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Author Topic: Long Overdue Girly Product Review
theamazeeaz
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Men/Boys, this thread contains a graphic discussion of periods and products used to deal with them. You have been warned.

In this thread, http://www.hatrack.com/cgi-bin/ubbmain/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=034306;p=3&r=nfx

I promised some readers I talk about well the diva
cup works.

The diva cup is a silicone cup that you insert in your vagina (like a tampon). Unlike a tampon, it sits quite low. It also absorbs blood, not collects it. So you take the cup out, dump the contents in the toilets, rinse it, and reinsert. You have one cup for you whole period, and you can use the same cup for about 10 years. The Diva cup, which is silicone, can be boiled.

I first learned about diva cups last year in that thread, and I was quite excited, because I always felt bad about pad garbage. I ordered it in May 2005, but I'm a virgin, and I had trouble learning to insert it, with one pretty painful mistake. I was also quite nervous. The cup seems so big at first. Even folded it's the size of a quarter. I remember getting the cup and asking a promiscuous friend how the cup compared with male body parts doomed to be in me some day seeing as I still want to populate the world with mini-mes. I tried on and off for a couple of months until January 2006, when I took the suggestion to try using lube to heart. It worked (but I am still virgin to this day folks, so that wasn't what helped), and for the past five months I've used one disposable pad (my first cycle), and lunapads as backup (which I also learned about from the 'rack).

Anyway, I kept meaning to type a review, but never did until I started writing this defense on the subject for a different message board, when I realized how much of the subject I covered. So here it is:

The cup is not as weird or as gross as you might expect. I've gotten blood/menstrual fluid on my hands once in a while, but that happened with me and tampons anyway. Blood washses right off skin. You wash your hands with soap after going to the bathroom, so no biggie there.

Cup takes some getting used to, but more in the learning how to use it department. I had trouble getting the it in at first and it was just this May when I figured out the easiest way to get the cup to pop open. You do have to stick your fingers into your vagina, but now I'm accustomed to it, it doesn't feel dirty.

I suspect when I do have sex, it will probably be a heck of a lot easier to deal with, espeically at the birth control end. It probably will be less painful for me during the first time since something larger than a tampon has been inside me already. Anticipating my last period (you can preinsert the cup) and trying without lube found me drawing blood (no pain though). I am an atheist who has had no relationship ever come close to kissing, but I don't think I will have sex before marriage. However, I consider the act, not my hymen my vigininty. I am glad I am aware of how the angle of my vagina works though.

Some people say the cup isn't worth it because their periods are light. A diva cup is a miracle on light days. It's like you don't have a period. You aren't wasting a pad for a little spot either. You can wear it when you don't have your period, so if you think you are going to get it within a couple of days, you can put the cup in, and not feel bad because you threw out a dry pad. Meanwhile no crusty undies because the discharge is caught! Diva cups have an offical 12 hour shelf life (we've all worn tampons longer than their 8 hours, but still, 12!), and it takes longer to fill the cup to capacity than the largest tampons.

The cup fits into the palm of my hand. Right now, I'm away from home for ten weeks. I'm glad I didn't have to waste suitcase space on a diaper sized bag 'o pads to last me the two periods I'm going to have while I'm gone. Nor do I have to spend any of my money on more tampons since I can't steal some from my mom like I usually do. The girs I'm living with keep huge supplies of tampons and pads in our bathroom. I look at them and I can't imagine siting on a sticky half plastic bloody pad, or yanking the tampon string at the wrong angle, and feeling it stick because it absorbed some of the fluid on my vaginal wall (cups don't abosrb), and can't get another tampon in because of that.

I'm also savin' the planet by not consuming something. Cleaning the cup uses as much water as I would use to wash my hands.

Since I've owned I diva cup, I have never had an overnight accident. Ever. I used to have one at least once every three periods. My cup leaks on my heaviest days. It's about the equivalent of my lightest day of bleeding. That's wahat my lunapads deal with.

