Warning. this post may gross people out.

[2eclipse]

so i recently learned about a new way to handle the monthly cycle business.
apparently, instead of using pads or tampons, there are several different cups available that catch your flow instead of absorbing it. there is a big forum on ravelry about these and the reports there have me interested.
there are pros and cons involved.
the cons are mainly that
- this is icky.
- and you might have to get your hands messy.
- and i've heard that some women have a problem with the applicator part of the cup rubbing when cycling (but it can be cut off entirely)

as for pros?
- you pay for it once, not once a month.
- it is usually made of silicone and completely washable and sterilizable
- because it collects rather than absorbed, you don't have that "OMG this is dry and pulling my insides out" feeling.
- the cup creates a seal with your tissue and does not leak
- it holds quite a bit and needs to be changed 2-4 times a day depending on the person
- AND (this is the primary reason i'm interested)it is super eco-friendly. you buy ONE thing and do not a)use up endless paper and plastic products and b) fill landfills with them

official information for one of the brands here

does anyone here have any experience with these?

Comments

[ashoe.livejournal.com]

I did it for a while. I didn't find it icky, but I'm pretty comfortable with that sort of thing. It worked well. I didn't stick with it because I was trying it more as a curiosity than anything else, and because I always worried a bit about issues - I never HAD any, but I worried about leakage, etc.

It's worth a try!

[2eclipse.livejournal.com]

thanks for the input!
i am highly unlikely to have leakage issues. :)

[dragonintherain.livejournal.com]

i have several friends that love theirs. i have used cloth pads. while i don't LOVE them, the thinner ones are great.

[2eclipse.livejournal.com]

see i'm thinking that if this is anything remotely comfortable it would be pretty ideal for me.
i have almost NO period because i've been on birth control for so long. i'm figuring i would probably have to change it for sanitary reasons rather than necessity.

[crowyhead.livejournal.com]

I have a Diva Cup, and I LOVE it. I have a light enough flow that I never have to empty it in public restrooms -- the most I ever have to empty it is once in the morning, once when I get home from work, and once more before bed. There's a learning curve to inserting it, and I did end up having to trim the stem (which I find isn't really necessary for insertion/removal anyway), but other than that it's awesome. There is more contact with fluids than there would be with pads or tampons, but that doesn't really bother me. The only time I've been seriously grossed out was once when my hand slipped and I dropped it on the bathroom floor and everything looked like a crime scene.

I do frequently wear a pantiliner with it on heavier days to catch stray drips, but I haven't had any serious leakage issues.

[clare-dragonfly.livejournal.com]

Pretty much this, exactly. Get a DivaCup; you will not regret it. And even if you do I'm pretty sure they still have a return policy.

I highly recommend checking out menstrual_cups and seeing what they have to say--there's a wealth of information there.

[clare-dragonfly.livejournal.com]

::pops in again:: DIVACUP :D

Super comfortable, I only empty mine once a day in the shower so it's super easy, basically it is the most wonderful thing.

[2eclipse.livejournal.com]

lol.
your enthusiasm is boundless.

[lucifermourning.livejournal.com]

i very much recommend it. as mentioned above, there can be a bit of a learning curve with putting it in so it doesn't leak and trimming the stem properly, as you particular anatomy will determine how it fits for you. but i got one 6 years ago, and haven't used anything else since. due to birth control, i've stopped getting my period, but previously i changed it 3 times a day for the first day or 2, then just twice, for hygienic reasons. cannot praise the cup enough!

[2eclipse.livejournal.com]

awesome.

i think i am definitely going to try this out.

[librissimma.livejournal.com]

I have a friend that uses on and she loves it. I've considered getting one if I ever get my period again, but suspect that I'll be so paranoid about leaks that I'll end up wearing a pad anyway.