why is there less cramping with cloth pad/diva cup?

[jackaroosmom]

I have been reading threads about cloth pads and also divacup and sometimes read that women experience less cramping while using one or the other. Why is that? I could definitely use less cramps each month!! I just purchased the divacup, but am also going to buy some cloth as a back up. I am a little nervous, but willing to try.

[sagemomma]

i am not sure but i think it has something to do with the chemicals in disposable pads.
i started using cloth last month and it was a huge diiference.
i normally have bad cramping, soreness in the outer area like bruising and deep aching, itching,burning and then i'm good for a week of yeasty loveliness afterwards. so in total that is 7-9 days of bleeding and 7 more days of B-itching and burning.
but last month no cramping,no burning,no sweating, no itching, 4 days total on my period and no yeast infction afterwards. it was like heaven. ahhhh

[rhiasmum]

You know I don't know lol. I thought it was maybe because I started working out regularly to lose this baby weight. But years ago when I was working out regularly too I still had cramps. So I'm thinking it has to do with the chemicals in the tampons and pads I was using. I love my Diva cup now and don't ever plan on going back to the other things. If I ever do decide for something else it will be cloth pads or sea sponges.

[bwylde]

For me I think it had to do with the chemicals. I still have bad periods, but it's only for a couple of days instead of a week in bed like I used to be. I also bled a lot more. I could go through a super plus tampon in an hour and I needed a pad for backup. Now I just just cloth and almost never leak (and I make my own without any waterproof barriers in it : ); I now bleed moderately for a couple of days and have 2 or 3 very light days. Way better!!!

[EnviroBecca]

Not sure about the pads, but for the cup compared to tampons, I think it's that a tampon blocks the flow whereas a cup creates a mild suction that helps it come out, so your body doesn't have to squeeze so hard to get it out. I still have some cramps, but there was a definite reduction when I switched to the cup.

[TzippityDoulah]

I don't just have less cramping, I have less of that outer brusing/pain feeling I used ot have. I ALWAYS have bad cramps, so ANY relief is a good thing. I will never go back to disposable pads. I used them on vacation not long ago and ended up with a yeasty itchy burny sensation for days and I thought "oh yeah! this is why I don't use these stupid things anymore!" how did I put up with that every month for days and days at a time for so many yrs!?!

and people think cloth pads are "gross". that is SO the least of my worries!!

[DaMajha]

I can't wear the cup, it just plain hurts! But, I have virtually NO cramps using the cloth pads. Before I switched to them, I cramped so bad that it would wake me up at night. I just figured it was the chemicals that caused the cramps.

[Ruthla]

I recently switched to pads after several years of using the cup exclusively because I was having so much discomfort from the cup. I still use the cup for my few hours of heaviest flow, and/or if I need to be away from home during AF, but I seem to be able to tolerate the cup for short periods of time. Using it full time seemed to lead to more cramps, plus it made it hard for me to fully empty my bladder.