DU Ladies... a question about menstrual cups.

[redqueen]

So... have you heard of menstrual cups yet?

Anyone here already using them?

I've talked to people who have used the Moon Cup and the Diva Cup. I've heard nothing but good things, so I'm about to get one.

Thoughts?

[MorningGlow]

1. Woah.

How very unusual. I'm not sure what I think, to tell you the truth. It's so very different I'm still trying to wrap my mind around it. What good things have you heard about them?

[redqueen]

4. That they're very easy to use...

that it's great for the environment, and that depending on circumstances you can safely leave it in for longer than tampons.

[MorningGlow]

16. I do like the environmental aspect, that's for sure

The best I've been able to do is use OB applicatorless tampons. I don't know if I'd be able to properly insert a cup...I have difficulties with stuff like that. Not sure why.

[redqueen]

20. Oh yeah...

I couldn't do OB... but I won't have the same problem with this.

[Iris]

55. I did not find them easy to use.

To be clear, I only tried one once. It was uncomfortable - I felt bruised.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

2. i used it once, then it turned over on me. not happy

[redqueen]

5. Yikes!

Maybe you didn't have it inserted correctly? I heard it took a little practice getting it in...

[suninvited]

3. Back in the early 80's I used my diaphragm

that way even after I had my tubes tied. I didn't know they manufactured this particular product, though.

I only used it during my menstual cycle when I might have sex, because of obvious reasons. It worked great. I would insert it, and take a bath afterwards and never had any problems.

[redqueen]

7. Really? Neat...

you coulda invented these things. :)

[kath]

53. yep - one of the advantages of the diaphragm.

I used to use it the same way -- even after I started on the pill, would use the diaphragm so that I could have non-sheet-staining sex during my period. It was great!

(and when used to catch menstrual blood, the diaphragm didn't need to be changed/cleaned very often.)

[JVS]

6. OH NOES! NOT AGAIN

Get ready for the flamewar of a lifetime :popcorn:

[redqueen]

8. I searched!

I went back to the beginning of this year.

Not far enough I guess. Oops.

[JVS]

18. Feast your eyes on this!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2335135#2335135

[MountainLaurel]

24. Oh my word.

:argh:

[redqueen]

25. That's not that bad.

A few morons / selfish, shallow people... but mostly informative and good I think.

Definitely worth seeing a few idiots get served. :)

And one of the foulest was banned... yayness! :D

[JVS]

28. This was before the primaries though, back when 300 odd post flamewars were considered an exception

[LostinVA]

41. Ah memories...

[JVS]

46. Never did I think when I got my account on DU that I would find instructions for re-usable maxi-pads

You can learn so much here.

[Rhiannon12866]

64. I know. You can find anything here, an answer to any question...

I've found advice for my sick dog, on a weekend, when I was waiting to hear from my vet, and now this, which could have helped me. People here are pretty generous, but we're liberals, LOL. I am so grateful to have found DU... :-)

[mainegreen]

9. Flamewar?

There was a flamewar about this?

How is that even possible?

Will wonders never cease?

[MountainLaurel]

11. Just guessin'

But I'd guess the comments went something like this:

"Ewww, how gross."

"What do you mean gross? It's no grosser than ejaculation. Men need to STFU about it and women should accept their bodily process."

It may have delved into talk about ancient (and not so ancient) beliefs about women being unclean, sex during menstruation, and breastfeeding.

Whew, I think I covered all the bases.

[redqueen]

15. Well the frickin title says "menstrual"

so anyone who gets so easily grossed out has a big clue to stay the fuck out. And if they don't... they get what they have comin, IMO. :)

[Book Lover]

36. Close, except

that it was really other women who were grossed out, not men.

[redqueen]

49. What? Did you count them?

:wtf:

[Book Lover]

57. I was involved in the thread

and was unpleasantly surprised at the squeamish attitude of my fellow women, so yeah, it stuck in my mind.

[redqueen]

59. I skimmed it...

didn't notice the "eeeeeew! mom, take it away!" attitude had skewed one way or the other. :P

[JVS]

12. Inevitably it comes to be an argument between some sexist who thinks that mentrual blood is a...

foul and defiling substance that destroys any goodness of whatever it gets near and thus also casts suspicion on the very being from whom it comes versus the feminist who is so comfortable with her own body that she recognizes menstrual blood as a life giving substance that has miraculous curative properties which surpass even that of transubstantiated wine drunk from the holy grail and should lavishly be shed in some kind of ceremony celebrating her own crotch as the source of all that is good in the world.

Meanwhile the people who say that it's a discarding of fluid from the uterus which is perfectly normal, but also not exactly something you'd like to swim in kind of are left watching the fireworks.

