Diva Cup

[doc]

After spending way too much time at work reading this thread, I think I may have to try this.

I don't have a real heavy flow but I just don't like tampons. I've never had much luck with them.

I do have one concern which might not be a problem. I have an IUD. They have strings which extend out of the cervical os so that I can verify that the IUD is still in position. My guess is that this type of product would not interfere with that provided they don't sit high up in the vaginal canal. Anyone use a cup with an IUD?

Thanks for all the tips!

Yup. Had an IUD for almost 10 years. Used Diva with it for the last 3 years. No problems

[Dianyla]

I also use an IUD and a mooncup. My strings are a little long and sometimes my cervix rides kinda low, so I just have to make sure they're tucked up in the groove at the base of the cervix. Depending on how high I insert the cup that day, the strings can get between the rim of the cup and the vaginal wall. Scrape!

[Jenn]

I finally found a store here that is going to order a diva cup for me. I'm a little skeptical as I've had problems getting tampons in since having my daughter. My cervix is retroverted and the Dr ALWAYS has a hard time finding it! Should be interesting when I try it!!

[Blueberry]

Diva has a money back guarantee (least they did when I purchased mine...)

I hope you're pleasantly surprised

[amymisk]

thanks for the responses for the IUD questions. I guess I will have to give it a try!

[Grog]

Hi all!

I'm now happily part of a trial study for the Diva Cup (they're comparing it to tampons) and I was glad I got to be in the "Diva" group. I logged my tampon/pads use for one month and now I have to log my Diva use for three months.

I know that I have a retroverted uterus and a short vagina from being probed a lot down there when I had my ovarian cysts. I have used tampons all my life without problem. It was okay to insert it but I can't seem to push the thing far enough. It's poking me a bit from the inside and I can definitely feel it when I'm walking. I just rode 1 km on my hybrid this morning to get to work and it wasn't great, although it wasn't painful. I've cut the stem a tiny bit, without much improvement.

I've gone through much of the thread so I'll keep trying (in any case I have to). I am assuming that I should get to the point when I don't feel it at all. We'll see. I'll try the other way to fold it that someone illustrated...

I'm also interested in the Moon Cup though, since it's supposed to be smaller, but dunno where to find it in Canada (or the US, if I can order online). Any suggestions?

[batsheva]

can't get it up there at all - far too big-- it feels like there is a bit rubber cup stuck in my wotsit-- which of course there is!! and super-painful to extract... exerts a whopping suction - ouch!!

tampons for riding much better if i tuck the string in a bit. perhaps it's 'cos i have not had kids and am 52 kilos (115lbs).

the diva cup is in the trash...

bat

[Grog]

can't get it up there at all - far too big-- it feels like there is a bit rubber cup stuck in my wotsit-- which of course there is!! and super-painful to extract... exerts a whopping suction - ouch!!

Have you tried breaking the suction (by pinching the sides) before pulling out the cup?

[Dianyla]

I know that I have a retroverted uterus and a short vagina from being probed a lot down there when I had my ovarian cysts. I have used tampons all my life without problem. It was okay to insert it but I can't seem to push the thing far enough. It's poking me a bit from the inside and I can definitely feel it when I'm walking. I just rode 1 km on my hybrid this morning to get to work and it wasn't great, although it wasn't painful. I've cut the stem a tiny bit, without much improvement.

I'm built about the same way with a retroverted uterus and a fairly short canal. The best comfort level I was able to get was by lopping the entire tail off of the Diva. And I could still always feel it in there, it wasn't always uncomfortable but it was there. Kinda like a big hard turd.

I used it for about two years (hey, it's still better than tampons!) but when I heard about Mooncups I decided to try one out. I bought one online from their website: http://www.mooncup.co.uk The Mooncup is much more comfortable for me as it is shorter. Sometimes when my cervix gets really really low (I always think that my uterus is attempting to flee my body at this point) I can feel the base of the cup nearing the outside but generally I don't feel it at all when it's in there. I also chopped the entire tail off of the Mooncup, too.

Hey, batsheva, it sounds like you've got two issues going on. First, your cup sounds too big. Second, you probably aren't breaking the suction before trying to remove it. If you decide that it's a lost cause, don't throw it away. Diva has a satisfaction guarantee, I can't remember exactly but I believe it's up to one year from the date of purchase?

Also, bear in mind that body height and weight are not exactly correlated to genital sizes in men or women. I've seen quite big and tall women who have petite hoohas and need a small cup, and some small and trim women who have larger anatomy. Your mileage may vary.

[Grog]

I'm built about the same way with a retroverted uterus and a fairly short canal. The best comfort level I was able to get was by lopping the entire tail off of the Diva. And I could still always feel it in there, it wasn't always uncomfortable but it was there. Kinda like a big hard turd.

Wow, what a great description of my symptoms!!!

I have thrown the towel for today. I am positive that I am pushing it far enough, plus it "spins" (well, sort of) very nicely in there, but it's poking me hard. No leaks though.

This morning I was really getting annoyed (and irritated) so I pulled it out and put an Instead cup in. I don't feel it at all, nothing poking out, and it's not leaking either. Too bad it's disposable.

I've ordered a mooncup and we'll see what happens, but I'll still give a few trys to the Diva cup this month and the next two, since I'm part of that clinical study...

[RoadRaven]

I'm a little skeptical as I've had problems getting tampons in since having my daughter. My cervix is retroverted and the Dr ALWAYS has a hard time finding it! Should be interesting when I try it!!

Hey there Jenn, I find them much more comfortable than tampons. Sometimes, tampons just don't fit well and feel uncomfortable. After working out the fold and tuck trick of placing a moon cup, I have never felt like it is poking into me, wedged sideways or anything like that.

Hopefully you find the same.

Tampons stick straight up towards your cervix. With a mooncup, your cervix is sort of... cradled... cupped... thats the best I can describe it as.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Sounds just like a diaphragm to me. (Anyone here old enough to remember THOSE?) Is there a difference? Ahhh...the memories.....

P.S. Tip- you can tuck the tampon string just barely inside you if you are going to be riding, so it does not stick out at all. It's easy to fish it out quickly when you want to remove the tampon.

[doc]

Sounds just like a diaphragm to me. (Anyone here old enough to remember THOSE?) Is there a difference? Ahhh...the memories.....

P.S. Tip- you can tuck the tampon string just barely inside you if you are going to be riding, so it does not stick out at all. It's easy to fish it out quickly when you want to remove the tampon.

I was once a diaghram user. Blech. But the similarity is undeniable. Diva is way better.
Tampon - double blech. Hurts to put in if your dryish. Torture to take out if your flow is very light. No way is it going to last 12 or more hours as diva does. Nothing to dispose of. To me there is no comparison.

[Jenn]

Hey there Jenn, I find them much more comfortable than tampons. Sometimes, tampons just don't fit well and feel uncomfortable. After working out the fold and tuck trick of placing a moon cup, I have never felt like it is poking into me, wedged sideways or anything like that.

Hopefully you find the same.

Tampons stick straight up towards your cervix. With a mooncup, your cervix is sort of... cradled... cupped... thats the best I can describe it as.

Oh, thank you so much!! Having a child changed things, but it was a "running joke" with my DR....hmmm lets find your cervix today.
Thank you so much..I hope that the diva cup works as good.....if not I'm going with what you recommend!!! Thank you soooo much!!!

[mtkitchn]

Diva cup arrived the day before my period! Today it's getting its trial run. Not completely comfortable so I cut the stem a little. Was hard to get out the first time.
Might ride tomorrow and really check it out. If I can find motivation to ride in 110 degree weather.