That Time of the Month

[alison_in_oh]

The PMS and depression thread sparked curiousity for me, hope this isn't TMI for anyone and if it is, please skip!

But what kinds of menstrual products do you use when Aunt Flo is in town but you still want to get on the bike? I always found that tampons resulted in chafing and spotting during intense rides. And of course pads and bike shorts just don't go together. I've started using the DivaCup (http://divacup.com/) and it's amazing! It's like not having a period at all, no matter how strenuously I'm working out! I have no connections to the company, I'm just a big fan of menstrual cups in general after just a short time using them. ;)

Just wondering what works for y'all. :)

[shewhobikes]

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=435&highlight=cups

I've not tried these other products, but being perimenopausal these days, I'm certainly considering it! Glad to hear that you have had good results. Thought this archived thread might be helpful!

[AutumnBreez]

really thought about getting one, and this time when I seen this thread decided to go ahead and click on link to order it.
Thanks for the link and reminder of needing to get it.
Hopefully it will come in before the next visit.


I just noticed though that the diva has a shorter tip then the keeper...oh well...should be ok, the keeper looks like it is a different material too.
Be nice to have a pain free removal, being able to pull it out prematurely if needed without the pain the body bomb gives.

[MightyMitre]

Same as before - Diva Cup or Keeper, they might not be for everyone but you'd be missing out if you didn't give them a try. :)

[doc]

I started the last thread, but there have been many on this topic. The keeper's material is much more firm than the diva. One is latex free but I don't recall which as I don't have a latex problem. You are instructed to cut the loooong tip off the keeper once you figure out what length would be good for you.
My major tip for the diva is make sure it has opened after insertion. The ONLY time I have ever leaked was because I didn't do the dance where you rotate the darn thing inside you to make sure it's open. And yes, it is heavenly. Like not having you period at all. Change it once in am and once in pm (except for one heavy day). What a breeze.

[alison_in_oh]

Sorry to have duplicated another thread.

[AutumnBreez]

Diva site said it was made of silicone...
Keeper is rubber/latex.

I don't think I have had problems with latex/rubber or but your body changes and can develop issues, so...play it safe.

Oh, and no matter what the tip length...You can only insert it as far as you pinched fingers will allow so I guess I should not be too overly concerned about not getting it out once inserted...right? oh bloody hell its stuck! lol

[alison_in_oh]

Oh, and no matter what the tip length...You can only insert it as far as you pinched fingers will allow so I guess I should not be too overly concerned about not getting it out once inserted...right? oh bloody hell its stuck! lol

A lot of women find both cups most comfortable if they cut the entire stem off. They just use their PC muscles (Kegel exercises, anyone?) to push the thing down to where they can grip the ridged bottom of the actual cup. Anyway, just yanking straight down on the stem causes some unpleasant suction problems, so a combination of the two techniques is necessary!

The stem of my Diva doesn't bother me if I shove it off to one side, so I left the whole thing.

[slinkedog]

Okay, question for you all. I have the Instead cup and I like it, but you can't leave it in all that long. It says you can leave it for twice as long as you could leave your tampon, i.e. if your tampon will work for 2 hours, you can leave it for 4 hours. My problem is that on the first day I need to change my tampon about every hour. (Sorry to be graphic!) So the Instead cup ain't that much help if I want to do much of a ride. And, of course, I'm due to get a visit from AF on the day of the Tierra Bella. ;)

Can you keep the Diva and Keeper in longer than Instead? And are they a total mess when you take them out? The Instead cup, while very comfy, is a messy thing to remove.

[doc]

Diva and keeper are nearly the same and both slightly different from instead. For many many comparisons search for the last thread. There was a lot of good input from different folks.
You can keep the diva and keeper in as long as you want. There is apparently no risk for toxic shock. Manufacturers suggest removing and washing it every 12 hours, but it really depends on your flow. It will definitely last longer than any size tampon. But if you're changing tampons every hour, it sure isn't going to last 12 hours.
When you remove a diva/keeper on a heavy flow day, you definitely want to be real close to a sink. It can be messy. Once your familiar with it, it gets much cleaner and easier.
The trick I learned here (was that from MM?) is to urinate on the cup (and I add-hands ) after removing it if you are nowhere near a sink. Then at least all of the visible blood is taken care of if you're in a public restroom or some other inconvenient place. Urine is sterile so long as you are healthy.
Good luck. I know you'll like it. I LOVE my diva.

[fixedgeargirl]

So many testimonials for the cups are pretty convincing. And yet...I am wondering if it would work for someone slim in the pelvis. I am small, everything about me is small, including my internal path, so to speak. Length and width.

Feedback? Comments? Tell me it's no problem, and I'll go to Whole Foods today and buy one!

[doc]

They sell the diva or keeper at whole foods? Wow, you learn something new everyday!
Both come in 2 sizes: pre childbirth and post childbirth. I guess you should get the pre-chiildbirth size. I cannot imagine you'll have a problem if you have no problem with tampons.

[alison_in_oh]

Can you keep the Diva and Keeper in longer than Instead? And are they a total mess when you take them out? The Instead cup, while very comfy, is a messy thing to remove.

On the first day of my period I usually go through a regular tampon in a couple of hours. I changed the Diva after 6; there was a tiny bit of leakage but nothing major. I've yet to make a mess. ;) At my workplace we use regular stall restrooms. On that one day that I have to empty the cup during the workday, I have no problem dumping it in the toilet and wiping it out with toilet paper. When I change it at home I use hot water and soap.

I only tried Instead once, but after a lot of banging my cervix :eek: and continual leakage and the messiness you describe, I hope never to try it again!

[CorsairMac]

I bought the Instead since I'm almost done with the whole thing Anyway! (thank the Lords of Kobal!) Anyway, it took a few times to get it seated right but on the rare occassions I'm using it now, I haven't had any issues. I'm the only woman with a bunch of guys who use My bathroom ( :mad: ) when theirs is occupied or ........well you know guys! Anyway, I couldn't/wouldn't leave anything around that was personal so the Instead was the perfect choice. The only difference is - I do rinse it out under hot water and reuse it, 1 cup per cycle. I figured since the Diva/Keepers could be washed and reused why not the Instead? I'm just sorry I didn't know about this 30+ yrs ago when I was a teenager and swimming on a team. or even 20 yrs ago....heck even 10 yrs ago woulda been ok!! Anyway, the first few days I seem to have to empty it about every 4-6 hrs, but considering I was changing tampons every 2.....I'll take the 4-6.

[fixedgeargirl]

They sell the diva or keeper at whole foods? Wow, you learn something new everyday!

Well, since they just opened the 80,000 sq. ft. "flagship" store here, I am just assuming they would carry these, though I have yet to peruse the feminine aisle. I can only see a portion of the store in one visit, or I overload. They seem to have everything under the sun! (Except bike stuff, of course)

[shewhobikes]

Sorry to have duplicated another thread.

Nah, just pointing you to more info that might be helpful. I just happened to remember it. :)