OT-For Ladies Only-Which cup do you like best?

[CLEO Z]

Do you think your iron levels increased because of less blood loss?

Absolutely. My Dr had been on me about my low Iron for at least 2 + years. I couldn't tolerate iron pills (nausea all day) and the liquid was so expensive. Plus I was lazy about it. I was taking no iron supplements, so my Dr attributes the iron jump to the IUD alone. Now for some reason, I can tolerate iron and have added supplements. Before Mirena my ferritin (sp?) level was a 7 in April 08. Then I had the Mirena inserted in late May 08 and by Jan 09 it was 27. I then started the iron pills religously and after 5 months of iron pills it is up to 40-something. I'm now "normal" range, but my Dr would still like it to be higher.

FYI if any of you ladies are hypothyriod (like me) you are more likely to have both low iron and heavy periods. I have to be careful about taking my thyroid meds and iron pill at opposite times of the day or it will tank my thyroid meds.

Sorry to have dragged this thread OT!

 

[threeboysmom]

Even though I don't have a cup, I just thought I'd comment. I read on another thread that many people only remove/replace their cup twice a day. Once in the morning and once at night. Being someone who will go through a minimum of 8 super size tampons with a pad for extra leak protection in the heavy days of my period, the thought of only having to replace the cup only 2-4x a day would be heaven.

Yes, but you can change a pad in about 10 seconds flat. I can easily see myself in the bathroom for at least 10 minutes getting the thing out, washing it in the sink, then trying to get it back into place properly.

So... I'm not seeing it as a convenience AT ALL... To me, it's like trying to use cloth diapers on your baby when there are disposables available. If you're doing it to save money, guess I can understand, but not for convenience sake...

 

[TiredX2]

I have the Diva Cup and love it. I have used it for 5.5 years now with no problem. I have almost completely cut off the "tail" and it's quite comfortable.


I used to use Instead, but Diva Cup has several things going for it (reusable plus it actually pulls blood away from the cervix so toxic shock is not an issue). I think the shape is much more form fitting (you crush it to place it and then it expands versus the instead that lays at a slightly odd angle, IMO).


I really like that when we go camping I *always* seem to end up with my period. Instead of dealing with tampons/instead/pads I can only have to deal with something twice a day. I don't need to pack out used products either.

I am happy that it doens't contain rubber or laytex (sp?) so I don't have to worry about increased allergy risks.

It definately took me a couple cycles to get 100% on it, but after that it has been great. I *LOVE* being able to sleep 10 hours and not having to worry about leaking. Honestly, I have gone much longer than 12 hours before (depending on where in my cycle I was) and had no problems.

 

[Mrs D]

So glad to hear all the happy diva users. That's what I will try if I dont get the Purple Lady cup.

 

[Cruise]

Yes, but you can change a pad in about 10 seconds flat. I can easily see myself in the bathroom for at least 10 minutes getting the thing out, washing it in the sink, then trying to get it back into place properly.

So... I'm not seeing it as a convenience AT ALL... To me, it's like trying to use cloth diapers on your baby when there are disposables available. If you're doing it to save money, guess I can understand, but not for convenience sake...

For me, it's not only convenience, but comfort. With the Diva, I feel nothing. With pads... well... you're the one who brought up diapers. I especially hate when they get bunched up wrong or seem to slip to one side And then once they're out of place, you're having "accidents" again. And honestly, once you have the technique down, it really only takes less than a minute if you actually time it.

 

[thebeesknees]

I have the Diva and love it. Took me about 3 cycles to get the hang of it, but I'd never use anything else now. It's so comfortable I usually forget I'm on my cycle. I have a pretty heavy flow, but only have to empty it about 3 times a day on my heaviest days, then 1x in the morning and 1x at night the rest of the time.

 

[Mrs D]

Yay! I won the auction for the Lilaccup by Lady Cup. I can't wait to give it a try. I had to skip my aqua aerobics class tonight because I honestly doubt I could keep a tampon in during exercise. What a hassle!
I'll check back in with the report once it arrives!

