mentrual cups

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-07-2007
mentrual cups
10
Mon, 12-31-2007 - 6:13pm
I ask here because Misty I saw you mention them. I would love more info on them from someone who has personally used them. Gosh I never knew there was something out there called menstrual cups. I checked out that reusables via internet but apparently you cannot have intercourse with them. Are the disposables easy to insert, use. Neither DH or I are comfortable having sex while I have my period and well after my depo nightmare I am so leary about trying any other type of BC that stops it like the pill where you only have it every few months. I have my period for usually 7 days and it is heavy the first few and well frankly 7 days is just to long to go without sex. Yes I know I am greedy.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2007
In reply to: now_finally
Mon, 12-31-2007 - 11:13pm

Hi Tiffany,

I have actually used the cups. When I first started using them, several years ago, they were great. I started using them again over the past year, and I am having more difficulty with them.

I'm not sure why, other than possible body changes, but I can't seem to get them high enough. If hubby helps, then I can't reach to get the damn thing out, LOL. When I insert it, it still works to stop the leakage problems, but it doesn't work for intercourse. Hubby can feel it, and it has a rather large, plastic ring.

My flow isn't as heavy as it was at one time, so the cups work great for us most of the time. I enjoy using them just to avoid the mess, we use them for foreplay (and toy play), and then I remove it for intercourse. Since my flow is light, we usually don't have any mess.





iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2004
In reply to: now_finally
Tue, 01-01-2008 - 2:54am
I've also used menstrual cups, the Instead brand to be specific. The most important thing to keep in mind about them is that you want to insert one just before you have sex. If it's been in place for a few hours, then bumping it during sex is going to cause huge amounts of leaking. We always had good luck as long as we did that. My husband could feel the ring, but it didn't bother him at all.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-12-2002
In reply to: now_finally
Tue, 01-01-2008 - 6:18pm

Hi there,


There are heaps of different types out there.

 


 


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
In reply to: now_finally
Wed, 01-02-2008 - 12:24am

I've used the Instead brand cups for the last 5 or so years and highly recommend them! As another poster said, make sure to have a new cup in before sex. My SO can feel the rim as well but it doesn't bother him.

The one thing to be aware of is that removal is a little messy and you have to be very comfortable with touching yourself intimately and with getting some blood on your fingers. I have had a few women I recommended it to come back to me with that particular complaint, that it was too messy upon removal, but I have no problem with it myself, it's a natural part of life for pete's sake! lol

As for the person who had trouble inserting and removing, for easier insertion, lean back as much as you can, even lay down if you must and it will fit up in there easier; and for removal, just bear down/push a little and it will come out much easier as well!

Good luck and let us know how you like using them.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2007
In reply to: now_finally
Wed, 01-02-2008 - 8:10am
Welcome to the board, mizzhoneyy, and thanks for joining in.








... and ...




iVillage Member
Registered: 12-20-2007
In reply to: now_finally
Thu, 01-03-2008 - 3:25pm
Has anyone else had them just not seem to fit?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2007
In reply to: now_finally
Thu, 01-03-2008 - 3:54pm

I've not had problems with them leaking, but then again, I haven't used them during a particularly heavy flow.

I know that when I first tried them, I practiced with a cup when I didn't have my period. Maybe try to have your body in different positions while trying to place it (like sitting, leg up on edge of tub, standing, etc.). Once it rests in the correct position, you can feel the difference with your fingers.









... and ...




iVillage Member
Registered: 12-20-2007
In reply to: now_finally
Thu, 01-03-2008 - 4:10pm
yeah, I tried all sorts of things.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2007
In reply to: now_finally
Thu, 01-03-2008 - 5:41pm

On their website, they do mention that a cup may protrude if it is indeed too big for the wearer. Here's a link to their FAQs (where I saw that mentioned):

http://www.softcup.com/product/frequently_asked_questions.php

They also have directions for use on their site, although I don't think they are different than those that come with the product.









... and ...




iVillage Member
Registered: 02-17-2007
In reply to: now_finally
Tue, 01-15-2008 - 9:50pm

I use Instead brand cups and have been for over 5 years now. I can't imagine going back to tampons. I have never had a problem wearing the same cup that I've had in all day during sex, but maybe if you have a really heavy flow, it can be a problem. I generally wear mine all day and very rarely have to use more than one a day.

They do take practice and patience, but I don't have a problem with mine staying in place. I find if you squeeze two ends together and angle it down, that helps me a lot. Sometimes I do have to take it out and readjust, but that's minor, IMO.

I can't remember the last time that I had a problem with leaking, except when I left it in way too long.

The men who I have slept with while using it have mentioned that they could feel it. Two of the three said sometimes it was really uncomfortable, sometimes it is not noticable. Depends on the angle and all of that. I find missionary is most comfortable and causes the least amount of penile friction.

I always use lube, because these cups do prevent your natural lubrication to get where it needs to, so just be sure to have some handy.