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Where else could I ask this?
Ok, over the weekend I had my period. I tried stuffing the string "up there" as much as possible, but after back-to-back rides (and I'm only talking 10-milers), I was sore and kind of swollen. I think it was from irritation from the string. Any suggestions?
I find that my pelvic region is somewhat congested anyway during my period, are you sure its the string?
There's a product used by mountaineering women called "the Keeper" which is more like a menstrual cup to catch the flow. You might try that.
Hey it's not embarassing, we're mostly (all?) women here...
Irulan
A good friend of mine is a huge believer in the keeper. She finds it really comfortable. I believe that she discovered it when she was a bike messenger, and it is super practical for being on your bike all day.
I personally have never used it, tampons do the trick for me.
irulan is right. there are no embarassing questions on these boards. we are all VERY supportive of one another.
Thanks so much--for the suggestions, for the reassurance, and mostly for being the kind of women who wouldn't even think of suggesting that I NOT ride during my period. As if!
Heavens to Betsey! It would never occur to me to tell someone not to ride EVER!
Does remind me of what my mom told me about tampons when I was a little kid. My brother had a girlfriend who occasionally stayed over and one day when I was snooping in his room I found one in the package. I guess I was about 7. I took it to my mom. She told me it was a sex toy. :p
Okay this is the same woman who told me to call breasts Body Bombs. I love my mom, but man was she old fashioned about some things.
Veronica
0hhhh veronica!!!!!LOL!!!!!!!
I'm so glad we're talking about this! The timing is perfect :)
What is the Keeper, and where can I buy one? It's been recommended to me before, but no one ever seems to have a source. Tampons are turning from friend to foe for me (yeast infections), and I've been trying to ask around about alternatives. It's kinda funny how uncomfortable some women get with frank talk about body stuff. I kind of figure, well, we both go through this every month, and ask blunt questions whcih I guess makes some folks feel embarrassed. Or something. Glad I found you ladies!
Also, do any of you have experience with that cup-like product? the name is escaping me at the moment, but I've seen them in drugstores.
Have a good day everyone.
Yahoo search brought up the following.
http://www.keeper.com/
Veronica
the one in the drug stores is called (I think) Instead. Never used it but am intrigued ...
The Keeper can also be found here:
http://www.gladrags.com/alternatives.html
Just wanted to share....
I get very embarassed talking about this stuff, but being on the forum like this makes it a lot easier! I can ask questions and participate in discussions I would normally be too embarassed to!
PS I ordered the keeper, gonna try it out next month!
Veronica,
Body Bombs??? That is a scream! I bet your mom is a hoot.
I've discovered that wearing the Terramar Bodysensor panties with a lite pad to back of the Tampax under my favorite riding shorts seemed to do the trick for me.
I'm going to keep the cup in mind...sounds like it's pretty safe. I hope all of you who try them in the near future will keep us posted.
Terry
I teach 5th grade and in the spring I get to do Family Life - lucky me, we cover everything! - to kind of ease the tension for all of us I tell my class about the Body Bombs. It's part of the lecture about calling things by their proper names. I always get this picture of my mom just whipping one off and throwing it at somebody like a water balloon. She's not unendowed either. :D
Veronica
VERONICA...What a scream! I remember when my mom told me I couldn't wear tampons until I got married!!
VELOCITY...Another suggestion for the YI w/ tampons: maybe all-cotton tampons may help. I haven't tried them (although I am prone to YIs, too, tampons don't seem to bother me that way). All natural material may be less irritating. Also, don't use scented tampons or pads--they are killer.
Good golly Miss Molly, the stuff this girl learns on this forum!
A thoughtful topic to bring up, LovesFrance. I am just always impressed with the support on this forum. Makes ya feel comfortable sharing some otherwise sensitive topics.
Thank you Veronica for the website on the Keeper. I'm getting one, too! I think this will solve some real discomfort / sanitary issues I thought I'd just have to suffer with out on those epic long rides...not to mention the camping trips!
Get in an epic ride / adventure this week girls!
