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

[Mrs D]

I read a thread on here many months ago about menstrual cups and have finally decided to take the plunge. Now I have to decide which one to buy? There are so many brands I am a little overwhelmed!

So ladies, give me your opinions and tell me why!

TIA!

 

[hiddenj]

I like the diva cup, but really prefer just to use my diaphragm since it is fitted to me. It works like the instead cups, but it's my size.

 

[stacielee]

I read a thread on here many months ago about menstrual cups and have finally decided to take the plunge. Now I have to decide which one to buy? There are so many brands I am a little overwhelmed!

So ladies, give me your opinions and tell me why!

TIA!

Here's a really good comparison website that I found: http://menstrualcups.wordpress.com/2008/06/11/my-comparisons-and-ratings/

 

[donald&daisy]

I voted for the Diva, but its also the only one I have tried. My best advice is to not get frustrated. There is a learning curve and once you have the hang of it--it's great!

 

[Mama Steph]

I have a Diva Cup now and love it. I used to have the Keeper but never got that to work for me. I had pain with it. Remember that with both of these though, you can cut of the *tail* I needed to cut mine almost completely off. Just the way I am built and my insides sit. Lol.

Like pp said, make sure you don't give up. It often takes quite a few cycles to get used to it but once you do you'll love it. I used mine at WDW in April with no problems at all.

 

[Leshaface]

i've NEVER heard of a menstrual cup...i went to the link and it looks rather large!

Do these things really work?

 

[Mrs D]

I think they are smaller than a matchbox and the in depth thread I read many month ago had women SWEARING by them.

After 2 babies in 2 years I just cant wear a tampon comfortably anymore. I have suffered with just using pads out of availability. But I am going to begin teaching swim lessons at my local YMCA, so I need to get an alternative working.

The loved the link, thanks stacielee. Lots of good info.
I have bid on a Lady Cup in purple on ebay. Really the main reason is because they have a purple one and for under $20 I can try it out to see what I think about that brand. If not I'll invest in other brand.

I have a tilted uterus, so we'll see how they sit, suction and wear. I'll be in heaven if it works out for me!

 

[threeboysmom]

Wow, I had never heard of a menstrual cup before this thread. After looking at the links, it seems like a lot of work putting them properly into place and then removing 2-4x a day. So I'm curious WHY wearing a cup is a benefit? Is it simply to save money by not buying pads/tampons every month?

 

[Mrs D]

Well I am going to try it because I can't wear a tampon anymore. I know lots of women like that it's Eco or reduces the chemicals tampons, pads put in proximity to your body.
You would likely change a tampon or pad a minimum of 2-4x a day, so this wouldn't be different than that.
I think once you get accustomed to inserting & removing it would be easy. Perhaps similar to using a diaphragm...

 

[Cruise]

Wow, I had never heard of a menstrual cup before this thread. After looking at the links, it seems like a lot of work putting them properly into place and then removing 2-4x a day. So I'm curious WHY wearing a cup is a benefit? Is it simply to save money by not buying pads/tampons every month?

TMI alert -

Honestly, a cup is the only thing I've ever used that hasn't leaked for me. Doesn't matter what size or brand of tampon I try, or how often I change them, I always had to wear at least a panty liner and, most times, a pad anyway for the leaking that would occur.

I have the Diva and love it. It took a couple of cycles to get it down pat and I admit I did have a little leaking those first couple of cycles, but once I got used to it, the whole process went a lot quicker and now I don't have any leaks. I can even go so much longer without even having to check it. Honestly, I only empty it once when I wake up, and then once in the evening after I'm home from work and I'm set. No leaks, no overflow. Obviously, everyone is different and has to find what works for her, but that's all I need.

For me, it's also just the convenience factor. I have a little drawstring bag that mine came in. Gets close to "the time," and I can just throw it in my purse so I'll have it whenever I need it. I've also used it when I'm just expecting Aunt Flo to show up. Since it's silicon, it's not the same as going for a "dry run" with a tampon at all. You can wear it even when you're not having your period without any ill effects.

I love that I don't have to remember to stock up on pads, tampons, panty liners, whatever.... and don't even get me started on traveling. I love to travel and, believe me, it's so much easier to throw this one thing in my suitcase than to try to figure out exactly the number of supplies I'll need for a trip and then take up space in the suitcase for all that stuff.

On a funnier note... my DH recently went to the UK to visit his family and I wasn't able to make the trip. I've been wanting to try the Mooncup UK for a while now and had him go out shopping for me. Needless to say, I still don't have a Mooncup UK The poor man did try though. He said a couple of places he tried didn't have it and, at another, the poor shopgirl wouldn't even tell him what it was other than to say "Try the Boots down the road."

 

[stacielee]

The loved the link, thanks stacielee. Lots of good info. I have bid on a Lady Cup in purple on ebay. Really the main reason is because they have a purple one and for under $20 I can try it out to see what I think about that brand. If not I'll invest in other brand.

I'm watching an auction for a purple one, hope it's not the same one!! I've been using the Diva for about a year and it's just a little too long, even with the stem completely cut off. So I'm going to try a different one. The link I posted really helped me decide which one. And PURPLE!! How cool is that!!

