Diva cup & cloth mama pads - thoughts and questions - long...

[lizabird]

I got my AF back after a little more than 5 yrs without (amazing, eh?). I must say I do NOT like having my period.

Please bear with me while I share a little history (I can't believe I'm even writing all this! But I want honest opinions and this is where I"m coming from)

I had always used tampons, pretty much since I very first started getting my period as a teen. Then after baby #1 was born, I used pads (conventional) for the first time during the post partum period, and it wasn't as "bad" as I'd thought it would be, but then again I was also taking a quick shower several times a day for the first week pp, trying to heal a very sore perineum, and I felt pretty clean and wasn't too bothered by all the blood. (plus I didn't go out anywhere those first two weeks anyway). Skip 3 yrs to birth of baby #2 (yes, I managed to get pg with baby 2 without actually having a period, though obviously I had ovulated). Again used store bought pads for a few days post partum and that was fine.

Now I am 2 yrs older and wiser and I have learned of the existence of the Divacup and cloth pads. Hmmm... new concepts but I'm open to new ideas. Well, my period has just returned. Ugh. I have always hated having my period. It's messy, inconvenient, etc.

I bought myself a Divacup because I have read sooo many rave reviews. I tried it for the first 2 days of my flow, and I DO NOT like it. Not one little bit! I must say I am very disappointed in this, I was cautiously hoping I would fall instantly in love. Awkward to put in. Uncomfortable, even after several, uh, adjustments. OMG what difficulty getting that darned thing out again. I had to tell my dh and kids to just go away and leave me alone until I managed to get it out, and I cannot IMAGINE having to try to take it out or *gasp* clean it out in a public restroom. I am pretty sure it was in correctly, but all day long, felt rather uncomfortable inside me.

So by the end of day 2 of my AF, I went back to tampons. Almost no mess and I can't even tell I'm using one. Other than the fact that I feel guilty about using these things that people rant about (excess trash, bad for environment, yes, I know, but the darned things work for me).

So I have started making some cloth pads for myself but honestly I can't imagine actually using them, I really really dislike conventional pads, but people say they like their cloth pads so much. How can they feel and work so much better than conventional? This is an honest very curious question I have. I want to try them but I can't imagine I will like them. I always feel so messy and stinky and bloody when I use a pad. (OMG, I still can't believe I"m writing all this!)

So please, please, share with me your thoughts about all this. Has anyone else used a Diva cup and NOT liked it? Seems like just about everything I have read has been totally positive. Why do you like cloth pads so much better than "conventional?" I don't need or want a guilt trip about using disposable feminine hygene products. I am very new to the idea of a cup or cloth pad, but as I said, I like the idea of it but what if this all just doesn't work for me? Any other wonderful ideas to try?

Little bit confused and looking for input,

Thanks!

[Contrariety]

The Diva cup takes a period or two to get used to.

It Changed. My. Life! I rave about it every period to DH, who just cannot grasp what a significant difference it has made.

The first few periods took some getting used to and then the first few hours of each period after that, but a year later, I'm a freakin' pro!

I say it's worth sticking with it for a few periods and really making sure it's not for you.
Google menstrual cup blogs for different folds... I prefer the 7 (or L) fold. I can't find the one I frequented when I first got mine. My googling skills suck right now.

HTH

[Kabes]

I use a Diva cup. I've had it for about 4 cycles now. The first cycle I HATED it. All the same things you listed in your post. I mix and matched that cycle with cloth (also for the first time), disposable pads, and tampons. The second cycle was SO very much better. By the third I was a pro. Now I can't imagine not having a Diva cup. My cramps have gotten so much better and my flow might be a bit lighter too. I'm totally in love with that thing. Maybe TMI, but I also use it after sex to avoid the puddle or sitting around in wet underwear.

Keep trying and don't give up yet.

[MiaPia]

I have to agree that the Diva cup takes some time to get used to. And if it was uncomfortable, that it was not properly in place or it was the wrong size.

