I'm trying my first Instead today, just out of curiosity. I REALLY, REALLY don't understand the concept.

I just wanted to share. I'll post my findings as I go. :-)

This is more for information than anything else, but if it helps anyone else that's a bonus. I've been on warfarin (a blood thinner) for about a month now for blood clots in my leg, lungs and brain. Apparently as a woman of menstruation age I should have been informed this would make my periods 'living hell', or the medical equivalent of that, I wasn't. To be honest it wasn't that bad, all I found was that I had to empty my cup more often and I was a bit more crampy (and cranky) than usual.

However, I was talking to another girl about the same age as me whilst I was in hospital who said that she was unable to go out pretty much during her period whilst on warfarin as she was constantly paranoid about leaking because tampons weren't absorbing enough and she was allergic to the sticky stuff on pads. So I told her all about cups, and now the nurse who runs the warfarin clinic is going to recommend cups to 'women of a menstruation age.'

I just got an email informing me that the Lunette is now FDA approved. :)


~M

So, I posted last month and said that I was anxious to use my Diva Cup and not feeling to sure of myself. Well when my last cycle came it was just spotting, not enough to contemplate using the cup. I did try the cup out though and put it in/walk around/take it out and just try to familiarize myself with the cup.

It was alright but after about 30 minutes it seemed as if the cup were just coming further and further down. I could feel it slipping out of place, to the point that it was uncomfortable and I could easily grab the entire end of the cup. I have no clue why but it didn't seem to be working!


Today is the second, and slightly heavier, day of my period and so I decided to try the cup, again. I did the C fold, slid the cup in as far as I could and then pressed my fingers against the stem to make sure it was as far up as I could get it. I then used my kegels to make sure it was in properly and not going anywhere. It feels like it's in there properly and it's not really "uncomfortable" but when I walk or sit in a certain position it feels as if I have a too large tampon trying to work it's way out.

I have pretty short sausage fingers and my cervix is very high and tilted. I can't reach my cervix, even if I lay down or squat, it's just too far and my fingers are too short. So I can't really use my fingers to gauge where the cup is in comparison to my cervix. I'm at a loss here. I can't use tampons anymore because my periods are becoming unbearable with them and I hate using my cloth pads alone. I know there's the option of using sea sponges but I'd like to get the hang of using this cup.

Do I need a new cup? What am I doing wrong? Is it the fold? Help! TIA.

I have just had an idea!

Well, I don't know how great it is, but hopefully you ladies can tell me.

I totally want in on cup activism. Really. I hang out on all sorts of women's health boards, and the most common thing I see besides "amipregnant" is "tampons are driving me insane."

America, Europe, and Australia all have activism groups, but here in NZ, I haven't heard of anyone informing about cups. I'd like to do something about that.

Now, we have some very talented ladies who have tackled, in particular, the environmental aspects of why cups are awesome.

But I'd like to tackle the health benefits, and this is where my idea comes in.

So, I smoke. Quite a lot. So sue me. And of course, cigarettes have the "Smoking --> bad shit" warning on them.

I was idly looking at my pouch as I was rolling a cigarette, and I thought to myself, "Heh, ya know, it's kinda funny that tampons have the same sort of warning on them."

And then it struck me. It's one thing to have a warning like that on cigarettes - the fact that smoking is bad for you is well-publicized, and you can choose whether you put the cig in your mouth or not.

However, as far as most women know, tampons are the only option if you want to do anything even moderately active, or involving water. Because of a lack of awareness, they are virtually forced to use tampons.

The CDC has stopped tracking the rates and risk factors of TSS, despite the fact that the death rate has been rising. Cases from my home state, Minnesota, tripled from 2000 to 2003. Rates in California doubled in one year (2002).

And yes, the CDC isn't paying attention. This could be because of some shady business, but who knows. The fact is tampon companies KNOW that no one is paying attention, and they may be paying even less attention to the safety of their products, which may be producing higher death tolls.

Tampons are required to carry a warning about TSS, that tampons cause it, and that it's deadly. Just like cigarettes.

People know they have a choice about smoking. But due to massive efforts on the part of tampon companies, most women don't know they have a choice about tampons. They are being forced by ignorance to continue to use a dangerous product (obviously, TSS being only one of the side effects tampons can, and does have).

