I've got a question! Menstrual cups anyone?

bridetobe101505

Totally not ttcalr but I saw an ad on some website about menstrual cups. It's basically like a pliable cup you stick up inside that you change every 12 hours that takes the place of a tampon, pad etc...

 It sort of grosses me out but then part of me is kinda interested. Anyone use them? Like them? I'm going to see if I can find a link to post it.  

VikingQueen

I use the diva cup and I love it, I'll never go back to tampons

angelsnight

I have a diva cup but I have yet to master it.  I get it about halfway in and then I lose my grip and it unfolds while its part way in.  Ouch.

I've been having some issues lately with insertion hurting though, so perhaps it is just me.  I know many women love them.

1220winterbride

I used the instead cup and it was great! love those things esp w/ sports.

cg0112358

I used it in the past but, like PP, said it can be kinda messy. DH and I are currently using a diaphragm to TTA and the idea is pretty much the same. Once you get used to it, it is pretty easy.

somnybooks

I haven't used one but the past week or so have been researching the different kinds.  I had heard of the Diva cup but didn't know there were so many kinds and styles.  Pads irritate me and tampons dry me out too much.  I also bought a couple cloth pads to use as backup.  I am going to buy one soon!   I think I decided on Lunette. I am really hoping it works out.

MidwestIrishBridea

So, it's been proven that the manufacturers of pads and tampons put a chemical in their products to make you bleed harder and longer.  Why?  It requires you to use more of their products.

I'm not kidding.

That knowledge sold me on never using disposable crap again.  Not to mention I care about my environment and can you think of all the hundreds of thousands of pounds of used pads and tampons sitting in our landfills?!  Um, to me that's more cross than using cups.

There's Diva Cups and other brands that yes, they basically collect the fluid and you wash it out and can reuse the cup.  Also you can buy washable pads that are made from cloth.  You can buy all kinds of cute ones on Etsy or even make your own.  It's totally what I use and I'll never go back to the disposable stuff. 

hopefulreturn

I've heard great things about the diva cup but I've been too big of a wuss to try it! I love the idea of not filling a landfill of tampons and the chemical things creeps me out. I may have to try a cup. 

bridetobe101505

I think I might try them... I also would like to leave a smaller footprint on this planet.  Thanks ladies!

noah-bear

PetraStonegirl:

MidwestIrishBride:

So, it's been proven that the manufacturers of pads and tampons put a chemical in their products to make you bleed harder and longer.  Why?  It requires you to use more of their products.

I'm not kidding.

That knowledge sold me on never using disposable crap again.  Not to mention I care about my environment and can you think of all the hundreds of thousands of pounds of used pads and tampons sitting in our landfills?!  Um, to me that's more cross than using cups.

There's Diva Cups and other brands that yes, they basically collect the fluid and you wash it out and can reuse the cup.  Also you can buy washable pads that are made from cloth.  You can buy all kinds of cute ones on Etsy or even make your own.  It's totally what I use and I'll never go back to the disposable stuff. 

I'm just going to say it.

Show me the peer-reviewed scientific literature on this one, please.  

I agree.

Considering the fact I've had 1-1.5 day periods for a year and have always used tampons....I have a VERY hard time believing that...It sounds like a bunch of hippie propaganda to me. Use the reusables all you want, more tampons for me ;-) 

cg0112358

noah-bear:

PetraStonegirl:

MidwestIrishBride:

So, it's been proven that the manufacturers of pads and tampons put a chemical in their products to make you bleed harder and longer.  Why?  It requires you to use more of their products.

I'm not kidding.

That knowledge sold me on never using disposable crap again.  Not to mention I care about my environment and can you think of all the hundreds of thousands of pounds of used pads and tampons sitting in our landfills?!  Um, to me that's more cross than using cups.

There's Diva Cups and other brands that yes, they basically collect the fluid and you wash it out and can reuse the cup.  Also you can buy washable pads that are made from cloth.  You can buy all kinds of cute ones on Etsy or even make your own.  It's totally what I use and I'll never go back to the disposable stuff. 