[Runcible Spoon]

92. mestrual fluid is kinda NOT life giving fluid....

it's what happens to life giving fluid when it's, umm, not giving life! I don't think that poster is sexist because he thinks menstrual fluid is icky. That whole thread is disengenuous to say the least. To me, a lover who is comfortable with my body will make love to me without caring about whether or not I'm menstruating, but I would never NEVER expect him to perform oral sex. Those who enjoy that kind of thing are fetishists. Not that there is anything wrong with fetishes, but by their very nature they are not everyone's cup of tea.

I dare ANYONE to come forward and say they willingly perform oral sex on a menstruating woman.

I am annoyed by the "let's celebrate every bit of crud our body produces" crowd; they are often the ones that think having a child is the essential defining act of being a woman and to me that is offensive in so many ways but I won't get into that. Not that there is anything wrong with having children, it's a CHOICE just like everything else.

I am also annoyed by the Puritans who think sex should be joyless, unadventurous, and vanilla. The ones who can't stand their lovers to smell like humans and insist on douches, showers before and after sex, etc.

[redqueen]

94. LOTS of men willingly perform oral sex on menstruating partners.

It's called earning your 'red wings'.

It's not 'fetishist' it's realizing that the key part that requires attention during oral is not the bleedy part.

[Runcible Spoon]

95. yeah I'm aware of the redwings term.

and it usually is associated with fratboys and copious amounts of alcohol. And in my experience it applies to just straight up sex with a menstruating woman.

I'm sorry, I'll come out and say it, I think it's personally disgusting to go down on a menstruating woman to me. It's dead blood. And I'm not a fucking prude, either. To each his/her own, but I would severely question whether or not this is more than a fetish.

[redqueen]

98. Expand your horizons.

I don't know a single fratboy (nor do I want to) but I know more than a few men who are fine with it... and do it out of love, not cause they love it.

Jesus.

[Runcible Spoon]

100. OK I guess I'm a prude because I don't want my fiance swallowing dead blood.

Ship me off to Freerepublic. Jesus.

[redqueen]

102. Overreact much?

How about "different strokes for different folks"?

Nobody's tryin to force you to think it's something you should do... but for you to go all "EEEEEEW FETISH!" cause someone else does... well...

[Runcible Spoon]

104. wow really? because I said "not for me" and you said "expand your horizons"

I would respect you more if your arguments weren't full of hypocrisy.

[redqueen]

106. I didn't mean TRY IT..

I meant LEARN... don't just ASSUME.

Christ!

[Runcible Spoon]

109. learn what? that people do it? fine, I already knew that.

doesn't mean it should be expanded into the Pantheon of Thing I Should Normally Expect from a Lover. I didn't ask you to jump all over my post, you chose to.

[redqueen]

111. You knew it happened

you ASSUMED it was a fetish thing.

Once again: I did NOT say you should expect it, or try it... just that you open your eyes and realize the facts instead of just make assumptions because you're predisposed to think it's SOOOO GROOODY!

Your welcome for the learnings!

[Runcible Spoon]

114. unless you have proof that MOST or even MANY couples do it, it's a fetish.

do you have a problem with fetishes for some reason? Are you judging something as bad because it is a fetish?


:shrug:

I don't need to be educated by someone who thinks that this is common practice, which I personally find disgusting but if it floats your boat go for it. If you can provide statistics about the majority of sexualyl active adults doing this, I will stop calling it a fetish.

Til then, goodbye Red(wing)queen!

[redqueen]

115. Look up 'fetish'.

:rofl:


Yeah... we get it... you think it's sooooo disgusting... maybe you should just put that in your sig already.

[Mojorabbit]

120. Wow

I am 52 years old and have yet to meet a man who had a problem with it. I have been in a stable relationship for 25 years but went around the block quite often in my younger years. Maybe times have changed and people are more uptight about it.

[redqueen]

124. I think they are!

I dunno why the hell that is... but yeah... it seems like more people are way uptight about it now... both women and men. Go figure!

[JVS]

97. It's called cheering for the Crimson Tide!

[JVS]

96. Ummm, just because I called one side of the argument a sexist doesn't mean I endorse the other side

I subscribe to this group "Meanwhile the people who say that it's a discarding of fluid from the uterus which is perfectly normal, but also not exactly something you'd like to swim in kind of are left watching the fireworks."

[redqueen]

99. Really? You do?

I figured that out on my own!

I want a star.

Or a cookie.

Something, dammit.

