How green is my period?

[ny biker]

In case you were wondering about the relationship between Aunt Flo and Mother Earth...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/15/AR2010031502095_pf.html

[shootingstar]

You might win the prize for the catchiest topic title! :D

Thx for starting up another perhaps thread that might wander onto washable menstrual pads, menstrual cups, etc. :D

Thankfully those years do dissipate --eventually.

[ny biker]

I did not get enough sleep last night and it's making me giddy...

[Flybye]

if you're willing to make a really radical change, there are lots of reusable options, both external and internal. There are machine-washable fabric maxi pads, for example, sold under brand names like lunapads and gladrags.

n.o. F.r.e.a.k.i.n.g. W.a.y.

[moonfroggy]

cloth pads are way more comfortable.

i suspect a lot of women here use the diva cup or one of the other menstrual cups.

i used to use a cup but for some reason after having a baby they have not been comfortable.

[OakLeaf]

i used to use a cup but for some reason after having a baby they have not been comfortable.

Did you use the smaller one before you had your baby, and have you got a new one since? They specifically note childbirth (along with aging) as one of the things that put most women into the larger size.

[badger]

Diva Cup (http://www.divacup.com/?gclid=CN685vjpvqACFRhugwodCjV4Tg).

I've used it for close to 5 years now, and I have NO idea how I lived without it, and I cannot contemplate how I will live without.

Compact, comfortable, change twice a day, nothing to throw out other than my biological material, and NO LEAKAGE!!

[moonfroggy]

Did you use the smaller one before you had your baby, and have you got a new one since? They specifically note childbirth (along with aging) as one of the things that put most women into the larger size.

yup got the larger one. i have found it uncomfortable but i haven't tried much.

[radicalrye]

Diva Cup (http://www.divacup.com/?gclid=CN685vjpvqACFRhugwodCjV4Tg).

I've used it for close to 5 years now, and I have NO idea how I lived without it, and I cannot contemplate how I will live without.

Compact, comfortable, change twice a day, nothing to throw out other than my biological material, and NO LEAKAGE!!


I just got a diva cup a few months ago and I LOVE it. At first it was kind of hard to figure out how to place it comfortably. I use the small sized one..I'm 24 & have no kids, but after a couple of practices I figured it out.

I have never had a problem with leakage even on my heaviest day and I can wear it while cycling and know I won't leak in my bike shorts.

I had to use a tampon one day when I got my flow a little earlier than expected and I hated it. I couldn't wait to get home to use the Diva cup. I barely use panty liners as a back up anymore so it cut down on waste and has paid for itself already considering the "eco friendly" tampons I used to use were pricey.

As far as cloth liners go I use Party In My Pants brand because they are so cute/easy to use and they are made locally (here in wisconsin).

[ny biker]

As far as cloth liners go I use Party In My Pants brand because they are so cute/easy to use and they are made locally (here in wisconsin).

Party In My Pants?!?!?!??!

This might just be the best. name. ever.

[Norse]

I have never heard of the Diva cup. Thanks for the info - I need to give this a try! I would love to be done with tampons, with which I have a hate-hate relationship and, despite being peri-menopausal for like, forever, the flo continues....

[mirliluck]

I am also a diva cup fan, and I try to get all my girlfriends on the diva bandwagon too! I will admit that it does take some getting used to as far as placing it right at first, but once you have it down there is no other way.

And whether you're green-leaning or not, it is really yucky to think of the bazillions of tampons and pads going into the landfills.

[Blueberry]

If you search on the forums, you'll find a thread or three where we've had extensive discussions about them - where to get them, how to use them, what to do if you have problems, etc., etc.

[Desert Tortoise]

Thanks for the info. I didn't know there was such a thing as a "cup." Worth looking into and not worry about strings and liners.

Are there dangers/warnings with the cup like the tampon? For example, tampons should not be left in for more than 6-8 hours.

EDIT: Oh, just saw the new posts on discussions, will look them up. Thanks

[rubywagon]

The cups are made from medical grade silicon, so I think the only thing you need to remember to do is empty it/wash it.

[Blueberry]

Are there dangers/warnings with the cup like the tampon? For example, tampons should not be left in for more than 6-8 hours.

EDIT: Oh, just saw the new posts on discussions, will look them up. Thanks

I think it's more like 12 for the cup - and I get the feeling that's much more dictated by flow than by any medical necessity. Of course, check with your dr., I'm not a dr., etc., etc.

[arielmoon]

I have been using Diva cups and Glad Rags for a few years now. I do have a slight problem with leakage in the Diva cup (Large size since I am over 40) but the first 2 days tend to be REALLY heavy. I use the thin glad rags for a little peace of mind during those 2 days and I like the thicker ones for night time.

