Diva Cup / Instead Cup - tampon / pad alternative

[boscobel]

I forgot to post my findings after my first full month using it. (Last month I only used it at night.) Unfortunately, I had no decrease in cramps, which was one of the main reasons that I was looking forward to this alternative. I loved it for the first 2 days, then for some reason the 3rd day, I jsut couldn't get it right. I tried and I tried and I couldn't get it in right so where I couldn't feel it. I still used it, but was aware of it being there most of the time. I know that is all stuff that will change with use, but it was still annoying that the first 2 days were great and then the 3rd kinda sucked. I forget how the 4th day was...

[rodent]

i'd worry the decrease in cramps was in my head if I knew that was a potential benefit. but, i had no idea.

 

i can feel it when i'm walking only if i think about it.

 

try the putting it in, and then walking around the bathroom trick. it really works for me when i struggling to get it in right. i actually figured it out because i got so frustrated that i gave up and just needed a break. when i went to take it out, it was open. so now i just do that everytime that it doesn't open up right away.

 

the other thing i learned is to let it open right away. i was holding it together for too long. now i allow it to open as soon as i insert it.

[kevsgirl]

Well, my DC arrived in the mail right in time and I tried it out... but without much luck It was weird. The first two days were ok and then it started feeling uncomfortable. I kept switching back and forth from tampons to the Diva cup, trying it out but no luck.

Also, it grossed me out quite a bit, even if it was kind of a cool concept...

 

I will try it out again this month. I think a lot of it is practice and acclimatizing yourself to such a different method.

 

I'm still hopeful that I can make the switch.

[boscobel]

I totally agree and I also think it's a bit gross. I am willing to do it and all that, but I can't deny that it's a little nasty.

 

Funny though, cuz we had just about the same experience, with the first 2 days being fine.

 

I am committed to making the switch though, so hopefully with each month I will get better at it.

[Oscar_Ernie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morgan so i'm in the middle of period #2 with the diva cup. The first month i noticed that i had no cramps. i thought it was just a good month. but, i told a friend & she said that is common. so month 2 & I'm passed my heavy days & still no cramps. my stomach would also get really upset during my period before. i am not experiencing that either. being a scientists, i want to do the control of a month using tampons again to see if the symptoms return. the only thing is, i hate to go back to tampos now. still, i think i'll do it next month.

This is really interesting. I'll be interested to hear the results of your "research". I have to admit, I never noticed any decrease in cramps when I began using my Diva. However, I began using it just a couple months before I went on BC pills, which changed my periods significantly. It had never occured to me that part of it could have been Diva. Please do keep us posted!

[rodent]

i've been on bc pills for years & my period is consitantly the same each month. cramps were not a huge part of my period, but my stomach was always very upset for the first couple of days. it's pretty dramatic to see that it's gone. what really convinced me is that i noticed the change & then read others had the same experience. otherwise i'd think it's palcebo effect.

 

maybe i'll do the control next month.

[Kathie]

I have been using Instead for a couple of years and I love it. It's much more comfortable and cleaner IMO. I used to use a diaphram so I didn't find it hard to insert or take out because I was used to that with the diaphram.

[Christine]

I just saw this thread and thought it was random because the site I ordered Ainsleigh's cloth diapers from also sells these and I was so intrigued by this. I have only had one period since having Ainsleigh and have no idea what to expect with AF since I am still breastfeeding. I might try the seventh generation tampons first, but you never know, I never thought I would do cloth diapers and I am...

[boscobel]

I'm bumping this thread b/c I'm using the instead cup this month and it's grossing me out how when I hook my finger to remove it, the stuff leaks all over my finger and hand.  I'm guessing there's a trick for removal, but I can't figure it out, any ideas?

[Birdie07]

If it's the Diva cup and not the instead try squeezing all the way at the top to undo the suction. Then pull straight down so you don't tip it. Hope that helps!

Originally Posted by carly 

I'm bumping this thread b/c I'm using the instead cup this month and it's grossing me out how when I hook my finger to remove it, the stuff leaks all over my finger and hand.  I'm guessing there's a trick for removal, but I can't figure it out, any ideas?