Hey everyone,

I'm seriously considering buying a Diva Cup because of all of the great things I've read about them, but I guess I'm hesitant because of the few negative/neutral things I've read too. I was hoping I could post a few questions here so you guys could ease my mind a little :)

Question 1: Considering I'm a 19 year old virgin, have a somewhat heavy flow for the first couple of days of my period, and use the largest sized tampons, do you think I would have a lots of pain my first time using it?

Question 2: How do you REALLY use it? I mean, I've read the basics about how to get it in and out, but I've read so many stories about ladies having to "bear down hard" and lay down in the shower and on their beds every time they take their cups out or put them in... I don't think I'd be too comfortable doing that. I'm all for doing everything over a toilet, but any other way or place just seems kinda weird, especially if I'm in a situation like staying the night away from home. I'm also in college, so if I have empty it at school, I don't want to take a long time getting it in and out.

Question 3: How would you compare it to the convenience of a tampon? For example, with a tampon, all I have to do is open it up, put it in, toss the trash, and then after a few hours take it out with not much fuss or mess cause I have a little method to it. Its really quick and easy. Is there a quick and easy option with a Diva Cup?

I'm really hoping that I'm just overanalyzing everything, because I really want to be able to use a Diva Cup... they seem so much healthier and so much better for the environment.

I know this was a REALLY long post, so THANK YOU all for taking the time to read this!! I really do appreciate it :) :)

I have been reading backposts all afternoon and I haven't found the answer to this.  I'm terribly sorry if it's already been answered. I can't imagine it hasn't been, but I just can't find it!

I tried my Lunette today.  I got it in (once), but it wouldn't open.  I know about the tricks of twisting and gently tugging...I'm wondering if my problem wasn't that I didn't have it in far enough.  Didn't want to just keep shoving!  So, should the stem stick out at all? Should the bottom of the cup go past the public bone?

Thanks, Ladies! 

weeks ago i found out that divacup is no longer refunding cups. i sent them an e-mail and i actually got a response pretty quickly, but i forgot to share it here. *^_^*

here is what i said:

Hello! I've been a DivaCup user for several years now and I just found out about a policy change that's a bit discouraging. Considering that I am only finding out about the change now, I'm aware that it may have changed ages ago and I simply hadn't heard about it. ^_^

Anywho, a new DivaCup user had troubles, and she said that when she contacted you about returning the cup she was told that Diva no longer issues refunds. After looking at your site I saw that you no longer mail out the cups and I understand that's probably why the policy was removed.

However, the main reason why I originally started using the Diva cup was because you had a 1 year money-back guarantee. I thought that was brilliant and amazing, considering that for many women it's a huge amount of money to spend (all at one time) for their periods. That 1 year guarantee gave me the confidence to try your product, and that 1 year guarantee is why I have recommended the DivaCup over all other menstrual cups for the past several years.

Now that I know your refund policy has changed, I'll be researching other brands to recommend to my friends.

Please reconsider your no-returns policy. It was a huge selling point when I purchased my cup, and I'm sure I'm not the only woman who felt that way.

Sincerely,
Mia


their reply:

Dear Mia:

We will continue to exchange any manufacturer defected products. Contact us at info@divacup.com.

We cannot refund because of disappointment with the product. It is impossible for us to determine if a woman has really tried to master the use or has simply changed her mind.

The DivaCup, as all menstrual cups and tampons, are considered medical devices and are regulated by the FDA and Health Canada. We also must adhere to local health regulations.

The amount of energy expended on returns has taken us way from our ultimate goal: to offer The DivaCup to women worldwide, and thereby have a positive effect on women’s lives, as well as reduce the disposable feminine hygiene eco-footprint on the planet. Use of The DivaCup lessens the billions of tampons and pads being dumped into the environment.

The good news is that with patience and careful attention most women learn the knack of using The DivaCup quickly, and they want to keep it! We offer continued assistance on how to use the cup should one need more information.

Warm Regards,
susan@divacup.com



so... if your cup is splitting or defective in some way, you can get a refund. but you can't get a refund if you want to try a different size or it's just not working altogether.

if you purchased a divacup because of the guarantee, please email them and let them know! i still think it was a great marketing tool and i wish they'd kept it.

