Diva - Cup Blues

[sorbetdelight.livejournal.com]

Hey,
So, I've been raving to everyone I know about how great the diva-cup is and how it saves time and money and is so much healthier and cleaner, yada yada. However, after a few (4-5) months of use, it seems to not be doing it's job anymore. While you're supposed to be able to wear it for 8-10 hours and i used to be able to, it now leaks after only a couple and my cramps have been really bad (i'm not sure if that's related though). It's just not continuing to be as awesome as it first seemed. I'm not using it any differently though and take the same amount of care to put it in properly and such.
A friend is having the same experience, but we cant figure out what's going on?
Has anyone else had this disappointing development with the diva cup?

Comments

[snowowl.livejournal.com]

When you empty the cup after just a few hours, how full is it?

If it isn't overflowing and yet you have leaks, then you are putting it in incorrectly. I know you said you were putting it in just like before and are careful about it, but that's just the simple truth of the matter. The only other thing that could cause a leak would be if the silicone cracked, and you'd be able to see that right away. Maybe you should try different techniques to putting it in; there are lots of suggestions in the memories of the menstrual_cups community.

Sometimes I've gotten leaks when I failed to clean out the little holes in the cup around the brim. If the holes get clogged with blood, the cup won't suction correctly and thus you'll have leaks.

Cramps are spasms of the uterus; it's unlikely that the Divacup or other menstural products could affect that. But yeah, they suck big time.

If you read some of the insertion tips people have in the other community and try them but it still doesn't seem to be working, maybe you should contact the staff at Divacup. You can go to their website and get their email address. They've always replied to my questions in a timely and friendly manner. And if it still doesn't work after that -- you can return the cup for a full money back guarentee.

Good luck!

[katejaneway.livejournal.com]

If it's not suctioning properly, it might also be too small. You might try ordering the larger version.

[likesexandcandy.livejournal.com]

i just have a general cup question... like how do you empty it? like isn't it really messy and stuff?

[lindsey-nichole.livejournal.com]

I remove it and pour the contents in the toilet. There's a bit of blood on the fingers I used to take it out, and I wash my hands.

It's not a problem really, and actually easier than tampons were. I don't leak with my DC and therefore do not have stains to take care of - which in the end makes my period less messy. :)

[lilmoe.livejournal.com]

This is my first cycle with mine and I'm really surprised at how easy it has been. I used Instead Softcups first and those were brutal to take out. I've already almost gotten used to taking it out in public restrooms, really isn't too bad at all. My first time I took it out in the shower, just to be safe in case it was really messy.

[fumblerette1.livejournal.com]

As I recently learned, just because you've been using the cup for 6 months doesn't mean you know what you're doing. After my second month I had things pretty worked out. No leaks that month, none the third or fourth month either. Then my fifth month I leaked almost every day, and then again my sixth month I had no problems. I chalk it up to human error.

[rachelish.livejournal.com]

are the little holes around the top of the cup clogged? you can use a pin to get out any gunk that's in them. like someone else said, that can make the cup not suction properly, and then you can get leaks

[nirbhao.livejournal.com]

look at your cup really closely to see if it is completely clean and there is nothing wrong with it (any cracks are covered by warranty). if it is, and you didn't have leaks at one point but are having leaks now, the problem is most likely, as noted above, user error. that's not a horrible thing, it just means you need more careful attention. (o:

[windowlessroom.livejournal.com]

Hehe, I just had to drop by and tell you that I love your icon.
:]