When I first started out with the Keeper, I trimmed it right away, I basically cut it as short as I could get away with and still get a good grip on it with my finger tips. I ended it trimming it at an angle so I had to snip little edges away after the first use because of scraping. That is actually one of the main reasons I was so excited about the DivaCup when I found it a year or so later - it comes already short and it has little ridges to make grabbing it easier.

Hmmm. Looks like I gotta try one of these things :)

I've spent most of today reading this thread and felt the need to add my .02 cents. I first tried Instead and still keep them around. When I first purchased them I wasn't very familiar with my anatomy so I got to know it very well pretty quickly. The only issue I've had with the Insteads is that the push against my urethra and make me feel like I have to pee ALL the time. I do still use them for less messier sex on my heavy days.

While still using the Insteads I was researching to see if I was just using them wrong and if that was the trouble I was having with them. That's when I came across the reusable cups. I saw that a local natural food store sold the Diva so I went and got one later that week. I got the smaller size (since I was 21 and nulliparious) so I was following the guidelines. The stem drove me crazy!! The Diva brand is the longest of all the reusable cups. So I went home and hacked off the stem and rounded off the bottom. Too bad that didn't work either. It seemed to lodge itself right behind my pubic bone no matter how far up or down I put it in. One again to the internet I went in search of a cup that might work better. I really wanted a LadyCup but at the time it was one of the more expensive ones so I got a Mooncup Uk instead.

Now while the MCUK still didn't work quite right for me it was still night and day with how the Diva was. Everyone on the Menstrual_Cups website on LJ said that the MCUK popped open great (which I had some issues with with my Diva, although never a leak) but for some reason I could never get it to pop no matter how much I manipulated it. My first day at work with it I spent almost 20 minutes in the bathroom trying to get the thing to work and finally had to suck it up and go back to mu Insteads which I always keep around just in case. Also trying to get it out after it wouldn't pop open was complete torture, probably because I always wound up spending so much time poking around up there it was just completely painful. I'll admit I cried a couple times.

Finally I broke down and bought my LadyCup size small & large. They are amazing I guess I should have folled my gut about it to begin with. it's so much softer and squishier than the other cups. There aren't any ridges on it like the other cups, it just has raised bump and a slightly tacky texture so getting it out was more complicated at first but I figured out my own little dance routine that works well for me.

Mostly what I'm trying to get through with this post is that there are so many more brands, shapes, and sizes than just the Keeper, Keeper MoonCup and Diva.

Here are some links:
Lunette -> Lunette
LadyCup -> LadyCup menstrual cup
Miacup -> Miacup: Rethink the tampon
Femmecup -> Femmecup - The future of feminine hygiene
Mooncup UK -> Mooncup Menstrual Cup
Diva -> Home - DivaCup™
Keeper / Keeper Moon Cup -> THE KEEPER® THE MOON CUP® Manufacturer, Home Office, Distribution Headquarters

Also If you are interested in buying one check out ebay I know that LadyCup and Mooncup Uk are both from very reliable sellers and slightly less expensive that way (it's how I purchased them both). If you want a certain cup don't settle for what is more available (ie the Diva for me) go with your gut. You know your body best.

Ok I think I'm done ranting

Billie, you are awesome! I only knew of the Keeper, DivaCup and MoonCup. Thanks for your report. :)

I think I'll do some personal testing when I have some extra funds and time. I'd love to be able to give more specific advice to other women and it helps to encourage more women to abandon the disposables-hegemony when there are more options!

This reminded me of the days when I used to wear a diaphragm for just this purpose. It convinced me to go out and buy the Instead brand. I won't need them for a few weeks but I'll post a review once I do. I didn't find them to be overly expensive. I paid 7.99 for a box of 14 at CVS. If they work out I would probably purchase online since I saw where you can buy a box of 24 for 10.50 and that would make them cheaper than tampons.

I'm not sure about the reusable ones though. The little stem looks like it might be uncomfortable. We'll see how these work out and then I'll decide.

I paid about the same for them. What I used to do was just use one per cycle. Instead of changing them I would just rinse and put it back in and then dispose of it at the end of my cycle. Less waste that way and also much cheaper!!

