I laughed, sneezed, coughed, passed gas, used the toilet, or got in certain positions, etc. I could feel the cup slide out ever so slightly, and sometimes more so. The same thing happens with tampons, only because the cup was sealed inside I didn't have to worry about it falling out like a tampon might. The cup always slid back into place afterward. After the first two days I got used to it and didn't notice the movement anymore.
  • Comfort: The first time I had the cup in I could feel the stem rubbing against my private parts, and it was uncomfortable. I suspected I didn't have it in deep enough, so I readjusted it. At first I thought I might have to trim the stem for a more comfortable fit, but as I got better at inserting the cup it wasn't a problem anymore. By the time my period was ending I didn't even feel the cup.
  • Cleaning: I boiled the cup before the first use, and each time I removed and emptied it I rinsed it in the bathroom sink before putting it back in. I always checked it in my bathroom at home, which was easy because I only checked it twice a day. I always washed my hands well before removing it.
  • Leaves no trace! This is my favorite part. There was nothing to throw in the trash can. I always dumped the menses directly into the toilet before rinsing the cup. I also noticed there was no annoying smell. Disposable tampons and pads always have a paper/chemical smell that's distinctive. The only smell was the menses itself, which surprisingly was not offensive to me. There was nothing in the bathroom to indicate I was on my period, and nothing sitting in the trash can making the bathroom stink. My husband didn't even know I was menstruating until I told him, and he's usually the first one to notice.
Overall I'm very happy with my menstrual cup. The first few days were all about figuring it out, but once I got a feel for it I realized it's very simple and easy. I can now see why so many women recommend them, and I plan to use mine for as long as it will last. Goodbye to disposable menstrual products!

12 comments:

  1. I have been wanting to try the cup so thank you for posting this review.

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  2. Thanks for the review! I've just recently heard about the Diva Cup, and have been curious to hear about it via a review NOT on their website. :) It seems a little expensive, though, which is probably the only think keeping me from trying it at this point!

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  3. DoulaLauraC, cost was my biggest road block, so I searched until I found what I felt was the best deal. I ordered my Diva Cup from www.vitacost.com. I order homeopathics and other products from that site, so it worked out to include the cup with my regular order. Plus, it was the best price I found.

    Think about what you might spend on disposable menstrual products and consider the fact that a menstrual cup can generally be used for several years. I've even heard of women using their cup for over 10 years! To me it made the initial investment worthwhile.

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  4. Can I ask what made you decide to choose this one as opposed to the plethora of other choices out there? Thanks.

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  5. Quantmlife: The Diva Cup was the one I was most familiar with. I know more women who have tried it compared to other brands. It was also a relatively low price compared to some other brands. After reading multiple reviews, I figured I would be happy with most any brand I tried. I considered buying the Moon Cup, but it was slightly more expensive than the Diva Cup on the website I was ordering from.

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  6. Love my DivaCup!! One tip I followed was that even after trimming the stem, it felt uncomfortable (I must have a short vagina or something, haha) so I turned the whole cup inside out and use it that way.

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  7. I am so glad I came across your review! I made the switch to a Diva Cup about six months ago and will never look back. I love it for all the reasons you stated in your review. It is so simple and easy to use. I feel like my period is less of a hassle using it than when I used pads and tampons.

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  8. I bought a 'Mooncup' (UK) three months ago and it's been one of the most amazing things I've ever done! I can't believe how much better my world is now I'm not struggling with leaking tampons and those final bitty days. I think every woman should own one! xx

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  9. The menstrual cups start to be revolutionary and thanks to bloggers like you more women are getting knowledge about its usage and that it is really a safe product. Two months ago I got an Iriscup menstrual cup from coppetta-mestruale.it (they sell worldwide and deal others brands at a very affordable price).

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  10. going to give it a try! thank you!

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  11. Hi!! Great Blog!!! Great descriptions!!
    But what about intercourse with it???
    Thx!!

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  12. I would remove it for intercourse.

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