Diva Cup - Obesity

[tarqness.livejournal.com]

Hey all.  I just got a Diva Cup, and I'm excited to use it.  I just did a practice run, and I think I got it in there right, but it still seemed folded up, but the walls of my vagina were tight against it, so I don't know.

I made a comment to another poster a few weeks back that I was concerned I was "too big" to wear a Diva Cup.  I think people understandably mistook my meaning.  I didn't think my vagina was too big.  I thought *I* was too big, as in "obese," and would have a difficult time inserting it properly, or with removal.  The "dry run" went well, but I'm still worried about leakage.

Any heavy ladies in this group who use the Diva Cup?  What are your experiences with it?

Thanks in advance.

Comments

[crowjane.livejournal.com]

I've never been able to get my cup to fit right unless I'm menstruating. I'd try it again when you're bleeding, and if you're worried about leakage, wear a liner as backup or use it the first time when you will be home all day.

[theskirtgirlie.livejournal.com]

If you just got it, you're going to have a little bit of trouble working with it no matter what your size. I'm a big girl too, but I've never felt that my size made the Diva Cup Difficult to use. You'll get used to it the more you fiddle around with it.

Waiting until your period starts is a good idea, but if you want to try to put it in before make sure your vagina is lubricated and it will go in much easier.

Good luck, Hon'!

[unity-the-ninth.livejournal.com]

In my experience, my diva leaks. Either my period's so heavy it overflows, or I have to pee or poop and that changes the shape of my vagina. I'm neither over or underweight. I don't think fat would have much to do with it, honestly.

[75togo.livejournal.com]

I'm fat and have had no problems.

[so-says-ali.livejournal.com]

I'm a big girl (size 22)with short arms and I use Instead cups. The only problem I've ever had is maneuvering my upper body in a fashion that would give me better access to my vagina. Sometime I can't reach so well in some positions and the cup doesn't make it exactly where it needs to be, and therefore leaks a bit. I can't speak for the effectiveness of Diva cups in big women but I imagine the challenges, so to speak, would be the same.

[cryingcat613.livejournal.com]

I'm chubby and I don't have problems with that much. I always stick it up there and then use a finger to check for the cervix. When I poo, I take it out, though.

[ttelracs.livejournal.com]

Another big girl here. I have no problems with my keeper (different version of the diva). It's much easier to insert when you're menstruating. The only times I've had leakage is when I try to insert it in a hurry and end up not making 100% sure the cup has unfolded and suctioned well.

[rainbowaster.livejournal.com]

I'm a fatty and I LOVE my mooncup! I have found absolutely no problems with it, and haven't had any leaks in the three periods I've used it for (and I have a heavy flow). If it seems like it's still folded up, try jiggling it around a bit and stick your finger up to the rim to release the suction. It does take some practice, but now I've got it down that the whole ordeal only takes me about 30 seconds.

And just from a self-love standpoint, we may have some physical differences from our skinny sisters (and brothers!) but they're not so vastly different that there would be a problem with something like this. I think women are made to be ashamed of their bodies, and fat women even moreso. it's important not to get into a mindset that tells us we can't do things because of our size. It's something I've been dealing with my whole life and it does nothing but make me ashamed and depressed. Good luck! Have fun getting in touch with your body, menstrual cups are a great way to do that!

off topic

[majellen.livejournal.com]

Heh -try buying maternity clothes when you're a plus size. I just want to yell at the salespeople "FAT PEOPLE GET LAID AND PREGNANT TOO!" It's just frustrating when clothing companies don't realize that heavier women don't really want to wear sofa-print patterns in polyester. (And you can't say it's a cost issue - big and tall men don't seem to have this problem. Just us big and/or tall women!)

So even though I'm trying to lose weight (health reasons) after this kid makes his/her appearance in this world official - I'm with you on being ok with being bigger! Variety is the spice, no?

Re: off topic

[tarqness.livejournal.com]

I was a size 24 when I was last pregnant. I ordered cute maternity clothes from the JC Penney catalog, of all things. They were a godsend.

[angelicalangie.livejournal.com]

I am a heavy woman, and I have not had any major issues with leaks. Ok I will qualify that, getting it in has been easy and when I was on the pill I never leaked, however now I am off of the pill, I have found that I am a lot more heavier than normal. So the best advice is to check it and empty it regularly. But the insertion not an issue.

[tarqness.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Insteads slip and leak on me, so I'm hoping the Diva will be the answer.

[jennifer0246.livejournal.com]

fat girl who loves her divacup and never has leaks!

[hortonhearsawho.livejournal.com]

I don't have much to say since I'm generally average-sized and having only the expected issues with my cup after my second run: leakage, insertion issues, fishing it out issues... Although all of it has, as someone above said, made me a lot more comfortable with my body and all of that goodness.

The main point here is that I just have to love on your icon for a bit. The sheets in my bed at home have a permanent smelly-spot where my toy poodle curls up to sleep with me when I'm home. I wash them, and they're back to stink the next night. hahaha I wouldn't have it any other way. Doggie love.

[tarqness.livejournal.com]

That's my Lilly in the pic. She has allergies, and even has prescription food. But sometimes she gets into things she isn't supposed to, and it makes her not only fart up a storm (and dog farts, in my opinion, should be considered a chemical weapon) but it makes her skin stinky. And she will only sleep in our bed. I'm resigned to stink-sheets. ;)

[frkyjenn.livejournal.com]

Fat girl here (size 16) who got her first Diva two days ago (at the very end of my cycle of course)

I've had no issues getting it in correctly. I wore it the last two days with NO leakage.

I'm so in love with it. I can't wait until next month when I get to use it for a full cycle.

[mari-mac1109.livejournal.com]

I'm also a bigger girl--and that extends to my labial region. Getting my Keeper in far enough? A BATTLE. And since my labia is nice and round (like the rest of me), I couldn't get it in far enough, so it migrated its way out and caused me endlesss frustration. But, I'm going to try it again next cycle and see if I can perfect the technique and not have it suction itself to my labia and inner thighs.

[bluecurlystraw.livejournal.com]

Chubby menstrual cup lovers unite!

The first couple cycles with my Keeper were frustrating, as I had similar "won't unfold" issues. I was ready to send the horrible leaking thing back, but I stuck with it and eventually got the hang of it. Been using it for six years and I love it.

[asunlitrose.livejournal.com]

Size 22 here. I've never had any trouble with leaks, but it did take me a little while to find a good position to insert. Crouching in the shower doesn't work too good for me, but the toilet isn't bad. Neither is laying on the edge of my bed with my legs up. Good luck!