[happy2bamama]

I am thinking of trying this, but am a little concerned about what it's made of - their website says, "There is absolutely no latex used anywhere in INSTEAD® Softcup®. The INSTEAD® Softcup® reservoir is made of Polyethylene. It is non-irritating, non absorbent thermoplastic material that has been used for more than twenty years in health care items such as catheters and baby bottle nipples." But I don't know that I trust what catheters and baby bottle nipples are made of either.<br><br>
Anyone have any experience with this? Also, I was going to try the Diva Cup, but I looked at it at the store and it just looked more bulky (and super expensive). I don't know that I want to invest that kind of money to find out that I don't like it - KWIM? Any thoughts on the Diva Cup too?<br><br>
TIA <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/love.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="love">

 

[rhiandmoi]

I love my Diva Cup, and totally recommend it to anyone interested in reusable products. But I have been looking for some Insteads to keep around, and I can't find them. Where did you see them?

 

[Juvysen]

Love my diva. Highly recommend. can't feel it at all once it's in.

 

[Carlin]

Another vote for the Diva cup. The instead cups are still disposable, which sort of defeats the purpose in my mind. The Diva cup (or Keeper, they're very similar) is more expensive at first but you can save a lot of money over time. There is a learning curve when you first start using one, and it can take a couple cycles to get really good at inserting and removing it, but it's totally worth it in my opinion!

 

[newmommy27]

another vote for diva...I so love mine<br><br><br>
and in terms of expense compared to disposable products it is way cheaper over the long run

 

[mmace]

Love my Diva. Cost me less than $25 and I've been using it for almost four years now.

 

[painefaria]

Love the Diva cup. I have tried the insteads when I was out of town and didn't bring the Diva cup. I HATED them. I could never get them situated right, I leaked and they weren't comfortable. I actually bought one for my sister (she was a firm Instead user) and she hasn't gone back. Check out the web sites I know Lucky Vitamin had them on sale for $17 a couple of weeks ago. If you need a bunch of things (over $100) shipping is free <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[happy2bamama]

Thank you for all the info! I like the Diva cup idea better since it's reusable, but is there some special kind of wash you have to use with it? Someone I talked to told me that she thought you had to wash it in a special way or something (although that doesn't really make sense, does it?).<br><br>
Soooo happy to hear that you guys have found deals on the Diva. It was $40 at Whole Foods! (I should've known) I will definitely get a deal somewhere else <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
And, what is the Diva made of?<br><br>
Thanks again <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[mmace]

It just needs washed with soap and water for the most part. Some people boil it once a month, but some don't with no problems. And if it starts to look discolored you can soak it in peroxide.<br><br>
It is made of Silicone.

 

[Juvysen]

I wash it with a little baby shampoo, but I did buy the diva wash and use it probably half the time. It has lasted a very long time, so far. you only need a tiny bit at a time.<br><br>
I'll have to try the soaking it with peroxide... mine's getting kinda stained on the stem.

 

[KBinSATX]

I've used a Diva Cup before and really liked it. I've heard of a few people trying the Instead cup to see if they like it before forking out the money for a Diva but everybody that has tried both that I know said the two were not comparable at all and women that didn't get along well with the Instead often ended up pretty happy with the Diva cup.<br>
Places like organicpharmacy usually have them for arounc $20 or less (the Diva Cup)

 

[JaneSmith1010]

I have a Diva cup, and while you do have to get good at using it (only takes a few days), it is awesome. I'm not used to being able to change something so infrequently with no ill health or hygiene fx. it saves us money on some better quality hygiene products like those made with organic cotton.

 

[Teenytoona]

<a href="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showpost.php?p=13399532&postcount=326" target="_blank">Here</a> is my post on March's CTA thread, writeen back in the days before I broke my wrist.

 

[happy2bamama]

I found it at Lucky Vitamin and it's on its way! I can't wait to try it <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
One more question (sorry...) - my midwife told me that I have a low cervix, so I am a little concerned about the end of the Diva cup hanging out lower in me than most - and feeling uncomfortable - anyone have any experience with this specifically?<br><br>
Thanks for the peroxide tip <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up">

 

[barefoot mama]

I did love my Diva cup, until I started getting recurrent UTIs as a result of using it. I guess it must press on my bladder some weird way. I think that must be pretty rare because I don't know of that happening to anyone else. I wish I could use it still.

 

[flightgoddess]

My first one was a Keeper, made with natural rubber. And you are supposed to trim it so it is comfortable. I would rise with soap and water when changing at home, just reinsert (wipe if you want) when in public bathroom stalls. Then i'd wash it the next time I changed it at home. After my period was over, then I'd do a really good wash, vinegar if needed, old soft tooth brush if needed, and airdry before putting it away.<br><br>
Now that i've had my first baby, I had to buy the other size. I got a diva cup this time (it was on sale, so cheaper) so, I can't comment on that yet, i haven't gotten my period yet.

 

[Ammaarah]

I like the Diva so much more than Instead. Instead fit me poorly and it leaked dramatically. Yuck!<br><br>
I think the Diva's made of silicone. As for cleaning it specially, there are a few tiny holes near the rim and blood can collect there, so it's important to wash those out thoroughly and regularly.

 

[KMK_Mama]

Love my Diva cup. I use it for the 3 heaviest days and then just use cloth pads the other days. I wash it with regular soap with no problems.<br><br>
I tried the Instead and hated them.

 

[Juvysen]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>happy2bamama</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/13490276"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I found it at Lucky Vitamin and it's on its way! I can't wait to try it <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
One more question (sorry...) - my midwife told me that I have a low cervix, so I am a little concerned about the end of the Diva cup hanging out lower in me than most - and feeling uncomfortable - anyone have any experience with this specifically?<br><br>
Thanks for the peroxide tip <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up"></div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
I've never had anyone *tell* me that my cervix is low, but during my period it's not very far in there. The first day I do bump it occasionally and I have to be careful to position it, but honestly, even with the occasional discomfort/cramping from that I like my diva cup FAR more than tampons. I just ended up using tampons because I was out and about (uh, and on vacation) when my period started the last time and I didn't have a good place to wash my cup the way I wanted before I used it. It just reminded me how awful tampons are. YUCK. It was the same feeling as having cotton stuffed in your ears (uh, I wonder why <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"> ) and was pretty uncomfortable/annoying for me. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/shy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="innocent"><br><br>
Usually when I put in my cup, I need to be careful for it to go around my cervix properly and not hit it, so i fold it, put it in a little (like 3/4 inch?) and then let it open up and spin it to move it up where it should be. Occasionally after I do that, I need to use the handle/tail/thingy to tilt it by pushing the handle forward so the cup tilts backward, if that makes sense. It's usually the most difficult to not hit my cervix the first day of my period, after that either my cervix moves up a little more, or my body adjusts to the cup being in there, or both. Of course, I have to change it far less often than with a tampon, so it's only something I have to worry about like maybe 2 or 3 times that day *shrug*

 

[Phantaja]

I don't have a Diva Cup. I want one, but never get around to buying it.<br><br>
I use Instead cups. They're not great, not horrible, but I certainly like them better than tampons. There's a learning curve, because they're a weird disk shape, but I don't have problems with leakage unless I just flat out forget to empty it.<br><br>
I've noticed though that I don't cramp much anymore now that I don't use tampons.