Instead Softcups

[SlickTony]

Every now and again I read about how someday they'll be able to compress a woman's period down to about 45 minutes. I don't have to worry about that any more, but that would have suited me fine. Just give me a couple of magazines and/or a good book and I'd just sit there on the throne and drain.

 

[ethicalslut]

That sounds convenient, but I bet those 45 minutes would be accompanied by the most gut-wrenching cramps known to womankind as our body got rid of it all, post haste.

Might be a decent trade-off, though...

 

[Saoirse]

That sounds convenient, but I bet those 45 minutes would be accompanied by the most gut-wrenching cramps known to womankind as our body got rid of it all, post haste.

Might be a decent trade-off, though...

Hmmmmm... well for those of us that get gut wrenching cramps for hours on end...45 minutes sounds like a great plan!!!!

 

[SlickTony]

When I was a teen, before I went on the Pill and definitely before I had my babies, the first day of my period was a wasted day. I had such bad cramps I couldn't sit in class. I had to find some place with enough space to pace in circles like a horse with the colic or a bowel torsion, until I finally threw up. Then I sat in bed with a heating pad for the rest of the day, or at least until dinner time.

 

[ethicalslut]

I might just take the trade-off, too. Currently not on the pill (no sex = no good reason since getting to see a dr is quite the expense) and childbirth-free (knock on wood, absence of potential sexual partners in my life vastly decreases my odds)... I'm still in the massive, gut wrenching, make-ya-puke, make your lower back hurt and your entire lower torso act weird, lie on the bed and try and sleep cramp stage. Can't miss work right now, so I'm having a one-day-a-month affair with my bottle of Ibuprofin.

 

[LadyJeanne]

Ladies, I've just been converted! I ordered my Keeper a few weeks ago and just finished my first cycle - amazing!

A panty liner on the two heavy days when I was learning proper placement did the trick. No leaking, a little trace seepage on those two heavy days, but I think that was mostly figuring out the right position. After that, it was perfect! I didn't use a single tampon - two unopened boxes in the bathroom are gathering dust even as we speak.

It does take getting used to, and it's not for you if are squeamish...verrrry interested though if you're not. Why are our bodies always such a surprise? Where's our owner's manual???

And the color of the cup is just too awful! I just ordered the Divacup, mostly for the color and the silicone might be a touch softer and more flexible.

One tip though - long fingernails are not a good idea when learning how to work this little baby.

Great stuff, ladies! Give it a whirl.

 

[ethicalslut]

Glad you've had a good experience! I'm always trying to convert friends!

 

[Saoirse]

Ladies, I've just been converted! I ordered my Keeper a few weeks ago and just finished my first cycle - amazing!

A panty liner on the two heavy days when I was learning proper placement did the trick. No leaking, a little trace seepage on those two heavy days, but I think that was mostly figuring out the right position. After that, it was perfect! I didn't use a single tampon - two unopened boxes in the bathroom are gathering dust even as we speak.

It does take getting used to, and it's not for you if are squeamish...verrrry interested though if you're not. Why are our bodies always such a surprise? Where's our owner's manual???

And the color of the cup is just too awful! I just ordered the Divacup, mostly for the color and the silicone might be a touch softer and more flexible.

One tip though - long fingernails are not a good idea when learning how to work this little baby.

Great stuff, ladies! Give it a whirl.

Yayyyyyyyy!!!! A success story!!! Well done Jeanne!!!

 

[LadyJeanne]

Yayyyyyyyy!!!! A success story!!! Well done Jeanne!!!

I just can't express how thrilled I am about this. For some reason, it feels like I've taken back control of my body.

Fuck you Tampax for charging a king's ransom for a lifetime supply of cotton and string!

Fuck you Kotex for your deoderant pads that make us feel like we shoud be embarrassed by our scents!

And fuck every damn corporation out there that profits from our natural body functions and makes us feel like we need to hide them from ourselves!

Why are these little cups not sold more aggressively as an alternative? Hmmm, maybe I need to put my marketing degree to some good use.

 

[ethicalslut]

Lady Jeanne-

HELL YEAH!

