Comments on Crunchy Chicken: The DivaCup has landed

I actually just got mine yesterday and I think it'...

2009-03-31T13:47:00.000-07:00

I actually just got mine yesterday and I think it's pretty great. Less cramps, better for the envorment, and saving money is always good for me.

1) I love my Diva Cup. I converted recently from...

2007-06-19T15:57:00.000-07:00

1) I love my Diva Cup. I converted recently from Instead, which I liked for certain reasons, but not from an environmental perspective.

2) You're made it onto buzzfeed:
http://buzzfeed.com/buzz/Diva_Cup

Ah, ok, turn it like a key. That is a much better...

2007-05-24T11:15:00.000-07:00

Ah, ok, turn it like a key. That is a much better description than spinning it. Crazy Canadian instruction-writers! ;)

Like Sarah said, turn it like a key. It's an odd a...

2007-05-14T09:59:00.000-07:00

Like Sarah said, turn it like a key. It's an odd angle for me, but it does seem to help prevent leaking.

Anonymous - when you remove it, pinch it together and keep it pinched till it's all the way out - that will help prevent the "thwap" on the lips ;)

Oh my goodness, this entire conversation has been ...

2007-05-13T18:41:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness, this entire conversation has been cracking me up! I jumped onto to the idea too late to sign up for the giveaway, but got mine about a week ago. Today was the first day to try it. Over all I just love it, but have had a few problems. Sometimes, when it comes out, it's open too much and hurts like a bugger! I can only get it in right when I'm standing. I have to tell myself "tailbone, TAILBONE!"
When I got it right, I didn't feel it and didn't even think about my period...

In regards to 'spin freely,' I have a bit of a har...

2007-05-12T11:48:00.000-07:00

In regards to 'spin freely,' I have a bit of a hard time with this too. I think part of the problem is getting your fingers in there to spin it! Basically, once you get a hold of the cup, and pinch it, you want to turn it like a key. You should be able to rotate it. I found that when it wasn't spinning, I couldn't move it at all, and it was a little uncomfortable. When I was able to rotate it (albeit sometimes it was a little stiff to spin), I didn't have any leaks. And I had to pinch it again to undo the seal. So I take that as testament that I did it right. I hope this helps a bit.

Thanks Leigh - I will snip a bit more off then. I...

2007-05-11T11:58:00.000-07:00

Thanks Leigh - I will snip a bit more off then. It seemed like I didn't need to use the stem to remove it either.

When they say it needs to "spin freely", just how freely are we talking? I can turn it, but it doesn't move that easily. I can tell that it has popped open all the way though, because I can feel the base is all rounded out, and not dented in anywhere anymore, where it was folded.

Looking forward to my next cycle so I can try it out for more than a day...

To tcarey: You can snip pretty much all of the ste...

2007-05-10T16:14:00.000-07:00

To tcarey: You can snip pretty much all of the stem off safely if you need to. I've only trimmed about half of mine off, and that was sufficient for comfort. I don't need it for removal, so I might trim some more.

Just make sure you don't trim it up so far that it runs into the bottom curve of the cup and makes it into a funnel ;)

I bought my divacup a few months ago from lunapads...

2007-05-10T06:59:00.000-07:00

I bought my divacup a few months ago from lunapads.com as part of a set with panty liners which I use on the heaviest days. I almost never leak (even overnight) but feel better having the extra protection just in case-and the liners are so comfortable.
I love the diva cup and now working on converting others :). I bought my sister one and she is now a convert too. I can't believe how much easier it is and maybe it is psychological, but I do feel like I have less cramping. It took a little bit to get used to but now it seems sooo much cleaner feeling than annoying pads or tampons.
Regarding public bathrooms and the "messy hands" issue, I take a damp piece of paper towel in with me for clean up. Now that I have the hang of it, it is so quick a fast I never really think about it. I thought people were being dramatic when they referred to it as a life changing event, but now I have to say I agree.

I've been using a Diva Cup since last summer and ...

2007-05-10T05:18:00.000-07:00

I've been using a Diva Cup since last summer and I love it. I wish I had found out about it earlier.

A few points for consideration:

I think the most easily converted are the OB tampons (with no applicators) users.

I think the ones who get grossed out are mostly pad users. I think pads are much grosser.

I like to wear pantyliners when I use the Diva Cup (even tho it's mostly for nothing). I figure I've cut down on the tampons so that's a step. Eventually, I'd like to buy some Lunapanties (google Lunapads, it's on the same website) to wear on Diva days.

I second the warm water trick. Also, make sure it spins easily and freely once inserted. And break the seal before removing.

When in a public restroom with stalls: wash hands first. Empty it and dry the outside using TP, reinsert. Come out and wash hands.

At the office, I just use the weelchair accessible washroom because it's on its own, with a sink.

I used to use the Keeper before I had my two child...

2007-05-09T11:31:00.000-07:00

I used to use the Keeper before I had my two children. I never used it again for some reason, probably because I needed to buy the "post-childbirth" size and never got around to it? Anyway, it worked well at the time. My only problem was never quite believing that it wasn't full and about to overflow, so I checked it more often than I needed to. (It was never full.)

If you need "access" to it when you are in a public restroom that is kind of a pain because you can't rinse it off privately if you want to rinse it off, plus your hands can get a touch messy, which makes a tricky business of opening stall doors. That's a concern only if you are paranoid like me and want to check it from time to time.

Other than those considerations, it was great.

So I tried out my 'monkey cup' last night and it s...

2007-05-09T10:15:00.000-07:00

So I tried out my 'monkey cup' last night and it seems pretty good except for the little stem doodad being a bit too long for comfort. How much of this can I safely cut off?

