Cup Questions

Findabhair · 04-04-2014, 10:44 AM

A friends of mine has recently switched from tampons to the diva cup and is really encouraging me to do the same. Financially I could see it might be beneficial.

Personally I've never used a tampon, I use organic cotton pads, so I'm concerned about comfort that way but I'm wondering if it would make sense/ work for me.

I'm very concerned about leaking as I have very heavy change a pad every 2 hours periods, but I also want to know if people had a change in cramps using a cup. For my whole period I have medium painful cramps except for 2 days near the end which is best described as transition in labour. Taking Advil Liquid Gels max dose does nothing. I basically pace, use labour breathing and positions and a couple heat packs. I DO NOT want cramps to get any worse.

So does anyone have any experiences with cups in relation to those issues? Would you recommend them? Any particular one?

Thanks!

arelyn · 04-04-2014, 10:51 AM

I HATE tampons. They are the most uncomfortable things ever. My cup however is awesome! I was so hesitant to get one because I can't stand the feel of tampons but this is no problem. It was super intimidating the first time (the cup looks huge) but by the second cycle I was hooked! And I was always leaking with pads and tampons but so long as I remember to change it the cup never leaks. Well, iif I have it applied right. You have to get the suction on the cervix or else it doesn't work well.

So I highly recommend it.

And believe it or not they have some resale value in crunchy circles so if you hate it after a few cycles you can get a little of your money back.

HomeWithMyBabies · 04-04-2014, 11:38 AM

I got a Diva several years ago and never looked back. I'm picky about comfort and have no problems with it. Sometimes I've forgotten it's there. As for leaks there is a learning curve so you might want to use back up while you get the hang of it.

marbles · 04-04-2014, 01:17 PM

I have used in the past a combination of cloth pads, disposable pads, and tampons. The cloth greatly reduced my cramps, but then when I switched to cups (right now I just he soft cups, disposable but I reuse each one for a couple days) I had almost no cramps at all. I can't even describe the difference it made. Periods are no big deal anymore, they used to keep me home huddled on the couch for two days. If you get a cup that fits you it shouldn't leak. The soft cups leak for me because I apparently have an astonishingly short vagina and these cups are a bit too big so any sort of bearing down at all, like a cough or sneeze, will cause a leak from a cup with accumulation.

MomtoJGJ · 04-04-2014, 01:41 PM

I would have cramps akin to back labor before. I have had one time that I had cramps with the diva and there is a slight possibility there was an early miscarriage that month because i was a week late.

houseforjoy · 04-04-2014, 02:03 PM

when i switched to cloth my cramps got sooo soo much better. i only had a few cycles with a cup to compare, and wasn't all that great with it yet (there is a definite learning curve with a cup!!) but i did like using it.

cro · 04-05-2014, 04:13 PM

When I first switched to a cup/cloth, my cramps got way better and AF got shorter - 3-4 days instead of 5-6 days.

In the beginning, it can be helpful to empty your cup every time you go to the bathroom. That way you get an idea of how often you really need to empty it...or how long you can let it go. It's really not that big of a deal. It's not like pads/tampons where you want to change them less often because each change costs you $$$. Instead you have the FREEDOM to change/empty as often as you want - even times when you really don't *need* to.

Check out MeLuna. They have lots of different sizes and colors! Somewhere I posted comparison pics of MeLuna & Diva. I'll see if I can dig them up again.

---------- Post added at 07:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:05 PM ----------

Here it is. MeLuna large, Diva 2, MeLuna XL

---------- Post added at 07:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:10 PM ----------

BarefootBetsy · 04-05-2014, 05:41 PM

I love my cup

One of the best purchases I've ever made

I've never been a big fan of tampons, but I used them regularly before because they were at least better than disposable pads.

