leaky diva cup

[Evie P.]

I finally got the diva cup and had great success last cycle. Then this cycle I stick the cup in and go off to my once-a-week job via train and razor scooter. I'm on the express train and realize that I am leaking so I stand up and just ride in TERROR the whole way, get off the train and rush into McDonald's bathroom in the 'hood and discover that the leak has just reached my pants but has not really penetrated to the other side. I work in a school, so this is the biggest disaster possible.

I wash the cup and try to get it back in and then start running around the ghetto searching for maxipads and praying, wondering if I should go home when I realize I had no cash on me! Find some pads in a store that takes cards and manage to make it through the day without sitting down. Cup continues to leak the rest of the day and the next day.

What the heck am I doing wrong? I don't want to give up but leaking just takes you back to your worst ninth-grade nightmares.

[SaraMama]

How awful.

Did you turn it 1/4 turn after inserting it to make sure it 'pops' open?

[mamasgirls]

Oh no! Something similar just happened to me as well. I have only used the Diva for 2 cycles- the first was amazing- not even one leak. I think I was overly confident because I had nothing but problems my second cycle. We were on vacation and staying with extended family- I put the Diva in the way I had the month before, with rotating it a bit. I went to sleep and woke up feeling very damp. I sat up and realized I had leaked EVERYWHERE. That had not happened to me since I was about 14 years old- and again, we were on vacation! That was a nightmare. I hadn't even brought pads (Other than cloth- which I was using for the first time, lol) or tampons. I reinserted the Diva- made sure it was in good. No problems until the next day when we went to the zoo. I knew I had it in good- but it had been about 5 hours on my heaviest day and I knew I needed to empty it before it leaked- so it would be my first attempt in a public bathroom- and one that was overflowing with people. I was so worried about people seeing me messing with it through the crack in the door- there were literally people everywhere in there. Anyway- I got so nervous that I was able to get it out- but could not get it back in again. I couldn't get myself at the proper angle- it was so disheartening. I ended up wrapping it in TP and sticking it in my purse. I did have a cloth pad on as backup- but was also very nervous about that leaking as it was my first time with them, and my heaviest day, and they were not the heaviest type pad. Anyway- after that I was fine, and am anticipating the start of my 3rd cycle any day now- am curious to see how that goes.

The point of my story is to let you know you are not alone. I am not sure how to fix the problem- I know when mine leaked I had checked to make sure it was fully open, and I had turned it- I just wonder if I slept in a funny position that made it bend some. I do know that I will have pads on as back up until I am 100% confident and comfortable knowing that I can get it in easily and that it won't leak.

[eden/averymum]

mine always leaks

no matter what I do, for MONTHS and MONTHS. I just wear a pantyliner.

[elisent]

Sometimes when I put mine in and turn it I realize that one side hasn't totally popped out and it won't cooperate. Usually this happens if I'm constipated (sorry) or if the little holes at the rim are blocked.

Other times it has leaked are when I aimed it up instead of back, and when I had it too high. At least for me, it has to be way lower than you might think. I had to trim the stem all the way down so I wasn't sitting on it.

[oldmama44]

Stop those leaks!

Hi... I have been using the keeper, and now the diva-for over 10 years. the key to success here is to make sure that you insert it below your cervix. This means that when you are inserting it, you insert it at an angle, towards the small of your back, not vertically! It will pop open at the correct angle, with the cup facing your coccyx.You then rotate it gently, and tug very gently on the stem to create the seal that keeps it from leaking.When I insert it, i do so with one leg up on a chair, or the toilet. I never insert it in a sitting position!
It usually takes 2-3 cycles to master this, but once you do, it's amazing as to what you can do when you're wearing it- spin classes, yoga, pilates, mountain biking, dancing, etc...! Don't give up- keep trying!

[solidcitizqueen]

I can relate to your dilemma. Diva and I had two "disagreements" overnight, and I'm a little tired today, as a result. It's only my 3rd or 4th cycle using her (one cup w/ UK/original Mooncup), and I didn't have her placed in the right position (subconciously knew it, but too tired to fight it, and then she won the fight in the end). As mentioned before, the key is to aim for your tailbone, NOT upwards. Doing what I described on her many times as the "Diva Dance" will also become your victory dance of success w/ her. The turn and tug is also a security to know she's in place, and run your finger around her to make sure she's open.
I skipped some steps, thinking I'm an expert inserter (always a fight on day 2---the flood day) after only a few cycles. I've honestly got it down, but obviously am challenged on the heavy day! No probs any other day, and you couldn't pay me a million bucks to ever go back to something else! I wil use a sea pearl for "intimacy" w/ hubby, but then Diva and I reconnect!

[cornflake girl]

I also had beginner's luck on my first cycle and then just could not get it right after that. I finally started just reaching into my vagina once I think it's in position and making sure that I cannot feel my cervix. I guess if I can't feel it, it must be completely covered as I've had no leaks since I started doing this.

[Evie P.]

Originally Posted by solidcitizqueen

I can relate to your dilemma. Diva and I had two "disagreements" overnight, and I'm a little tired today, as a result. It's only my 3rd or 4th cycle using her (one cup w/ UK/original Mooncup), and I didn't have her placed in the right position (subconciously knew it, but too tired to fight it, and then she won the fight in the end). As mentioned before, the key is to aim for your tailbone, NOT upwards. Doing what I described on her many times as the "Diva Dance" will also become your victory dance of success w/ her. The turn and tug is also a security to know she's in place, and run your finger around her to make sure she's open.

Holy diva, you are a riot! You gotta send this direction list to the company and get them to include it in the box. Maybe you could start a new career for yourself as a most unusual tech writer.

OK and what is a sea pearl?

I now feel armed to drive the Diva home at an angle from all these posts, and to treat her as my equal, my compadra, from this one. I never thought I'd say, "I'm looking forward to my next period" -- and in fact I won't. But I am now emboldened to try to win my diva over. I just hope I don't get my period on a day I have to work at the school, that is too much pressure!

[solidcitizqueen]

OMG! You just cracked me up! Thanks, that was funny.
Anyway, Diva will be your very best friend one day (or any cup, for that matter, as it's just a matter of finding whichever suits you best), I promise. Just don't give up on it! My daughter (13) decided on day 2 of her first period that pads were NOT happening for her, and I decided plugs were also NOT happening for her. I used Insteads for 10 years, but my daughter's moons prompted me to jump into fast and furious REAL cup info, and it was narrowed down to Diva for her.
As for Sea Pearls, they are sea sponges. They are nice on lighter days or intimacy moments. Insteads were good for this for all those years, but the rim isn't comfy if your partner hits it. So, pearls are more comfy for all intents!
Keep me posted on your cup progress. I'll never look back, and know that my daughter's monthly relationship w/ her cup is reliable for the next 10 years, which means I've done right by her as long as she's under my roof and bleeding! Just can't wait for the 2 of us to get on the same cycle one day!