[Napoleptic]

Ladies, have you heard of menstrual cups? Have you tried them? If not, would you? If you're not familiar with them, here are some informational links:

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What are your thoughts?

[Storm]

Yeah, I have used them. I use the disposable kind, not the non-disposable. Although I wouldn't be opposed to the non-disposable if I saw one for sale. Seems like a great way to save money.

They are great. They last longer, you can do more activities with them (including sex with the disposable ones), and they are even more comfortable than a tampon, most of the time.

I've only had one problem with them, if they become misplaced or if you are experiencing cramps, they can make cramps worse.

If you think you'd like to try one, Wal-Mart carries the disposable Instead brand. I don't know any other big name store that carries them.

[altoid]

I've used the Instead brand and like it for the same reasons Storm mentioned - it lasts longer, more comfortable, allows for sex. I love them, although they can be a little more awkward to get into place than is a tampon. I would absolutely try the non-disposable kind.

[khadi]

I use a non-disposable cup. It is ideal.

Many women and girls will never hear of menstrual cups, partly because they're not advertised. One is all you need. They're not conducive to habitual consumption, unlike tampons and pads. I agree that girls should be told that these things exist. I wish I'd known back then.

[InfiniteLoop]

I'd try it, but it's not something that sounds all that appealing to me - I'm not big on touching menstrual blood and the idea of handling a cup full of it is kinda squicky to be honest. I don't like the tampons you insert with your finger either, for the same reason. I also bleed really, really heavy and had to go on birth control just to control the heavy bleeding (I'd bleed like two weeks in a row, off and on really heavy - and then next cycle it'd be a three-day period, and the next would be normal. A complete toss-up on how heavy I'd bleed); even on it, I still bleed heavy enough that I'd require above a Super absorbency tampon. I'm not so sure I'd be able to go all day in it without taking it out and cleaning it a couple times, not on a heavier blood load. Also, I think the tampons I use are rather comfortable (they're a sports variety and work *really* well for me), but your mileage will vary.

[firebee]

I've got an IUD and am conservative as all-get-out concerning the technology that stands between me and conspicuous staining (the last permanent change that I made in this regard was going to Always-with-wings over wingless, at the age of 11 or so), so I haven't quite gotten around to holding an audition yet. However, I'm thinking that some of the features of the menstrual cup may manage to overcome my lack of being impressed with the vaginally-inserted genre of period-management devices.

[adastra]

I use a non-disposable. I think it rocks. It's saved me lots of money over the years and it's environmentally friendly.

[Silverity]

Question for all of you who use them, how compatible is it with work and school-- places where there are only public bathrooms (not single stalls with a sink inside, all shared facilities).

I had a friend who used the cup and she also had a couple reusable pads. I think I'd be more inclined to use the latter than the former.

[SelfMadeBum]

I'm just
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Not much to add other than I guess I'd try it.

[Danisty]

Not me. I have no interest in trying this sort of thing. I'm not embarrassed or ashamed of menstruation, but I still think it's pretty icky and the potential to make a mess with a menstrual cup will keep me from trying it.

	the "your first period" kits they hand out at school.

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I had no idea such a kit existed. At what age do they hand them out? When did they start doing this?

[Napoleptic]

Many women are apprehensive about the potential mess. It may seem counterintuitive, but the non-disposable cups especially are actually less messy than tampons once you get the hang of them. I've been using a non-disposable for a couple years now, and quite frankly I'm now squeamish about tampons because I find them much more messy than the cup.

You can avoid the messy trial stage by just using it on your light days the first few months until you have the chance to get the insertion and removal techniques figured out (of course if you remember the first time you used a tampon, you'll realize there was a learning curve there, too). It's also safe to insert a day or two before your period, so if you're regular enough to predict when you'll start, you can do a dry run, which will also help.

In regard to a heavy flow, I've found that the non-disposable cup will last me far, far longer than even a super tampon - 12 hours or more (technically you're not supposed to go longer than 12 hours, but I've forgotten before) with the cup vs. 3-4 hours with a super tampon on my heaviest days. Plus the volume is marked on the cup, and some women like to monitor the measurement of their flow. I haven't really seen a need for this, but it does actually make you far more aware of it than with tampons, and the more aware you are of your body, the better.

To answer the question about public restrooms, you just empty the non-disposable, wipe it down, and reinsert, and then wash it later when you have the chance. I've never had to empty it while at work, but I have a much lighter flow than I used to, so that may not be the case for everyone. With the disposables, it's really not any different than tampons. You just wrap it in toilet paper and throw it away.

I got one of the "your first period" kits around '92. If I recall correctly, they handed them out in sex ed class (we were divided up by sex the first year or two). There were a couple of booklets that came in them that answered a lot of FAQs about menstruation. I'm fairly certain the kits were put together by manufacturers of feminine products, so some of them may have something similar available through their web sites.

