I’m thinking about taking the plunge and giving them a try, but are they any good? I work FT, so can I really wear one from 7-6 without cleaning it out? Are there brands to look at, brands to avoid? FWIW, I’ve had 2 kids. Thanks!
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I've used a Diva Cup for about 7 years and I lurrrrve it! It's a little messy and awkward at first. You might have to empty it every couple hours on heavy flow days, but lighter flow you can go 12 hours, no problem. This is the only brand I tried, but the same cup worked fine both before and after kids.
Pro tip. Do not cut jalapeños and then insert your menstrual cup.
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Another Diva Cup user and lover - it’s a total game changer! I have pretty light periods but I basically empty it when I get up and when I go to bed, never had a problem. You can also, if necessary, empty it during the day - it might be a little messy but just wipe your hands with toilet paper in the stall and then give them a good wash, simple.
@Dynamite: YOUCH!!!
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I use a lunette. I picked that one because of the reviews... and also because i didn't need to input what my size should be. I wasn't too sure of the size I should use for Diva and my friend leaked with the Diva. I never leaked with the lunette.
It's somewhat messy to empty it at owrk but it's so not smelly like using a pad... so I love it! I didn't try it before kids so i don't know. I usually empty mid day just in case... but when it's not my heaviest day, i don't empty.
if you want a lunette ( I don't work for them), I have extra ones that Target sent me by mistake... so I could share if you want to pay for the shipping. i just checked though it's a lunette 1 (light flow). I don't need more than that. -
I’ve tried two kinds and they both got stuck! I really wanted to find one that worked but I’m not sure it’s meant to be.
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Been using Divacup for 6 years and only wish I'd discovered it sooner!! I haven't used it PP though since I haven't gotten my period back yet though. First and second day, I empty it 2-3x at work. By day 3, can go 12 hours and just empty in the morning, when I get home and before I go to bed (not necessary, but I just like to go to bed "clean'. At work, if I cant find a single stall bathroom I bring in a water bottle and rinse in to the toilet.
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I tried the Diva cup, and it was ok for sleep, but would slip out when I was active. Then I did a quiz on which one to try (here's one: https://putacupinit.com/quiz)
I have a Salt cup now, and it's better, but I still don't use it all day at work. For me, it's an awesome solution for sleep but I still use tampons during the day. Tampons never bothered me, I was just looking for something that was safer for 8hrs of sleep.
I also found this article and the comments section helpful:
https://cupofjo.com/2018/08/i-tried-the-diva-cup/Good luck! I think it's worth trying
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I tried the Diva Cup back when it was pretty much the only one available and found it really uncomfortable. Apparently I have a very low cervix so even the smaller Diva was way too long for my body. Now there are dozens of different options, even the City Target near my office has like 5 brands. There’s a site called https://menstrualcupreviews.net/ that has good tips and a quiz for figuring out which cup might work best for you, and https://putacupinit.com/ is also helpful. Right now I’m using a Venus Cup, which fits me a lot better than the Diva did, but I’m trying to decide whether to spring for one from Australia that would probably be even better 🤑
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This is the best website, and I follow their facebook group Cup Love, too. I suggest taking the quiz to help you get started.
I'm trying to find my right cup, I bought one, but it doesn't fit right. However I did love wearing it - so much better than pads or tampons!
I think I will invest in some period panties and figure out what I really need for a cup.
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I use a merula. It's fantastic. I started with a Sckoon which didn't stay in place for me some of the time.
The important thing to measure is how high or low your cervix is while you're on your period. I have a lower cervix so a long cup like the diva wouldn't fit for me. You also want to consider how strong your pelvic muscles are, if they're strong you'll need a firmer cup.
I love mine. I would never go back to tampons!
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Diva cup for life! I recently got an iud and had my period right after and my ob advised to use tampons and pads the first month until the strings curled up higher, and omg going back to tampons is the WORST. I’ve also been a long time diva cup person, from when they were one of the only cups on the market. DW also has one and we are both huge fans. She’s given birth to our 2 kids and got the bigger size after, no issues.
I do tend to have a heavier flow, but I can still get away with removing in the morning and after work/bedtime and don’t typically have leakage issues unless it’s in wonky (which you get used to how that fits/feels) you also get used to breaking the suction easily and taking in/out. I say give it 2-3 cycles and you’ll be a convert!
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Last year I switched to the Diva cup and man, I wish I had tried it sooner! I have very wonky cycles and will go months without having one. This means when I do it can be extremely heavy and last 2+ weeks.
If I have to empty it at work I just make sure I wash my hands before I go into the stall and wipe them off with toilet paper when I'm done. It is so easy once you get the hang of it. I was going through so many tampons and pads (had to double up because of the heavy flow) that this has saved me so much money!
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@poppygirl15: I've not had good luck with menstrual cups. I've tried Diva (awful, way too rigid), the Lunette and the Sckoon and I leak every single time without fail. I've read a million online tutorials, tried all the folds, inserted it low, high etc. I even asked a my OBs if things looked wonky and they said I was normal 🤣
I was very disappointed bc I thought cups were SOOOO easy, cheap, and eco friendly. Maybe I'll try again. -
@poppygirl15: And you can definitely go 7-6 without taking it out unless you have a super heavy flow. Day 1 I had to change midday but besides that I'd leave it in for like 12-13 hours. My problem was small leaks, not that it overflowed.
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I switched over to a My Cup menstrual cup about six months ago and it’s been amazing! I do get some leakage overnight but have no problems during the day and can literally forget I’ve got my period! I second the advice to check out the quiz in Put a Cup In It, there are so many good options out there now. You could also look in to cloth pads or period underwear if cups don’t work out for you.