When I'm in a public bathroom, I remove the cup, dump the blood, and put it straight back in, not having touched any of the bathroom fixtures. I might wipe the outside with toilet paper. To be honest I spent the last year in a dorm bathroom with stalls and I washed the cup out rather blantantly there. The bathroom almost never had more than one person in it, despite being three stalls, four showers and four sinks. Other times I would seek out single stall bathrooms around campus. The academic buildings I frequent the most have a toilet and a sink in one room. Perfect! I don't have to take the cup out every time I have to go. Nor am I trying not to pee on a string. A lot of people keep their hands and themselves clean by changing the cup in the shower. I don't do that because the water on my back distracts me.

If you do want to try a cup, there's a community that helped me: http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups/
People there answer all the little issues that instructions don't cover. People also have all these little tricks to get the cup to work that they are happy to share. Now that I'm over the learning curve, my technique is something like fold, make sure the corners are in, shove, done, but the tagged entries are useful.

Anyway. I do like the diva cup, and I would be happy to answer any questions. I'm glad the 'rack told me about it in the first place.

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ketchupqueen
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While we're talking about girl stuff and periods and all that, I have a question for the women of Hatrack (or some of them, anyway.)

I'm almost decided to get an IUD put in. It'll be ParaGard, not Mirena; hormonal bc of all types is out for me. I'm a little concerned, though, because I read that it can cause periods that are longer, heavier, and more painful. I have heavy, debilitating, often long periods to begin with (although they got somewhat better after Emma was born-- I've been told by several doctors now that they suspect I may have had endometriosis for years, but I'm always pregnant when it comes up so they've never really checked.) Anyone who has used an IUD and had bad periods before hand, did your periods get worse? Better? Stay the same?

I know that's anecdotal evidence, but if everyone who has really bad periods and has used an IUD says it made them worse, I may reconsider (well, at least have a looong chat with my doctor before getting one.) I'm going to bring it up with my doctor anyway, I'd just like to be as informed as possible beforehand so I can not waste his time with stupidity or anything.

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Alcon
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Sorry to barge into your thread girls, but I just thought I'd mention: plant?

Remember those threads a while back about companies hiring people (specially college students) to go on web forums and post positive reviews and remarks about their products? Yeah... this thread is setting off my plant alarm. Account created about 2 years ago (which is when the first sightings of these were spotted if I recall),but has a low post count... it has the marks of it.

If it's not, then my apologies to you theamazeeaz. But I just thought I'd mention it.

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Princess Leah
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Maybe I'm wrong, but it's not a one-company thing, is it? You can shill tampons, and you can shill [insert company that makes tampons], but it's not the same thing.

*shrug* Besides, once every two years? meh. Her post count isn't that low. Now everyone here posts a lot, you know. And take a look at the recent posts- even if amazeez is a plant for Diva Cup, she's also participating in a bunch of other threads on the forum, so I say whatever.

edit to say: *If* she's a plant, I don't particularly mind in this case. I'd heard occasional mumblings about cups, not as a brand name shout out, but as another option for dealing with a really really d%@ annoying (and expensive and garbage-heavy) thing. I'm actually glad to hear more. Not sure I'm going to go for it, cuz tampons still squick me out a little, but it's good to know options.

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MightyCow
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My ex tried one of those and said it was the grossest thing she could imagine inflicting on herself during her period.


Man, I'm so happy to be a man sometimes.

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Lyrhawn
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Amen to that MightCow. Amen indeed. She should rename this thread the "Long Overdue Girly Product Review or Why Men Are Such Lucky Bastards."

Why I read this, I have no idea, but I highly doubt it's a plant. Unless the company has some real imagination, that post struck me as way too graphic and specific to be a plant...unless that's the whole point of a plant. Even so, the girls here don't seem to mind.

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Katarain
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The cup is a little-known alternative to pads and tampons, and there are several companies that make them. I believe Diva Cup is one of them, but don't you think a plant would have linked to their website? Besides, the product sells itself exactly like this, by customer reviews. I have seen pages-long threads on other forums with long discussions and reviews and praise from many different women. If they're all plants, they're wasting their time on each other. I think the idea that she is a plant is ludicrous.

Anyway, I haven't tried the cup--I can't get past the squickiness factor of a cup of blood. I'm also convinced that I would get it all over my clothes in some freakish accident. Does that ever happen?