In case you can't tell, I'm a big fan of non-disposables.
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I have two - a neon green MeLuna ring-stem and a Diva Cup. The Diva Cup was the first one I bought and is my favorite, but I decided I'd buy a new cup every year or two to support the industry and try different brands and features (for instance, the ring-stem really makes sense to me, but there are other kinds and some women even prefer to cut them off entirely). I think it's awesome they come in colors.
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Any other questions?

[Danisty]

Originally Posted by Napoleptic To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

I got one of the "your first period" kits around '92. If I recall correctly, they handed them out in sex ed class (we were divided up by sex the first year or two). There were a couple of booklets that came in them that answered a lot of FAQs about menstruation. I'm fairly certain the kits were put together by manufacturers of feminine products, so some of them may have something similar available through their web sites.

I'm just curious what age you were at that time. What grade was this in? Mostly I'm curious to know if they actually handed those out early enough to matter.

[Napoleptic]

	Originally Posted by Danisty To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I'm just curious what age you were at that time. What grade was this in? Mostly I'm curious to know if they actually handed those out early enough to matter.

Fifth grade. That was plenty of time for me at least.

[Solaris]

I want to like the idea of this, but I cannot yet seem to do it. I use cloth diapers on my baby, but feel opposed to using cloth for myself -- mostly out of habit and social conditioning I'd say.

Feel free to try and convince me. I'm pretty into green living. I use vinegar for pretty much all household cleaning. I use it in my laundry. I use a coconut based laundry soap (Charlie's Soap). I use the greenest dish detergents I can find (currently BioKleen or Seventh Generation). We eat organic as much as possible (it's not perfect, but I like less chemicals). We designed the baby's room to be as green as possible within our budget (bamboo floors, VOC free paint, real wood furniture).

[Storm]

	Originally Posted by Solaris To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I want to like the idea of this, but I cannot yet seem to do it. I use cloth diapers on my baby, but feel opposed to using cloth for myself -- mostly out of habit and social conditioning I'd say.

It's not cloth. It's a plastic cup that catches the blood.

[kita]

I was all over Instead when it first came out, but had a couple of spills and went back to ob. When it worked it was great, so I'd be willing to try it again. I could have just been doing it wrong.

[Archaic Smile]

I had issues with mine too at first, but after a while I got the hang of it. I don't think I'll ever go back to using tampons; too much waste, inconvenience, and expense.

[stasis]

Wouldn't this be sort of like storing a bowl of soup in your pants? Doesn't it slosh around?

[Silverity]

	Originally Posted by stasis To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Wouldn't this be sort of like storing a bowl of soup in your pants? Doesn't it slosh around?

I choked on my coffee reading that. I'm going to hazard a guess that it doesn't 'slosh', I mean, one, I think that thing should be deep enough inside you that it won't move, and anything inside of it should stay where it is (gravity and all). (I'm still chuckling over your word usage)

[Archaic Smile]

	Originally Posted by stasis To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Wouldn't this be sort of like storing a bowl of soup in your pants? Doesn't it slosh around?

As long as you keep your knees locked together, no problem.

[Solaris]

	Originally Posted by Storm To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	It's not cloth. It's a plastic cup that catches the blood.

Yes, I know. I'm sorry, I replied while tired and left out part of the thought there. Oops! I was getting at the idea that I find both this and reusable menstrual cloth to be not preferable.

[Storm]

	Originally Posted by stasis To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Wouldn't this be sort of like storing a bowl of soup in your pants? Doesn't it slosh around?

You push it back far enough that it sits behind the pubic bone. Plus, there isn't actually that much blood. Perhaps a few thimblefuls over several hours. Although, all women are different.

[Still Standing]

Been using the Diva Cup for nearly 10 years now and expect to hit my menopause with it. Most of the time (except when I'm going swimming, etc.), I use it in combination with disposable pads (wouldn't dare touch the washable ones) in case of spills. Never had issues with it in public bathrooms. I just empty it, wipe it off and insert it again. Saves a lot of money, is eco-friendly, holds more liquid than the tampons and probably has less health risks (re: no toxic shock syndrome).

EDIT: And for those of you who are wondering about the hygiene and the washing of it, you clean it with soap and water whenever possible at emptying time, and after your period, you soak it in hot water and vinegar for a while, then pop it back into the cute little pouch.

[LifesEcstasy]

I know of these devices but have no use for them whatsoever. My flow consists of one super-light pad per month for a total of one day. I've not used tampons for almost 20yrs because it's just not worth the hassle. One packet of 12 pads lasts me a year so why would I bother? Also not a big fan of jamming stuff (non-penis stuff) in my vag...call me coy.

I can't believe there is a whole blog about it, and I started reading it but it was too hilarious for words. Pee'd myself laughing. I especially like the ones with loops on the end, what so you can hang it on your keychain..?
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and OMG! Did anyone check the massive size of the Yuuki cup...
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[Elena]

Heard of them, but never given them a go. Might just to see how they are.