[Runcible Spoon]

101. back off. you're not winning anything here.

all you're doing is trying to foist your sexual sensibilities onto others. So much for acceptance and love. :eyes:

[redqueen]

103. You gots issues. (nt)

[Runcible Spoon]

107. ok now you get your cookie.

nice comeback. I'm done here.

[JVS]

105. How about a big bucket of Life Drippins?

;-)

Oh dear. I fear I've rekindled the epic battle from 2007

[redqueen]

108. RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

CLOWN SMASH!

:rofl:



I gots my own drippins maker thanks!

[JVS]

110. That's good because I believe if I started soliciting women for the drippin, I'd get badly hurt.

[redqueen]

112. You don't know that!

In fact... I wonder if that's a fetish... the sharing of drippins... hmmm... I know some women cook with them...

[JVS]

113. I can hear them now "This blood sausage is perfectly fine for vegans. I used artificial sausage...

casings and my own blood"

[redqueen]

116. Hahahahaha

How is that fine for vegans?

Hmmmm... can vegans do the 'red wings' thing? I bet they can't!

[JVS]

117. Disclaimer: can't speak for Vegans

but from what I've heard there are some schools of Veganism that can eat an animal product if it doesn't involve death or suffering.

[Richardo]

10. Prepare for 3-4 hours of infantile copy cats.

Other than that, I really have nothing constructive to contribute to the discussion. No uterus, ya know.

[MountainLaurel]

13. I use Instead sometimes

Depending on which phase of heaviness I'm in. Insertion can take some practice and flexibility (at least for me: I think my cervix is crooked). But not having to worry about it for several hours is a godsend.

[redqueen]

17. "Godsend"

That's the kind of thing I keep hearing.

"Best thing ever"... that's another one I remember. :)

[TZ]

14. Not familiar with them..

Can't say I really am enthused with the idea. I hate tampons so I don't think I would like this much.

[redqueen]

19. I wasn't particularly enthused at first... but 10,000 tampons or pads

over a lifetime?

I'd rather not contribute to it... so... after months of going back and forth, I'm gonna make the switch.

[AlCzervik]

21. i don't know about you but tampons actually make my cramps much worse. I think the pain reliever

industry and playtex are in some unholy alliance.

On day 1 i don't even want to leave my house.

[redqueen]

29. I don't notice a difference...

seems about the same amount of pain either way for me.

[crispini]

22. I've used one.

It's okay. I think the best thing is you've always got the necessary stuff on hand for emergencies. Even though I'm quite sure I'm using it right, I did find it uncomfortable a bit, so I don't use it all the time. You might not. They're not that all that expensive, so try it and see what you think.

[redqueen]

26. Thanks!

I'm surprised to see the negative reviews here and on the other thread... I've seen these discussed on two other forums (I don't bother with online reviews cause I don't trust them)... but on those two other boards, one here and one UK-based - not ONE single complaint.

I'm definitely tryin em. :)

[Lorien]

85. Me too. But I've since learned that they come in different sizes

one for women over 30 or those who have had children, and one for women under 30 who have not had children. I'm over 40 and have never had kids, but the over 30 one was much too uncomfortable. So you might try the smaller model. :shrug:

[BlondieK143]

23. very interesting

Let us know what you think about it, but I'm going to pass. I'll stick with the tampons!

[redqueen]

27. Oh I will! Probably in GD.

More women should know about these alternatives, I think.

In fact, I wish they'd start TV commercials. At dinner time. Just for the guys. :rofl:

[BlondieK143]

30. I totally agree

TO BOTH! :D Why not? We have to watch huge amounts of commericals regarding their plumbing issues, time to get back!

[redqueen]

32. Hehehe... what, you mean you don't LIKE

hearing about erectile dysfunction every 15 minutes?

:P

[underpants]

31. My cousin is leaving tomorrow on a peace corps mission

I mentioned these (learned about them on DU) and the ladies of the family were familiar with them but repulsed. I meant for the girls my cousin will be teaching, I had failed to consider that she would need them too.

[redqueen]

33. Sad.

Repulsed?

I honestly do not understand that reaction... *especially* from women.

:wtf:

[SarahB]

79. People are very uncomfortable with their own bodies,

as a nurse, I often have to give my patients instructions after gyn surgeries (example: "nothing in your vagina for 6 weeks- no sex, tampons, douching"- very clinical and detached). I've had people tell me what I was saying was "gross and disturbing". :eyes:

As for the product, sure why not. Just don't leave it in too long (risk for toxic shock) and it could be a little inconvenient while traveling or at work (may not be able to rinse it out and insert it again cleanly and discretely).

[redqueen]

81. Arrrrgh...

I guess despite it being not uncommon... it still manages to piss me off / make me sad for humanity.