Hill Nelly
I"m not sure if the keeper is one of those ones that you have to wash out before re-using. I'd be curious too as that would present a whole other set of problems. somehow I always have heavy surprise break though bleeding when it's just me and six guys out in the backcountry. Tampons and ziplocks has been the way I've had to go in teh backcountry (bikeing or anything else) , for lack of any better ideas.
Irulan
I've been using the Keeper for about 3 cycles now. It takes some getting used to, but I think it is well worth it. Just returned from trip and didn't leave one "clue" behind at the in-laws.
Read all the info on the mentioned websites and what they send you with the Keeper. It was not hard to insert, but learning to take it out is a bear! Make sure you break the suction completely or it really hurts (voice of experience!) They say you can keep it inserted up to 12 hours; I have done that with no problem. When removed and emptied, they recommend either rinsing it out or just wiping it out . One woman said she carries a small water bottle with her to rinse it off in public restrooms.
I do have a little breakthrough on occasion; I've made little cotton reusable pads to use early on in my flow.
I think it's a great product given the convenience and no more trash!
1. how do you think it would be for the backcountry... no running water? (for hand washing or rinsing) I assume you'd have to bury the blood? I ride a lot way out in the mountains, backpack too and sometimes in bear country. I used to take a diaphragm out in the back country( for other reasons, haha) and that sucked big time.
2. How does it handle extremely heavy ( and I do mean HEAVY) flow... the kind where a super lasts maybe an hour or two?
thank you
Irulan
how is it near the end, when everything is really light???
BTW - keeper.com doesn't have the latex ones right now. they are selling an alternative medical grade silicone one for about 5$ less than the latex one ...
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Irulan
[B]1. how do you think it would be for the backcountry... no running water? (for hand washing or rinsing) I assume you'd have to bury the blood
I used to read the Women's Pages on www.backpacker.com and a lot of women used it without a problem. Yes, you have to empty the blood into a cat hole and clean up after, but apparently it's not any more attractive to the various critters than your standard cathole "ingredients". Yes, you need to clean hands after, but again I think this is SOP after most cathole activities :).
2. How does it handle extremely heavy ( and I do mean HEAVY) flow... the kind where a super lasts maybe an hour or two?
I can't really answer that one since I haven't had a heavy flow since I received the Keeper, but the recommendation is to change it as often as you would change your tampon. A pad (bandana?) just in case would probably be a good idea.
I can report that it works just fine at the end when you're just spotting lightly. That's when I could go 12 hours between changes, which was nice when traveling on planes all day long!
Nancy
Nancy - thank you, thank you! It was reading the testimonials on their site and no one mentions that!
It is SO great to have women out there like you all!!
If you please, I have one more question for any of you:
any comments on medical-grade silicone vs latex rubber? (when I tried to order, I was told that the latex is not available due to supplier issues at the moment, and would I be interested in the medical-grade silicone one)
You always hear about silicon implants and trouble, but this doesn't seem like quite the same situation, so I am thinking I will try it anyway.
thanks for all your help on this ladies!!
some folks have latex allergies.
I too really appreciate the nitty grittythat people are sharing here.
I'm asking about the heavy flow issue as my periods have gotten super heavy and short as I've entered my 40's. They don't tell you this will happen. What used to take five days can be over in a day and a half. Talk about heavy and having to be prepared...
Irulan
well, actually "divacup" (www.divacup.com )
--- I tried it and LOVE IT! At first it was really weird, it just looks HUGE! LOL. But then as you get used to it, it's easier. Don't even feel it... Not going back!!! :o)
The diva cup looks just like the keeper. I tried the keeper once, didn't really work for me, I just couldn't get the seal right (and I did try it for a few cycles). But true to their word they took it back and refunded my money with no questions. I think that I'll try it again, there are accually a couple of store in around Halifax, NS, that carry it.
If you're not keen on mail order (being in Canada its hard to find companines sometimes with reasonable shipping fees) then there maybe some stores where you can buy it. One store is one that specializes in natural products (hemp stuff, things like burt's bees products, etc). The other is called Venus Envy, and I guess is just a women's store, carries books, sex toys, sensual products like message oils.
The Keeper or Cup is excellent - I can really recommend it. I've been using it for over a year now and it did take a little while to get used to, but I wouldn't change back now. I also haven't had a yeast infection in all that time.
