Diva Cup, Keeper, or --?

[elanorh]

I hope this is the place to ask this question.

I'm nearing the point where I'll probably be needing *something* again monthly .... I never liked tampons, but used pads. I don't want to use pads anymore - and have read about the Moon Keeper and the Diva Cup. Am wondering what the BDTD advice/thoughts are between the two in terms of what you like/dislike, before I choose one to order.

Right now I'm thinking I'll order two (either 2 Keepers or 2 Diva Cups); and also have some Glad Rags on hand for PP (next time that's an issue) and for comfort's sake as I adjust to using a keeper-type.

Thoughts? Advice? My cycle resumed at 13 months pp with Ina which means I'm a little less than three months out from a potential resumption with SJ now, so I suppose I need to get this figured out!

[hubris]

I've used a Diva Cup since my first PP AF after my first child was born. I really like using a menstrual cup, but then again, I was a tampon user before, so an internal product was something I was comfortable with. There are lots of threads here about troubleshooting menstrual cups (search this forum for Diva or Keeper or menstrual). It often takes a cycle or two to get the hang of using a cup. Depending on how heavy your flow is, you may want some form of backup, especially for heavy nights (I use a cloth pad on those nights).

I don't think I've ever heard of somebody owning two, what is your reason for wanting two? I simply dump and rinse mine and pop it back in. No need for a backup, IMO.

I chose the Diva instead of the Keeper because it is made of silicone instead of rubber. Long-term exposure to natural rubber can cause latex allergies. You also can't boil rubber, but you can boil silicone, and I wanted the option to do that (sometimes boil it at the end or beginning of a cycle). I also thought it would be easier to see how clean silicone is - the Keeper is a darker color and I thought that might be harder to see grunge.

My understanding is that the Keeper is shaped just a little bit differently from the Diva, but I can't speak to the difference personally, since I've only tried the Diva.




Side note: haven't heard of the "Moon Keeper" - there is a product called the Keeper and another called the Moon Cup. The Keeper is a natural rubber product. The MC is another silicone

[EnviroBecca]

I had the Keeper pre-pregnancy and got a Diva after. They're both fabulous, but I think the Diva is better: You can see when it's clean, it doesn't smell like a sneaker, the tiny holes (which help break the suction) are better positioned so they don't leak, and it's textured at the bottom to help you get a grip on it for removal.

I also use cloth pads sometimes. They're a LOT more comfortable than disposable pads, but they do take some maintenance. A cup is VERY easy to care for.

I agree that there's no need to have two of them.

[elanorh]

Originally Posted by hubris

I don't think I've ever heard of somebody owning two, what is your reason for wanting two? I simply dump and rinse mine and pop it back in. No need for a backup, IMO.

I would like two, because we travel alot and I don't know if I'd like to rinse a cup at the sink with onlookers, KWIM? That way, I could just pop the clean one in, and rinse/clean the other one the next time I had some more privacy in the bathroom .... I don't use a purse much if I can help it, either - so a small wetbag I could tuck the dirty cup into makes more sense to me, than carrying wipes in a purse.

I suppose the argument could be made that I should adjust to the fact that I'm a 30+ year old woman, and carry a purse.

We do have a family history of latex allergies - so that makes the Diva more "attractive" to me than a Keeper. And I could have gotten the Keeper name wrong - the local health food store stocks them, whatever variation of the name it is.

Basically, I have always disliked the way pads felt when I wore them, but didn't like tampons when I tried them (as a teen) - I'm intrigued and hopeful that a cup would mean that I'd only need pads at night (if then). I know cloth pads would feel more comfortable than the disposable ones I used .... But am hoping to make the leap away from using pads, period. At least most of the time!

[papschmitty]

I was going to make a several points but Hubris read my mind! You're a genius Hubris! I've had my Diva since my second PP AF and I love it. I was a faithful tampon user previously. My periods are so heavy for the first few days that I would have to change the tampon every hour or two and always leaked. I still have the empty the Diva a couple times when I'm at work on my heaviest days. I just dump the contents, wipe it with toilet paper, and put it back in. I wash it when I get home. I bought two as well, a Diva and the UK MoonCup. They're very, very similar. I just happened to try the Diva first and I still haven't touched the MoonCup. I finally decided to give it to a friend. It was definitely a learning curve for the first cycle but now I totally have the hang of it. I love it so much I sent a testimonial to the company and I never do that kind of thing. I also sing its praises to anyone who even might have an AF. DH thinks I'm nuts. You can get the Diva through a Frontier co-op for $19.50.