~mia

I know that cup manufacturers say that cups last for around 10 years, but why don't they last forever? 

How could they possibly wear out?  What is it about them once they get to that age that means it's necessary for them to be replaced?  Do they eventually stop holding their shape/seal? 

Is there anyone who has used the same cup long enough for it to need replacing who could let me know what happens?

Is it just that the manufacturers would very much like for us to make another purchase? :D

Hi Ladies,

I'm offering custom bags for your menstrual cups again! Whether you lost yours, or just don't like the one it came with...

These pouches are professional quality. I am a professional seamstress. Bags have serged edges inside to prevent fraying, and professional stitching. 1/8"-1/4" Ribbon in a matching/coordinating color will be used for drawstring.



( Fabric choices )


I am offering bags with my fabric, or custom bags. If you want a custom bag, please tell me what color/print fabric you are looking for, and I will try my best to match it, but I can not guarantee an exact match.

If you want a pouch, please paypal $5 (for one of my fabrics posted above), or $7 (for a custom fabric, or international shipping outside of US/Canada) to berdesigner(at)aol.com with the following info in the memo:

Fabric choice (by number/description, or what you want for a custom pouch):
Whether your cup is a smaller or larger size:
Your LJ username:

My paypal address is BERdesigner(at)aol.com. You can also email any questions to that address.

Thanks and enjoy!

**Oh, and I almost forgot the best part! The first two people to respond will get a FREE bag! You can choose from any of the fabrics that aren't LIMITED (#1,2,6, or 10) Free bags have been claimed... sorry

Well, folks, it just happened. I was removing my cup; it was slippery; I probably held it funny while trying to inspect how much it had collected over 12 hours, and it fell in the toilet (a toilet in my home, which yes, I do keep clean!!). This is probably TMI, but there was just water and blood in the toilet at that point, nothing else, but still. So gross. I'm guessing one's next step is to snap on a pad and go boil the thing, right? Or is it now totally taboo? Also I only have one set of pots/pans... oh ick!!!!

What have others done in a similar situation? Thanks in advance!

I've been using my MCUK for the first time this period, and it's much easier than I thought and than I found when doing dry runs, so yay!

However, my bladder seems to have an issue with it. I don't get general increasing warning of having to go pee anymore. It's more zero to OMGSHITNEEDTORUNNNNNNNN in a second. Which leads to me sitting trying to hold it enough to actually make it to a bathroom. Which is not always successful.

Then, when I do arrive at the bathroom, and am all gleeful that I (kinda) made it...something down there goes sluuuurpslupbubblebubbleslupsluuuuurp!!!. When checking, I find that my mooncup is full...of pee.

Srsly, wtf??? It's like...way out of direction, how does pee manage to get sucked up in there? And more importantly, how do I get it to stop? It only happens when I have to excessively hold it first (due to the no warning, instant emergency) and it's fairly messy. And doesn't help with the not having to wear backup pads :/

Help?

Last cycle was my first with my new Mooncup UK and, as some may recall, I had some leaking issues. I am looking forward to trying some things, like inserting before I actually start to catch everything right away, and maybe trying a little different angle, do fix this. I will still make a few pads to back up anyway. I am determined to make it work.
Anywho, the reason I am writing is to back up a statement I read while researching before buying a cup made by someone with vaginismis that using the cup helped to relax the issue and made intercourse more comfortable. I have had this issue for a few years now and have despaired of finding a solution for it so, when I read that, I was guardedly optimistic but skeptical that it would make a difference. I finished Shark week on Thursday and had sex for the first time after using the cup on Tuesday and IT DIDN'T HURT! Ironically, I was so floored by it that I think I was too distracted to actually enjoy the experience! I know it is not totally conclusive that the cup helped, but we didn't do more foreplay and I wasn't extremely turned on, so I think it may have. I am going to wait until we try again to make a solid connection, but I wanted to share something that is a huge deal for someone who has struggled with painful sex for years.

I hope this hasn't been asked too much, I couldn't find it directly in the memories.

I just bought a divacup at iherb.com and will be receiving it soon.

I know you can leave the cup in for 12 hours, but how long typically, if you have a medium to heavy flow, do you leave the cup in for?
How do you know when to take it out and clean it?

Thanks so much for your help.