[footloose]

I was aware of Diva Cups (though I've never tried one) but I had never heard of Glad Rags or Party in My Pants. :D I'll have to research those.
Diva Cups are very popular with backpacking women, who don't want to deal with carrying a ton of tampons into the backcountry and having to carry the used ones out. Fortunately, my backpacking trips haven't landed at that time of the month thus far.

I have fibroids and have very, very, VERY heavy flow for the first 2-3 days...I have my doubts whether a cup could handle that. I've been given meds to help stem the flow a little and sometimes it helps and sometimes it doesn't. This has been going on for over 10 years and it does seem to be improving as I get closer to menopause. I'm almost 49.

[Dianyla]

I have fibroids and have very, very, VERY heavy flow for the first 2-3 days...I have my doubts whether a cup could handle that.
What are you using now that handles such a heavy flow? :confused:

I usually have one flood afternoon where I lose about an ounce per hour for several hours in a row. The capacity of my MoonCup is 1 ounce, so I only have to empty it hourly. I had to change tampons twice as often, since a superduper absorbency tampon only holds about 1/2 ounce (15 g).

I used a DivaCup for several years but it was always somewhat uncomfortable for me because I've got a naturally short canal. Even with the stem trimmed off, the tip of it would be uncomfortably close to the outside. The MoonCup is made in the UK (can buy online) and is shorter.

[GLC1968]

Does anyone who uses these cups have a super light flow? On my heaviest day, I could probably still get away with only a liner, so I don't know if a Diva cup or such would be an option for me.

Yes, I could just deal with the liners - but it's still trash and who needs that? Plus, I'm not sure how to handle swimming with only liners (I assume that you can swim with a Diva cup?).

[MartianDestiny]

Does anyone who uses these cups have a super light flow? On my heaviest day, I could probably still get away with only a liner, so I don't know if a Diva cup or such would be an option for me.

Yes, I could just deal with the liners - but it's still trash and who needs that? Plus, I'm not sure how to handle swimming with only liners (I assume that you can swim with a Diva cup?).

I typically have one moderate day spanned on either side by 2-3days of just enough flow to necessitate use of some sort of protection product.

I have no problems with the Diva cup on those days (and typically only change it twice, when I wake up and when I go to bed). The packaging even notes that you can use the cup before your period actually "starts" to catch the beginning if I remember correctly.

Occasionally it's less pleasant to get positioned if flow is really light or non-existent, but it's been comfortable for me other than that even during those light times.

[footloose]

[QUOTE=Dianyla;498198]What are you using now that handles such a heavy flow? :confused:[QUOTE]

Very frequent changes of superplus tampons plus a good coverage pantyliner. The pantyliner gives me a chance to get to a bathroom quick when I feel the flood rising.:rolleyes:

And as I mentioned, I've have some meds that help somewhat some of the time.

Makes it interesting on the job....I work outdoors as a gas fitter and though I often work alone driving to jobs in my service truck, I also often work with a crew of men on construction jobs in the middle of nowhere.
I must say though that I work with the finest group of gentlemen I have ever had the pleasure to work with....if I casually mention I'm off to a coffee shop "to make a pit stop" there has never been one grumbling comment.

[shootingstar]

Makes it interesting on the job....I work outdoors as a gas fitter and though I often work alone driving to jobs in my service truck, I also often work with a crew of men on construction jobs in the middle of nowhere.
I must say though that I work with the finest group of gentlemen I have ever had the pleasure to work with....if I casually mention I'm off to a coffee shop "to make a pit stop" there has never been one grumbling comment.

For those guys, maybe they know/hear enough from their wives/girlfriends/daughters .:rolleyes: My father learned a LOOONG time...he has 5 daughters. Pretty hard to hide inventory of boxes of sanitary napkins.

Still, it's a good thing most cycling tights are black.

[OakLeaf]

You can lubricate the cup with water before inserting (just dunk the whole thing). Never tried a personal lubricant on it, but I wouldn't think most of them would interfere with the seal.

If you're not allergic to latex, there's also The Keeper. That's what I had until my dog ate it. :eek::p I replaced it with a Diva Cup, which for me, never sealed as well and as comfortably as the Keeper.

[LoriO]

I LOVE my Diva Cup!!! I learned about it from a discussion on a horse board that I go to and decided to give it a try, so glad that I did!

Footloose, the Diva cup holds a lot more fluid then a tampoon will so you will find you won't have to run and change things quite as often. If I remember right from the discussion on my horse board, one of the woman there had a similar problem and was very happy with the cup.

I know someone else mentioned it to but the hardest thing is learning when it is inserted properly. The only time I ever had any leakage was in the beginning when I was still learning how to use it. Once I figured that out I have never had a problem, and that is with biking, horseback riding, swimming, walking...never a problem.

The key to knowing it is inserted right is knowing how it should feel when it is in. I won't go into details on that here since it may be TMI for some but if you want to know more just send me a PM :-)