diva cup question - UPDATE 19

[lmh2402]

Yay, glad you gave it a try and it worked for you!

I've had one for many years but have only used it a handful of times as I just couldn't get it to work for me. In the past I've had really heavy periods and it would overflow by the 2 hour mark. So cloth pads have worked best for me. But the last few cycles I've been drinking peppermint tea and my cycles have been less heavy and 2 days shorter so maybe I should give it a try again.

hm, so questions

cloth pads - where do you get? these are things you then wash and reuse?

peppermint tea - you drink when your period starts? how many cups a day?

thanks!

[essnce629]

Yes, the cloth pads are washed and then reused. I've been using them since DS1 was one, so over 9 yrs now!

I like the Talulah Bean "minky" ones since they are so soft and don't stain. I wear their Minky Bean BabyMoon for overnights as it has great coverage and their other pads for medium and lighter days.
http://www.talulahbean.com/All-Pads_c_7.html

Homestead Emorium has great pads as well and I thought that's what I was using for my heaviest flow during the day, but now that I look it's not what I have! But I know a lot of BBB moms use them.
http://www.homesteademporium.com/products/pads.php

The peppermint tea I drink daily for my entire cycle, not just during my period. I drink 1-2 cups daily and steep it for at least 10 minutes. This is the brand I buy (it's marketed for those with IBS).
http://www.amazon.com/Heathers-Tummy.../dp/B000AEWGBM

[lmh2402]

thanks!

[BunnyBee]

If you're still nursing, you may not want to drink peppermint tea. I really like it (especially iced), but I had to work to get my supply up, so I avoid it.

Cloth pads are great! Easy. Really. I haven't bought any in years, so I'm not sure who/where to recommend now.

[kristenk]

Another cloth pad option for you: Pink Lemonade Shop on Etsy

[Melaine]

I got great deals on pads years ago with rachel's legal pads and they are still going strong but not sure if she closed up shop. She was a sweet highschooler then raising money to eventually go to law school. I also really really like PartyInMyPants (that's right...PIMP!).... So you need to check out their free pad offer, just pay shipping. Http://www.partypantspads.com
I dislike luna pads.

ETA: my sis just called me tonight from Harris Teeter where she found divas on clearance for $13! She bought all but there were only 3! Might want to check if you have one nearby (I don't).

[maybeebaby08]

Party in My Pants are my favorite too. Earth Day in April is a great time to buy/try. Usually lots of sales from different companies. Party in my Pants are thin, and super absorbent. I was a leery to switch to the Diva Cup & cloth pads but I'm so glad I did. My periods are super heavy, and this saves money, and is a lot better protection.


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[indigo99]

FWIW to others thinking about the diva, it would not work for me. My cervix moves down and forward during my period so I can't just put the cup straight in. I insert it and then turn it so that the opening is over my cervix (basically pointing toward my stomach). I have to completely cut off the tail end if it has little balls or a grip because it's pressing on my vagina wall. The diva was so large and rigid that I couldn't even get it in the right position. I now have the meluna brand that's smaller and softer, and it still presses on my tailbone in a way that makes it almost feel a little like I need to have a bowel movement. There are times when I use it anyway like when I'm spotting and worried that I may start bleeding more but don't want to wear pads all day just in case. I also have the large sibell which is really soft and flexible compared to even the meluna. I'll use it if I have really heavy flow, but I wish that I had the smaller sized one. I have a feeling it may be the right cup for me, but I hate importing one just to find out. My point is just that cups don't work equally well for everyone, but there are a lot of different ones so if you like the idea but don't find the right cup then you may want to try another.

I do love my PIMP panty liners though.

[zukeypur]

I have used mine for so long that I can no longer insert a tampon correctly. I guess it has to do with the angle that I'm used to going in at. I used it for a while before DD3 was born, but I really had a hard time with it after she was born. I could never get it in right, and it always seemed very uncomfortable. One day I read a thread on the BBB about it and noticed that many, many people cut the tip completely off with cuticle scissors. I did that immediately and fell in love with it again. Today it came in particularly handy because I knew that today was THE day, but DD had surgery this morning. I put it in this morning and didn't have to worry about it at all until I got home this evening. If ever there was a day to not have to worry about anything going on in my nether regions, it was today.

[pastrygirl]

FWIW to others thinking about the diva, it would not work for me. My cervix moves down and forward during my period so I can't just put the cup straight in. I insert it and then turn it so that the opening is over my cervix (basically pointing toward my stomach). I have to completely cut off the tail end if it has little balls or a grip because it's pressing on my vagina wall. The diva was so large and rigid that I couldn't even get it in the right position. I now have the meluna brand that's smaller and softer, and it still presses on my tailbone in a way that makes it almost feel a little like I need to have a bowel movement. There are times when I use it anyway like when I'm spotting and worried that I may start bleeding more but don't want to wear pads all day just in case. I also have the large sibell which is really soft and flexible compared to even the meluna. I'll use it if I have really heavy flow, but I wish that I had the smaller sized one. I have a feeling it may be the right cup for me, but I hate importing one just to find out. My point is just that cups don't work equally well for everyone, but there are a lot of different ones so if you like the idea but don't find the right cup then you may want to try another.

I do love my PIMP panty liners though.

I used a Diva without issue for years, but suddenly could not use it after my VBAC. It just did not work, even inside-out. I switched to a small Lunette (meant for pre-childbirth) and it works great, though I do get a tiny bit of leaking. I still love it, though! I ordered the larger size when it was on mamabargains a few weeks ago.