Calling all CUP users!!

[JewelsRae]

Okay, so I used my Divacup all day yesterday and all night. I had to empty it in the middle of the night- I was thinking this is my 2nd pp AF and for me it is lighter flow than I would have pre-babies, which is insane cause I must have had a VERY heavy flow pre-kids!!! In one twenty four hour period I bled nearly 3 oz, that's just the first day of my period! I changed the Divacup at 1am and when I got out of bed at 7am this morning I flooded my backup pad when I stood up (sorry TMI!) plus when I took it out it was full- so that was I'm thinking definately 1.25 oz in 6 hours. IS that normal!?!

Also, ever been kicked in the cervix by your dear babe? Cause that is exactly the feeling I get when I insert the divacup, once it pops open it kicks me in the cervix- youch!!! I've tried several times and it still does it, sending shock waves into my uterus. : Hasn't stopped me from using it again, but it would be nice to avoid this!

Also, do you find you are constantly aware of it being in? I have a low cervix and though I trimmed the end off I can still feel it, though I must say that last night it was SO nice to sleep on my back- easiest period in years!!!

Thanks! Gotta run!

[JewelsRae]

The Divacup box says the average period is 3-4 oz total! From 7am to 9am I filled the cup completely- a whole nother ounce in 2 hours!!! So that is over 3 oz in my first 24+ hours of AF!! Is this too much, or do I just have a heavy flow?

Also, does anyone know the difference between size one and size 2? I got sz 2 since I've had 2 vaginal births, though it is too big, it would be perfect if it were a little smaller- meaning not as long, and possibly a little more flexible. I can feel it poking out (I've already cut the stem off) when I sit down and cough, sneeze, blow my nose, etc. Is this normal?

[EnviroBecca]

I'm not sure about the size and "kicking" issues, having used the Keeper rather than the Diva. About the amount of flow, I also (pre-pregnancy) had much more than what the instructions say is "normal"; I emptied it every 2 or 3 hours on my first 2 days and could not use it overnight without backup. I think they may just have an unrealistic idea of what is normal. When I had a fibroid a couple of years ago, I read an article saying that a symptom is "heavy bleeding (more than 5 pads or tampons per day)". I did a little poll of women in my office, and about 3/4 of them routinely used more than that for at least one day of their periods; we concluded that the male doctor writing this article just made up a number!

Anyway, I'd say that if you are not feeling dizzy with blood loss, you're probably okay.

[pilesoflaundry]

I have a very low cervix and I feel it most of the time even after cutting the stem. I also have a tiny bit of leakage on my heaviest flow days. I think because of how low my cervix is I can't get a good fit and it leaks a bit. I just wear a back up cloth pad for the first 2 days. I would like to eliminate that but oh well!

I don't get that shockwave feeling, I know what you mean my last pregnancy the baby did it all the time. Youch I would hate to deal with that if my diva cup was doing that.

[hubris]

I have a feeling that the "data" we're given about the volume of blood shed during a woman's period is not quite accurate. I know quite a few women IRL who use a cup and all of them can fill that cup up on heavy days. I personally have about 48 hours of the sort of heaviness that you're describing, and then I get lighter from there. So I'm not sure that you need to worry, unless you're experiencing any other symptoms that make you worry about excessive blood loss.

On the cervix issue - can't say that I have experienced quite the same thing, although I don't like to "inflate" the cup when it's all the way in. I prefer to let it open when it's about half-way in, then I stick my finger between the cup and my vaginal wall to release a little of the suction (otherwise it feels like my cervix is being sucked out), and then I push it in and give it a tug to make sure it's in place.

I hope you can get more comfortable with the fit of your cup!