I my first go-round with the DivaCup was like some kind of private revelation and celebration. Like you so succinctly put it, a big fuck you to those who don't want me to (a) feel comfortable enough with my body to not need their sterile, don't-have-to-deal-with-it products and (b) as a result, not waste my money and my town's dump space every month on their stupid little products. It sounds all moon-goddessy, but I really feel like having a more active role in my cycle keeps me more aware and "in-touch."

I'll add a few more things to my "Why I love menstrual cups" dissertation... they keep you up-to-date on your flow. I now know EXACTLY how much I bleed thanks to the gradation marks on the cup. I can pretty much tell when I'm going to be done, rather than just kinda waiting until the plugs came out clean.

On the rare occasion that I DO use tampons (got surprised while on vacation once, stuff like that), I notice that I feel much more "dried out", since tampons suck up all the regular lubrication in addition to the menstrual fluid. Totally not a problem with the cup.

I found out that one of my younger sister's friends uses the DivaCup! I thought that was VERY cool for a 17 year-old girl! Took me years to get to be that comfortable with "the business" (as I actually used to call it).

 

[ohmyyeah]

I use the softcups also. I forgot I had them, I had ordered them when I found them on a freebie site. Anyways, they also leak for me too, but I think it is because the ring is too big, so it doesn't sit right. If they came a little smaller, I don't think I would have a prob with them. But I can wear it long enough to have sex before it leaks, and thats all I use them for.

 

[monkeybabe]

Think I'm gona try it....

I've seen these discussed in other forums, I think I just may have to order me one. My periods aren't so bad,only lasting for about 4-5 days, and very light. This thread has caught my interest, I'm going to order a DivaCup and give it a try.

 

[LadyJeanne]

I found out that one of my younger sister's friends uses the DivaCup! I thought that was VERY cool for a 17 year-old girl! Took me years to get to be that comfortable with "the business" (as I actually used to call it).

THAT's impressive. I'm trying to imagine using it at 17...no way did I know my body well enough! Tampons, at that age, were a revelation...

 

[ethicalslut]

THAT's impressive. I'm trying to imagine using it at 17...no way did I know my body well enough! Tampons, at that age, were a revelation...

I was REALLY impressed. I used tampons at that age (I did from the start... was a swimmer), but was still very hands-off when it came to dealing with my period.

This thread has caught my interest, I'm going to order a DivaCup and give it a try.

Yay!Let's let Lady jeanne take credit for this one... her very first convert!

Anyway, after you get the placement right (too far out and you feel like you have to pee, too far in and it doesn't seal) it's great! I'd suggest you wear a pad your first month to ease any worries about leakage.

Good luck and happy (or at least environmentally responsible) menstruating!

 

[Saoirse]

Re: Think I'm gona try it....

I've seen these discussed in other forums, I think I just may have to order me one. My periods aren't so bad,only lasting for about 4-5 days, and very light. This thread has caught my interest, I'm going to order a DivaCup and give it a try.

I think I am going to have to do the same!!!

 

[cricketbug]

YAY!

Happy 'nana dance!

I found a store here in the Denver Metro area that carries the Diva Cup. They actually have it for what it says on the DivaCup web site, which is $25.50 and I don't have to pay shipping! Here's there web site:

http://www.underthecabbageleaf.com/index.aspx

So...I'm going to go tonight and pick me up one. And as luck would have it, I started today....yergh.

 

[entitled]

Re: YAY!

And as luck would have it, I started today....yergh.

As always, one right after the other...

entitled
the growly snarly PMS bitch

 

[cricketbug]

Yep. As always

 

[cricketbug]

I've been coverted!

...and it's only been about a day and a half - give or take! Picked up the DivaCup yesterday afternoon at the store I posted about above. On a side note -- the price is going up by $7.00 in January. At least that's what I was told by the lady who worked at the store.

So far, so good, and I've got a very heavy flow. Have been "checking-and-emptying" about every 4 hours or so. I'll try to go about 6-8 hours or so tomorrow and see how it works. So far, just a tiny bit of leakage, but I think it's residual from emptying and re-inserting. Other than that, no problems!

I was talking it up to a few co-workers. One had a horrible bout with TSS when she was 17, but she's going to talk w/ her doc and see if she can possiby use the DivaCup. I may have a few converts.