We're far too removed from nature in our little plastic-wrapped society. I'm not saying I want to wade through sewers... but Christ... it's something that happens every month! And ughhhhh... they got all childish just talking about vaginas and vagina maintenance? *head explodes*



We need more & better sex ed or biology classes. This crap is effin ridiculous! x(

[Connonym]

76. could be messy especially if she's in a place where water is in short supply

and it can't be properly rinsed and such. I'm finally getting uterine ablation done next week and I'm praying that it's the end of that crap for me.

[KitchenWitch]

90. I am so glad you are finally getting the ablation

Have they given you the chemical menopause shot? They had to do mine without the shot.

[Connonym]

118. no shot

I go in next week and they're going to do a colposcopy exam and then do the ablation. I'm so relieved as I'm sure you can imagine!

[Lorien]

84. Only trick is that they would need clean water for washing them regularly

which isn't always possible in the areas where the peace corps works.

[LaraMN]

34. I've been meaning to get a diva cup.

A couple of my friends have had them for years and love them.

[redqueen]

35. I wish I'd heard of them years ago...

I first heard of them last year... I wasn't sure... but after so many poeple saying they personally love them, I'm in. Gotta at least give it a try.

[RadiationTherapy]

37. As a man comfortable with the topic and married to a user...

I can confirm my wife loves it. She has used one over a year now.

It was awkward feeling at first.

For her, maintenance requires a sink. (Had to leave a park last week that only had porto-potties)

It can overflow, as all cups can.

Good luck, my wife is very pleased with her $20.00 Diva Cup.

[redqueen]

44. Thanks!

Good to know of another satisfied customer... hah, and I hadn't even thought of the savings.

I hope these work for me.

[supernova]

38. I think if you are the right size

they are a good fit.

Me, OB regular tampons fit perfectly. Can't stand applicators of any stripe.

[redqueen]

45. Sooo...

what would the "right size" be?

[supernova]

63. One that fits

that cup. I'm not it. What did you think I meant? :shrug:

[redqueen]

65. I have no idea! I was quite puzzled!

Hence the "so..."

[supernova]

82. LOL! all I meant was that

they are too big for me. I'm quite small.

[redqueen]

87. Hehehehe...

I see that at least one brand has more than one size:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=7799254&mesg_id=7799799

[LeftyMom]

39. I hear good things, but I use cloth pads. And I sew them myself.

:hippie:

[redqueen]

47. Right on!

:yourock:

[BarenakedLady]

40. I bought one

(Diva Cup) I tried it once. I'm afraid to try it again. But I plan to and hope I get the hang of it next time.

[redqueen]

48. Afraid?

I hope it goes better next time!

[BarenakedLady]

52. Tentative?

I had a bit of trouble removing it and panicked. LoL.

[succubus.blues]

42. I must be living under a rock

because I've never heard of these before. Something to investigate, thank you for the tip!

[redqueen]

50. My pleasure!

Women like you are why I started the thread. :hi:

[LucyParsons]

43. I have the US Moon Cup and LOVE IT

It produced 15 minutes of teary cursing the first time I used it, but, since then - no problems. Once you "get it", once you do it right, then it all clicks in your head, and it's second nature. Cheap, clean, enviro-friendly, easy. I am no longer dependent upon tampons, tampon companies, or access to well-stocked drugstores. I CAN'T WAIT to take this thing camping, or to 3rd world country.

;)

Feel free to PM me if you'd like.

[redqueen]

51. Hehehe...

yup... that's exactly the kind of stuff I've grown used to hearing from women I know from other forums who've used it.

:hi:

[khashka]

54. redqueen needs a spankin'

She brought menstruation into the Lounge! Bad girl!

Khash.

[redqueen]

56. What?

It's got an environmental tie-in!

If this gets locked for being about a bodily function... I'm SO crying sexism! :P

[Sequoia]

58. Thank goodness I no longer have to deal with that time of the month!

I don't think those pills that cause you not to have your period are a very good idea unless you're going to Mars or somewhere far for a spell. After my child was born I was on these BC pills which made me not have my time of the month because I was breast feeding for a while. I think I took them too long because afterwards I went into the hot/cold spells within a year.

[redqueen]

61. Hmmm...

I thought breastfeeding delayed the resturn of menses? I'm probably remembering wrong... heh.

But yeah... those 'no periods for a year' pills? Oh HELL no! :scared:

[suninvited]

86. I breastfed and didnt have periods for about a year

and got pregnant again before they returned. I had an IUD, but somehow I didnt notice it had expelled.

Because I was pregnant or nursing from 1980 to 1984 I didnt have a period that whole time !