So, I had an idea. Basically, point out this concept in a brocher about cups, with a picture of a cigarette warning label besides a tampon warning label (Does anyone know if they're printed ON the box? I haven't owned tampons in ages...) with something like "Is this something you want in your body?"

It's rather in-your-face, but I think it's a valid point, and I think that when something which is safer and better than its predecessor comes out, people are entitled to know about it and make the choice, rather than being kept in the dark.

Thoughts?

Love,
Cassie

EDIT: Some have pointed out that, if I wanted to pursue this, it would probably be best to do so without mentioning cups as it may cast suspicion on my motivation.

I think perhaps this is a wise idea. So, this is quickly losing context as far as menstrual cups go. Shall I take it down?

Yay! Thanks to all who've helped me along the way. I got a double package (1 small, 1 large) for the LadyCup this evening through eBay (though it was quite a ride to end up with the winning bid). I can't wait to start getting the hang of it and in time using it during cycles. Again, thanks to all who've helped me narrow down my choices and all. :)

I've been using my old school Lunette (back when they made just one size) for a few years now and I spot with it. I'm wondering if it's because the silicone is quite soft and squishy. Has anyone else had spotting/leaking end with a switch to a stiffer cup?

Thanks!

As the holiday season approaches I'm thinking about asking for a certficate to get a new menstrual cup. I'm currently using a small diva cup, and I don't mind it at all.

My big problem is that it is just too long. In the span of one day I barely fill the cup up the first line which is i believe is 7.5 ml. I cut the stem off but when i sit down i can feel the stub of the stem sticking out. It's kind of hard to get it to pop open but that is really not a huge issue.

I really like the flexibility of the diva cup, the suction is fine, and I can use it without having it leak. It's just too long.

I I was thinking about getting a MeLuna because it is smaller but it doesn't look like it would as flexible as I would like it to be.


Any suggestions? Let me know if you need more information to make a suggestion!
I would really love suggestions from people who have used the diva cup and other cups, but all suggestions would be appreciated!

Following up on my somewhat effusive post from last week, a few more newbie thoughts on using the Diva Cup.

( Read more... )

Do you ladies experience leaking with one fold and none with another? Please share your bests and worsts by commenting like this:

I use a: Small Diva
I always leak when I use the: C Fold
I never leak when I use the: 7 Fold

OK, I felt obligated to post SOMETHING here, because I'm the kind of person who researches things before buying/using them, and found this community a huge wealth of info before purchasing my cup. If you are a slightly crazy person who does this too, this post is for you...

I've had my diva cup for about two months, and I will never, never, never go back to using anything else. OMG does this make having your period almost nice! I feel SO much cleaner than I ever did using tampons (never mind pads, those, IMHO, SUCK). There is no noticable smell using the cup, which I love (working with men, I'm always worried that they will smell the odor produced when using a tampon). I even use my diva when I'm not on my period sometimes, just to collect the discharge I produce on a daily basis (yes, my vagina hates me, apparently). It's perfectly comfortable, and I forget about it often, and wake up in the wee hours of the morning and freak out because I haven't emptied it since I put it in the previous day...oops.

The only downside I can think of is that it's larger than a tampon, so it's less discrete to slip in your purse when you're not sure you'll need it (unfortunatly, I forgot to insert when I thought I was going to start my period, and had to have my boyfriend bring me a tampon at work because they are so much smaller). Mine is also tinged a brownish color already, which bothers me a little bit, but is to be expected, I suppose. I'm seriously considering buying a diva for my little sister for Christmas, because I love, love, love mine so much!

Hello,

I am 28, no kids, and have never used a menstrual cup. However, on recommendation from a friend I've been reading for the past couple days on this fabulous site about the various cups, sizes, etc. It appears I have a short vaginal canal and thus would like to start by trying one of the shorter cups. Balancing this with wanting as much fill capacity as possible, I've narrowed it down to a Lunette, Yuuki or Fleurcup. None of these, however, are available to ship to the US on the main sites I have found.

Questions:
1. Has anyone found a reputable site from which to purchase one of these cups?
2. Has anyone with an easily palpable cervix (i.e. short canal) tried a Diva (the most readily available in the US)? I am aware that they are one of the longest, so this concerns me that it might not be comfortable.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Aren't these Thank You Cards so pretty?



