On using the Diva Cup

[momo7]

So tell me...do you like yours? Is it hard to use? I have read different testimonials and all of them said it was easy and great and blah blah blah...but what I really want to know...Do you like it? Is it REALLY THAT easy? If you didn't like it, tell me why. I really really want to know if it's worth it to buy one.
I have fibroid tumors...will it be a good "fit"?

Any and all experiances welcome...I just really want to know.

[alsoSarah]

I love mine, but there was a real learning curve with the whole insertion process when I first got it.
I thought it was going to be uncomfortable and leak-prone... then, after a couple of days, I started inserting it correctly.


alsoSarah

[feminist~mama]

Love mine too! I agree about the learning curve- wear a pad until you're sure you've got it down!

I'd never go back to pads/tampons!

[sarahn4639]

I love mine now, I wasn't so sure for the first 2 cycles. I found it hard to put in and get out, it leaked some, and it became uncomfortable. I think it was the 3rd cycle that I "got" it. I figured out how to get it placed correctly, I figured out how to get it out easily, when it was in the right place it didn't leak or get uncomfortable. I say it's totally worth it, but you need to commit some time to getting it figured out without giving up.

I have no idea about the fibroids though...

[womenswisdom]

I LOVE my Diva Cup! I didn't really have any problems learning to use it. Just one episode of leaking on the first cycle and then randomly one cycle after using it for about a year. It's easy to use IMO and I love not using tampons or pads anymore

[KristaDJ]

I love mine, and the only time it's leaked at all is when I had a MONSTER period after my m/c (bleeding 1/2oz every hour or so) and I wore it to bed. Sometimes it can be tricky to get it in and some days it just won't stay in b/c my cervix is sooooo low (like 1.5'' inside). It's totally worth it though and when it's in I can't feel it at all and can go all day without changing it. I've always had to use super plus tampons AND overnight pads in order to leave the house on my period, the diva cup allows me to leave with just a small cloth pad that nothing ever gets on it's just a back-up.

[hillymum]

I switched about 18 months ago and will never go back to tampons! On occassion I have to take a few tries to get it in correctly, but then I have very poor muscles control down there. I have never had any leaks though.

[EricaDoula]

I'm really interested in buying one also! Thanks for all the input! I will definitely order one!

[Ola_]

I agree, it took me a couple of cycles to get the insertion/removal all figured out but I love it. I used to use super plus tampons for all but the first/last day of my period and now with the cup the amount of flow has decreased a lot!

I work full time and I find it very convenient to not have to bring lots of supplies with me to the office. If my cup gets full I just empty it, wipe clean, and put it back in.

[alinae]

I too have been interested in the Diva Cup, because I keep hearing such wonderful things about it. However, I'm a little scared to try it because one I can't use tampons. I never could get them in right and two they seriously make me sick every time. Anyone else had issues like mine, however still found that the Diva Cup worked and they loved it?

[pauletoy]

I love my Diva Cup. I had leakage during the first cycle I used it but haven't had a leak since. I will never go back.

[Katie T]

I also am interested in getting one but worry that I will never master getting it in right and/or my muscle tone is too poor down there.

Where is the cheapest best place to order from?

Also do any of you use the diva cup and have a IUD? I have read that you shouldn't use one with the IUD because it can dislodge it. That was on the diva cup website.

[outlier]

I've never been leak-free with mine, despite trying for many cycles, but I still think it's well worth the money. It means I use one pad per day instead of many, and I don't ever worry about leaking through my pants, even at night.

[hillymum]

Originally Posted by Katie T

I also am interested in getting one but worry that I will never master getting it in right and/or my muscle tone is too poor down there.

I have dreadful muscle tone down there but have no problems.

Originally Posted by outlier

I've never been leak-free with mine, despite trying for many cycles, but I still think it's well worth the money. It means I use one pad per day instead of many, and I don't ever worry about leaking through my pants, even at night.

I wonder if you have the right sized cup?

[outlier]

Originally Posted by hillymum

I wonder if you have the right sized cup?

I have the smaller of the two sizes. I honestly think I must be a little smaller than average down there or maybe have extra-tight muscles because it never opens completely, no matter how many squats or high-steps I do once it's in. It creates suction but is always a little pinched, even when I twist it around. Since I'm pregnant with #1 right now, maybe the next time I'll need it, it will finally fit right!

[amber913]

Originally Posted by outlier

I've never been leak-free with mine, despite trying for many cycles, but I still think it's well worth the money. It means I use one pad per day instead of many, and I don't ever worry about leaking through my pants, even at night.

Same here.

It took me months to figure it out so it wouldn't leak every time i stood up (don't put it high up like a tampon). But we're good now. Though i will always need to protect my undies, if you know what i'm sayin'.

[tanyam926]

I have used mine for only one cycle so far and I thought it was really easy to use and learn how to put in correctly. I had less cramping and general discomfort than when I have used disposable tampons (natural cotton) or pads.

I did notice that sometimes it pinches a little though. Like it sits kind of low. I trimmed the stem slightly but it didn't help. When I first put it in it's completely comfortable but then it moves down a little. It's completely open and has suction, it doesn't leak at all.

Am I doing something wrong or should I try a different brand that maybe isn't so long?

[Beauchamp]

I just put mine in for the first time today. I think it's in correctly (it doesn't hurt), but them stem is just a bit long and I can feel it a little, so I think I will have to trim it. It was actually pretty easy to insert. I used the "triangle" pinch method (in the instructions) so the area that goes in first is smaller (rather than the "tight U" method)

I hope it doesn't leak, because I think I like it! I'm not 100% certain if it's open all the way. How it compares to tampons...it sits lower, and doesn't feel so invasive to insert, even though you do use your fingers more, because you don't push it in so far like a tampon.

I got mine from Amazon, but I believe Gladrags also sells it, and has a coupon code in the Mar/Apr Mothering issue.

[outlier]

Originally Posted by tanyam926

I did notice that sometimes it pinches a little though. Like it sits kind of low. I trimmed the stem slightly but it didn't help. When I first put it in it's completely comfortable but then it moves down a little. It's completely open and has suction, it doesn't leak at all.

Am I doing something wrong or should I try a different brand that maybe isn't so long?

You may try inserting it inside out. I've read that some women wear theirs this way. I have the opposite problem of you--I always start it low enough but then it crawls up toward my cervix as I walk around. Sometimes I wish they came with a longer stem.

[Beauchamp]

I don't know if I haven't regained muscle tone in my pelvic floor or what, but mine stuck out a lot and sat very low. The whole stem protruded out and I could even see the bottom of the "bowl" when I looked with a mirror. I ended up taking it out because it felt weird that way. So I wondering if it's me that needs adjustment, or the stem.

It didn't leak, though!