Diva cup ? (probably a bit TMI)

[QueenOfTheMeadow]

I've used the diva cup since July. I've had 3 kids, so it's the #2. It works great in that there is no leaking and it mostly feels comfortable. But by the end of my cycle each time I use it, I feel very sore internally. If I have to have a bowl movement it can be incredibly painful with the cup in. I have made sure that it's not too far up. I can still feel the little nubbies right at the entrance, but this cycle, I actually had to stop using it for the last few days of my cycle because I was in pain. I almost felt like I was bruised on the inside.

Anyone else every have this happen? Any advice? I'd hate to go back to pads and tampons.

[marimara]

this happens to me sometimes. It's mostly when it's pretty full and heavy. I don't have BMs w/the cup in. I feel like I would push it out even though I don't (I've done it before but it never sits right afterwards). Anyways, I just think it's soreness from having something heavy in your vag for a few days. I only use mine while the flow is heavy (for about 2 days or so) afterwards I just use pantyliners or cloth at night. It just gets too sore any longer than that.

[Ola_]

Originally Posted by marimara

I don't have BMs w/the cup in. I feel like I would push it out even though I don't (I've done it before but it never sits right afterwards).

I find this also so I remove the cup before BMs and replace after.

For soreness, do you fold the cup when you're taking it out? I find that's the one part when I can make it hurt, if I just pull it out normally (I imagine it scratches the walls as I pull it).

[Irishmommy]

No suggestions on the bms, I've gone with it in, no problem. But cut the nubby things off until you can't feel them.

[gumboot_charlie]

I find it's only painful when it's not inserted properly. It helps to feel when your cervix is and make sure the rim is just cupping it. BMs can be uncomfortable, I sometimes remove it.

[noobmom]

I love my Diva cup, but I try not to wear it 24 hours a day for my entire cycle. I don't know why, I just don't. Normally in the beginning I wear it a lot and once the bleeding slows a bit, I alternate with pads, whenever I won't be as busy (if I'm home, for example, or at night if I'm not longer really bleeding when I'm horizontal). I almost always take it out for #2.

[sarahn4639]

Originally Posted by noobmom

I love my Diva cup, but I try not to wear it 24 hours a day for my entire cycle. I don't know why, I just don't. Normally in the beginning I wear it a lot and once the bleeding slows a bit, I alternate with pads, whenever I won't be as busy (if I'm home, for example, or at night if I'm not longer really bleeding when I'm horizontal). I almost always take it out for #2.

I agree, I wear it for the first 2ish days when my flow is heavier and then alternate with cloth pads because I start to feel a bit sore as well. I wear it if I'm going to be out and about, but when my flow is light and I'm at home, it's cloth.

[sarahn4639]

Ola, if you fold the cup when you remove it, doesn't that kind of make a mess? I just picture myself squirting it or it popping open and splashing or something!

I generally push like a BM to move it down, then reach in and grab the stem and guide it down while pushing, I also try to pinch it a little to try and break the suction as it's coming down.

[QueenOfTheMeadow]

I didn't think you were supposed to put it high enough that is was cupping your cervix? Hmm, I've got to go back and read the directions again.

I think I'm going to not wearing it the whole time. I don't fold it when I pull it out, because it seems to make a huge mess. I do bend it a bit in order to break the suction and push when I remove it though. I found out the first time not to try to remove it without first breaking the suction. OUCH!

[Pumpkin_Pie]

Is it the end of the stem that is hurting you? You said you can still feel the nub at the bottom. If you can feel that internally, that can hurt like crazy. It used to drive me nuts and I would feel so sore eventually.

I read some advice that said to try wearing it inside out. You literally turn the cup inside out so there is no stem at all and the stem is inside the cup where the menses go. It is a *bit* harder to remove, but not all that difficult really. It made all the difference in the world for me, and after trying it like that once, I shaved off the stem completely, and filed it down so it is absolutely smooth on the bottom. Now it doesn't hurt at all. I LOVE it!

[QueenOfTheMeadow]

Originally Posted by Pumpkin_Pie

Is it the end of the stem that is hurting you? You said you can still feel the nub at the bottom. If you can feel that internally, that can hurt like crazy. It used to drive me nuts and I would feel so sore eventually.

I read some advice that said to try wearing it inside out. You literally turn the cup inside out so there is no stem at all and the stem is inside the cup where the menses go. It is a *bit* harder to remove, but not all that difficult really. It made all the difference in the world for me, and after trying it like that once, I shaved off the stem completely, and filed it down so it is absolutely smooth on the bottom. Now it doesn't hurt at all. I LOVE it!

No, it's actually more internal. It almost feels like a bad bruise.

[lillian]

i cannot specifically answer the original question but i have to disagree that it is only painful or uncomfortable if inserted improperly. i hated my diva cup and no matter how i inserted it, it was never ever comfortable.