It's ideal for cycling as there's nothing exteral to rub or chafe and depending on flow I can leave mine in for 8 or 9 hours. It's also good for start and end of period because unlike tampons it only collects what's there and doesn't become dry and hard.
As for changing -as we're being frank I'll tell you what I do. I used to empty mine then rinse under the tap, but because the wash rooms at work don't have a cubical with basin this became a bit diffcult. Now, when I empy mine I pee on it to rinse it out ( which works suprisingly well). and give it a quick wipe with some loo roll. Urine is also sterile so what could be better. ( However, I do make sure I give it a good wash with soap and warm water twice a day)
I'm sure this would work quite well if you're in the middle of nowhere. Fortunately we don't have bears in England to worry about.!
I've been reading all these posts. Makes me think I should try one or the other of these products since getting older certainly isn't slowing the flow down! Here's a question: What happens if you go a bit too long before emptying the keeper? Does it leak? Does it just back up like a flood waiting to happen? Yikes! I can picture that........
I like MightMitre's emergency cleaning suggestion. Hey, you never know if you are out on a bike ride and there's nowhere to go and definitely nowhere to rinse it out. Gotta do something! Could you wipe it out with a hand wipe or would that not be good for it? I guess a wipe could be used on your hands, at least.
I have a new embarrasing question...I've noticed that in the past few weeks, I've developed an urgency to urinate...like, if I were a male dog, I would do it just right there on the spot (sorry to be so graphic).
I'm not having a bladder/urinary track problem, no infection, no kidney problem, nada...just this "urgency" and a I have to hurry or I'll leak. (Sorry, again...)
I've read about this "problem" among women runners. I wish I could remeber where I'd read about it because I know there has been research studies and it's got a name. Anyone got any ideas or know of where I can find out more about this "problem"?
Terry
Just wanted to chime in that I've been using Instead for years. It's available in most grocery and drug stores. Economical, too, as the cups are actually reusable (if washed well and promptly).
Two warnings:
1) it takes a day or two to get used to, and you'll have to "explore" for comfortable placement... so pick a trial period day that you don't plan riding and let your body adjust.
2) b/c you empty and wash the device (as opposed to discard and replace, as with a tampon), make sure to scout public restrooms with a sink nearby the toilet.
Besides athletic convenience and economical benefits, there are also huge environmental and health benefits to such products. They are much safer for the female body, and it's kind of empowering to get over the 'squeamish' factor that's been engrained in us.
Just my two cents!
There's also a new product called INSTEAD...It's a cup thing. I LOVE it! It takes a while to get used to, but once you do...it's the best thing since tampons. I get mine at Target. But search the web, I got some free samples and a video from the company
Okay, some of these stories are pretty funny. :) My sister-in-law actually called me about 3 years ago and asked me if I thought it would be okay for her daughter (who was on the swim team & 13 years old at the time) to use a tampon. She was worried it would mean her daughter wasn't a virgin anymore. LOL I told her that wasn't what would make her daughter not a virgin any more. :D
Anyway, back to the tampon while exercising question. I just take scissors & cut the string off of my tampon (I leave about 1/4 inch of string) and have no problem whatsoever pulling it out by that string. It's not going to get lost -- it can only travel so far. :D
Re: Keeper
I've been using mine since '98. Its wonderful when I'm riding or swimming because everything is tucked inside (no worries about escaping strings). Its also great when I first get my period because I'm not having to run to the bathroom every 2 hours like I had to when I used tampons.
It takes a lot of the hassle out of having my period when I'm backpacking as I don't have to pack out used tampons, which always made me nervous when I was in bear country. I use it all the way through my period and find that it doesn't dry me out like tampons used to!
Overall I've been very happy with it, but this is just my 2 cents worth.
Ali
For what it is worth, I usually just use a regular tampon, but often ride a lot longer than the tampon is sufficient for... the pad in my shorts doubles as a maxi pad back up...and litterally: it all comes out in the wash. As crazy as this sounds, if the tampons are causing problems...just go with out. You are wearing black shorts and its not like you are risking riuning your favorite pair of Victoria Secret lacy drawers... The idea of intentinally doing nothing seems really odd to me, but how is that different than wearing a tampon for 6 hours on a day that calls for a fresh one every 2?