Hopetobe · 04-05-2014, 05:43 PM

Before having kids, I got the Divacup. I had issues with it like it didn't seem squishy enough for me to hold folded to get it in when I tried. After having ds, I researched more and found out there were many other cup options. I had it narrowed down to two, I think the Ladycup and Lunette. I found a deal I liked for cloth pantiliners and a Lunette, so I got that one. The Lunette I could hold together in the punch down fold I think it is called. And, I could get it in, but for some reason I had some trouble getting it right and it did seem like it made cramps worse than just cloth pads, but possibly less than tampons had (I hadn't realized tampons did that, but looking back it appears that they did or things changed with my body fir some reason). However, it didn't seem like it was in correctly and I only got to try like once or twice. Now I've had DD and recently PPAF came. I decided to try the Lunette again, just a little bit 2-3 days in. The first time this go round, I didn't have it far enough in, so it was poking me. But, I tried it again and it was comfortable and no added cramps. I'll have to try it right away next time, but I think it might be the way for me to go.

It depends on the cup size, but you may be able to go longer between emptying than with a pad.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

mamamonkey · 04-05-2014, 05:47 PM

I love my cup too. I had a Diva for awhile and kept getting pinched by the stem. So, I switched to a MeLuna with no stem. And I pink sparkly heart love it.

I have less cramps with the cup. I also have less heavy flow than I do with tampons. I wear cloth pantyliners as back up b/c I'm paranoid (haven't had a major leak though).

Bumblebee · 04-05-2014, 06:14 PM

I went right from cloth pads to the cup too (have never used a tampon) and I had no issues with discomfort

I don't typically have heavy periods but I haven't experienced leak issues very often either...maybe once or twice but that was likely bad positioning

MomtoJGJ · 04-05-2014, 06:39 PM

If you get a diva cup I would suggest turning it inside out. That way the stem doesn't bother you.

ECingMama · 04-05-2014, 07:56 PM

I have to empty my Diva cup in two hours. My flow is heavy. My sister can wear hers for 12 hours.

It doesn't affect cramping. I haven't cramped in 7 years. I went to 12 sessions of acupuncture, and I haven't cramped since.

Soliloquy · 04-05-2014, 10:25 PM

I have no cramping when I use a cup or cloth. I have a Diva and have no complaints but I've never tried another brand. Since turning 40, I have had some crazy heavy days where I had to empty my cup every 30-60 minutes. On those days I wore a cloth pad in addition. A cup holds much more than a pad so I'm guessing you can go at least twice as long as you would with a pad. Otherwise, I don't haves issues with leaking, although there is a learning curve, like someone mentioned. I wore a cloth pad the first few cycles.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

Peaceful Meadows · 04-05-2014, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by houseforjoy

when i switched to cloth my cramps got sooo soo much better. i only had a few cycles with a cup to compare, and wasn't all that great with it yet (there is a definite learning curve with a cup!!) but i did like using it.

I love my diva. I haven't had any leakage problems with it. I did trim the stem so it wouldn't bother me.

04-04-2014, 10:44 AM	#1
Findabhair Rose Bouquet Join Date: May 2013 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 799	Cup Questions A friends of mine has recently switched from tampons to the diva cup and is really encouraging me to do the same. Financially I could see it might be beneficial. Personally I've never used a tampon, I use organic cotton pads, so I'm concerned about comfort that way but I'm wondering if it would make sense/ work for me. I'm very concerned about leaking as I have very heavy change a pad every 2 hours periods, but I also want to know if people had a change in cramps using a cup. For my whole period I have medium painful cramps except for 2 days near the end which is best described as transition in labour. Taking Advil Liquid Gels max dose does nothing. I basically pace, use labour breathing and positions and a couple heat packs. I DO NOT want cramps to get any worse. So does anyone have any experiences with cups in relation to those issues? Would you recommend them? Any particular one? Thanks! __________________

04-04-2014, 10:51 AM	#2
arelyn Rose Trellis Soli deo Gloria Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Amidst Tourists and Temples Posts: 3,139	Re: Cup Questions I HATE tampons. They are the most uncomfortable things ever. My cup however is awesome! I was so hesitant to get one because I can't stand the feel of tampons but this is no problem. It was super intimidating the first time (the cup looks huge) but by the second cycle I was hooked! And I was always leaking with pads and tampons but so long as I remember to change it the cup never leaks. Well, iif I have it applied right. You have to get the suction on the cervix or else it doesn't work well. So I highly recommend it. And believe it or not they have some resale value in crunchy circles so if you hate it after a few cycles you can get a little of your money back. __________________ arelyn World traveling mama to my star my sunshine and the monsoon baby Wife to my crazy ethnomusicologist This road that we travel, may it be the straight and narrow. God give us peace and grace from you all the day through.