My Diva and MCUK stems were very uncomfortable. I chopped them both off within the first few days. They still don't work great for me so I keep one in my desk at work and one in my glove box of my car for emergency purposes. However my LadyCups are both so squishy that I don't feel them at all.

Well, I finally tried out the instead cups. They were OK I guess. I found the removal to be a little messy, and that would discourage me from using them outside home, but I guess maybe it's just inexperience with using them and might improve with practice.

The one area that they were fantastic was during sex. You can't feel it and no leaks at all. I'll keep using them if only for that. :)

I just got my cup today. I should start my cycle in a couple of days. I am so excited to try my cup. I hope it does not leak.

Hi!
I used my menstrual cup - the mooncup - for the first time and found it ridiculously hard to remove and very painful. It felt like it was sucking my insides out, i could not get the suction to release and i read all of the instructions...this seems way more complicated than using tampons!
Has anyone got any tips on removing these things easily? I really dont want to go through this process again!

I just have to say, "Haven't we discussed the living HELL outta these flipping divacups??"
Really.

I used to enjoy the Ladies Lounge but honestly, this subject just reoccurs like a bad yeast infection (get it - re-usable = yeast infection),

Just my opinion.

Hopefully we can add/write/dream up some better input and questions in here to make it worth logging in here for a read. I'll think of something....all you great Ladies try, too!

We had these mentioned on here a couple years ago. I think they'd be great. I couldn't buy the Latex one because of my allergy to Latex so I waited. I have maybe 1-2 periods a year now so why spend the money on it. If I had to deal with Aunt flo on the normal regular basis though... I'd DEFINATELY be investing in one of these.

I've heard a lot of good stuff about them.

Mellu - Thanks so much for sharing.

I don't know why I never even thought of it before. I used cloth diapers for my daughter when she was a baby. It really bothered me very little to use the cloth diapers. My daughter's Dr even asked me to demostrate a couple times for her how I put the diapers on because she has several patients who needed to use them for their children because of diaper rash or other problems.

I have quit using tampons except if I need protection when I want to go swimming and Aunt Flo is around (Though that's rare these days) I have used pads but rarely do unless I have a major appointment or something where I cannot risk a leak. I tend to get BV or the yeasties every time Aunt Flo is around but have noticed I have less trouble when I use only Kleenex to prevent leaks. These cloth pads would be great. I would have no plastics or ESPECIALLY deoderants (which I try to avoid) down there. Maybe I'll invest in a few....

Question here for Mellu --- How many would a person need for a regular period?? Mine are only a couple times a year and usually very light. I would want enough to make it through a couple days I expect. Do you have any trouble with them seeping through a little to your panties or do you have some sort of liner inbetween??

Hmmm the ladycup sounds like it's worth a try. Having an extra cup around isn't a bad idea either. One to keep at work and one for home.

i just tried instead, it was my first time and i did not like it at all. i think that it was to big for me and the plastic rim just bugged me, i think i'll go for the ladycup hopefull that one will be better.

HUH? never heard of them.

So glad to see this thread re-surface. I wish every woman knew all of her options for menstrual products.

Diva - Currently use.
Keeper - Used about 5 years ago for 4 years. Still have it as a "spare".
Instead - Tried 'em, I always leaked. I'm pretty sure I had them positioned right as I'm a diaphragm user. I think it may have to do with how my insides are shaped.
Diaphragm - Great for period sex. Better than the Instead. Although they will leak if my activities are too...ahem...vigorous.

I also use thin pads as backup for heavy days (mostly because I forget I have my period and forget to empty the cup often enough). I really do need to just get some cloth pads and be completely done with buying feminine protection. I might try one of the other cups, just in the spirit of experimentation and supporting the industry.

Hmmm, I've never bothered reading this thread before, but this Diva Cup sounds very interesting.

I'll have to see where and if I can get it in Ontario.

I'd like to give it a try. :)

But, I'm concerned. I have a very regular cycle, like trueform clockwork, my period always lasts 5 days. Those first 3 days are heavy bleeding. I use tampons now, and soak up a super sized tampon within a short number of hours. And I hate spotting, nothing worse than leaks.