Another thought about the "cup" things is that a regular contraceptive diaphragm works like that too.
Karen
Karen, LOL! If I went without, there would be days when the blood would be running down my legs! No bike chamois would be sufficient. On days when there's a really light flow, I do sometimes go without and when I get home, make sure I soak those particular shorts in cold water before I wash them. Works like a charm. Hang 'em up out in the sunshine and they are good to go.Quote:
Originally posted by karen_fish_bio
As crazy as this sounds, if the tampons are causing problems...just go with out.
Karen [/B]
I have a related question -- I can't wear anything internally. After giving birth to two big boys, even with years of Kegel exercises, tampons, diaphragms, or keepers just don't stay put. So I'm wondering what peoples' experience has been with using pads while riding. I'm afraid it would irritate, but maybe not? My solution for short rides is just to not wear anything and assume that with the chamois and black shorts, nothing would show through. But I don't know how well that would work if my period coincided with a multi-day tour. Thanks!
I just quit depo-provera this january, and while I was awaiting the return of my period, I found this forum and first heard of 'instead' and 'keepers' ... I got the video for 'instead' and the little gift box they send. It took 8 months after that, but I finally got my period, and Instead proves to be as good as you ladies have said it is... (tried tampon/pad for a day and all I can say is "I WANNA GO BACK TO INSTEAD!!!" as soon as we have the $$, I'm ordering my Keeper, darn it! (and I'm telling all my friends for that matter!) freedom like this cannot be ignored! SPREAD THE WORD, LADIES!!!
Hi ladies,
Everyone here is so awesome to recommend different things and ideas...I am never embarassed though by bodily function type of things and I actually love them LOL...ok, maybe love is too strong of a word.
I had a surprise yesterday when I was at the Vans Warp Tour concert...my period started like 4-5 days early! Luckily, I found a gal who could give me one of her extra tampons. Thank goodness. I don't wear tampons unless I am riding and I have noticed the string is sooo annoying, so thanks for the person who recommended giving the string a bit of a trim.
I am lucky to only have two days of heavy flow. I have then 2-3 very light days. I am 32 so I have noticed my period has become lighter, but I know that could change. I like the idea of the Keeper, but I don't think it's for me. I like to know what my flow is doing and how much, etc. I practice fertility awareness method of birth control so I like to be in tune with my body...It's how I am, but I think the Keeper seems like a good option for many.
I will ride with a tampon when my flow is heavy but I usually don't wear anything when it's very light or scant...it does wash out well. Off the bike, I prefer pads so I know what is going on with my flow.
LOL at Veronica's Mom! :)
Happy Ridin',
Lisa
Quote:
I like the idea of the Keeper, but I don't think it's for me. I like to know what my flow is doing and how much, etc.
Actually, now that I'm using it, I am much more aware than I used to be... and it's great even on those days when it's practically nothing ...
I'd have to agree. I've used the keeper for 2 years and it's a lot easier to keep track of your flow because rather than being absorbed in to a pad etc, everything is collected so , should you really want to - !! you could actually measure the amount.
I was reading on one website about a woman who collects hers and uses it to fertilise her garden plants! Not sure thats for me though.:eek:
Wow, I can't believe that no one has mentioned sea sponges! I can't speak from experience, because the so called "natural" food store in town can't be bothered to keep them in stock, but from what I've been told, they rock. You just squeeze it out, give it a good rinse, and put it back. Every now and again it needs to be washed, and most places sell them in kits with tea tree oil for that purpose.
Now, I spent a year stripping and if you think I could afford a week off every month, you're nuts. What we gals did, was cut our strings all together. It's a little weird at first, but you just hook your finger around it and pull it out.
My problem is that I'm a little more uh, moist than most and my poor chamois is suffering. Is anyone else similarly afflicted? I was thinking about getting some Luna Pads, but that would kind of defeat the purpose of the wicking/cooling properties of my chamois.
Argh!
love and cookies
-smurf