[Sequoia]

121. That's what I thought too. Maybe I was a Guina Pig.

"It's not nice to fool with Mother Nature!"

[pitohui]

123. those "no periods" pills worked GREAT for me

i would recommend them to anyone who travels and whose doctor agrees they're safe for her

incessant ovulation is a risk factor for ovarian cancer, having some period of your life when you're on the pill can offer some protection (i was certainly NOT willing to go to expense and effort of having children to interrupt ovulation and bring down my cancer risk -- obviously if you're having kids anyway this is not a consideration)

[Rhiannon12866]

60. Wish I knew about this when I was having really bad problems.

It took three surgeries to make me be normal. *sigh* I couldn't even use tampons, not enough for me. I used "hospital size" napkins, and more than one. Thanks so much for posting this information. I wish that I'd been on DU earlier... I really hope that this works for you...:-)

[redqueen]

66. Aw... I'm sorry you had to go through that...

And thanks... I hope it does too! We'll see. :)

[Rhiannon12866]

119. Thanks, my friend. I've been okay for awhile, now. But it was really hell.

I couldn't even commit to going anyplace, since I didn't know how I'd be. But I've been okay since my last surgery, embolization, which addresses bleeding. Sorry, ick. It's also embarrassing. But I sure want to kick your thread, so more DUers will know about this. Thank you.

Rhiannon:pals:

[redqueen]

125. Glad to hear that...

it's not ick or embarrassing... it just is. :hug:

[Rhiannon12866]

127. I know, but it's still embarrassing to talk about.

But the amazing thing was that my male bosses were much more sympathetic and helpful to me than my female bosses were. They were grossed out. Go figure... :shrug:

[PeaceNikki]

62. Newer Diva Cup user here

I recommend using a pad for the first few times until you get used to it. If not properly placed, it can leak.

I love it!

[redqueen]

67. Thanks!

How long did it take you to get the hang of it?

I'm SO looking forward to not buying the alternatives anymore. :woohoo:

[PeaceNikki]

69. Oddly, they first time I had NO problems.

The 2nd month I wasn't getting it seated properly... now after 5 months or so, I feel like an old pro. ;)

[redqueen]

72. Hah! That is odd... and would be unexpected...

Glad I saw your advice... I'll be sure to keep the backups around for a couple months.


Hehehe... maybe I'll make a re-usable pad for my backup! :D

[PeaceNikki]

77. I had some left.

Good luck!!

[greenbriar]

68. I am going to show this to my daughter

I had a hysterectomy 15 years ago so I don't have to worry but my daughter is 17 and this might be something interesting for her

[PeaceNikki]

71. I wish I'd found FAR sooner!!

Holy cow, in addition to the environmental effects, the COST of the tampons/pads is outrageous!! :wow:

How's your new kitty? On edit.... holy shit. Just saw your other thread. :cry:

[philosophie_en_rose]

70. don't you mean "women"strual?

Just kidding!

I have friends that use them and like them, but I haven't personally used them.

[redqueen]

73. My friends have been going on about how great they are...

recently another one was converted and singing the "Best Thing Ever!" praises... :rofl:

I figured all right... time to give this a shot!

[DS1]

74. Is there a sprinkler attachment?

:yoiks:

[redqueen]

78. !

:spray:

If not, I'll make one up special just for you!

[Taverner]

75. Don't have to worry about e coli

Since they do not sit outside the body.

[LynzM]

80. I use a Diva cup

Give yourself a couple cycles to get the hang of it... once you do, it's soooo much better most of the time!

[redqueen]

83. Yay!

I love that I hear SO many good things... I'm not exactly comfortable with the idea of it... but I'm really looking forward to not buying the disosable stuff.

:)

[LynzM]

91. Yep :)

I love not buying/throwing away stuff! It does take some getting used to, though... feel free to PM me if you have any questions and feel comfortable asking them. I'm very ok with that kind of stuff, we discuss it a lot on my moms' board!

[redqueen]

93. Thank you!

That's very kind of you. :)

[XOEnterprises]

88. I had a friend who swore by hers.

We knew a girl who had been in Europe for a year, where pads and tampons were far more expensive, and she told us about them. I haven't had the guts to try it myself, but they're very easy to use and clean-soap and water during the cycle, and someone I knew boiled hers at the end if I remember correctly.

My friend didn't have any discomfort from wearing it, but I would imagine it depends on the user.

[redqueen]

89. Yup... the people I've talked to boil between periods.

EWWWW I said "period"! :puke:

:P

[pitohui]

122. i heard of them since i think the 70s but never heard any "good things"

my honest feeling? life is too short but if it works for you, go for it

[redqueen]

126. You're a woman?