(Little known in my circles, anyway. It seems to be quite well known in my "internet" circles.)

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El JT de Spang
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quote:
Account created about 2 years ago (which is when the first sightings of these were spotted if I recall),but has a low post count... it has the marks of it.
248 posts is hardly the sort of post count you'd expect from a plant. Two years is a ridiculously long incubation period before trying to sell us something. I think your allegation is insulting, on top of being not that well thought out.
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Katarain
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Exactly! It is insulting. Thanks for saying it El JT de Spang.
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MandyM
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How much is a Diva Cup?
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Kasie H
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kq,
quote:
While we're talking about girl stuff and periods and all that, I have a question for the women of Hatrack (or some of them, anyway.)

I'm almost decided to get an IUD put in. It'll be ParaGard, not Mirena; hormonal bc of all types is out for me. I'm a little concerned, though, because I read that it can cause periods that are longer, heavier, and more painful. I have heavy, debilitating, often long periods to begin with (although they got somewhat better after Emma was born-- I've been told by several doctors now that they suspect I may have had endometriosis for years, but I'm always pregnant when it comes up so they've never really checked.) Anyone who has used an IUD and had bad periods before hand, did your periods get worse? Better? Stay the same?

I have had the ParaGard IUD since last November, and I too suffered from really heavy, debilitating periods when not on the Pill. But hormones screwed with me so I needed something else.

I've found that the ParaGard gets better the longer I use it. The first few months, yes, periods were painful, and I had some cramp-ish pain during other times of the month. It seemed like my body just needed time to accomodate the thing. Now I also have pain with periods, but it's a different type of pain than I had before; sometimes I can feel the cramping around the actual device and that feels different. But I've found you can totally knock anything out with Advil; when I got the ParaGard my doctor told me to take up to four Advil every six hours, provided I drank milk or ate something so it didn't hurt my stomach. I haven't really had any problems since then.

As far as bleeding goes, I don't find that I bleed *more* I just bleed for a longer number of days. Also, the beginning of my period sort of gets lost. You know how the first day of a cycle is always really heavy and painful? Now I have 1-2 days of lighter bleeding before that cycle starts, then 2 days of heavy bleeding and then 1-2 days of lighter bleeding again. It can be as long as six days or as few as three, depending how lucky I am (and I've noticed it varies with my diet -- if you eat better than I do, which is almost inevitable, you should notice some improvement).

All in all, I had the same exact worries that you did when I had mine put in. I thought nonhormonal was great, but I was really worried about the pain. I've found mine to be a little bit more painful than before, but that the pain is completely manageable (definitely not debilitating) and in the end having it put in was worth it. If anything, my doctor's instructions on how to use OTC pain medication actually made the entire experience better because I no longer spend totally useless afternoons curled up on the couch clutching my stomach. (Note: you can take up to 6 advil at any given time safely, according to my OBGYN, which I did do once or twice during my first two cycles with the IUD.)

Also, the longer you have it the better it gets. I hear it takes a year to fully adjust, and each one of my cycles has been easier than the last.

So, all in all, I'd recommend it. [Smile]

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Kasie H
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Also, I didn't really address heavy bleeding. My bleeding isn't any heavier than it was before. I don't have months with really light flows like I used to have every once in awhile, but I didn't notice any real difference.
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pH
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While we're talking about birth control, I've gotta say, the Nuvaring is awesome. For once, I'm not getting uncontrollable side effects, and I don't have to remember it every day.

Doesn't the Diva Cup feel weird? I mean, if the Nuvaring gets too far down, I can feel it, and it's kind of uncomfortable. It seems like the Diva Cup would feel funny.

-pH

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katharina
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I really like the idea of the Nuvaring. I have a very hard time remembering to take my pill in the morning. However, my doctor didn't recomend it to start out with. Also...how do I put this...I don't like wearing tampons because even the regular size are too big for me, so I'm a little worried about space issues.
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pH
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The Nuvaring isn't big though. I mean, it LOOKS big when you take it out of the package, but you pinch it in the middle, so it's not really wide at all. I was a little squicked out by the idea of like, actually pushing it in, so I kind of used one of those ultra skinny tampons to help. I was a little crampy for the first couple of hours, but then that went away, and my periods are way lighter, too. I get them for like three days toward the end of my "off" week.

