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Avatar universal

Diva Cup Experience?

I recently exerienced some disturbing events while using tampons during my period, so I decided to try the Diva Cup (even though the idea kind of weirded me out).  I followed the instructions that came with it: tried to turn the cup to open it after insertion, but experienced a lot of pain when trying to do so.  At one point I thought I had it right, but then I leaked and the instructions say that shouldn't happen if it's inserted correctly.  I also could feel the cup all the time even though the instructions say you shouldn't be able to.  I'm not sure I had the thing in all the way.  --At my last exam, the doctor mentioned that my cervix is sagging quite a bit.  Could this sagging be preventing me from getting the cup in right?  The doctor didn't mention doing anything about the sagging, so I figured this is just (unfortunately) common and people live with it.  Any suggestions?
13 Responses
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1203916 tn?1309020243
I love my diva cup, there is a bit of a learning curve but its still great.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I use it.  (from back when it was called the Keeper years ago)

You shouldn't feel it if it is inserted correctly-that's true.  After you insert it, feel in their up around the top of the device to be sure it's covering the cervix.  Give it a twirl inside several times to be sure it's unfolded all the way.  You may need to trim the stem very, very close (I had to) or it will stick out just enough to drive you crazy.
Be sure you have the proper size, too.  I'm guessing you have the correct one, right?  If you do all these things and STILL feel it, your cervix  could be prolapsing and pushing the device out partially.  But be sure you feel up in there (don't be squeamish) to make absolutely sure it is covering the cervix.

All that being said, mine leaks a bit on heavy days like the first 2 days.  I use a pantiliner on those days for extra protection.  But using a pantiliner is so much better than having to change tampons every 2 or 3 hours for 2 days and I wouldn't go back for anything!  

It may develop an odor after you use it for a couple months.  Clean it well with soap and water and let it soak for a couple hours in white vinegar, then rinse and dry well.  I store mine in baby cornstarch in a ziploc bag between periods.
Helpful - 0
79258 tn?1190630410
This divacup sounds interesting, certainly environmentally safer. So, when you say you don't have to change tampons every two hours, don't you also have to do basically the same thing with the cup? Also, don't you find it's messy to remove? I've used the Instead cup, and I've yet to empty it without spilling it all over my hand and wrist, and sometimes even my clothes, so I never use it if I'm going to be in a public place.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I tried the Instead cups, and they leaked horribly every day.  I have a heavy flow on the first couple of days, but the Instead ones were awful.

The diva cup is deeper, more like a cervical "cap" if you will.  It holds about one ounce.  The literature says that the average woman menstruates about 3 ounces during her entire period, but I think that might be somewhat optimistic.  At least for me.  I empty it every time I go to the bathroom to urinate on the first couple of days, and it is usually full or over half full.  After the first 2 days, I empty it once a day in the shower where I can clean it well and put it back in.

Your fingers do get messy (sorry if tmi for everyone else).  But I can't imagine getting it all over your hands or wrists.  They aren't flimsy like the Instead things.  I just make sure to try to empty it before I go out somewhere to minimize the chance that I'll have to empty it in a public bathroom where there isn't a sink right next to the toilet.  If I have to empty it in a stall situation, I dampen a paper towel before going into the stall and wipe my fingers after emptying it, and get right to the sink to wash after.  You could also stash some moist towelettes or portable wet ones in your purse, but really if I'm going out I can for the most part use the restroom right before I leave and not have to worry about emptying it at all when I'm out.

On heavy overnights I do wear a pantiliner.  I love mine.  I've had it for probably 8 or 9 years.  Go to the website and check it out.  Some stores (health food stores) sell them.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for your input.  I did try over the course of several days to get the "twirl" right and see if I could insert farther, but there was no change after my efforts.  I really have to wonder if the prolapse is causing a problem. Can a prolapse progress?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It could possibly. Have you had children?  It would be unusual to have a prolapse unless you have had kids, not impossible but unusual.
Sometimes your cervix (at least mine) seems to be over to the side.  A couple of times I've put it in and felt up in there and could clearly feel the cervix NOT covered by the cup, and in that instance it would leak badly.  If it is in right, you can't feel the cervix because the cup is covering it.  You can also try changing the angle of insertion somewhat.  

If you've had kids, your vaginal tone could be less too and not holding it in place.  Sometimes trying kegels for a month or two may help.  Used to be that they had a guarantee, so you might try emailing the company and seeing what's up with that.

And trim the stem if you haven't already.
Helpful - 0
79258 tn?1190630410
I don't know when sagging becomes a prolapse, but I personally would consider them one and the same. It does sound like that might be the issue here. I'd talk with your doctor about your options, like maybe a pessary or even surgery.

If it helps, TSS is *extremely* rare; like 1 in 100,000 menstruating women per year. So if that's your worry, I think you're probably fine on that count. I would follow up on this prolapse thing, though - hopefully it's something you can resolve relatively painlessly and easily :-)

And thanks for the input on the Divacup, btw. I checked out their site, and it looks like it would work better than the Instead cup. I like that it's reusable, too. I think I'm going to order it.
Helpful - 0
79258 tn?1190630410
What were the disturbing things you experienced with tampons? I'm just wondering if those issues aren't related to your experience with the Divacup...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I know.  When I tried the Instead, it "popped" open and flew out of my hand while emptying.  Talk about gross factor.

I don't think we can mention the site, but put the words diva cup together and you've got it.  

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Again, thank you.  

I have not tried the Instead, but I can tell you from my brief experience that the Diva cup is very sturdy and not really prone to spillage if it's removed correctly.  I do think the liturature is a little off on average flow amounts as on the first two days I tried it I was 3/4 full twice in the same day.  (Maybe I just don't have "average" flow.)  The recommendation for preparing for removal are great: moist towels, etc.  I was thinking - if I could get the thing to work for me - that a second cup as backup would be a good idea for times when I have to use a public restroom (at work), when there is no privacy to clean the cup before reinserting.  Dashing in and out of the stall to the sink when you don't know who's going to walk in is not a good thing.

I have to think the prolapse issue is causing some problems as I would almost have to trim part of the cup itself to achieve instertion to the point where I wouldn't feel it.  

--Yes, I have three children.  Two vaginal births and one c-section.  I also have a Trans-Vag Tape to control urine leakage as kegel excrsizes didn't come close to helping me.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Monkey:  The tampon issues were sudden headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, etc. until the tampon was removed.  I worried about TSS, but that idea was not taken seriously when I tried to discuss my concern with my GYN office.  At that point I decided to use common sense and see if I could find an alternative to tampons.  Additionally, I was beginning to have trouble inserting the tampons - had to insert mainly to one side.  I mentioned this to the doctor and he attributed it to what at the time he called "sagging".  

When does "sagging" become prolapse?
Helpful - 0
79258 tn?1190630410
I think I spill it when I hook my fingers around the rim - I think I tip it too much or something. And sometimes it kind of pops, which is when I've splashed my clothes, lol.

I'm going to check this Divacup thing out. Thanks for the advice! :-)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I would ask your dr. if there is any thing that can be done to correct the sagging cervix(if bothersome to you). If not I would just find an alternative sanitary product. Obviously, this one is not working for you.
Helpful - 0
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