Thanks gals!

 

[java]

Ok on the ebay ones I am hoping these are not USED ones

I have not tried this yet. I am most concerned about the learning curve. Like what exactly is the "getting used to it" part. I have visions of bathroom disasters and it's not pretty.
Come on menopause!

 

[eeyorethegreat]

For me, it's not only convenience, but comfort. With the Diva, I feel nothing. With pads... well... you're the one who brought up diapers. I especially hate when they get bunched up wrong or seem to slip to one side And then once they're out of place, you're having "accidents" again. And honestly, once you have the technique down, it really only takes less than a minute if you actually time it.

How about when you're pulling your panties up and the sticky side flips up and then not sticking to your underwear you have to get it off - you. Ok I can't be the only one that this has happened to... and if I am lets just say ouch!

 

[eeyorethegreat]

Ok on the ebay ones I am hoping these are now USED ones

I have not tried this yet. I am most concerned about the learning curve. Like what exactly is the "getting used to it" part. I have visions of bathroom disasters and it's not pretty.
Come on menopause!

I've bought on ebay and they were new. As for learning how to use a cup, some ladies try it before they start their period so that they know how to get it in and out easily. I found that in the beginning I just had to relax and not get uptight about it all then it went in and out fine.

 

[8esther8]

I used Instead for several years. I used two different kinds, but I can't remember the name of the second one. We had a septic tank, and I felt it was nicer not to have to throw tampons in the trash, and because they were reusable (a friend called the Instead people, and they said if you washed it well, it was reusable) they were much cheaper than tampons. I'll be the desenter here, and say that they are a big mess.

TMI...

I guess it depends on the amount of flow. You have no way of knowing when it's full, I always wore a pad, and taking it out, you'll get blood all over your hands. Every single time. With instead, it's bent in half, and tilted, of course it's going to go everywhere. Now try this in a restaurant bathroom. Walk out of the stall, hahahaha. How you guys think it's all clean is beyond me. Maybe if you have scant flow, or if you want to use it at the beginning or end of your period to save tampons...all I can say is that I was thrilled to have my finances change, an get on the sewer.

 

[threeboysmom]

LOL! OK, that did it for me! I was actually starting to narrow down which brands I'd be interested in, but didn't think of the "mess" factor. Yeah.... no way I'm touching myself during a period. I can't even use those tampons that don't have applicators. NO WAY!

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

I had to skip my aqua aerobics class tonight because I honestly doubt I could keep a tampon in during exercise.

I wish you the best with your cup, but I also wanted to suggest that although my pelvic floor muscles are in great shape, Tampax brand tampons always felt like they were trying to crawl back out of me. I tried Kotex brand and they are great; no problems at all!

 

[Green Tea]

I used Instead for several years. I used two different kinds, but I can't remember the name of the second one. We had a septic tank, and I felt it was nicer not to have to throw tampons in the trash, and because they were reusable (a friend called the Instead people, and they said if you washed it well, it was reusable) they were much cheaper than tampons. I'll be the desenter here, and say that they are a big mess.

TMI...

I guess it depends on the amount of flow. You have no way of knowing when it's full, I always wore a pad, and taking it out, you'll get blood all over your hands. Every single time. With instead, it's bent in half, and tilted, of course it's going to go everywhere. Now try this in a restaurant bathroom. Walk out of the stall, hahahaha. How you guys think it's all clean is beyond me. Maybe if you have scant flow, or if you want to use it at the beginning or end of your period to save tampons...all I can say is that I was thrilled to have my finances change, an get on the sewer.

The Instead are completely different than the other cups.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

I used Instead for several years. I used two different kinds, but I can't remember the name of the second one. We had a septic tank, and I felt it was nicer not to have to throw tampons in the trash, and because they were reusable (a friend called the Instead people, and they said if you washed it well, it was reusable) they were much cheaper than tampons. I'll be the desenter here, and say that they are a big mess.

TMI...