The first cycle I used my Diva I was literally in tears trying to get the thing in place correctly, get it OUT without making a mess etc. I came really really close to chucking the thing, but I'm stubborn, and now it's SO easy to use - and no mess. As far as public restrooms go, I just empty it out in the toilet if necessary and wipe it out with TP - I don't take it to the sink or anything.

As far as cloth pads go, I thought I *hated* pads until I tried them. They are comfortable, they "breathe", and you can get them in cute colors. Whats not to like?

[rhiasmum]

I've never used cloth pads so I can't answer about them. I've only used the Diva cup for one cycle but I can tell you I love it! I was nervous because I'd also read so many positive reviews. But I also had read that it could take a cycle or 4 lol.
Guess I was one of the lucky ones. I've had 2 unplanned c-sections and couldn't tolerate tampons anymore. Weird and sorry if tmi. But the Diva cup I just adored. I couldn't even feel it when I was working out.
I say give it another try or 2 before you totally give up.

[thixle]

I can't say enough good about cloth pads-- they don't stink like disposables, they don't itch like disposables, they don't leak or puddle on top of the pad like disposables, cramping is less, for lots of women the flow is less... you can quickly rinse them out and toss in with the rest of your laundry, or you can soak them and water your plants with the soak water... they don't crinkle, they don't make you sweaty... you can get dark colors so you never really *see* anything.

And if you still don't like them, you can use sea sponges or organic cotton to give you treehugger bonus points :

[fioner]

I finally got to use the Diva Cup I bought the day I found out I was pregnant, which was almost 2 years ago. For some reason, I ordered a Diva Cup online and then 2 hours later, decided I should take a pregnancy test, which turned out to be positive. Anyway, at first, it wasn't the most comfortable thing in the world, but it definitely worked, didn't leak at all really. I always used tampons before, but I always needed to use pads with them because I had a heavy flow and tampons would leak. The Diva Cup holds more and I felt a lot more confident. I trimmed the stem on it, and that made it fit better. It was a little weird to be messing around with it in a public restroom, but I think with more practice it will be fine, and much better than tampons and disposable pads. I love not having a trash can full of bloody mess at the end of my period.

[hellyaellen]

can't speak tot the diva cp but i my cloth panty liners.........

they don't have that sweaty plastic-y feel that sposie pads do

[lizabird]

Thanks fot the thoughtful replies. I guess next time my period shows up I will try the diva cup again and see if it's any better. It's nice to know that somehow my body might get used to it and that it is likely to get easier to insert/remove. Ack, what an awkward thing to do!

For now, I am using a combination alternating between everything I have trying to figure out what's going to work and what isn't.

[Ygle]

It's been about five years since I tried the diva and I still get chills and feel nauseous thinking about it! I couldn't even walk normal for days after removing it... I did get the larger size since I was in my thirties and had children, so maybe the smaller would be better, but I think I still need more time before I can work up the guts to try again, it was that traumatic for me. On the other hand I love Instead.

[nov05mama]

Originally Posted by Contrariety

The Diva cup takes a period or two to get used to.

It Changed. My. Life! I rave about it every period to DH, who just cannot grasp what a significant difference it has made.

The first few periods took some getting used to and then the first few hours of each period after that, but a year later, I'm a freakin' pro!

I say it's worth sticking with it for a few periods and really making sure it's not for you.
Google menstrual cup blogs for different folds... I prefer the 7 (or L) fold. I can't find the one I frequented when I first got mine. My googling skills suck right now.

HTH

HUGE DITTO!! The first cycle was definitely a wash...I thought I would hate it....but I stuck with it and I LOVE my Diva! I love my cloth pads too, but am so thankful that I don't have to use them! I have gone Diva and won't go back

[ReikiMommy07]

Hi lizabird,

I guess this is actually OT... But this just jumped out at me. You have a negative attitude toward your period--as I guess many women do. I did, too, until I opened up and started learning about what other cultures think or have thought of menstrual blood, and the whole cycle in general. Then come words like magical, life-giving, creative, intuitive, etc... Now my attitude is changing, albeit slowly, and I look forward to learning about my cycle and how I can make it work for me, rather than against me. I can recommend some books, if you feel inclined to learn more:
Her Blood is Gold by Laura Owens (DARN great one, that!)
Red Moon: Understanding and Using the Gifts of the Menstrual Cycle by Miranda Gray

I also have New Moon Rising by Linda Heron Wind (SP?) on order, but haven't gotten it yet. The other two, though, are amazing books!