 

[allison k]

Thanks for starting this thread! After reading about the different cups on another thread, I was wondering about this as well!

That website is great. Her opinions are great.

After looking at the links, it seems like a lot of work putting them properly into place and then removing 2-4x a day. So I'm curious WHY wearing a cup is a benefit? Is it simply to save money by not buying pads/tampons every month?

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.

 

[juliaarnold]

I have been using Instead for about 8 years on and off with pregencies. I would recommend it and have done to all my friends. I have just brought the Diva and have not had the chance to use it yet. If it is anything like the Insteads I will be a happy gal

 

[Green Tea]

After looking at the links, it seems like a lot of work putting them properly into place and then removing 2-4x a day.

They only are changed about every 12 hours, so just morning and night.

 

[donald&daisy]

I usually don't have an overly heavy flow and I empty mine once in the morning and usually once around 5 pm. I enjoy not having to buy tampons anymore and I have never had any leaks with the cup whereas acidents with tampons were rather prevelant. As for the size I'm 25, never had kids and I use the small sized diva with no problems. I did snip off the tail, but it fits comfortably.

 

[fakereadhed]

I've been wanting to try the Mooncup UK for a while now and had him go out shopping for me. Needless to say, I still don't have a Mooncup UK The poor man did try though. He said a couple of places he tried didn't have it and, at another, the poor shopgirl wouldn't even tell him what it was other than to say "Try the Boots down the road."

Now THAT is love!

 

[robinb]

Wow, I had never heard of a menstrual cup before this thread. After looking at the links, it seems like a lot of work putting them properly into place and then removing 2-4x a day. So I'm curious WHY wearing a cup is a benefit? Is it simply to save money by not buying pads/tampons every month?

I've read that some women use menstrual cups to save money and some use them to avoid bleached disposable feminine products. I use one because like PPs my flow was quite heavy. I would use a super tampon and still have to wear a full pad for backup. With my Diva cup I still wear a panty liner but it's so much better than the alternative! Since I had been using OB tampons for over 20 years I was not skived out about the insertion of the cup, although I can imagine that it could take getting used to for those who use applicators for their tampons.

I picked the Diva cup because that was what was available at my local (non-Walgreens/CVS) pharmacy.

 

[tzolkin]

I use the Diva Cup, but really only because that was the only one I found in-store. I have done some research online about the others, but have not had any need for a second one.

i've NEVER heard of a menstrual cup...i went to the link and it looks rather large!

Do these things really work?

I don't think it's that large. It's also a squishy silicone, so you fold it to about the size of a tampon to insert it. Even when it pops open, it just conforms to your insides because it's soft and flexible. When inserted properly, I cannot feel it. If it's off, I get poked by the stem (which is less flexible than the cup itself.)

Wow, I had never heard of a menstrual cup before this thread. After looking at the links, it seems like a lot of work putting them properly into place and then removing 2-4x a day. So I'm curious WHY wearing a cup is a benefit? Is it simply to save money by not buying pads/tampons every month?

Once you figure out how to use it, it only takes maybe 5 seconds to insert/remove it. It actually takes me less time than unwrapping and sticking on a winged pad.

Personally I love only having one thing to carry around. I can toss it in my bag just in case. Also, if I think I may be getting my period I can insert it and then go about my business. If I don't get my period the cup doesn't bother me and if I do I don't have to worry about it for 12 hours. This has been especially helpful since I have a Mirena and irregularly get a period only once every few months.

Since having my last child I have also developed a sensitivity/allergy to pads and liners. (And since my periods are so light with the Mirena I really can't use tampons.) I have been using the cup with no irritation.

 

[CLEO Z]

I don't know diddley about menstral cups, so this is a bit OT. I was miserable and flowing HEAVY for my 8 day long periods. My Dr suggested getting the Mirena IUD. I know it is not for everyone, but man am I loving life with this device. For the first time in 25 years, my life is not dictated by my periods. I had minimal pain/uncomfortable for about 3 days. Then I had very light bleeding almost daily for the first few months. Then WHAMO! My periods still show up like clockwork and last about 6 days, but all I use is a pantyliner!! My large boxes of Super Plus tampons and overnight pads are gathering dust in my closet! I've had the IUD for a year now and I haven't used a tampon for at least 10 months. Plus, my extreemly low Iron levels went up over 20 points.

 

[jltwdw]

Plus, my extreemly low Iron levels went up over 20 points.

Really?!?!?! I try and donate plasma 2x/wk, and am continually turned away due to low iron levels. This is very interesting! I'm done having children and DH has had a 'V', but my periods are extremely heavy with HUGE clots that don't soak into a pad and a tampon is useless to me (OT - my favorite scene from the movie "Knocked Up" is a deleted scene where one of 'the guys' says that having sex after a woman's had a baby would be like throwing a hotdog down a hallway...that's me and a tampon...ok, TMI) I've tried and still occasionally use the Instead cups, but have so-so success with those. Do you think your iron levels increased because of less blood loss?