I need to think about it, see if I'll have to clean it often throughout the day, if it'll leak, etc.

Then again, I was worried about the same things when I switched from pads to tampons.

Hmmm...


Update: read up on it today, looks promsing, and I found a store right by my house that sells it!
I bought one, and intend to use it next month.
If it works well for me, gosh, I'll save lots of money!

I've been using the Divacup for over a year now and I love it!

It's easy to put in. You just squat the same way as if you were putting in a tampon.
It stays in because your vaginal canal is a bit wider than the opening of your vagina plus the walls press against the cup so friction also helps it stay in.
You don't pee in it because the opening of the cup is right on the opening of your cervix.
You can't feel it. It moves WITH the movements of your vaginal canal because of friction.
I've NEVER leaked in it. Even when I've found it to be full, I've never had to worry about leakage.
My crotch doesn't smell like blood when I have it in.
I feel better swimming and working out with it just from the fact that it doesn't leak very easily or even at all.
It may seem expensive... but within a few months it paid for itself since I didn't have to go out and buy boxes of pads or tampons.
I can sanitize it myself...so I KNOW it's clean and sterile. I hated being out of tampons/pads and having to scavenge from the ones at the bottom of my bag or in the back of the cabinet. I was always scared of cockroaches or bugs having laid their eggs on them or something because their seals weren't always very good.
People always ask me, "What do you do in the public restrooms???" Well, I rarely need to change it when I'm out.. but when I do have to change it, I just pop it out.. wipe it off with some toilet tissue, and pop it back in.
"What if there's blood on your hand?" Uhh.. wipe it off and wash your hands? That's why they have sinks in there.

BUT.. only thing I hate is the smell that wafts out when I dump the contents out. It doesn't smell too good. >_<

does using the cup make you feel less pms-y ? Ive been off the pill for 8 months but I still get the pms blues/etc really bad .
Ive switched to organic tampons, and the eco friendlyness of the cup sounds great, but Im squeamish when it comes to blood .
any differences in moods ?

I saw this post and decided that I wanted to save some money and went and bought this little item. I had tried the instead and I just couldn't get it to fit right. It is helpful for getting pregnant though!!!! :)

I bought the DIVA CUP and this thing is a wonderful thing!!!! I put it in in the AM and don't have worry about it at all. I also have a very heavy flow with clots. This has solved all of that. It doesn't come out although there is no way that I would use it while making love.

I did have to cut the stem off but even with it being cut off, I never had any problems taking it out.

I am not a "green" person but this is a wonderfully "green" product. I had to buy it at the "green" store. I also like the fact that this thing will last me 10 years and that is a lot of money that I will save on buying tampons or pads. I have told all my friends and any other woman that would listen.

I wish that the company would do so advertising!!!!

A 'new' problem
 

Hi.
I have a new question re the Diva Cup. I've only used it the one cycle, but my spotting went on and on for another two-three weeks on and off. And the spotting was really bright, not the usual dark stuff. Has anyone else had this happen, either at the start of using it or any other time? My friend recommended it, has been using it for a year and loves it, as do I, and she did not have this happen, so this spotting really weirds me out. It's not enought for the cup and enough to need a minipad.
Help?

Your cycle is just changing up, Veronica. I doubt it is related to using the Diva cup.

A new problem
 

What does that mean, changing up? I am in perimenopause and this spotting is another sideffect? Don't I have enough going on with periods going from every two weeks to sometime into the eighth week? Now I may have spotting for two more weeks, above and beyond the regular 7-9 days? Oh will this ever end???

That sounds terrible. I really don't know what to make of it. Sorry I don't know enough to help out.

Thanks genuinegirly. I contacted DivaCup and they had no good advice, except to say this is not what normally happens, blah blah blah.
So far there has been no further activity, so maybe it was the beginning of the end, which would be GOOOOOD.:thumbsup::)

I love my DivaCup. ^_^ Best. Purchase. Ever.

I'll never hafta buy another tampon, pad, panty liner, or any other menstrual product again. ^_^

Yay!