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

[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.