So I'd say see if you can get used to those Slimfits tampons because once you pinch the ring in half, it's maybe that size. The weirdest part for me was getting it OUT...make sure you trim your nails before you try, or you will stab yourself with a fingernail, and that is not a happy fun time.

But also, I think I read that the Nuvaring gives you the lowest hormone exposure of any form of hormonal birth control, which is awesome because, like I said, I don't get the horrible awful side effects like I did when I was using the Pill or the Patch.

-pH

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sweetbaboo
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pH,
I used the nuvaring right after I had a baby and hated it, it kept falling out. It's nice to hear that maybe I had a bad experience most likely due to being "stretched out" from having the baby and that it really is great. Thanks for sharing.

I've never heard of the Diva Cup but it sounds intriguing. Where do you get them? I'm thinking that it might be the perfect thing to take on a sailing trip this summer (I keep getting freaked out that it will end up being time for my period during that week).

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katharina
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quote:
But also, I think I read that the Nuvaring gives you the lowest hormone exposure of any form of hormonal birth control, which is awesome because, like I said, I don't get the horrible awful side effects like I did when I was using the Pill or the Patch
I actually really like the effects of the pill. Without it, I have absolutely horrendous PMS. The first month on the pill was pretty dicey (poor Matt!), but since then, my moods in generall have been evened out and positive. I'm a little humbled by the realization of what a chemical creature I am, but I love the idea of not having to take a pill every day. Would the ring still regulate my moods and ups and downs like that?

I've thought about the patch, except for the higher risk of blood clots. About half the time I've given blood it's been unusable because I clot up before the bag is filled, so based on that marvelously unscientific information, I'm a little leery of it.

I just hate taking a pill every day - I don't generally remember, so about a quarter of the time I have to take it when I get home from work instead of in the morning.

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ludosti
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Nuvaring is awesome - so far it's been the only bc I can safely use (I had unpleasant and somewhat dangerous side-effects with pills, my doctor doesn't recommend the shot or patch for me, and an iud would be unwise since I've not yet had children). I don't think space issues are that big a deal kat, since you kind of fold it in half to insert it. It's maybe 1.5" or 2" across and is about as big around as a rubber band - so it's not as wide as a tampon is. It takes a little bit of practice to get it in the right position, so that you can't feel it and it doesn't move around or come out, but it only took me a couple days to get it figured out. The only problem I've had with it is that my cervix gets inflammed (a common side-effect since you have trans-dermal hormone migration) so pap smears are quite messy and I occasionally bleed. I don't have horrendous PMS, so I don't know how that'd play into the equation.

A friend of mine was talking about the cup about a week ago. It sounds like it'd be a pretty good thing. You apparently put it in high enough so that it's about at the cervix level so I assume you wouldn't feel it.

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Jhai
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quote:
Originally posted by ketchupqueen:

I'm almost decided to get an IUD put in. It'll be ParaGard, not Mirena; hormonal bc of all types is out for me. I'm a little concerned, though, because I read that it can cause periods that are longer, heavier, and more painful.

KQ - because of a clotting disorder, I'm not allowed to have anything hormonal either. And since I'm on coumadin (and thus suffer super long, heavy periods), my doctor was uncomfortable with giving me an IUD - she felt there was too much risk of anemia or just bleeding *all* the time.

Luckily for me, she's friends with a lot of the researchers at UC Berkeley. One of these researchers just finished some testing of the progesterone-only birth control shot on the clotty segment of the population. Good news - even if you're at risk for clotting, the shot doesn't elevate your chances of clotting.

I think I remember you saying in another thread that your problem with hormones was related to a family history of clotting - if this is so, then you might try looking into getting the shot.

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theresa51282
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Katharina, Have you tried setting a cell phone alarm to go off at a certain time and taking the pill then? I had a hard time remembering in the mornings too. I am not a morning person and it frequently got missed. I found that with an alarm in the evening I don't ever forget. Just set it for a bit before you normally go to bed or perhaps right after you get home for work. I don't know if it will work for you but it has been pretty reliable for me.
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El JT de Spang
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It's also worth mentioning that not taking the pill at the same time every day drastically reduces its effectiveness.