Hello Ladies!

I've heard such fantastic things about the Divacup so I am going to look into picking one up tomorrow!

I'm just wondering about, say, if it doesn't work for me? Does anyone know if Divacup has a return policy? Or would it all depend on the store?

I've heard great things about them so I hope I won't have to worry about wanting to take it back.

Any input about return policies would be great! Thanks!

Becca :)

 Hello, I am doing a little research project and I am wondering if I can get all you ladies to help me out.  I am wondering if you were going to create the "super" cup, what would you want it to have, ie what are some of the things you love/hate about you cup that would make you want to change or buy one cup and not another.  Any input you have would be really helpful.  I am looking forward to hearing your responses, as I have been researching the menstrual cup for quite some time now.

Cheers!

Hey Ladies,

So, I bought my Diva... had some horrible dry runs, cut the stem cuz I thought that was why.... then realized that the CUT stem caused me more trouble than I thought. I ended up buying a second Diva cup, only to realize that the manufacturers don't have the return policy I thought they had.

Basically: I have a small size Diva cup that's only been used once with half the stem cut off for sale for $20 + shipping.

You can email me at cmmungcal@gmail.com if you're interested.


Love ladies!
-Cat.

Ps. The cup will not sit straight in me! It keeps shifting so the end points to the right. I think it's causing leaks. Any advice?

I got my Lunette 2 cup in yesterday and decided to do a dry run tonight.  The first time I had a hard time keeping the cup closed before getting it all the way in.  I took it out and attempted to try it again but between my husband and the kids, it was hard to focus.  My cookie felt weird afterwards.  I probably should have used a lube but used water instead.  I gave the cookie a rest and once the family went to sleep, decided I'd try it again while in the shower.  This time I got it in but I just couldn't seem to get it in far enough because I could feel the stim and it just wasn't very comfortable.  I attempted a few more times and decided to give it a rest for a few days.  I will say getting it out wasn't too bad but there were times when  I felt like I was scratching myself.  I'm still excited and will give it a try later but will use a lubricant next time.  I really want to be ready before my next period but it may be easier to wait till then.  I'll keep you posted as I continue the dry runs and definitely when th time comes to really use it. 



Update/question: Has anyone tried any other folds with the Lunette other than the one listed with the instructions?

Ladies, I just finished my first period with my new DivaCup. I'm obsessed. It's pretty much the best thing ever.

A few things I'm going to do next time:

1. Not empty it so much! I emptied it maybe 4 or 5 times a day because I didn't really know what I was dealing with. Emptying it so much caused a little irritation in the vajayjay which I know I can avoid. I just did it because I didn't know how much I was bleeding, I wanted to practice, etc.

2. Not clean it so much! I washed it with cetaphil every time I took it out. I gather this is not necessary. I just wanted to be the very best Diva owner ever! I'm over it.

3. Buy cloth pads!! I'm so into the idea of having NO trash and having something I can reuse, today I bought some Pandora Pads (just panty liner ones) for those light days, newbie leakage, etc.

Random thought: I didn't boil mine, I just used hydrogen peroxide, but in the memories there's some debate about boiling and discoloration. Do you think maybe the discoloration could be caused by the various metals/chemicals from water in different regions? That's kind of why I didn't do it...we have rust here. I gather DivaCups and rust don't mix.

It's been the best. Thanks to everyone in this community for making my Diva dreams come true!!

i get my divacup in fairly well, but the base is squished and i cant really get it up any higher. im leaking just sitting here and i dont know how to make it stop. i can run my finger along most of the rim, and it feels sealed. i dont think i have suction because it seems like it comes out to easily. does anyone have any tips to stop the leaking and tell if its sealed or not? this is the first day and so far i have had to put it in 3 times and im still leaking. thanks

edit: thanks so much. i have gone a whole 24 hours without any leaking. i have finally crossed over and i think my divacup is great instead of the creation of a rather demonic creature. thanks again. 

