Alternative menstrual products: Anyone got advice on "the keeper" or "diva cup"?

Question

I want to get away from bleached/disposable menstrual products and be environmentally friendly, but my flow is VERY heavy so I've always been scared to try cloth pads or other alternative products. Does anyone know (before I buy) whether the Keeper/Diva Cup would work for me? (I now use the biggest size of OB tampon, plus pads.) What about overnight? During yoga class? Etc.

Answer 1

I've been using a Mooncup for nearly four years now; I suffer from menorrhagia and if it was not for my menstrual cup I'd not be able to leave the house, seriously. I used commercial tampons and commercial pads together like you, both in super-plus and still had to change once every hour, they also gave me constant vaginal infections – I have not had a single infection since using a menstrual cup.

Menstrual cups hold around one ounce (30 ml) and can be left in for up to 12 hours, so for us ladies with very heavier periods they are a lot easier – on a heavy day I need to empty my cup every 2-6 hours, but as I say I have excessive periods so that's quite an achievement for someone with menorrhagia and a IUD.

I can normally just pop my cup in when I'm getting ready for work and then take it out, empty and wash when I'm in the shower at night, if I have to empty at work I just empty and reinsert (it's best to wipe off or rinse with a bottle of water, but it's really not necessary) and it's a whole lot less trouble than tampons and pads.

Keeper has a 3 month money back guarantee, as does the Mooncup, and Divacup have a 12 month money back guarantee, not sure about the Lunettes money back guarantee – so if they don't work for you then you can always get your money back!

You might want to look at different comparisons on the different cups, as a side note Keeper customer service and the company in general have a bad reputation in their business ethics. I find people do tend to prefer the [medical grade] silicone cups as they don't leave the rubber smell/taste to your vagina, they can be boiled to sterilize, clearer to monitor your flow, don't cause allergies and are suitable for vegans.

Comparisons;
http://www.busybusymomma.com/MC.html
http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups/473758.html
http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups/648061.html
http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups/33356.html
http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups/642483.html

If you are worried about cup size then this comparison shows difference in size between open and folded cups alongside expanded tampons and tampons prior to absorption - http://www.geocities.com/angua_nemi/tamp_moon.html#tamp – also bare in mind that menstrual cups can be folded in different ways making them even smaller, see here - http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups/453392.html - plus you know, menstrual cups are smooth so easier to insert and the vagina expands.

I think a lot of people are a little intimidated by the size at first, after a few goes it becomes second nature and far easier than using tampons and pads, another plus to menstrual cups is that they can be worn when not menstruating – so not only good to wear before your period is due to avoid being caught without anything, also good as you can practice with them because your period is due.

Menstrual cups are fine to use overnight because unlike tampons they are not linked to vaginal infections or TSS as they do not allow for excessive bacterial growth so they can be left in safely and hygienically for up to 12 hours, they also do not absorb vaginal fluids leading to vaginal splitting – which is why tampons shouldn't be used at night. I normally find on really excessive days it still pays to put down a towel on your bed or wear cloth pads just in case, but it all depends on how heavy your flow is.

As for yoga class, that is a big yes on menstrual cups being okay because they are far less likely to leak in comparison to tampons, there is nothing at all showing on the outside of the body (the stem can actually be trimmed or removed as well so it doesn't irritate as the above answer suggests) and they don't cause cramps as tampons can – FYI you may actually notice your periods lighten and cramps lessen with a menstrual cup in comparison to tampons.

Menstrual cups are safe, hygienic, convenient, comfortable, body-positive, environmentally friendly, ethical manufacturers, economical, and a lot of other positives over tampons and commercial pads.

I highly recommend you look at this web site;
http://www.menstrualcups.org
This is basically a site made from the menstrual cup community on Livejournal - http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups - which has 1825 members who are happy menstrual cup users, well informed too so I'd recommend checking through the community memories section to find more information, possibly get yourself an Livejournal and join the community if you ever have any problems or questions.

I not only recommend them to all my female friends, but all my [male] friends now recommend them to their female friends too after hearing me wax lyrical about them :o)

Answer 2

I used a keeper for years (the only reason I'm not using one now is that I recently had a baby and have to order a different size for post-childbirth).

Overnight, exercise classes, no problem. Heavy flows not really a problem either, you just make a point to empty it every few hours. I would occassionally get a tiny bit of spotting, but no worse than with tampons.

The only time it can be uncomfortable is if you do a lot of bike riding, the little stem can be irritating after a while.

As for the choice between the two, the Keeper is made of natural rubber and the Diva cup is silicon. If you're allergic to latex, go with the Diva cup.

I would recommend either one for convenience, economy, and waste reduction.

Answer 3

I don't have any answers about the cups. But you don't mention why your flow is so heavy. Is it an abnormally heavy flow? There are many possible underlying reasons for an excessively heavy menstrual flow. If not diagnosed, some of them may cause more health problems. Not to mention that if the medical problem is diagnosed and corrected, often the heavy menstrual cycles also stop.

For more information on what defines an abnormally heavy period and possible reasons for it, click here: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/106869/possible_causes_of_heavy_menstrual.html

Answer 4

To sum it all up In summary On a final note Also, you could highlight "in conclusion" and right click, then click synonyms (if you're using MS Word). Hope I helped! (:

Answer 5

As a man, I do not have a clue what is like to have that sindrom! However, I know that it is very wrong to have drugs for it. Use pleasent things when you are in period.