How green is my period?

[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.

[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. 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?

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.

[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.