TMI!

[soc_puppet]

Socchan: *sticks hand through bellybutton*
Socchan: *rips out still-bleeding uterus*
Socchan: *snatches recently-purchased DivaCup (plus bag and instructions) from near-by shelf*
Socchan: *throws aforementioned into a lockbox and turns the key*
Socchan: AND STAY IN THERE UNTIL YOU CAN WORK SOMETHING OUT.
DivaCup/Uterus: *from the box* ...Was it something I did?


Yeeeaaaah. Just tried to use the DivaCup yesterday! Tried twice. ...Did not particularly succeed at inserting. DivaCup does not want to unfold. The one time it may have unfolded, it was too far up, making removal QUITE difficult. Am quite pissed. $30+, potentially down the drain. Stuck with disposable pads and an unusually messy period.


Next potential options:
* The Keeper; same price, but lasts 10x longer, has longer stem for possibly easier extraction
* Cloth pads; available in town at the same store that carries the DivaCup
* Birth control of some sort that would make the issue a non-issue (shot preferred to pills)
* Bribe uterus/body into going through menopause early

So far, I'm liking the third best, followed possibly by the second, but I'm definitely going to have to do more research. In the mean time, it's back to work in clean pants.

Comments

[violetsquirrel.livejournal.com]

The pamphlet that came with my cup contains the phrase "for help using your vaginal muscles, see the troubleshooting section". I think the joy that phrase brings me alone was worth the purchase :D

[soc_puppet]

I don't think my pamphlet has that line! I am now quite disappointed. (They probably cut it out to make room for the three other languages they included...)

[violetsquirrel.livejournal.com]

I've got a UK Mooncup! So I imagine our pamphlets are entirely different. That's why I can't give you specific advice on getting it to unfold right, because mine is one of the stiffer brands that doesn't have an issue with that orz.

[hakaisha.livejournal.com]

If I recall correctly, Divacup is actually one of the stiffer ones. At least it was when I made my purchase 2+ years ago; since then at least 3+ other brands of cup have sprung up...

Another nice thing about using (water soluble) lube is that you'll know exactly how to slide it in carefully and not cram it in. Unpleasant experience is if you shove/cram the thing up by (not under) your cervix and it won't open, and/or it springs open and hits your cervix on the way. The latter is a special sort of pain I really do not recommend.

But yeah, lube! And patience. It took me about a month or two to get insertion and removal down (granted, I was rather ignorant of my own physical anatomy back then, so you might be quicker), and I practiced when I wasn't on my period to lessen the "argh, stress!" factor. But once you have it down it really is a godsend. The only time I ever needed a pad for backup is overnight; otherwise, it is so much better and more comfortable than pads. And less messy.