[hubris]

Originally Posted by EnviroBecca

it doesn't smell like a sneaker

Always a plus when you're shopping for menstrual products.

Originally Posted by elanorh

I would like two, because we travel alot and I don't know if I'd like to rinse a cup at the sink with onlookers, KWIM?

Definitely understandable. I just don't rinse it when I'm out and about. I dump if I need to, then pop it back in. It's really only on heavy days that it needs to be dumped frequently, anyway. On lighter days cups can be worn up to 12 hours.

Definitely not telling you not to buy two if you really want them, I just wanted to reassure you that you don't have to spend the money, if you don't want to, it can be done with one cup!

Originally Posted by papschmitty

You're a genius Hubris!

Oooh, don't think I can ever hear that often enough!

[WantRice]

I've been using the Diva for over a year now but am thinking of trying the Mooncup because it is slightly shorter in length than the Diva. Sometimes I can feel the Diva because it sits too low for me and it's not a comfortable feeling.

[MossbackMeadow]

I've been using sea sponges. I buy a pack at in the paint dept., cut to an appropriate size, boil, rinse in vinegar, and dry before use.
At night I rinse in vinegar and allow to dry while I wear a cloth pad to bed. I boil, allow to dry completely, and store in a baggie between cycles. A sponge lasts several months.

I remove and rinse every couple of hours. It's a little difficult in a public restroom - I try to seek out one where I can be alone.

I find a sponge economical and gentler on the vaginal walls than tampons.

[Twinklefae]

I've used the Keeper for 5 years now, and would highly recommend it. I love the fact that's it's gum rubber, as I don't really want to closely examine what's in the cup, and I like that it's impossible to stain. I also like that I was able to cut the stem off compeletly, which looks like it would be difficult with the Diva Cup.

As to using one in public washrooms, first of all, some of us have light enough flows that you don't need to empty it out while not at home. I generally did mine morning and night, and that's it. I think I've only ever emptied in public a handful of times in five years. I have a friend with very heavy flow though, and in public washrooms she takes either a water bottle or wet paper towel in with her to wash her cup with. The few times I've had to, I just empty it and put it back, and give it a good rinse the next time.

I haven't used it in a while (obviously if you look at my sig) and was wondering if I should invest in the next size up now, or wait and see after delivery?

[frog]

The sponges freak me out. Too much bacteria for my comfort level, and I bleed too much for them not to leak.

I LOVE my Diva. I've written about it several times on my blog--if you're interested, the link's in my sig and if you search on Diva you'll find what I've had to say.

[WantRice]

Originally Posted by Twinklefae

I've used the Keeper for 5 years now, and would highly recommend it. I love the fact that's it's gum rubber, as I don't really want to closely examine what's in the cup, and I like that it's impossible to stain. I also like that I was able to cut the stem off compeletly, which looks like it would be difficult with the Diva Cup.

Nope there's no problem cutting the Diva cup's stem off completely.

[earthwise]

Diva Cup!

Love my Diva Cup!! I took some getting used to putting it in properly, and I trimmed the tip because I could feel it. But I have not tried the Keeper, so I can only vouch for the Diva
I like the idea of having 2. I would love to keep one home, and carry one in my purse. Because last month I started a day early when I was at my Mom's, and I had to use one of her Kotex, as my Diva cup was at my house and I could not wait to get back to use it! Although I guess I could just keep it in my purse (which is a canvas bag by the way )
I can't imagine rinsing it in the public bathroom sink, then going back into the stall to re-insert! A good reason to have two of them.

[AnamCara]

I have used both the keeper and the diva. They both felt the same to me. The only diff as pp said are the holes and material. Equally easy to keep clean. I've traveled with one, but I have never had to rinse mid day. I am a morning and late evening rinser

[AbundantLife]

This is a timely topic for me, as I have been contemplating my use of disposables. I have a light bladder control problem and I wear those serenity pads pretty much everyday. I have thought about those washable cotton pads, but wanted to know how feasible it really is.

Also, what do you do when you're at work? I just wonder how discreet I could be and where I would put a used pad...

[lmbjer]

I have to add my vote in for the diva. I just switched from tampons to the diva this cycle and I love love love it! I also have to add a plug in for cloth pads. I HATED disposible pads, and the weeks pp for me were terrible as they were prior to my discovery of the cloth pad world. But I find that cloth is SO soft and gentle that I almost enjoy wearing them.

