North Florida Nesties
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
s/o Diva Cup...
I still find it to be a little 
but y'all have me curious:
What is the cost savings vs tampons? How often do you replace it with a completely new one? When getting the hang of it, did you have accidents?
Also, I get really itchy from tampons for several days after AF. Anyone experience anything like this with the cup?
Re: s/o Diva Cup...
The Diva Cup is 20ish dollars, so I'd say it equals about 3 packs of tampons, and you basically don't have to replace it. After each cycle, you just soak it in hydrogen peroxide and voila, like new. It's silicone, so it's very durable. Unless you run over it or something, it doesn't need to be replaced.
It took me a couple of months to really get the hang of the right angle and removing it to empty, etc., so you just back up with a pantiliner (which I use anyway) or a light pad and maybe put a pack of handwipes in your purse in case you get a little on your hand, although that might happen anyway with a tampon.
Since there aren't any fibers and it preserves your natural lubrication, you shouldn't have any itching afterwards. It's always worth a shot, I think, and if you really don't like it after a couple of months, no monetary loss.
I find that the first time I put it in each cycle is the hardest, if you will. So usually I will put it in, wait 30 minutes, then take it out and reinsert. You do get the hang of being able to tell what's a good seal or not. I don't remember how long the learning curve was in the beginning, but not too bad I don't think. If it fills al the way up then you probably will leak a little. So on heavy days I will usually wear a panty liner, but like with tampons, you can usually feel it if you need to find a bathroom real quick.
I rinse with water each time I empty it, and boil for 20 minutes at the end of each cycle. I plan to keep the same one until after I give birth some day, and then only switch if I think I need the bigger size. So they last a long time.
The no itchy feeling is one the things I love about it.
My Ovulation Chart
My Ovulation Chart
I would agree with pretty much everything DP said, especially the wipes. And I also carry hand sanitizer for those times you just feel better using it. There's also a wash for it (basically like a toy wash), but it's not necessary.
I love it because it's super easy, and honestly, doesn't give me the ick factor that tampons/pads/etc. do. Another major benefit is that there's no risk of TSS from it. I know it's a rare issue, but it's there. I love the fact that it doesn't give me that tampon itch/dryness, and definitely feels more comfortable than any of the other options.
It took me 2-3 months to get used to it, and yes you can leak if it's not in right. That's why I'm trying the smaller one because it just doesn't seem to be sealing correctly. There's a way to check that every time you put it in, so you shouldn't be caught off guard, though. I could tell it wasn't fitting properly, and wear a backup liner too.
The biggest downside to me is that I seem to cramp a bit more that first day or so. Because your muscles are holding it in, it can intensify your cramps. I think it's a case-by-case thing though, as I've known women who didn't have that problem.
I haven't tried using it out in public yet (just haven't had to), so I haven't figured out public restrooms. Even on my heaviest days, I could just empty it before I left home and when I got back with no issues. My postpartum periods seem to be quite different this time though, so I may have to think that through.
I am also in the super heavy periods group, so I would go through almost two boxes of tampons every month. So yeah, it paid for itself within 2-3 months tops. I never got to use it after Jeffery (only had two cycles before getting preggo again), so I'm still getting used to using it post-baby.
"My 101 List - Updating asap, I swear!
Just a note on emptying. Even with super duper heavy periods post-baby, I still only empty it three to four times a day on my heavy days, twice like above on normal days. You're not supposed to go more than 12 hours, I believe.
And on a side note, apparently the Native Sun Natural Food Market carries them in our area.
"My 101 List - Updating asap, I swear!
You had me sold until I read about the cramps. When AF returns, I will reconsider.
If I have to empty it while I am out and about, I try to find a handicap stall with a sink in it. I know it is possible just to wipe it out in a pinch but I feel better to rinse it.
I am in the heavy camp too so it was nice to be able to go back to my Dr and tell them *exactly* how much I was bleeding each day and for the cycle.
Since someone mentioned toy cleaner, it does work fine too. Since I literally have a case of it, I tried it once my diva wash ran out and never bought more wash. It is made for silicone toys and is pH balanced.
Nobody told me about that before-hand, so I did want to point out the few cons. I still don't always have that issue though. And it does let up once you're past the first 12-24 hours.
"My 101 List - Updating asap, I swear!
I know... Me too.
I haven't had that issue with cramps, but my cramps have always been a serious b!tch, so I wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
Ditto the finding a stall with a sink. In desperate times I've used a bottle of water or a handwipe on the outside, but there's rarely any emergencies like that since it holds half an ounce. Doesn't sound like much, but that's half a shotglass, and since you only lose between 2 and 8 TB a cycle, that's usually plenty of room for up to 8 hours.
I havent been able to post the last couple of days, but I wanted to add that I LOVE my Diva Cup.
Seriously the best female decision I ever made. For me its almost like I dont have period because its so easy. I've had pretty much the same experience as everyone else, so nothing to add there, but I do want to say that for some women they can lessen cramps as well. I dont know why, but I've heard it can either way if it effects you in that way at all.