04-04-2014, 11:38 AM	#3
HomeWithMyBabies Rose Garden Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 24,062	Re: Cup Questions I got a Diva several years ago and never looked back. I'm picky about comfort and have no problems with it. Sometimes I've forgotten it's there. As for leaks there is a learning curve so you might want to use back up while you get the hang of it.

04-04-2014, 01:17 PM	#4
marbles Rose Garden Our Family Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: South Carolina Posts: 5,047	Re: Cup Questions I have used in the past a combination of cloth pads, disposable pads, and tampons. The cloth greatly reduced my cramps, but then when I switched to cups (right now I just he soft cups, disposable but I reuse each one for a couple days) I had almost no cramps at all. I can't even describe the difference it made. Periods are no big deal anymore, they used to keep me home huddled on the couch for two days. If you get a cup that fits you it shouldn't leak. The soft cups leak for me because I apparently have an astonishingly short vagina and these cups are a bit too big so any sort of bearing down at all, like a cough or sneeze, will cause a leak from a cup with accumulation. __________________ Mary K wife to Daniel for 16 years mom to 13 year old the Girl and 11 year old the Boy and 8 year old Tiny Almost always posting from my phone.

04-04-2014, 01:41 PM	#5
MomtoJGJ Deactivated Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 11,787	Re: Cup Questions I would have cramps akin to back labor before. I have had one time that I had cramps with the diva and there is a slight possibility there was an early miscarriage that month because i was a week late.

04-04-2014, 02:03 PM	#6
houseforjoy Rose Garden trying to live like olaf "this is the best day of my life!... and quite possibly the last!" Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: in the sunshine with my own personal flurry Posts: 9,563	Re: Cup Questions when i switched to cloth my cramps got sooo soo much better. i only had a few cycles with a cup to compare, and wasn't all that great with it yet (there is a definite learning curve with a cup!!) but i did like using it. __________________ Amanda, ENFJ Mommy to my bounty: ds 13 years, dd 12 years, dd 9 years , dd 6 and ds 4 Psalm 13 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?....because I am shaken. 5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

04-05-2014, 04:13 PM	#7
cro Rose Garden Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 7,779	Re: Cup Questions When I first switched to a cup/cloth, my cramps got way better and AF got shorter - 3-4 days instead of 5-6 days. In the beginning, it can be helpful to empty your cup every time you go to the bathroom. That way you get an idea of how often you really need to empty it...or how long you can let it go. It's really not that big of a deal. It's not like pads/tampons where you want to change them less often because each change costs you $$$. Instead you have the FREEDOM to change/empty as often as you want - even times when you really don't need to. Check out MeLuna. They have lots of different sizes and colors! Somewhere I posted comparison pics of MeLuna & Diva. I'll see if I can dig them up again. ---------- Post added at 07:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:05 PM ---------- Here it is. MeLuna large, Diva 2, MeLuna XL ---------- Post added at 07:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:10 PM ---------- __________________ ISTJ, DYT 4/2 mama to: M ~ born in Russia 8/31/02; adopted 7/21/04 J ~ born in America 3/20/05; natural bio surprise E ~ born in America 12/08/08; natural bio miracle Last edited by Singingmom; 04-05-2014 at 05:44 PM. Reason: Removing a link :)

04-05-2014, 05:41 PM	#8
BarefootBetsy Rose Garden "You are on the path...exactly where you are meant to be." Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Seeking Simplicity Posts: 12,684	Re: Cup Questions I love my cup One of the best purchases I've ever made I've never been a big fan of tampons, but I used them regularly before because they were at least better than disposable pads. __________________ Barefooting through life with dh (2003), dd1 (11/05), dd2 (7/07), dd3 (11/09), and ds (8/13). Unless explicitly stated otherwise, any views or opinions presented in the above posts are solely those of BarefootBetsy, the GCM member, and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of anyone else in the entire world.

