Diva Cup users

PHNII

So, I finally bit the bullet and ordered mine today after reading review after review. What tips do you guys have? Some of the reviews said it was hard to get it to open up when inserting and it was hard to get out. Have any of you found this to be true?

I ended up getting mine at Vitacost. Has anyone ever ordered here? They had really good prices on organic products. Plus, through today, you get free shipping on $49 or more.

tokenhoser

I had to cut the stem off - it poked me on the outside, which was pretty uncomfortable. The other thing that was key for me was getting the little air holes clean every time. I usually fill it up with water, seal my hand over it, and very gently squeeze. That got rid of my leaking problems, once I made sure the holes were open every time.

I never had too much trouble getting it open or removing it, but I know others have. You can google for different folds if you want options - some people find one that works better than the one suggested in the included directions.

CDMay2006

Haven't ordered (or heard of) that site before.This is what works *for me* (not always necessary, but helpful in the beginning at least):
- Pinch the ridges above the tip, bear down and pull outKeep upright to avoid spilling
- "Scrub" w/fingers under warm water
- While rinsing, pinch each of the hole to clean them out (pp's method works, but tends to make a mess -- I guess I'm just clumsy )
- Rinse it well, or dry it well w/TP at leastpinch in half, then sort of in half again (google "7 fold" I think). Insert.
- If it doesn't feel right, take it out and try again.
- I clean w water or dr bronners and then boil each cycle (pretty much)
- You won't get it too far in, or stuck, though it may take a few tries to get it right.
- If you feel the stem, then cut it off (google the best ways to do this)
- Wash your hands well before attempting any of these steps
- If possible se a private bathroom when emptying until you get the hang of it.
- When using a non-private stall, take in a moistened paper towel so you don't come out of the stall looking like you murdered someone 
- Until you get it figured out you'll want to empty it early and often to prevent leaks/overflow

***pardon the errors; this is from my phone. 

Edited to improve format 

doglove

Cut the stem. Make sure you do not push it too far up, it should rest very low inside you. Also giving it a spin once it is inside will help it to open up.

Wear liners the first few days until you get the hang of how to ensure it's opened fully!

GRKaters

PPs have great suggestions. I use the "punch down" fold so it's actually thinner than a tampon when inserting. Filling with water and squirting it out the holes is also how I clean it. Try emptying in the shower the first few days of your cycle when flow is heaviest; less messy than trying to navigate and not make a mess while you're on the can.

I'm the last person on earth I thought would ever attempt using a Diva, so stick with it even if your first few months are tricky. This is my 4th cycle, I think, and each time gets easier.

 

SuperGreen

tokenhoser:

I had to cut the stem off - it poked me on the outside, which was pretty uncomfortable. The other thing that was key for me was getting the little air holes clean every time. I usually fill it up with water, seal my hand over it, and very gently squeeze. That got rid of my leaking problems, once I made sure the holes were open every time.

I never had too much trouble getting it open or removing it, but I know others have. You can google for different folds if you want options - some people find one that works better than the one suggested in the included directions.

Exactly ditto all of this.  I cut the stem, clear the air holes using the same method, and have no trouble getting it open or removing it.  I use the punch-down fold, and turn it a few times until it opens up.  To remove, I pinch the bottom just above the stem, and pull down while twisting.  I know that sounds complicated, but once you do it once or twice it's super quick.

I love, love LOVA my Diva.  Best.Invention.Ever.  Beyond just being green, it just works better.  No leaks, no smelly tampons in my bathroom trash, no risk of TSS.

ETA:  If the stem does poke you and you decide to cut it, use a knife instead of scissors.  Scissors compress the silicon (the stem is a hollow tube), so you get an uneven cut that was not pleasant to me.

jordylee8455

All of pps suggestions are great. the piece of advice that helped me most when i started was that it shouldn't be inserted "up" like a tampon, but more "back" of that makes sense. good luck, it is fantastic once you get the hang of it!

Nukke

I never cut my stem, and mine also sits very high.  It also took me a long time to get used to my diva cup.  My best advice is to be persistent.  You will figure out what works best for you.

I was having such a hard time getting it out. I have a septate hymen to boot (sorry for the TMI, but that's the nature of this thread).  Because my diva sits way up, I was having a rough time getting it out.  Squatting on the floor lowers your vagina a bit and makes it easier, and I was doing that until I got the hang of getting it out otherwise.  In this case, I highly recommend using the shower for changing it until you can figure out how to remove it without squatting.

I was relating my grievances to my cousin and she told me that hers sits way up aswell.  She said to me, "you just need to shove your arm in there up to your elbow and get it out.".  This no-nonsense attitude actually worked.  I stopped... beating around the bush... pusyfooting around... (ahhahahaha)  and I've not had a problem since.

Daisy07gray

pps are great.  Mine sits possibly low but the folds, inserting "back", squatting and bearing down to remove and the cleaning are all things I do.  I love my Diva cup, once you get used to it (I had more trouble getting it in than leaking/ removing and it really was as easy as just going for it- within 2 cycles I felt comfortable) I hope you love it too!

juno

Nukke:

I never cut my stem, and mine also sits very high.  It also took me a long time to get used to my diva cup.  My best advice is to be persistent.  You will figure out what works best for you.

I had the same experience.  I would suggest not immediately cutting the stem; test it out first and see if it bothers you.  Mine sits super high, so mine got stuck the first time, even though it still had the stem.  It was terrifying and I wouldn't have used it again except that it cost so much and I read stories from other people who had powered through it.  I rely heavily on the stem now to get a good grip on it.

annabelle.27

I haven't had any problems getting it out- I squeeze and pull. Inserting took a while to get the hang of. Once I discovered the punch-down fold (Google it), which makes the edge that is being inserted smaller, I had no problems.

mariavictoriax

There are videos on YouTube on menstrual cup demonstration (not graphic).  This was very helpful to me and I have had no trouble with insertion and removal.

elviebird

I only had trouble the first time I used it, because I inserted it fully before turning it.  Basically, it's impossible to turn once I got it up there.  So now I just put it halfway in, turn, then push it the rest of the way.  This also ensure that it's open all the way.

MDigeon1125

The first two times I used mine I guess I was putting it too far in.  What really helped was watching a video on YouTube on the different types of folds and testing them out to see which one worked best for me.