Do you/would you use menstrual alternatives?

**cheappearls** · 02-05-2007, 03:54 PM

I starting thinking today about maybe switching to reusable pads or The Keeper. Just thinking about how much waste would be saved is blowing my mind! Plus it would save me a ton of money.

So anyone here use "resusables" or would anyone try it?

**acidcookie** · 02-05-2007, 04:13 PM

I've thought about it, but my period is generally light and not too long so as much as it's easy to say I'd save so much money, I'm not sure I would. I use but a small amount of light tampons each month and I just don't care to switch.

**Nada.Leona** · 02-05-2007, 04:48 PM

I use the Diva Cup, which is the same as the Keeper, only it's not latex rubber. I really like it, but it does take some time to get used to. I use disposable tampons at work, because I use a public bathroom and I don't think anyone would appreciate me "cleaning my Diva cup" in the bathroom sink at work.

But at home it's great!

**cheappearls** · 02-05-2007, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by Naderbug

I use the Diva Cup, which is the same as the Keeper, only it's not latex rubber. I really like it, but it does take some time to get used to. I use disposable tampons at work, because I use a public bathroom and I don't think anyone would appreciate me "cleaning my Diva cup" in the bathroom sink at work.

But at home it's great!

That's great! I posted on another message board just to see if anyone uses it and I got about 15 "ewwww that's nasty" replies. I completely understand about the public bathroom thing. Since I'm a SAHM I won't have that problem.

I bought the keeper and I'm really excited about trying it. I really hate tampons (especially now after reading about it on the keeper's site) and with running after kids all day pads just don't cut it.

**acidcookie** · 02-05-2007, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by Naderbug

I use disposable tampons at work, because I use a public bathroom and I don't think anyone would appreciate me "cleaning my Diva cup" in the bathroom sink at work.

Yeah, this is why I could never do the Diva Cup. My schedule is pretty irregular. I'm on campus a lot but not always at the same times or for the same amount of time. Having to think about taking care of this thing would cause me stress.

**cheappearls** · 02-05-2007, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by acidcookie

Yeah, this is why I could never do the Diva Cup. My schedule is pretty irregular. I'm on campus a lot but not always at the same times or for the same amount of time. Having to think about taking care of this thing would cause me stress.

Yeah I understand that. If I wasn't at home 99% of the time, I don't think I would use it. I guess it all depends on your lifestyle.

**AheeK** · 02-05-2007, 07:33 PM

I heard about the Diva Cup on another site. Does it really work? How "leak-proof" is it? How long can you wear it? Can you wear it at night? (Sorry if all the questions are TMI...)

**kettel6** · 02-05-2007, 08:12 PM

I use sea sponges. I buy packages of them at the craft stores.

**Nada.Leona** · 02-05-2007, 08:21 PM

This might be :tmo: but I will share nonetheless.

It acts as a little cup that you insert into your _____ to catch the blood that you produce when you menstrate. What you see on your pad LOOKS like a lot of blood, but when you are using the cups, you are really surprised how little actual blood you lose -- it is all spread out on the pad, so it looks like a lot more than you've actually lost. It helps me understand how we all keep from fainting from blood loss every month (something I always wondered about).

You can wear it about the same amount of time as a tampon. You simply remove it, dispose of the blood and reuse. After each use, you should rinse it out with clean water before reinserting. After your period is over, you should wash it with soap and put it away in the little cotton pouch it comes with.

It can be uncomfortable the first few times you use it, but you will eventually get used to it. I am fairly comfortable with mine now, and use it anytime I'm home.

just averts his eyes when he sees it drying on the bathroom counter (lol, sometimes I wonder how he puts up with me

). He never asks questions.

http://www.divacup.com/ for more info.

**lullaby80** · 02-08-2007, 07:03 PM

Hello all, this is my first post here.