It's going to be GREAT when I start student teaching next month. After all, how often do you remember seeing your teacher go to the bathroom? I think all teachers must be part camel

 

[LadyJeanne]

Re: I've been coverted!

...and it's only been about a day and a half - give or take! Picked up the DivaCup yesterday afternoon at the store I posted about above. On a side note -- the price is going up by $7.00 in January. At least that's what I was told by the lady who worked at the store.

So far, so good, and I've got a very heavy flow. Have been "checking-and-emptying" about every 4 hours or so. I'll try to go about 6-8 hours or so tomorrow and see how it works. So far, just a tiny bit of leakage, but I think it's residual from emptying and re-inserting. Other than that, no problems!

I was talking it up to a few co-workers. One had a horrible bout with TSS when she was 17, but she's going to talk w/ her doc and see if she can possiby use the DivaCup. I may have a few converts.

It's going to be GREAT when I start student teaching next month. After all, how often do you remember seeing your teacher go to the bathroom? I think all teachers must be part camel

Woohooo!!! Another convert!



Congratulations - I'm so glad it's working out for you!

And think of how great it's going to feel when you don't have to keep restocking on tampons...

 

[ethicalslut]

Re: I've been coverted!

It's going to be GREAT when I start student teaching next month. After all, how often do you remember seeing your teacher go to the bathroom? I think all teachers must be part camel

Good luck student teaching... remember: What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.

 

[BuffRudy]

Count me in as a conver!

I checked out the Softcups website & I'm going to check out Rite Aid, Longs & Walgreens this weekend.

I hate it that I have to wear BOTH a tampon & a pad & still suffer each month.

 

[Saoirse]

Count me in as a conver!

I checked out the Softcups website & I'm going to check out Rite Aid, Longs & Walgreens this weekend.

I hate it that I have to wear BOTH a tampon & a pad & still suffer each month.

*mutters about not being able to buy the DivaCup in Ireland*....

 

[SexyChele]

Haven't been around these parts in a while, but this topic caught my eye.

I checked out the Instead website, and found a few interesting tidbits on their FAQs page:

"Typically we find that if the INSTEAD® Softcup® does not fit then most likely your vagina is too small. If this is the case, you will know right away because the Cup will not stay in place behind your pubic bone. If after insertion the Cup tends to slide out or you cannot get the rim behind the pubic bone then the INSTEAD® Softcup® is probably too large."


"You may notice some leakage when going to the bathroom. This is because when you void urine or your bowel, the muscles "bear down" and can push the rim slightly forward, allowing some fluid to leak out and into the toilet. When you relax from voiding, the cup moves back into position and the leaking stops. If this is the only time you observe leakage, it is normal and the INSTEAD® Softcup® is inserted correctly."


Personally, I am a Diva Cup convertee. My only regret is that it took me over 30 freakin' years to discover this thing! A few points that impress me and may help others:

• Clear silicone helps you to see exact amount of flow.
• Material is very soft and pliable, making insertion comfortable.
• Comes in two different sizes to fit more comfortably.
• No odor, no mess, no "where the heck do I get rid of this thing?!?!" nonsense.
• Only need to concern myself with it twice a day - and I do have heavy days.

This truly is the most fantastic product ever created for women! Environmentally sound, no disruption of a woman's natural bodily functions, and no spending hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on disposable products. I've worn the Diva Cup now for a few months and I feel confident with it. I do everything I normally would do - including yoga! And it stays completely in place and absolutely NO LEAKAGE! Even during trips to the bathroom there is no concern. Sleeping? Not a problem. This is the most amazing product I've every encountered! And it figures that one almost has to order it online to get it here in the States.

The Keeper and the Diva Cup are esstentially the same, but the Diva Cup is clear and more supple than the Keeper. So I guess it is more a personal choice. I would strongly encourage any woman to get one of these. They are simply fabulous, and I cannot say enough good things about them!

 

[Saoirse]

This is the most amazing product I've every encountered! And it figures that one almost has to order it online to get it here in the States.

I have yet to find a website that will allow me order them online for outside of the US!


Hiya Sexy... thanks for the post.... it seems the Sofcups are generally a waste of time and money.... the DivaCup or the Keeper are the way forwards!!!