I guess it depends on the amount of flow. You have no way of knowing when it's full, I always wore a pad, and taking it out, you'll get blood all over your hands. Every single time. With instead, it's bent in half, and tilted, of course it's going to go everywhere. Now try this in a restaurant bathroom. Walk out of the stall, hahahaha. How you guys think it's all clean is beyond me. Maybe if you have scant flow, or if you want to use it at the beginning or end of your period to save tampons...all I can say is that I was thrilled to have my finances change, an get on the sewer.

I don't use the Insteads which it sounds like what you are talking about and I can understand why those would be messy removing them. As for the cup, I think after while, you just know your body and general flow, and knowing that you know when to remove it so that it doesn't make a mess. I found sanitary pads to be messy as well as tampons (but I have a very heavy flow). And if I get myself a bit messy removing the cup, personally it doesn't bother me. It's my blood so I figure it is not something for me to get grossed out about but that is just me.

 

[MrsPete]

I voted Keeper, but it's not really a fair vote -- I've only owned this one cup, and I cannot really say whether it is better than others. I can't say I love the product -- like everyone else, I hate the whole process, regardless of what product I use -- but I dislike the Keeper less than other options.

It's less expensive (I do still keep disposables in my desk at school for those days when I'm caught unaware, or so I can help a student who's surprised). I don't have to carry extras in my purse. I find it MUCH more comfortable than a tampon. I wonder if my cervix is oddly positioned; I've often found it slightly painful to remove a tampon, but this has never been a problem with the Keeper, which doesn't go in as far.

I can share these details:

I've owned mine for more than 10 years, and it's still in perfect condition. I'm 43, and I hope to stop needing this particular item before it wears out!

This is an item with a learning curve attached; don't expect to love it on the first day. It will take you some fidgeting and figuring before you're comfortable using it. Good advice came along with it: Start using it on a light day -- don't use it on a heavy day until you're experienced. Use a back-up pad for your first few times. Bend it in half when inserting it, and give it a slight pull-twist to "lock it" into place. If you don't love it on the first try, keep on using it.

My first day each month is always a very heavy flow, and on that day I do wear a back-up pad. I really do this because as a teacher I can't always run to the restroom when I realize I have a problem. On occasion I've been caught unaware, and I've had to revert to a disposable; on that first day, I tend to go through the disposables at an amazing rate too, so I think that's just "me", not a negative reflection on the Keeper.

After that initial heavy day, I tend to have only "light days". I need to empty the Keeper in the morning, at lunchtime, then again when I come home from work, and again at bedtime. In between, I completely ignore it.

 

[MrsPete]

I don't use the Insteads

Years and years ago -- detered by the rather high price of the Keeper -- I tried a box of Insteads. They are NOTHING like the Keeper. They are short and flat (and easy to spill), while the Keeper is tall and thin.

If you've tried Instead and were unhappy, go ahead and spring for the Keeper. It is not the same thing.

 

[tzolkin]

I have not tried this yet. I am most concerned about the learning curve. Like what exactly is the "getting used to it" part. I have visions of bathroom disasters and it's not pretty.
Come on menopause!

I didn't have any issue with figuring out how to use it and I had always used pads. I did a few "test drives" when I didn't have my period. The only learning curve I've had is figuring out how to position it properly, so the stem doesn't poke me.

I'm very cautious about breaking the suction and removing it gently since I have an IUD. Sometimes it seems like I can't reach it right to break the suction. That might freak you out a bit, but you just have to move to a different position (like sit on the edge of the toilet, etc) and it works just fine.

My best friend did have her DH on stand-by outside the bathroom door the first time she tried it because she thought it might get stuck.

I used Instead for several years. I used two different kinds, but I can't remember the name of the second one. We had a septic tank, and I felt it was nicer not to have to throw tampons in the trash, and because they were reusable (a friend called the Instead people, and they said if you washed it well, it was reusable) they were much cheaper than tampons. I'll be the desenter here, and say that they are a big mess.

TMI...