Good luck and BTW I HATE HATE HATE the DivaCup too!!! I'm going cloth--yippee!

[chirp]

Originally Posted by thixle

I can't say enough good about cloth pads-- they don't stink like disposables, they don't itch like disposables, they don't leak or puddle on top of the pad like disposables, cramping is less, for lots of women the flow is less... you can quickly rinse them out and toss in with the rest of your laundry, or you can soak them and water your plants with the soak water... they don't crinkle, they don't make you sweaty... you can get dark colors so you never really *see* anything.

And if you still don't like them, you can use sea sponges or organic cotton to give you treehugger bonus points :

:
all of it.

i love my cloth.

[prettypixels]

I loooove my cloth pads. They are so... SO... much more comfy than store-bought pads. They don't stick to your leg, they don't smell weird, you don't get that bloody odor? You know? Ugh! No smell, at least I have not had any issues with smell with cloth pads. I got some lovely ones for reasonable prices on etsy. Love etsy too!

[star*mora]

love my cloth pads. i got my period back 6wks postpartum and since i was doing cloth diapers the lightbulb went off and thought why not switch to cloth for me too!

don't know about diva cups as i never used tampons, so i thought cloth pads were a more natural fit for me

really comfortable and honestly i seem to need to change them a lot less than disposables - so using them for only about a year so far but love them. why didn't i do it before!!!

plus they are pretty pads, much more fun than ugly disposables.

[lovemyfamily6]

I LOVE my Diva!! I had some difficulty getting it in the right position at first. I couldn't get it to "pop out" and could feel that the sides were suctioned so it wasn't round, if that makes sense. I don't even remember why I tried this, but one day I decided to put it in while still sitting on the toilet. Before I had tried squatting or standing with one leg on the toilet. Oh my goodness, what a difference with putting it in while sitting on the toilet! I can get it in properly in less than ten seconds now and no longer feel it. And I haven't had a single leak since. I fold it like they suggest, squeezing it together and then folding it in half like a U, then I hold just under the rim with the rounded part of the U facing back. For taking it out, I actually never had any trouble there. I just reach in and squeeze gently while bearing down (think trying to poop ) and out it comes.

Definitely keep trying. It's amazing once you get the hang of it!! I've never tried cloth pads so don't have any input there.

[frog]

lizabird, what didn't feel right about the cup? Was it the little stem? Do you know you can trim that right off?

[Merilin]

I have tried the Mooncup and starting from the second cycle I got really raw "down there" every time I used it, almost like a bad yeast infection. I gave up after a couple of cycles. I have tried to boil it, soaked it in vinegar, put it in the freezer and nothing helped.

I sewed my own clothpads and am happy ever since.

[CrunchyGranolaMom]

I also found the Diva hard to get used to, but now that it's "softened" up, it's fab. Does anyone know if it's okay to boil them? I think it says something in the instruction book that that's okay to do, and I always figured that boiling it would soften it a bit.

I also love my cloth pads. They have such cute colors and styles. It's def. something to get used to w. washing them, but, otherwise, I've been using them for over a decade and think they're great. My dd and I spent a few nights looking and looking online to get her her first set before she started menstruating. Super cute tie dye ones. Sooo soft. All I've got is ratty old stained ones! Treat yourself to something you like!

[Jojo F.]

You definitely need a little more time learning how to use the Diva Cup, 2 days just isn't going to cut it.

I boil mine after each period to disinfect it. (I had had a yeast problem and boiling was the only way to fully clean the cup)

As a back up for the first couple of days I do use cloth panty liners that I made. During the last couple of days I use the pads too (and I use them now because for some reason during pregnancy I have WAAAAY more discharge)

There are instructions out there somewhere on how to knit your own reusable tampons, but I have never tried them. Maybe I will when AF returns.