The Diva Cup and Vaginismus

[restlesspoetry.livejournal.com]

Hey everyone,

a question regarding the Diva Cup coming your way!

I have non diagnosed Vaginismus. Basically anything bigger than a finger hurts to put in my vagina. It goes in, but it hurts like you wouldn't believe. I use OB tampons because they're small (the super size is smaller than your generic plastic applicator tampon of normal size), but I really love the idea of a Diva Cup, especially since I can't go bigger than super size OBs which means I have to run to the bathroom every few hours because I'm a heavy bleeder.

I'm just wondering if anybody with similar issues have one and can actually use it. I know you fold it when you put it in, so I don't think that would be that much of a problem, but I also read that to get it out you may have to stick a finger up and break the seal. And well, I can barely get two fingers up there to begin with, so I'm wondering if it would be stupid of me to think I can use one, seeing as a Diva Cup and a finger most likely is bigger than two fingers.

Do I make any sense? Anyone in my situation that has one?

Comments

[poppleshatesyou.livejournal.com]

I second the suggestion of asking this at menstrual_cups.
But in my personally opinion i'm not sure a cup would work for you. Does it really really hurt you to pull out a fully soaked OB tampon?? (since i know how much they can expand horizontally) Because if so i really think a cup might hurt for you too use. But definitely ask this question in the cup community, plus take a look at all their tags and what not, they have loads of helpful information specifically about menstrual cups.

[poppleshatesyou.livejournal.com]

er personal opinion too. durrr, apparently i should be more awake before typing.

[restlesspoetry.livejournal.com]

Well it's the insertion that is the hardest thing with tampons. If they're soaked they don't hurt THAT much to get out, and I really prefer fewer bad moments pulling them out (since I can use a super with OB and not with a "regular" tampon), than a more frequent insertion pain with a regular tampon.

[poppleshatesyou.livejournal.com]

well..a folded up cup..i'm pretty sure no matter which fold you may be using, would still be bigger then a tampon. But with lube or something it could maybe not hurt so much. Do you have a lot of pain with sex as well?
Good news if you do end up trying the diva cup and it doesn't work out, they have a 1 year warranty (from the website, if you keep the receipts and what not, and don't cut off the stem, i believe.) so you could get your money back. All this info is on their website. (http://www.divacup.com)

[restlesspoetry.livejournal.com]

I don't really have penetrative sex at all. My husband is trans and is pretty happy with strap-on-less sex, so we're still happy sexually. But yeah, I haven't had painless penetrative sex for years. How big is a folded up cup?

[poppleshatesyou.livejournal.com]

This images of are of a Keeper and not of a Diva but they give you an idea of the folds and the sizes. Folding techniques (http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups/453392.html)

[asunlitrose.livejournal.com]

I'm on my first cycle so I'm still learning, but I would try out menstrual_cups too. To me, the punch down fold is as big as a super tampon, and I can't stick a finger up to break the seal either. Instead I pinch the bottom of the cup and move the bottom a little bit to break the seal. It's worked so far. To help insertion I've also applied glycerin-free lube to the lady bits to make it go smoother. It's worked so far. Good luck! I really like mine.

[atdelphi.livejournal.com]

I have a similar issue, but unfortunately I wasn't able to use the cup.

[iblamexianity.livejournal.com]

I use a cup but don't have your medical issue.

Keep in mind that, while the cup is folded when you put it in, it is unfolded when you take it out. You pull out one side at a time. This probably would be the size of two soaked tampons.

Also, I have to insert my finger after I insert the cup to make sure it's open and adjust it and stuff, but not everyone's like that.

I think your main problem would be removal. You can always try and return the cup if it doesn't work for you (I seem to remember that the return policies are good), but my suspicion is that you'd have a really, really hard time.

I've had vaginal sex and penetration for years, no problems, no pain -- and the cup still hurts me sometimes.

[restlesspoetry.livejournal.com]

Thanks, that's exactly the kind of info I was looking for. It sounds like I'm gonna have to pass, at least until I've worked on my Vaginismus some.

[iblamexianity.livejournal.com]

Good luck!