Diva Cup Insertion problems

[Rhonlynn]

I'm 44. I just got my Diva cup today. I've had one child, by c-section.I'm tired of the rash from paper pads, the feeling that something is stuck up there, (tampons), and the use if toilet paper to dispose them in, and other things, so I decided to try the Diva Cup. I can't seem to get it to fit comfortably. It should work, it's an awesome concept.
When I tried it today, I couldn't get it inserted correctly, then, when I did, it kind of felt uncomfortable, and I could constantly feel it. It seems too big to insert into the vaginal cannal, but number 2 is the correct size. Maybe it's cause I'm not on my cycle.
I thought I'd work with it, and then when it came time to use it, I'd know what to do, and be able to use it ocmfortably.
Did take eveyrone some practice, first, or did you insert it easily? Do you think Kegals would help me? If so, not a problem.

[frog]

I had a hard time getting it in on my trial runs, but once I got my period, it was a snap!

[ankh]

Make sure its wet (run under the tap), try squatting down....ummmmm what else... it took me about three months to get it right but it's worth it.
It's not inserted like a tampon, it's supposed to sit a little further down, so it's not in and up, it's in a bit and back.

Hopefully that last bit made sense!

[minkajane]

The major problem I had was the tail. I could feel it and it was VERY uncomfortable. They tell you not to cut off the entire tail, but that's what I had to do to make it comfortable. Once I did that and got used to positioning, it was great. I love Love LOVE my Diva Cup!

There is a learning curve - don't be too hard on yourself or you'll just get frustrated and give up. What I did was try to use it in place of just one disposable product every day for the first cycle, then two the second, etc. By the fourth, I was able to use it full-time with zero discomfort.

[Rhonlynn]

I'll keep Trying

I'll keep trying. If it's supposed to kind of lay on it's side, mine did, but I couldn't get it straight. I only tried it twice. I might need the GladRags (Lunapds) with this, to help with leaks.

--Rhonlynn

[Alkenny]

Your body will shift positions different times in your cycle, so it may work better when you're actually on your period. I agree that it's trial and error, but I would NEVER go back to not using mine.

[McFeelings]

I tend to leak a lot during my heavy days and use glad rags to supplement during the day. In the evenings I use only glad rags. I have found that using the DC I have MUCH shorter periods--from about 5 days of steady flow to 2 days of steady flow and 2 days of spotting. Perhaps the suction has something to do with it? Anyway, it is well worth the occaisional leak to me!

[taigamaria]

I too am just using the diva for the first time and got online to see if others are having the same issue.

I used to use the keeper small size, and decided since i'm in my mid 30s and was having leakage, I should try the larger size. I was having allergict reactions and I thought perhaps it was the latex in the keeper, so I decided to also switch to the diva.

I really had the hang of the keeper. I would just fold it up and pop it in, give it a twist and a tug, and I was done.

The diva on the other hand is a lot more pliable. I fold it up and pop it in, and it doesn't snap open. It's like my vaginal walls are squishing it. I try turning it around, and it still doesn't snap open. Then I think it's open, and find out an hour later it's collapsed and not collecting anything.

I will keep trying... maybe I'll get the hang of it...

[Wolfmeis]

taigamaria, that's my only complaint about it. a friend sugegsted to me that I insert in while I showered, and that actually works for me every time now.

as much as I do love my diva cup, it has been a long learning curve.

[taigamaria]

Wolfmeis, yes, the shower is my favorite place to rinse & insert it too!

[~Megan~]

I can only get it in if I'm sitting on the toilet. If it doesn't feel right adjust it and try again. Keep doing that till its comfortable.

[solidcitizqueen]

I've only used mine for a month, and it was the 2nd day of my period last month. Next cycle is now overdue, and I think it's because I WANT it to come now that I use a cup! I tried putting mine in when my cycle was due a few days ago (officially a dry run, that would make it), and it was not nearly as comfy as it was on my period. On my daughter's very first cycle, she couldn't get relaxed enough, and didn't know her body at ALL to explore or find patience. Her 2nd cycle ended a week ago, and she and her cup built a bond for life!
You may be one of us that has to actually be on cycle to get your cup to cooperate. Mine on the dry run was rubbing against my cervix, although on my cycle last month, it was INSTANT success. Be patient, relax, and don't give up. It's seriously a life-changing product (after 20 years of other products, I am welcoming my periods now). Good luck, and keep us posted!

[SRHS]

Inspiration!!!

Well, just got my period this am....and I"mgoing to go give it another try!! (after I snip off that last bit of tail...that was my biggest issue...2nd was the not popping open)....Thanks ladies!!!
Sus

[sweetpeas]

I just got mine last month too. Here's my problem, how do you rotate it once it's inside. Directions say to turn it one full turn. I put it in & try to turn it & the bottom just twists, the top part doesn't move at all. If I try to grab it higher I end up grabbing skin (OUCH) Help?!?!?

[SRHS]

GOOD question!!! I'm so anxious for this thing and I to work together, I have such heavy periods, (though not as heavy as when I was eating meats!!) that I"d love to sleep through the night without having to change anything!!!

[MsHelena]

I'm a lurker by trade, but I can't resist posting a great piece of advice that someone (can't remember who) gave me about my divacup. I had a whole slew of problems trying to figure out how to use mine. One of the last problems I had was trying to get it to open up. I was instructed to . . . essentially dance. To be more precise, after inserting the divacup, I stood up and shook my hips. I wiggled them around for a few seconds, and it popped right open. Then, I spun the cup and gave it a tug to create a seal, and I was good to go. Quite frankly, I don't know if this advice will work for anyone else, but I figured I'd throw it out there.

[SRHS]

Thannks MSHelena....It's certainly worth a try...boy won't DH get a KICK out of this!!!! Naked and swinging my hips...

[SRHS]

The Diva Dance Worked!!! thanks MsHelena!!! Still having leaking issues though....still trying...perseverance perseverance perseverance!!!

[DaisyQDuck]

I googled Diva cup insertion, or something like that, and found a site that had instructions for folding it differently. It worked like a charm! Worth a look.

I also find using a little personal lubricant helpful.

[AMum]

I'm sitting here, diva cup inserted (and reinserted, and reinserted) for the first time. Its catching the flow, so I know it is *technically* correctly inserted, but it doesn't feel good at all. I can feel it pushing on my left side and the tip is kind of hanging out. Hmmm, maybe I need to trim the tail off all the way too, but I'm kinda chicken since they say not to, kwim?

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