Which I'm sure you already knew.

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katharina
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I hate alarms.

I remember to take it when I get out of bed full of purpose for the day. I don't remember to take it when I lounge in bed until the last second and go to work in ratty shoes and an old shirt. It's very much connected to how responsible I'm being any given day. An alarm wouldn't help that - it isn't that it's slipping my mind, but that I've already turned off the alarm a couple of times anyway.

JT: Yeah, I know. I need to get into a good habit before I start needing it to actually be working. Especially since its a low dose pill.

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Pinky
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quote:
I actually really like the effects of the pill. Without it, I have absolutely horrendous PMS. The first month on the pill was pretty dicey (poor Matt!), but since then, my moods in generall have been evened out and positive. I'm a little humbled by the realization of what a chemical creature I am, but I love the idea of not having to take a pill every day. Would the ring still regulate my moods and ups and downs like that?
[/QB]

Do you know what's really helpful when you suffer from PMS, cramps, headaches, irregular menstruation etc. etc.? Yarrow tea! (Allow it to infuse for not more than a minute, otherwise, it's too bitter. Drink it hot, with a little bit of honey if you want to.)

I used to have quite some problems in the first year. I was twelve, and I got my period quite regularly every third instead of fourth week, including all the symptons. I started to drink one small cup of Yarrow tea every day for a few weeks, and it helped instantly.
Now, I only drink it every now and then, when I happen to have cramps or headaches on the first day.

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ketchupqueen
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quote:
I've found mine to be a little bit more painful than before, but that the pain is completely manageable (definitely not debilitating) and in the end having it put in was worth it. If anything, my doctor's instructions on how to use OTC pain medication actually made the entire experience better because I no longer spend totally useless afternoons curled up on the couch clutching my stomach. (Note: you can take up to 6 advil at any given time safely, according to my OBGYN, which I did do once or twice during my first two cycles with the IUD.)

See, to get any kind of functionality during a period, I have to take three Advil plus a prescription drug called Ultram. And I was advised not to take that while nursing (although luckily, as I said, my periods got some better after Ems except the first one, I'm hoping that will be my experience again.)

Jhai, after talking to my doctor about it, and I did bring up your opinion, my doctor is not comfortable prescribing any kind of hormonal bc for me (my sister had a ministroke on low-dose bc.)

Pinky, is yarrow okay while nursing, do you know?

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theamazeeaz
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No I'm not a plant. I visit here almost everyday (ummm, HatCrack?). I've also read the Ender's Game/Shadow, the whole Speaker series, the Shadow series, First Meetings (haven't subscirbed to IGMS yet, though), Enchantment, Homebody, Lost Boys, Treasure Box, parts of Maps in a Mirror and the Worthing Saga. Seventh Son and Hart's Hope are two of the books I started but never finished and I'm hoping to read this summer while I'm away from home (They're far down the list, but since I finished Jonathan Strange and the Princess Bride (described by some as required reading for Jatraqueros) I just might get to 'em. I love reading OSC's review columns, tolerate the War Watch stuff (can't agree with everything, but every so often you find something that's great), and look forward to Chris Bridges's Wednesday column links as well.

I just don't usually have something intelligent to add- everyone else is too good at that. The DC subject did come up in the thread I linked to. I made the review promise on the third page, but most of the other reusable pad discussion came up as asides. I found Lunapads by googling it per ElJay's instructions on page 2.

MandyM, DivaCups typically cost $32.50. There are a lot of websites who sell them, generally connected to reusable pads, feminist groups, or vegans. If you google "Diva Cup" you'll get hits. I bought mine as part of a kit with two reusable pads from Lunapads.com. There is also a divacup.com site, but I don't really recommend anyone place. The divacup website has a locator for physical stores.I have also heard of organic food stores selling them.