I've been using the Diva cup since I got my period back after being pregnant. So for about three cycles now? ANyway, it's the best thing out there!! First month I wanted to give up because it was such a pain to use but now with some practise it's the easiest thing. I highly recommend it. With about $30 you'll save lots of money (I think it already paid itself back for me), not to mention our environment. I believe Diva cup has a policy that if you don't like it, you can send it back as long as you haven't trimmed the antenna too much.

Hope this helps!!

**Missy** · 02-08-2007, 07:26 PM

I plan on investing in one as soon as I have the money. I wonder if cleaning with an soap alternative would be better for our bodies (no soap residue) I will ask my doctor which would be better. I'll get back to this thread if anyone is interested in knowing. (Not to be a plug, but the reason I wonder is because of Brown Bag Party selling a soap alternative for the products.)

**Marie78** · 02-08-2007, 08:21 PM

It's definitely something to consider. I think it might be a little difficult while working, but I could see myself using it someday after having children and being at home the majority of the day. I am very luck now to have only a few light days when I get my period. This wasn't always the case for me and it probably won't always be the norm, especially after having children. I like that we have alternatives.

**brenda67** · 02-08-2007, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by Naderbug

This might be :tmo: but I will share nonetheless.

It acts as a little cup that you insert into your _____ to catch the blood that you produce when you menstrate. What you see on your pad LOOKS like a lot of blood, but when you are using the cups, you are really surprised how little actual blood you lose -- it is all spread out on the pad, so it looks like a lot more than you've actually lost. It helps me understand how we all keep from fainting from blood loss every month (something I always wondered about).

You can wear it about the same amount of time as a tampon. You simply remove it, dispose of the blood and reuse. After each use, you should rinse it out with clean water before reinserting. After your period is over, you should wash it with soap and put it away in the little cotton pouch it comes with.

It can be uncomfortable the first few times you use it, but you will eventually get used to it. I am fairly comfortable with mine now, and use it anytime I'm home.

just averts his eyes when he sees it drying on the bathroom counter (lol, sometimes I wonder how he puts up with me

). He never asks questions.

http://www.divacup.com/ for more info.

Thanks for sharing on what it is and how you use it...It sounds like it would save alot of money..However the thought of it makes me weak...When I was a teenager around 13 yrs old I decided to use a tampon for the first time and the end result was it got stuck!!! no matter what I did I couldn't get it out..then to top it off the string broke off from literally pulling it so hard I thought my insides were gonna rip out..I got into the bathtub to see if that would help not wanting to have to yell to my mom and tell her my problem even though I was crying and scared it was never gonna come out...ever since then the thought of inserting anything foreign just makes`me shake and feel like I'm gonna passout..

**cheappearls** · 02-09-2007, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by brenda67

Thanks for sharing on what it is and how you use it...It sounds like it would save alot of money..However the thought of it makes me weak...When I was a teenager around 13 yrs old I decided to use a tampon for the first time and the end result was it got stuck!!! no matter what I did I couldn't get it out..then to top it off the string broke off from literally pulling it so hard I thought my insides were gonna rip out..I got into the bathtub to see if that would help not wanting to have to yell to my mom and tell her my problem even though I was crying and scared it was never gonna come out...ever since then the thought of inserting anything foreign just makes`me shake and feel like I'm gonna passout..

Holy bejeebies! That would scar me for life too.

Side note: I ordered my Keeper! It was shipped yesterday so I'll have it for my next cycle. I so can't wait! And I think I'm a little too excited about this. haha.

**tulipgraham** · 02-10-2007, 12:27 PM

I have used the Diva for awhile now. I love it and would never go back. First, I use it at work. I rarely ever have to actually clean it at work because the Diva is good for 12 hours. If I do have to clean it, I don't clean it in the sink - I simply flush the stuff down the toilet and clean it out with toilet paper. You should always wash your hands before removing it. When I get home, I clean it out with soap and water. The Diva is made of silcone, so it can also be boiled.

It cannot get stuck or lost - that is impossible.

Here is an article on cleaning it in public.

http://www.answers.com/topic/menstrual-cup