An alternative to tampons or pads. Females only, please.

[MerryH]

Hello. If you're a man and you're still reading this, be warned that it might get gross because this is about Lady Business. It's probably best if all males get out, for their own good.

So, women. This might be weird, but:

Menstrual cups. [url=http://www.divacup.com/]Diva Cup[/url], [url=http://www.mooncup.co.uk/]Moon Cup[/url], [url=http://www.lunette.com/]Lunette[/url], [url=http://www.keeper.com/, ]Keeper[/url]. You girls have heard of these, right?

This is generally what they look like:



They sit inside, similar to a tampon, but instead of absorbing liquid, they collect it. They’re generally made of “healthcare grade silicone.” You leave them in for up to 12 hours (as opposed to 8 with tampons!) then remove, empty, wash, and reinsert. They’re supposed to last for years.

These things have been a godsend for me, and I’ve heard so so so many positive things about them. They just make your period so much more bearable and simple.

They eliminate the need for carrying around a supply of tampons or pads, you can wait longer to change them, there’s no weird odors, they save money in the long run, they eliminate tampon/pad waste, no bulges in your panties and no string hanging out, you don't have to deal with that unpleasant feeling associated with dry tampons (you know what I mean), and they’ve somehow made my cramps not as bad and my period shorter (not sure why that happens, but I’m glad it does.)

They’re just really great. They might take some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, man, is it ever wonderful. So I just wanted to make others aware of them. Every forum I’ve ever been to has had a thread about them, but I did a search and couldn’t find one here, so here it is, I guess.

Are there any cup users here? Any questions from the curious? Ask anything.

[MaidenMinx]

I have heard of these before but found the whole idea just disgusting. This coming from a girl who dislikes pads because I have to look at it and I don't like tampons because I really don't like the idea of trapping all that ... ick... inside me. My preference when at home is to use nothing and dash to the toilet when I feel like I'm about to drip. I feel like that is the most natural thing to do.

So here are my questions...

I'm assuming it sits over the cervix... how do you remove it... well without spilling it inside you? and the washing it out bit... isn't that a bit confronting?

[Boisdevie]

I'm a guy and I bought my former partner one. So some of us guys are not grossed out by the subject.

[MerryH]

I have heard of these before but found the whole idea just disgusting. This coming from a girl who dislikes pads because I have to look at it and I don't like tampons because I really don't like the idea of trapping all that ... ick... inside me. My preference when at home is to use nothing and dash to the toilet when I feel like I'm about to drip. I feel like that is the most natural thing to do.

So you don't use pads/tampons? You can just hold it until you're at a toilet? That's insanely awesome. How did you learn that kind of control?

I'm assuming it sits over the cervix...

It sits below the cervix. Here is a helpful mspaint:

[url]http://www.knowledgerush.com/wiki_image/f/f5/Menstrual_cup_inserted.png[/url]

how do you remove it... well without spilling it inside you?

It won't spill if you keep it upright during removal. It's easy. You can do it while you're sitting on the toilet or squatting in the shower.

and the washing it out bit.

I admit, this part is a little weird at first because you can actually see the contents of your period, but you just dump it out and hit it with some soap and rinse. It becomes routine: remove, empty, wash, re-insert.

[Petit Papillon]

I definitely prefer tampons

[Petit Papillon]

So you don't use pads/tampons? You can just hold it until you're at a toilet? That's insanely awesome. How did you learn that kind of control?

She's a super woman lol . If everywoman knew how to do that, there would be no embarassing moments like "**** , I have a blood spot on my ass!! What to do?What to do?"

[MerryH]

I definitely prefer tampons

If it's working for you, that's great. But have you tried/heard of cups?

[Petit Papillon]

No i didn't hear of them,but from your description, they sound more dirty than tampons

[MerryH]

Wow, really? That wasn't my intention. Bad description, then?

They're really not any more dirty/disgusting than tampons/pads.

[MaidenMinx]

Oh nothing as super as that. I feel it coming basically. I can only get away with this when I'm having a light month generally though.

[Petit Papillon]

Wow, really? That wasn't my intention. Bad description, then?

They're really not any more dirty/disgusting than tampons/pads.

I didn't read the thread very carefully but anyway now i imagine them as some cups that you use more than one time and you have to clean it from the blood lol

[MerryH]

I didn't read the thread very carefully but anyway now i imagine them as some cups that you use more than one time and you have to clean it from the blood lol

Thanks for your input.

[Petit Papillon]

Hmm you mad?

[MerryH]

Hmm you mad?

Not at all. I always welcome your helpful and insightful words. You're very smart.

[Petit Papillon]

That sounds ironical Oh well ...

I've just reread you post, it's some kind of silicon ball? How do you remove it if it doesn't have a string?