Since FL mentioned it on the cleanse thread I was wondering if anyone has tried this product or something like it. I don't know if I want to use one (though the benefits to the environment are good) but I would like to hear people's experiences. Thanks

http://www.divacup.com/

I currently use the Instead cup. You are not supposed to reuse it, but I do all the time and have not had any issues. With the instead (same idea, different product) you can have sex with it in, which is a bonus.

With the Diva cup I have heard plenty of raves over it.

I use a mooncup, which is made in the UK. It's a slightly different shape, but the same materials and principle.

I've been using it for 6 months or so. It's way more comfortable than tampons, you get no wicking string, you can empty it whenever you want (as opposed to the ow-factor of changing a tampon too early), and it lasts longer between changes - I estimate it holds about 1.5x as much as a super-plus tampax.

Some ladies I know who are very green-minded actually empty theirs into their pot-plants (ETA: plants in a pot, not mj!), which personally I think a bit eewwww, but I guess it's no different to blood and bone fertiliser... (Nah, it's still eww)

I have had two negative experiences with my mooncup. Once when I had a cold, I had an really explosive sneeze that unseated it, and I had to make a mad dash to the toilet, and one time I accidentally left it out before giving it it's boil... and the dog ate it. I have another in the mail as I speak - they're that good, I'm prepared to shell out for it twice.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: kiwichick,

As I understand it, the Instead cup sits over your cervix, while the divacup or mooncup (or keeper) sits just inside the vagina.

So being a virgin and not really liking tampons and getting sick of pads is a divecup or something like it the way to go?

Well, from what I've just read, you might like it although it depends on why you don't like tampons.

If you don't like the insertion factor, this would be the wrong product for you.

I'm thinking about getting one although I think I'll wait to see if my IUD effectively stops my periods again...

~Ang

The insertion factor is ok I just find them uncomfortable.

I found the first time I used one, I could feel it "there". Some people find the stem poky, and trim it back - some people trim it right off. But for an example in my last period, someone asked me what it felt like, and I said quite honestly that I couldn't feel it at all.

There are two sizes of mooncup, size A is for if you're over 30 or have given birth vaginally, size B is slightly smaller, for under 30 and no vaginal birth. This annoyed me - just cos I'm over 30, I'm supposed to have some cavern? Kiwi claims I'm nice and tight. But, for all that, it does fit well. Sigh.

Yeah the instead sits higher up.

Nicci, I think you should really give it a try! I thought she offered a money back guarantee, even if you cut the stem off. So you really have nothing to lose. I hate tampons and hate pads, so using the cup (which ever one) is awesome! Plus I only have to empty it once before bed and then again in the morning. Of course if you have heavy days you have to another time in there. I have heard they cut down on cramps and can make your periods shorter.

Wow. I hadn't thought about it. My cramps have really decreased significantly since I started using the mooncup. Cool! My flow has decreased too, but I already knew that

The Instead Cup How do you remove it? Especially after sex it must have to go a ways in?

The instead rests up higher, back behind you pubic bone. So to take it out, you use your finger to reach in and slip your finger on the bottom and pull while you kinda push down to help dislodge it. It's quite simple actually.

Hey gang, this is the first I've heard of this. How much do they generally run cost wise?

The Diva Cup I believe is around $32. and I thought it can last up to 5 years or something like that. The instead cups are $7 for a box of 12 or 14. And those you are "supposed" to use only once.

I paid around US$30 (give or take on exchange rate) for my mooncup.