Lori V: I have tried both Instead softcups and the...

2007-05-09T10:06:00.001-07:00

Lori V: I have tried both Instead softcups and the Diva cup. Although they are both menstrual cups, I would not say they are comparable products. The Instead soft cup is fairly wide and shallow, compared to the Diva cup which is longer and more narrow. This makes a BIG difference when you're removing them. Also, on the environmental front, the instead cups are disposable. So instead of throwing away a biodegradeable tampon, you're throwing away plastic. This is why I stopped using them. I have used the Diva cup for one cycle so far, and I will never go back. Much less messier, and no leaks (!!! for real!) when compared to instead.

Niobium- The keeper is made of latex, but the Diva cup is made of silicon. It should be safe for you, and I believe if you check out the FAQ on the website, they talk about latex allergies and their product.

And re cutting the stem: I did that too, but I recommend cutting it in stages. You don't want to snip the whole thing off, only to realize you could have used a part of it!

Oops, I forgot to answer Nobium's question.

2007-05-09T10:06:00.000-07:00
Oops, I forgot to answer Nobium's question.

I think I might have had a decrease in cramps. I've never had too many other symptoms before.

However, I think it might not be so much a reduction in cramps as a change in attitude - the diva is so much more comfortable that I'm more willing to move around instead of stay still. And moving around actually eases cramps for the most part.

I've only had one period since I switched where I had miserable, kill-me-now-please cramps.

Nobium - the DivaCup is made of silicon, not latex...

2007-05-09T09:59:00.000-07:00

Nobium - the DivaCup is made of silicon, not latex. The Keeper IS made from latex, so you would want to avoid that one.

Hi everyone :) I just found this blog today. I've been using my Divacup since February 2005, and I LOVE it. I even went camping with it at the end of last month and it was so much better than the alternatives!

Using a DivaCup or the like is not a possiblity fo...

2007-05-08T14:01:00.000-07:00

Using a DivaCup or the like is not a possiblity for me because I'm allergic to latex. But how envious I am of you all.

I use Luna Pads and when a tampon-type thing is necessary, a sea sponge. I've been using these products for a combined total of 7 years and will never go back to tampon days.

Those of you who have switched: have you noticed cramping and other painful symptoms decrease?

My Diva Cup has arrived! Thank you so much Crunch...

2007-05-08T11:46:00.000-07:00

My Diva Cup has arrived! Thank you so much Crunchy Chicken! It is a bit large-ish looking alright, but the folding does make a big difference. I'm thinking maybe running it under some hot-ish water first may also make it more foldable/squishable. I showed it to my husband, and he thought it was a hilarious thing, which promptly made him stick it on the end of his nose, like a clown would. That was an odd sight, indeed.

Haha - don't be scared. Just fold it in half to g...

2007-05-03T11:45:00.000-07:00

Haha - don't be scared. Just fold it in half to get it up there. I do recommend trimming the stem.

I must say, I don't mess with mine in public restrooms. I usually change it in the shower or when I'm in a private bathroom with a sink within arm's reach of la toilette.

Well, this month I will be trying Instead Softcups...

2007-05-03T11:05:00.000-07:00

Well, this month I will be trying Instead Softcups as a trial run type thing... anyone have any experience with those? If all goes well, I will go to a Diva Cup. I posted about it in my blog, too! Haven't gotten any squeamishness from the post, believe it or not.

Love the Diva cup.

I've used it for years,...

2007-05-03T10:05:00.002-07:00

Love the Diva cup.

I've used it for years, and will never go back.

OMG! TMI, but in a good way. Not that I am reall...

2007-05-03T10:05:00.001-07:00

OMG! TMI, but in a good way. Not that I am really squeamish about the whole dealio, but still. I will now buy one. But maybe one in the one-kid old-lady size.

And Sandy, yeah, *my* girlfriends never told me how awful pregnancy was, so they're no help at all :)

El.

alina - many people have recommended trimming the ...

2007-05-03T10:05:00.000-07:00

alina - many people have recommended trimming the tip so, by all means, cut that sucker down!

If any seasoned DivaCup user has any specifics on trimming, please advise.

Mine was delivered today, and just in time for me ...

2007-05-03T09:54:00.000-07:00

Mine was delivered today, and just in time for me to try it before my time of the month is over. It feels ok for now. Took me a few tries to get it in there but I managed... I can feel the stem sometimes, though. Am I supposed to cut it?

Having been a Keeper user for over 20 years, I can...

2007-05-03T08:01:00.000-07:00

Having been a Keeper user for over 20 years, I can assure you that you'll get used to it. You will learn the best way, for you, to insert and remove the Keeper or Diva cup. I would, however, advise NOT trying it out before your cycle. The extra moisture at that time is important in ease of removal! Actually, also for insertion. One trick I've found is that running hot water over it before inserting makes it easier and more comfortable. (A cold Keeper triggers cramps for me.)

Hope this isn't TMI! :-)

All together now - a group exhale. Reeeee-laxxxxx...

2007-05-02T20:11:00.000-07:00

All together now - a group exhale. Reeeee-laxxxxxx.

Okay, it's largish. But it's soft. I did cut down the tip a bit so it wouldn't hang down where I could feel it.

The cup slid in easily and opened up and I could with my fingers that the space was all filled up so I felt safe against leakage. After that, I didn't feel it at all.

Probably the thing that worried me the most was wondering if it created a vacuum that would suck my uterus out when I removed it. Just follow the directions, they explain breaking the vacuum so your uterus stays where it belongs.

Much easier than you think. I'm ready to send one to all my girlies.