I guess it depends on the amount of flow. You have no way of knowing when it's full, I always wore a pad, and taking it out, you'll get blood all over your hands. Every single time. With instead, it's bent in half, and tilted, of course it's going to go everywhere. Now try this in a restaurant bathroom. Walk out of the stall, hahahaha. How you guys think it's all clean is beyond me. Maybe if you have scant flow, or if you want to use it at the beginning or end of your period to save tampons...all I can say is that I was thrilled to have my finances change, an get on the sewer.

The Instead is a different kind of cup and is worn in a different position than the menstrual cups most of us are talking about. I have no experience with the Instead, so I can't compare how messy one is vs. the other. I do have a light flow, but I have never had any sort of mess (not even a little blood on my hands or anything on the outside of the cup). I've also never touched mine in a public restroom. I just take it out in the evening and then in the morning when I wake up at home.

 

[MrsPete]

and taking it out, you'll get blood all over your hands. Every single time.

I'm going to have to disagree here. When I was learning to use it, yes, I made a mess. Every single time. Now that I've been using it for more than a decade, that's no longer true.

WARNING: Graphic information ahead:​

When I REMOVE the Keeper, I do not get messy at all. Grasp it by the little tail and pull. Keep it straight up so that nothing can spill, then tilt it sideways to empty it out. Never remove it from above the toilet so that there's no possibility of spillage. All the blood is in the cup or above the cup -- you're touching the side of the cup that's blood-free (unless you've gone too long between changes and things have over-flowed; this does happen occasionally, regardless of whether you're using a cup or disposables). Remove the Keeper while sitting on the toilet, dump it into the toilet. This is easy if you sit a bit farther back than you normally would.

Once the cup's empty, it's easy to fold it in half with one hand and reinsert it. There's no need to wipe it off, wave it around the room, wash it or anything else -- remember, the outside, where your hand is, is not bloody. In one movement, pull it out and dump it, then pop it right back in. When reinserting the cup, two fingers and the thumb DO get messy, but if you're working quickly you're not talking about massive amounts. Do the little twist-pull to set it in place. Take a tissue and wipe yourself, eliminating any drops of blood that escaped during the changing process. If it's a heavy day, take a second tissue and wipe your fingers -- if it's a light day, this won't be necessary because in the quick process of changing, realistically, no blood will've escaped. If you're in a public restroom, it's easy enough to simply close your fingers as you walk to the sink -- you're not going to have blood up to your wrist or anything. Once you know how to use this product effectively, the mess is quite minimal.

Once you know how to do this well, it takes all of about 20 seconds to empty and reinsert the Keeper.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

I'm going to have to disagree here. When I was learning to use it, yes, I made a mess. Every single time. Now that I've been using it for more than a decade, that's no longer true.

WARNING: Graphic information ahead:​

When I REMOVE the Keeper, I do not get messy at all. Grasp it by the little tail and pull. All the blood is in the cup or above the cup -- nothing you're touching is messy (unless you've gone too long between changes and things have over-flowed; this does happen occasionally, regardless of whether you're using a cup or disposables). Remove the Keeper while sitting on the toilet, dump it into the toilet. This is easy if you sit a bit farther back than you normally would.

Once the cup's empty, it's easy to fold it in half with one hand and reinsert it. There's no need to wipe it off, wave it around the room, wash it or anything else. In one movement, pull it out and dump it, then pop it right back in. When reinserting the cup, two fingers and the thumb DO get messy, but if you're working quickly you're not talking about massive amounts. Do the little twist-pull to set it in place. Take a tissue and wipe yourself, eliminating any drops of blood that escaped during the changing process. If it's a heavy day, take a second tissue and wipe your fingers -- if it's a light day, this won't be necessary because in the quick process of changing, realistically, no blood will've escaped. If you're in a public restroom, it's easy enough to simply close your fingers as you walk to the sink -- you're not going to have blood up to your wrist or anything. Once you know how to use this product effectively, the mess is quite minimal.

Once you know how to do this well, it takes all of about 20 seconds to empty and reinsert the Keeper.

I'd say Mrs. Pete is accurate in her description of those who have used a cup regularly and are comfortable with it.