Although I have two perfectly good cups that I simply adore to pieces (Lunette & MooncupUK), I think I've developed a new addiction: MCC (Menstrual Cup Collecting)!  So, I'm on Day 2 with my newest addition, my sweet LadyCup, and I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this brand and wanted to post a quick review:

INSERTION:
Yes, it's "squishier" than my Lunette and MoonCupUK, but that didn't create any problems for me. I got the larger size (very similar to the Lunette), and the only difference I noticed concerning insertion is that whereas I always use a shallow "punch-down" fold with my other cups, I found that the "7" fold worked the best in terms of getting it to pop open, etc.  Once I figured out that the "7" fold was the key, the cup has popped open right away every single time.

WEARING:
The LC seems to create a nice, strong seal because I've had ZERO LEAKAGE (including a kick-ass cardio kickboxing workout, overnight use, and leaving it in all day long on my heaviest day today - and I tend to have a  heavier flow). The "white panties test" confirms this glowing report! :)  Overall, the cup is so comfy that I don't even know that I'm wearing it, just like my other cups.

REMOVAL:
I was initially worried about the "squishiness" factor, but I found that the raised bumps on the bottom of the cup are there for a reason! Yes, I had to break the suction, but those little "grippers" made it easy every time!

CLEANING:
This is the only cup I have with the "slanted/angled" holes and I was wondering how easy they'd be to clean. Turns out that they're VERY easy to clean! All I have to do is run water on the outside of the cup and it cleans them right out!

OVERALL:
Love it!!! My only problem now is that I still don't have a "favorite" cup because the LadyCup is just as amazing as my Lunette and MoonCupUK!  I really need to stop buying new cups, but I can't help it . . . . it's an addiction! :) 

Hope this helps someone!!!

Hey all! I'm looking to buy my first cup for this summer. I'm gonna be on a cross country bike tour doing a lot of camping, so I definitely want something reusable, but I'm not sure how it's going to work with being on a bike all the time. I'm a 19-year-old virgin and I'm gonna be on a Brooks Women-Specific Touring Saddle. Does anyone have any advice/experience?

Last night was my first time using the diva cup.  After many attempts I finally got it in correctly, or so I though.  I an now trying to remove it, and it has somehow traveled up so far I can hardly touch the stem.  I'm now entering panic mode, and really don't want to go to the doctor to have it removed.  Please help!

I got my Lunette -2 cup yesterday.  I'm soooo excited.  It's not as big as I envisioned which is a good thing.  Unfortunately my period just ended on Sunday but I guess I'll just have to do a couple of dry runs to get some practice. 

Quick question.  One of my co-workers has a divacup and really likes it.  She and I are trying to convince our other co-worker to buy a cup but she's concerned about BMs with the cup.  She and I both tend to go several times (our other co-worker waits till she gets home) during the work day and don't really want to deal with having to empty and reinsert the cup while at work.  Has anyone every had a BM while doing a dry run?  Her decision will be based off my experience with using the cup with a BM.

So, I've been an avid cup user for a year or so now. For the most part, I've been using my Mooncup UK until about a month ago when I lost it and bought a Diva to replace it. Of course three days later I found the Mooncup again. Anyway, both are the smaller size as I've had no children and was 24 when I first got one. The point of this post is.. I don't think I've gone through a single cycle without leaking at least once. The last few months have been awful. There's always a seal to be broken, though, when I take it out. The leaking from the Diva is less.. abundant, but it's still there. Should I get another of either one in the larger size? Because that's the only thing I can think of right now to maybe fix this problem. I -do- have a few cloth pads to use, but of course the blood finds a way to my underpants somehow. MEH! My flow is always kinda heavy the first two days, but leaking on day 4 or 5 with not very much in the cup is just stupid. Thanks to the Nuvaring, my next cycle is to start probably Saturday or Sunday, so if need be, I could get a replacement in time, I think.
Any ideas?

