menstrual cups and air embolisms

[clawbeatskin.livejournal.com]

I've googled this and browsed various communities here on Livejournal, but none of them seemed to have that much substantial information about this.

I FINALLY got a Divacup in tonight. Now there's just one thing that has been making me kind of paranoid recently: every time that I've tried to insert it in the past (and tonight), there's been a ton of air that goes right into my vagina from the cup popping at inopportune moments. Now I've read all about how blowing into the vagina during oral sex or what-have-you can cause an embolism... naturally, I would think that all of the air from the suction and popping of the menstrual cup could cause the same?

Can someone try to fill me in on whether or not this is a legitimate fear?


Also, when I got it in, I was a little freaked out from the air issue, and I don't think that I had made much of an effort to position it correctly, because I couldn't urinate with it inside of me. It's like something was... blocked. I eventually pushed hard enough that the cup came out just so that I could pee. I'm a bit discouraged by all of this.

Comments

[ktnzgtklws.livejournal.com]

Air embolism are something minor to be concerned about when it comes to your blood, but I would think that as much as the vagina can stretch, and the fact that the cervix acts as a pretty darn good gatekeeper to keep germs out to begin with, that the amount of air a mooncup could hold shoudl not cause issues. I mean, queefing (sp?) happens during sex from air getting pushed in to your vagina, and so far I haven't heard of anyone having anything from that other than embarssment. LOL

[fireaphid.livejournal.com]

I think more air gets into the vagina during sex than while using a menstrual cup, so I don't think it's a serious danger.

Also, it's a pretty common issue to have trouble urinating with the cup in. You may be able to find a better position for it, but if you can't, don't be discouraged. The Diva is one of the longest cups out there, so it's quite prone to issues related to its size, like making it difficult to urinate or have a bowel movement with it in. Keep trying to position it better, but if it just won't work, you may want to try another brand of cup; there are 7 brands total, each with different shapes, sizes, capacities, and stiffnesses, with their properties organized in the menstrual_cups community.

[atalanta0jess.livejournal.com]

Yup - my divacup definitely makes it hard for me to pee. i switched to a ladycup, and that problem is totally solved. :)

[vronwe.livejournal.com]

This.

[lougolas.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you asked this because I'd wondered about it too!

[bomega.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the vaginal air embolism isn't anything to worry about.

Many women find that they can't urinate with the cup in - it puts too much pressure on the urethra through the vaginal wall. Personally, I find that sometimes a minor adjustment takes care of it, but other women remove their cup to pee.

BTW, have you visited the menstrual_cups community? They might be able to help you out with any other problems you may be having, and help you fine-tune your cup usage.

[quit.livejournal.com]

Heh, Chuck Palahniuk would lead you to believe this is highly common. From what I understand, it isn't.

[sageautumn.livejournal.com]

Just to toss some more questions in there... from what I understand...

Yes, it can happen--air emobolism via uterus... IF you've just given birth, or have had major surgery--and therefor have open wounds/such.

Other than that? nope... sealed system.

Again... just from what I understand.