You can enter to win them!
Over at mombite.com and check out her other giveaways too!

Hello, all.

After the end of my last period, I started continual use of my cup to collect the everyday fluids. Now I'm on day FIFTY of my cycle and no sign of the next bleed!! My mean cycle length is about 31 days, with a sd of about 3.5! Is this normal?!!

I'm not on any birth control but on the other hand, I'm not sexually active, so it's not that.

Anyone have traditional/herbal/etc. remedies to bring on the bleeding? It's really annoying that I don't know when to expect it.

Marie Madeline is having a pretty tote giveaway.
I just love their fabrics, so fun and feminine! And I love totes too!



This giveaway is open to everyone, everywhere.

Could someone make me an icon that reads: "Every time you stop writing a fairy dies." And put a picture of a fairy or something sparkly on it? ^_^

Saw this phrase on a 2009 NaNo calender and loved it! Lol.

Back on September 7th, I blogged about an up-and-coming Christian artist, Lila Cervantes. [link] The Cervantes family recently moved to the area, and I met them when they came to the Barstow SDA Church. In between visiting other Adventist churches around southern California and flying back to Nashville to finish recording the last few songs for her debut album, Lila sang special music for the Barstow church. I have had the pleasure of talking with her about her passion for singing, her love for the Lord, and her life experiences.

I have been a fan of her music since the first day I met her and listened to some of her songs on Rhapsody.com. My personal favorite song is No Name Like the Name of Jesus, but I Can See and Song of Solomon are also amazing. This is the type of music I absolutely love. The lyrics remind me of the Maranantha songs of my childhood while the musical compositions are grand and powerful like those in the film Prince of Egypt. It is a perfect combination, and I get chills whenever I listen. Hearing her sing live is even more amazing because Lila is a very animated performer.

So it is my pleasure to announce that Lila Cervantes' debut CD is now available! To hear clips of the songs and to purchase your own copy, visit her website: www.LilaCervantes.com.

I decided that I DID want a Meluna, and I have two friends that want one as well. I ordered them, and I paid on Paypal, but Frank did not receive the money.
Of course, I decided to clear my inbox right before I get an email from Frank asking to meto send the confirmation email that I received from Paypal.
So, this money just dissappeared. It's not in my account, but it isn't in his.
I really want a cup. Help me with this? Please?
I can't afford to re-pay for them.

If this doesn't work, does anyone have a cup that they no longer use, and would be willing to send to me? I'm desperate.

{edit}
I think I figured out the paypal. (Thank you!)
But, in the end, an old, free cup that you don't like or didn't work for you is still something I'm considering because my cycle will be starting soon, and I can't afford tampons or pads after paying for the cup. And the shipping will take too long. If you sent it, I would be forever grateful. It's my 16th birthday on December 15. You could think of it as a birthday gift of sorts.I'm just a slew of problems, I guess.
I'm sorry to cause all of you so much trouble.
Please accept my apologies. I don't mean to be a pain.

[28] Young Victoria

Teaser:


here @ ogeecons

So... it is not wise to leave a sprinkler system on its usual cycle when temperatures drop below 30 degrees. Half an hour ago, I left for work and made it only a few feet out the front door. Unknown to me, the steps out our front were covered in just-starting-to-melt-so-extremely-slippery ice.

And down I went!

My ankle twisted and my knee somehow smashed into the cement. (Not to mention my half-eaten Eggo waffle fell into the grass. *tear*) I sat there for about 30 seconds, my leg all twisted in front of me, and then carefully picked myself up and went back inside to warn everyone else about the slippery steps. After sitting down and taking off my high heel boots, I decided that while my ankle and knee were not hurting that bad, I should probably take the day off to baby it. There is nothing worse to a hurt ankle then spending the rest of the day walking on it.

I am glad I stayed home. It has been only forty or so minutes since the incident, and my ankle is swelling some. Heh.

Since we live on a military base, we have no control over the sprinkler system. That is run by the Housing Department. Let's hope no one else in the neighborhood goes out their front doors this morning to experience a lovely slip-and-slide on their cement walkways and steps.