There is a bit of a learning curve with using a cup but it’s pretty dang awesome once you get it sorted! (And for reference, I’m 37, have had three vaginal deliveries, have a low-medium cervix and use a size two / large cup.)
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When I got my first postpartum period 3 years ago and tried using tampons again, I got sick. Like headache barfing doubled over in pain on the bathroom floor. I took my tampon out and within 20 min I was perfectly fine. And I’d only had it in for like an hour!!!! I started using a meLuna cup and have never looked back. My periods are shorter and lighter too. HIGHLY recommend!!!
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I havent used one since I had my first baby but I used Lunette before and loved it.
I found this video the most helpful at preventing leaks:
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I had the worst experience when I tried one. I gave it a full cycle even though the cramps when it were in were so bad I threw up and it felt like walking around with a giant vase shoved inside me. I had done a fit quiz and got one that seemed like it should be a good choice. It wasn’t. It was a huge waste of cash that I threw out at the end of the cycle.
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I use the Super Jennie. I have a medium-low cervix and very heavy flow. I have to empty it 3-4x a day during my very heavy days. But I recently did a cycle with tampons because I was traveling and got my period early and it was awful! I forgot how drying they are and how much they make my cervix cramp.
I will say it takes awhile to get used to. I have to really relax my vagina and can only use the punch down fold with the Jennie. With my old Diva cup I did the “c” fold. And I have to cut the stem off. The first few times it’s easiest if you squat in the shower to insert/remove. And if you’re having trouble with placement and/or digging around in there to get things placed correctly, you may have extra cramping. You shouldn’t really feel it, though some women say they can. Especially if you have a low cervix. And if your cervix is especially high, you may have a harder time getting a good grip.
I do wear a pantyliner or light pad with the cup. But I use reusable pads and liners so they’re very breathable.
Look up reviews on YouTube. There are even YouTubers who JUST review menstrual products.
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Here's a question, do you all use panty liners/ pads? My menstrual cup would be fine if I did that, but to me that completely defeats the purpose of an ecofriendly cup. And I hate the swampy feeling liners give me.
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@pachamama: I use a mix of reusable cloth liner and thinx. They definitely help with the swampy feel and waste and are not hard to clean. Once you are dealing with a cup it's not that much more to deal with cloth back up.
My cup leaks and I've tried a few with no better luck. I think it's just too heavy for the first day (literally have to empty every hour) but after that a lot less leaks. I would never be comfortable with a cup and no back up. However I definitely like cup + washable liners or thinx better than pads/tampons
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@pachamama: I use cloth liners and just wash them. They are so much more comfy and breathable. Sometimes I skip them if it's later in my cycle
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Thanks, yeah I should invest in some reusable liners. I just never leak with tampons and they are easier .... I want to love cups but I'm a teacher and can't be worried about bleeding in front of my freshmen
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@pachamama: I had alot of issues with the Sckoon cup. Finally bought a merula and the difference was night and day. It's a bit tough to figure out inserting but once you do it's amazing. It never leaks, I just wear liners for residual blood.
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Wow! Thank you all so much for all of this information!! I think I will take the quiz and at least give them a shot. I also never knew there were reusable cloth liners. Will be looking into that, too! Thank you!
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@newlypregnantlady: @mamabear87: where do you get cloth liners?
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@poppygirl15: http://lunawolf.co.uk/wordpress/
I made my own based on that pattern. I happened to have an old flannel sheet that was laying around and an old towel that was shredding. So I just used those to make mine. These totally changed my life. They’re so amazingly breathable. I was kind of grossed out by the thought but guilt made me try it out and they’re amazing. I just rinse in the sink and then wash with my regular laundry. They’re not cute (I mean it’s literally just an old sheet), but I love them!
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I just can’t seem to make it work. I’ve tried the diva cup and the salt cup and I can get them in fine but I feel it no matter what and am just very aware of it. It also just doesn’t seem to be practical for me because I have a very heavy flow (multiple days of changing super plus tampons every 2-3 hours) and the cups just couldn’t keep up and I can’t deal with them in public. (Or really even my own bathroom. I just felt like there was blood everywhere and it was a huge mess and so inconvenient.)
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@newlypregnantlady: thanks!
@jennibenni: thanks for letting me know. I think I’ll try, but if doesn’t work, at least I’ll know I’m not alone!
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@poppygirl15: most of mine are from Kitty Kat cloth on Etsy but she isn't making them right now.
Etsy has tons of options though.@Jennibenni: changing does get better! I've used a cup for like 2 years now and can change it with very minimal mess, even in public. I know they aren't for everyone though
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@poppygirl15: it definitely took me awhile to get used to. Diva is one of the longer ones so you may need a shorter one or a softer one. But it may also just be sitting too low. Maybe try it when you have a weekend so you can change it in the shower. Squatting really helped me figure out proper placement. I’m a total convert because I was having issues with tampons and it’s been like ten years for me. But if it doesn’t work don’t worry about it. There are tons of menstrual products on the market now. And even with experience it took me a few cycles to figure out my Jennie cup.
There are also “disc” shaped ones like Flex and disposable “softcup” if you want to try that style without buying another cup. Honestly for me at this point tampons are just as messy as a cup. But if tampons work for you no problem.
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@poppygirl15: Target also has some cloth pads. They are thicker than liners (I think) but I liked being able to get them while I was getting other stuff.
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@brownepiano: oh excellent! That may be a good way to easily try them out. Thank you!
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Just have to thank you all for your thoughts on this topic. I finally took the plunge and bought the Saalt cup right as the pandemic hit and Target was out of other “supplies” anyhow. I LOVE it! Soooo glad I switched!
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