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

[arabesque]

I had some trouble with the DivaCup at first; it takes practice, which is why I think they suggest you try it a few times before you actually start your period. IIRC, there are useful posts on LJ communities for subjects like this (vaginapagina and menstrual_cups are the ones that spring to mind). Basically, this is a "faito faito" comment, though I completely understand if you don't want to keep trying (also I always wear a pad with it anyway, in case of leaks/not being able to change it in time).

[dagronrat.livejournal.com]

Meeep.

What the hell is that thing?

[lightbird777.livejournal.com]

Ouch.

Good luck.

[rhymed.livejournal.com]

DivaCups and the like gross me out. I'll just keep on being environmentally unfriendly and use flushable tampons.

Also re: birth control. The shot results in spotting in a large number of women, at least when first starting out on it, so you won't be entirely blood-free.

[ysabet.livejournal.com]

It's things like this that make me think about how guys called us 'the weaker sex' for centuries... and then I want to laugh hysterically. They would DIE if they had to put up with this sort of stuff. Die dead, absolutely. 'Weaker sex', my ass. **headshake**

[violetsquirrel.livejournal.com]

It took me a month to even get a cup in me consistently, so I'd say you're actually doing pretty well orz. It's like contact lenses, it takes a while to learn to do it right but once it's right it's awesome. That said I'd suggest trying it when you aren't actually on your period, or when it's just tapering off. Or in the shower :|a

[hakaisha.livejournal.com]

Okay, I have a Divacup myself; I back it up with pads but frankly, the Divacup is the best thing that happened to me re: my periods.

Tips (not sure if you've tried any of this):

1) LUBE. Lube, lube, lube, and did I mention lube? It's a lot easier to insert it with a fold appropriate for your body when you've lubed up your cup as opposed to just cramming it in. Comfortable insertion makes for a lot easier popping open later.

2) How are you folding it up your cup? If you're folding it as per the instructions it came with...eh, that one totally does not work for me. I bend one of the edges down all the way into the cup so it forms a tapered shape; that's super easy to fold (as opposed to origami folds I see out there) and works like a charm for me. Again, you might vary. Experiment.

2b) I'm told that having the cup cold (as in, run it under cold water) may increase stiffness slightly and make popping open easier, but I haven't found any real difference for myself.

3) menstrual_cups is a gold mine for cup related information, with pictures from folds to...well, everything.

Hope some of this helped!

[hakaisha.livejournal.com]

Also want to add: menstrual cups, once properly inserted/unfolded, tend to sit pretty low. Some do have it sit higher, but most users have them low. I'd imagine your extraction troubles would lessen greatly once you've gotten the insertion down; at the very least, even if it does ride high, it won't be to the point that you're struggling to dig it out.

And clenching of appropriate muscles pushes it down, anyway.

Okay, I'm done TMIing. ^^;;

[ningen-demonai.livejournal.com]

O-oh honey. D: