For those of you participating in the 2008 DivaCup Challenge as well as you seasoned veterans, I am about to share with you something that will make you weep with joy.Behold... the DivaCup super fold, aka the push-down fold. If you have had problems with inserting and getting the cup to open up and create a tight seal, well, look no further. This folding technique will change your life. Really.
You can thank me later. Now, go forth and fold. Try it even if you aren't having your period. It's okay, no one will know any different and I guarantee it will make you fall in love with this little fella all over again.Thanks to Madeleine at Lunapads for letting me know about this superior folding technique.
25 comments:
I use this fold - always works for me! Love my DivaCup... can't spread the word fast enough!
I have always used this fold (two years) but I can take no credit for the knowledge as the UK version (Mooncup) comes with instructions to do this. I can imagine its fairly painful to try inserting it folded once in half!
My 16, soon to be 17, year old daughter and I got ours last month just as she was having the painters in. She tried for an hour to get hers in and couldn't get it to open back up. I found her upstairs on the computer looking for different folds and happened to see that one of her searches was for "can virgins wear diva cup" WHEW!!
I will get her to try this one-- thanks!
I just got my Diva Cup! Still getting used to it...I'm definitely going to try this fold! Yay!
ib mommy,
I have NEVER heard the euphemism "Having the painters in," and while I don't often go for euphemism, this has to be the best I've ever heard. Thank you so much. I can't wait to use it. :)
Hey thanks! I'll have to give that a try!
Love the Diva Cup!
I have to say, that this fold does NOT work for me! I tried to use it at first, because the typical "C fold" was difficult to insert. This method definitely is easier to insert, but I could never get it to open up properly.
I use the "7 fold", which is similar to folding it in half, but when you fold the one side over, you angle it downward, so that looking at the cup side-on, the top edge makes a "7" shape. I've never had a problem this way!
I only tried the Diva Cup once but it was very uncomfortable - hoping some of you experts can help!
The only way I could get comfortable was to lay down. Being vertical was painful and every step just exacerbated it.
I read about trimming it. Does that mean the "top" part - farthest away from the entry point? The ridge? I am thinking I would be cutting away the part that seals, no?
The idea of trimming it, well, worries me. I am thinking I would cut it into a pokey shape or that it would crumble, etc...
Whenever I "have the painters in" (love that IB Mommy!), it's never a big deal, never too much thought - in fact I often forget that it's going on so all this attention paid is a bit foreign.
How sweet is that! Whenever I get Diva in right, I forget I'm having my period. It's just getting it in right . . . I'll thank you now.
I've never tried that... going to have to! Thanks!
God bless the Diva Cup. Thank you, Crunchy, thank you. I'm not sure what/ who I love more... my DC or CC for introducing me to it.
There are several folds- if you wanna take a look, check this site out;
http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups/1044441.html#cutid1
This is the main site: http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups
These people helped me a lot when I first got started, and they have a ton of information. It's basically a community who share information with each other. If you've got a question about any menstrual cup, they will be able to help.
(and no, I'm not affiliated, I just found them incredibly useful)
This is GREAT! I've been using my Keeper since 1998, and I have always used the original fold method, sometimes with great aggravation to get the dang thing in and sealed properly. Looking for forward to trying this method.
been using the 'keeper' for 12 years baby. never going back.
Good timing -- I just tried mine again for the second month, with still no success. I'm trying all the different folds, but the thing just doesn't seem to open up properly. When I try to feel around it to see if it's open, it feels like my pubic bone is what's pushing it out of shape. Not sure what's going on here. I might have to try a different brand/size? Hate the idea of going through a variety of these babies, though, since each one is not cheap, and the rejects are not likely to sell well at a yard sale... :))
Ah well, will keep trying.
I use the origami fold: http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups/453392.html#cutid4
I also recommend the LJ menstrual_cups community, it's just chock-full of useful information!
christy b, I would NOT recommend trimming the top of it! The part you trim is the stem or tab that sticks out at the bottom. I cut mine off entirely. It jabbed me painfully and now I don't feel the cup at all. There's a lot of information on trimming it at the community that just trying to be green and I linked to as well.
Wow, this is great information! The biggest problem I've had with the Diva cup is that, as you mentioned, sometimes it won't open fully and form a good seal. So I have to take it out and try again, which is messy!
I love, love, love the Diva cup, which I found out about from your blog. Thank you so much!!!
I've used my cup for about 6 months and I've not really had the problems people here talk about...I have to wonder if it's because I've had three kids and have the grand canyon going on down there? Hmmm. ;)
That said, I am thrilled to find out about this fold because it looks like it makes things *that* much easier. Rock.
`Arianne
www.tothinkistocreate.com
That's the fold that is working for me, after a grueling first month (as I posted at your old site). This one works so much better.
The Diva cup is great, in terms of how little you have to change it and how sustainable it is but I feel like the suction exacerbates my cramps- even though I widen the little holes at the top. Regardless, I am never going back to disposable products.
I agree with Katia, the suction does seem to make the cramps worse.
My problem isn't getting it in, but getting it to open up once it's in and then twisting it like the instruction say. I can't even get it to turn about a quarter of the way around.
I got the bigger one because I am both over 30 and have had a kid, but am wondering if it might be a size issue. (I wish)
I still say it's worth it (no leaks and 12 hour protection is great). And I'll have to check out some of the links you guys have posted.
I found that adding a little lube to the cup makes it much easier to insert, turn and ensure a proper seal.
Origami fold is the nest fold after this fold-down one and is the only one that works for me. It is difficult to keep it folded though and my thumb is sore from holding it closed during insertion. *sigh* I wish this didn't have to be difficult.
I had one of these about 10 years ago. Loved the concept but it was never comfortable for me...the stem thing was forever poking me and then removing it was difficult (the seal was tight!) I kept fearing I'd end up in the emergency room trying to explain what it was and how I needed help getting it off!
Now I see it's re-designed and looks much more comfy than the original version. YIPEE! Best use of plasticky-rubber yet!
Ouuuuuu.... that is FANTASTIC.
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