04-05-2014, 05:43 PM	#9
Hopetobe Rose Garden Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: "Sun, sun, sun, sunny day" Posts: 3,844	Re: Cup Questions Before having kids, I got the Divacup. I had issues with it like it didn't seem squishy enough for me to hold folded to get it in when I tried. After having ds, I researched more and found out there were many other cup options. I had it narrowed down to two, I think the Ladycup and Lunette. I found a deal I liked for cloth pantiliners and a Lunette, so I got that one. The Lunette I could hold together in the punch down fold I think it is called. And, I could get it in, but for some reason I had some trouble getting it right and it did seem like it made cramps worse than just cloth pads, but possibly less than tampons had (I hadn't realized tampons did that, but looking back it appears that they did or things changed with my body fir some reason). However, it didn't seem like it was in correctly and I only got to try like once or twice. Now I've had DD and recently PPAF came. I decided to try the Lunette again, just a little bit 2-3 days in. The first time this go round, I didn't have it far enough in, so it was poking me. But, I tried it again and it was comfortable and no added cramps. I'll have to try it right away next time, but I think it might be the way for me to go. It depends on the cup size, but you may be able to go longer between emptying than with a pad. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Probably on my phone, and Andrea INTP, DYT 4/1 Wife to B ~9yrs Mom to E 3yo & L 1yo 10/13/09

04-05-2014, 05:47 PM	#10
mamamonkey Rose Garden I Batman! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Almost Heaven Posts: 5,388	Re: Cup Questions I love my cup too. I had a Diva for awhile and kept getting pinched by the stem. So, I switched to a MeLuna with no stem. And I pink sparkly heart love it. I have less cramps with the cup. I also have less heavy flow than I do with tampons. I wear cloth pantyliners as back up b/c I'm paranoid (haven't had a major leak though). __________________ Melissa (ISFJ) wife to E since 2004 mama to the newbie capuchin to the spider monkey (6) to the orangutan (17) and to Piper Bee (the capuchin's twin) 10/14

04-05-2014, 06:14 PM	#11
Bumblebee Rose Bush Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tennesee Posts: 422	Re: Cup Questions I went right from cloth pads to the cup too (have never used a tampon) and I had no issues with discomfort I don't typically have heavy periods but I haven't experienced leak issues very often either...maybe once or twice but that was likely bad positioning __________________ wife to J (2004) striving to be a gentle mama to my little guy S (2005) and princess L (2007) and our newest bundle K, september 2011

04-05-2014, 06:39 PM	#12
MomtoJGJ Deactivated Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 11,787	Re: Cup Questions If you get a diva cup I would suggest turning it inside out. That way the stem doesn't bother you.

04-05-2014, 07:56 PM	#13
ECingMama Rose Garden Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 16,748	Re: Cup Questions I have to empty my Diva cup in two hours. My flow is heavy. My sister can wear hers for 12 hours. It doesn't affect cramping. I haven't cramped in 7 years. I went to 12 sessions of acupuncture, and I haven't cramped since. __________________ ENFp Wife who is thankful to be in love....17 years Homeschooling Mom of three....15 DD dancer and 12 DS mountain biker and 5 DD calico critter and dolly mommy 12/2014 8/2015 11/2015 9/2016

04-05-2014, 10:25 PM	#14
Soliloquy Rose Garden Why climb a mountain? Because it's there! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Selkirk Mountains Posts: 52,860	Re: Cup Questions I have no cramping when I use a cup or cloth. I have a Diva and have no complaints but I've never tried another brand. Since turning 40, I have had some crazy heavy days where I had to empty my cup every 30-60 minutes. On those days I wore a cloth pad in addition. A cup holds much more than a pad so I'm guessing you can go at least twice as long as you would with a pad. Otherwise, I don't haves issues with leaking, although there is a learning curve, like someone mentioned. I wore a cloth pad the first few cycles. Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk Last edited by Soliloquy; 04-06-2014 at 12:03 AM.

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