Okay, I wanted to thank all of the replies from my last post. It's amazing how much you all know. :)
And I come back with another question. :P So I wanted to see how I did getting the cup out. I got it out without much pain but I was so focused on it not hurting that I totally flew blood everywhere (the floor, the wall, the sink, you name it and there was blood)... that was sort of embarrassing and gross even though no one saw it but me. Then I spent maybe a minute getting it back in (I was sort of in a hurry). Apparently it didn't pop open enough to make a seal. Which I found out about an hour ago. It was actually painful because of it and burned a little. I went back to the bathroom and spent at least 20 minutes trying to get it back in. I would get it in and it absolutely would not seal itself. I tried all the different folding techniques, I tried using cold water, hot water, crouching down, propping one leg up on the sink, tried twisting the stem, tried squeezing the base, tried pushing it in as far as I could get it, and just nothing would work. I had to have put it in and taken it out at least 15 times, and it just won't be nice and work for me.
Another question that I had while browsing the memories... how likely is it to get a UTI from the cup? I'm not really that prone to them (which is why I don't feel the question in the memories really helps me) but I've gotten a few. I get them usually if I don't pee after sex. Is there a way to lessen the risk without a prescription of something? I was diagnosed last Monday, May 5th, with a UTI and have been taking amoxacillin for it, and maybe it is just from all of the abuse from my not knowing how to use the divacup right, but I feel like it's coming back.
So again, your help is super appreciated. :)

[EDIT]I finally found a way to make it work! Basically, I just have to do it while laying down. When I first did it I was laying down in the shower, and I've done it twice while laying on my bed. So I guess I'll just have to do that until I'm comfortable with it, then try other ways.

Hi Everyone!
I've been reading and researching about cups for a while now and got a Divacup a few months back.
It's working fine for me and I'm really happy about.. the results? Haha.
Buuuuuut, I wanted to try another one and finally decided on the Mooncup UK.

I ordered from the online store Kuukuppi.
They didn't have the size I ordered in stock, so I had to wait a few weeks. Which is completely fine with me.
I just got the package this morning and was surprised to find the box already opened- flattened, probably to save on shipping. I was okay with that too....
The thing that really got to me was that the cup was discolored and yellow.
The cup was sent in a plastic bag that was stapled at the edges, not sealed or anything.

If anyone has a Mooncup UK, could you tell me how it was packaged?
I'm not aware that Kuukuppi is selling used cups, so I thought all the products were brand new.
I don't want to wrongly accuse the store for sending me a used product, but the cup looks used.
And I really don't want to pay for extra shipping, especially all the way to Finland...
But I feel squeamish about having a used cup, especially when I paid full price for a brand new one.

Has anyone had any problems with the merchandise purchased from the store?
Or any information that might be helpful :)
Thanks in advance!

Hey there, I'm new. My name is Brittany and I heard about this community from vaginapagina. :) I'm almost 20 years old. And I'm not sure if this makes any difference with my questions but I AM sexually active.

I just got a divacup last month. I tried it last month on the second day of my period, to a lot of pain and worrying. I didn't keep it in longer than 30 seconds. Taking ti out hurt a lot too. So I just started my period today and while in the shower, I decided to give it another go. I got it in and it really doesn't hurt, but I'm sort of nervous about taking it out. Any tips?

Also, in July, I'll be going on a vacation to North Carolina. It'll basically be a lot of swimming and such. And of course, I will have just started my period. Is it okay to go swimming with the divacup in? Any precautions? And I'd like to boil it clean after each time but i'll be there with my fiance' and his family, so I won't be able to. Any other ideas/tips to clean it privately? (As a side note, I might "skip" my period using BC. I'm going to talk to my gyno about it when I go back for my yearly check up in a couple of weeks.) [[Edit: Swimming will be in a pool AND a lake.]]

One more quick question. I took part in the Flu Shot Research and I have to go back for a check-up, which includes taking a pregnancy test and peeing in a cup... will the diva cup mess it up at all?

Thanks for the help in advance!

I just got my first period with the 'keeper' (what a great name eh?)
Suffice it to say that I'm stoked. The first insertions have been a tad bit painful, and I haven't quite gotten the hang of the painless and mess less removal, but the in between bits are perfect.

I'm an avid, athlete, just about the break into the pro ranks, and I have the hardest time training and competing, not to mention traveling during my period. It doesn't help being in a sport dominated by guys either :). Hopefully the menstrual cup will be my cure all for comp time cramps and camping periods.

Rambly, I know, but what I really wanted to was to thank every one on the site for their awesome, if unknowing help towards me. It's great to have such an amazing community to fall back on in times of uncertainty.

My bathroom at work has a sink right next to the toilet, which makes dumping and cleaning very handy during the day, no? Said sink also has no hot water, just cold.

...

Suffice to say, my vagina felt very cool and refreshed up re-entry of the cup!