[Leta]

I use a diaphragm. I have for years- since I was about 18 or 19. It functions just like a menstrual cup, but it is worn high in the vagina, so you can have sex with it in, which is a big advantage for me. (I like not having to worry about the state of the sheets. )

I just take a bottle of water with me into the bathroom if I'm in public and need to dump it. Not a big deal at all.

Also, if you have health insurance, or if you qualify for a program that assists women with birth control, you can get a diaphragm for free. I'm pretty sure they make silicone ones.

[Rhiannon Feimorgan]

Originally Posted by elanorh

I would like two, because we travel alot and I don't know if I'd like to rinse a cup at the sink with onlookers, KWIM? That way, I could just pop the clean one in, and rinse/clean the other one the next time I had some more privacy in the bathroom ....

When I'm somewhere I can't rince my Diva(mostly when I'm camping), I will just dump it and then put it right back in. It's not like what's on it is foreign to my body.

It's not an issue very often for me either. My cup holds a lot more fluid than a tampon and can be in my body for a lot longer as it is nonpourous and is less likely to harbor bacteria. I very rarely need to dump it when i'm out in a public place. I can only think of one time and that was when I was travelling and it was in a single occupancy gas station restroom with just a toilet and sink so it wasn't an issue. Most of the time I can go a full 8 hours without dumping. I know others have heavier flows so they may have to dump more often but my flow isn't exactly light.

I've found a cup to be way more comfortable than a tampon. It feels more comfortable in and it doesn't have the tendancy to be dry and rough when I'm taking it out the way a tampon on a light day can be. I've been known to forget I'm wearing it.

[Sensitive]

So, I've always wondered about the diva cup but dismissed the idea because of mess, grossness, and I thought it would be uncomfortable. You guys convinced me to find out more about it. I went to the diva cup site and read all of the questions and answers. They say that my concerns are not problems after all, but I would really like you experienced women to chime in on them. Isn't it messy to remove? It sits so low that I would think it would be very uncomfortable. Does it scrape or dig into your vaginal wall? How about when you're sitting? What about during excercise like crunches and leg lifts? Are you entirely comfortable sleeping with it on? Do tell!

[Twinklefae]

Originally Posted by Sensitive

So, I've always wondered about the diva cup but dismissed the idea because of mess, grossness, and I thought it would be uncomfortable. You guys convinced me to find out more about it. I went to the diva cup site and read all of the questions and answers. They say that my concerns are not problems after all, but I would really like you experienced women to chime in on them. Isn't it messy to remove? It sits so low that I would think it would be very uncomfortable. Does it scrape or dig into your vaginal wall? How about when you're sitting? What about during excercise like crunches and leg lifts? Are you entirely comfortable sleeping with it on? Do tell!

Honestly? I wish mine were a bit more UNCOMFORTABLE. I have, on occasion, forgotten about it all together and left it in for like two days straight. :

I don't find it messy to dump, BTW, and I'm a klutz. If I can do it, anyone can.

In general though, once I was past that first cycle, where I was still learning to use it I forget I'm on my period a lot. It's comfy and doesn't often leak for me. Love love love my Keeper.

[Rhiannon Feimorgan]

Originally Posted by Sensitive

So, I've always wondered about the diva cup but dismissed the idea because of mess, grossness, and I thought it would be uncomfortable. You guys convinced me to find out more about it. I went to the diva cup site and read all of the questions and answers. They say that my concerns are not problems after all, but I would really like you experienced women to chime in on them. Isn't it messy to remove? It sits so low that I would think it would be very uncomfortable. Does it scrape or dig into your vaginal wall? How about when you're sitting? What about during excercise like crunches and leg lifts? Are you entirely comfortable sleeping with it on? Do tell!

I agree with everything Twinklefae said. It's very smooth and shaped well to sit low comfortabley. Some people have problems with the stem on the bottom digging in (I never did) but than can be trimed off.

When I'm pulling it out, I pull down and then tip it right into the toilet bowl. I don't find it any gosser than removing a tampon. Less in fact. you aren't risking clogging up your toilet if you flush!

Once I got pased the initial learning period and figured out the best way to put it in, i often can't feel it at all. It's flexibel so it moves well with your body, even doing crunches or squats.