what ABOUT the menstrual cup?

[Thresher_V]

OK, I watch too much sports....for a moment I thought the mention of a Menstrual Cup was a new women's hockey league.

[sera300]

Originally Posted by Thresher_V

OK, I watch too much sports....for a moment I thought the mention of a Menstrual Cup was a new women's hockey league.

It's a new league, one which has been undisclosed for years! The winner of the cup series is....

[Evian]

I am currently taking part in a research study about the Mooncup at medical school!

[orgasmless]

ok can someone give me help with these then as i have to use pads at the moment which i hate and have to wear black trousers etc when im on my period, trouble is tho i have no idea how you use these things, do you put them in like a tampon and have some sort of applicator? and how do you get them back out again after, do you have to go fishing, as if thats the case then its a no no for me and im stuck with using pads then as i cant even get a tampon out myself should i have a string com eaway, this has happened to me before and had to get hubby to fish it out. so having to stick my fingers inside me to get it out would be a big problem

[sweetnothings]

I have been using the diva cup for a few months now and I LOVE IT! It was a little challenging to put in at first but it's pretty simple. I can't feel it at all and it doesn't leak at all, even when I'm aroused. It's so nice to just have this tiny cup to carry around instead of a handful of pads or tampons. I'm never going back!

[Brandye]

Orgless,

There are three major manufacturers - Diva, Moon Cup and the Keeper. Each has a website which shows insertion and removal. These are all reusable while Instead is a throwaway. The Keeper is latex and the other two are silicone. I used a Keeper for seven years and a Diva for even longer.

They each have a ring on the top (bottom?) that is easily reachable just inside you. Sometimes it is necessary to run a finger up the side to break the suction.

[RedRoses]

Don't know if anyone's still reading this... Is the Softcup one of the disposible kinds?

Tried these, but I think that it really isn't comfortable at all. 'Risk of urinary tract infection' is what is says in the instruction. Well, although I didn't let it come that far, I'm sure it will! It's very messy taking it out. And when you bump into it, it rustles (great having sex with background music ;-))

Maybe I will experiment more some day For now: I really love Beppy Wet tampons. Don't feel a thing while wearing. Takes way more fluid than a maxi-tampon. Easy to put in and get out: Very gentle and soft material, not the stiff kind that 'unfolds' while putting it in. You just need to be able to reach far back to get the little loop, (although it also works perfectly when it's not so close to your cervix. It shapes to your body!). Could be used during intercourse, but my bf and I simply do not like it (cause the area around my cervix is way to pleasant ) Does come in handy with foreplay: no strings attached ;-). A pity that it is expensive Worth my money having a happy period, though!

[Brandye]

Sorry that was missed. That is exactly what is named Instead in the English speaking world. I, too, had disappointing results but no a few women who use them regularly. One of the wonders of the menstrual cup is that it is reusable - that is Luna, Diva, Keeper. Considering that we each use about 7000 tampons, this is a real advantage.

[RedRoses]

Thanx for the reply What about the risk of urinary tract infection? Does that also aply to menstrual cups such as Luna, Diva, Keeper? And how 'risky' is that anyway?

[Brandye]

Urinary tract infection is not vaginal but urethral. The risk is the same as anything that has you probing around yourself. The cup should be washed and given a vinegar soak - one part white vinegar, 2 parts warm water - after each period for twenty minutes or so. This is true for anything you insert vaginally - diaphragm, toys, cervical cap.

I used a Keeper for seven years until it developed cracks in the rim. Keeper is made of latex. Then I used a (silicone) Diva for about ten years. I had no infection of any sort that could be attributed to the cup.

There are a few physicians who claim that the pressure from the rim of the cup rides on a nerve along the anterior side of the vagina (under the tissue, not part of the vagina) that could be damaged. I am not personally aware of anyone affected by this. The reusable cups cannot be left in place for sex as the disposables can. That would be a challenge for a penis!

Although not recommended, I have worn a cup for well over twelve hours at a stretch. I always liked to do the removal in the shower where the mess was contained and the cup could be rinsed easily. It also does all right on a bidet or, even, a toilet. They are not convenient in public wc, hence my extended wear on occasion.