I'm just going to say it.

Show me the peer-reviewed scientific literature on this one, please.  

I agree.

Considering the fact I've had 1-1.5 day periods for a year and have always used tampons....I have a VERY hard time believing that...It sounds like a bunch of hippie propaganda to me. Use the reusables all you want, more tampons for me ;-) 

I was gonna come back and ask about this as well... 

amandachs

Ok, my question may require a TMI answer.  How do you take them out without making a god awful mess like you just massacred a hampster in your bathroom??  This is the number one thing stopping me from even giving them a try.  That, and how do you know when to change or empty it?  Do you keep a regular schedule like "ok it's been 4hrs I need to change my tampon"??

somnybooks

Amandachs-  I watched a bunch of informational videos on youtube that show you how to insert and remove it without spilling.  (No, they are not *really* doing it!)   They say there is a learning curve and recommend wearing back-up pads the first cycle or two until you get the hang of it.  

Most of the cups can hold 25-30 ml compared to a super mega tampon holding 15-18 grams.  1 gram roughly equals 1 ml.  You can wear the cup up to 12 hours without emptying it.  It is recommended that the first cycle you empty it more often then that so you can get an idea of how often you may need to change it.  

Also, you should rinse it out a minimum of 2x a day but the rest of the time you can just dump it and wipe with TP or Lunette sells little wipes you can use.  This way you don't have to figure out what you would do in a multi-stall public restroom.  

amandachs

somnybooks:

Amandachs-  I watched a bunch of informational videos on youtube that show you how to insert and remove it without spilling.  (No, they are not *really* doing it!)   They say there is a learning curve and recommend wearing back-up pads the first cycle or two until you get the hang of it.  

Most of the cups can hold 25-30 ml compared to a super mega tampon holding 15-18 grams.  1 gram roughly equals 1 ml.  You can wear the cup up to 12 hours without emptying it.  It is recommended that the first cycle you empty it more often then that so you can get an idea of how often you may need to change it.  

Also, you should rinse it out a minimum of 2x a day but the rest of the time you can just dump it and wipe with TP or Lunette sells little wipes you can use.  This way you don't have to figure out what you would do in a multi-stall public restroom.  

Ahhhhh, that makes sense.  Thanks, I guess I know what I'll be watching on the net tomorrow lol.

peloquinJ

I have one but had trouble mastering getting it in right and just gave up for awhile...maybe I should try again. In regards to emptying you only have to empty every 12 hours and I did it in the shower when I used it (I wasn't wearing it all day though because I had trouble getting it in the right spot).

[Deleted User]

noah-bear:

PetraStonegirl:

MidwestIrishBride:

So, it's been proven that the manufacturers of pads and tampons put a chemical in their products to make you bleed harder and longer.  Why?  It requires you to use more of their products.

I'm not kidding.

That knowledge sold me on never using disposable crap again.  Not to mention I care about my environment and can you think of all the hundreds of thousands of pounds of used pads and tampons sitting in our landfills?!  Um, to me that's more cross than using cups.

There's Diva Cups and other brands that yes, they basically collect the fluid and you wash it out and can reuse the cup.  Also you can buy washable pads that are made from cloth.  You can buy all kinds of cute ones on Etsy or even make your own.  It's totally what I use and I'll never go back to the disposable stuff. 

I'm just going to say it.

Show me the peer-reviewed scientific literature on this one, please.  

I agree.

Considering the fact I've had 1-1.5 day periods for a year and have always used tampons....I have a VERY hard time believing that...It sounds like a bunch of hippie propaganda to me. Use the reusables all you want, more tampons for me ;-) 

I was going to say this. My periods have been max 3 days ever since I quit the pill (a nice perk!) and I have a hard time believing that tampons make me bleed harder/longer. In fact, I find that I bleed less now, so in essence I use less products. Which made me think of trying out the cup, but I'm too chicken shiit to do it! One of these days...