Real embarrassing question

[Irulan]

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

[coolbeansbikes]

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!!! )

[assassin__x]

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.

[MightyMitre]

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.!

[annie]

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.

[Terry]

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

[NW_Meg]

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!

[cyclechick]

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

[hibiscus09]

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.

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.

[Ali]

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

[karen_fish_bio]

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

[annie]

Originally posted by karen_fish_bio
As crazy as this sounds, if the tampons are causing problems...just go with out.
Karen [/B]

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.

[linkbeak]

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!

[Biking Kitsune]

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!!!

[yogabear]

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