That Time of the Month

[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.

[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)

[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 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 ( ) 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.