There are also other kinds of cups. The Keeper, the oldest, is an American product, but it's the latex one, so you can't boil it

The Mooncup is the UK version. It's pretty much like the Divacup(boilable medical grade silicone), but I've also heard a lot of anecdotal evidence from people who couldn't get the DC to stop leaking that the Mooncup is perfect. When I do need to replace my DC, I think I'd like to try a mooncup.

My experience with the NuvaRing has been getting a good look at my roommate's while still in the package. I think of it like a hair elastic.

A lot of people are squicked out by blood. It's partially culture thing and a natural (probably evolutionary) reaction for most people. I've always been fascinated by body fluids, so the grossness factor never occured to me. But I have (and still do [Frown] ) need to scrub out my underwear. Unless you throw out everything your period ever stained, you've touched your blood.


I definitely have splattered the cup. I was being pretty stupid. I was also at home, so I was lucky for that. I've also dropped it in the toilet three times and had to fish it out with my hand. So I boil the cup (and scrub my hands) and it's all better.

Cups are generally unheard of, mostly because they can't advertise like tampons/pads do because they are mostly a one-time purchase. There were a quite a few cups available in the 30s, all the companies failed.

At the end of the day, I am happy with the thing though. Now that I'm used to the cup, I feel it actually is cleaner than pads or tampons.

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ElJay
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Huh. I made some promises in that thread I didn't keep.

Glad you found something cool though, theamazeeaz. [Smile] My concern about the cups has always been the idea of having to dump/rinse them at work, but if you can leave them in for 12 hours, that would be an issue. How about exercising? Do you run or bike at all? It seems like whatever I wear, it leaks when I'm biking, and I'd wantt o be sure I could jog without jarring it out.

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Katarain
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Oh, touching blood in the general course of changing whatever is fine. it's the actual thought of a cup of blood...in and of itself. the thought it what gets me. But I'm generally a strange person like that. When I was little, I would freak out at the site of wrists--I think because of the visible blue veins. They don't bother me now, UNLESS someone is making a big deal about showing me theirs.

I also have more of a problem with the thought of a pulsating cut that is squirting blood, rather than actually seeing it.

Ugh.. that was really hard to type... see? it's the thought..

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Kristen
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Thanks for the info about the cup, but I must be a LOT less comfortable with my body than y'all, 'cuz that just grosses me out. Still, it's an environmentally sound decision so I applaud you for that.

Since this is about girly things, I do have a question about BC (because everyone seems to be on it besides me), if y'all don't mind answering. I asked my dr, and while she talked with me seriously about the health risks, I am not sure if she understood the importance of this question:

Do you really gain 10 pounds?

Mind you--I don't exercise and can't even afford to gain 5 pounds and I am vain and that con would far, FAR outweigh the pros.

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Katarain
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Depends. You could gain, lose, or stay the same. Or a combination of all three while you're on it.
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Katarain
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If you're not on it and all other circumstances are right, you could gain about 9 pounds, but probably more like 50. [Smile]
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ketchupqueen
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quote:
But I have (and still do [Frown] ) need to scrub out my underwear.
You don't just have period panties that you don't care if they're stained, and that are a little looser to accomodate bloated feelings? That's always been my solution.
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Kristen
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Hehe, I suppose that could be said for all bc.

However, I would solely be taking it for the regulation aspect. I'm sick of having no period for 2 months and then having a 2 week period the next. [Grumble]

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ElJay
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Kristen, I didn't gain weight overall, but my chest did get bigger. Not a huge amount, but enough that my bras were uncomfortable and I had to buy new. And it reverted when I stopped. So that's a possibility, too.
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katharina
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My chest grew a cup size when I started on the pill. I had to get new bras. The old ones where techinically wearable, but they hurt by the end of the day.

It's actually kind of comforting to know that they'll deflate when I go off the pill.

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ludosti
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Dangit! Why can't that have happened to me?! (the whole increased chest size) If that happened, it'd be so much easier for me to find bras to wear.... [Grumble]
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Pinky
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Ketchupqueen, it is okay.
My mom drank it while she nursed my little sister. Her doctor (and the net) only dissuades from drinking it during pregnancy - it stimulates the uterus.

However, I did some additional research in the internet and read again in my favourite "witchdoctor"-book (after 15 years of practice, my trust in this book and herb teas is complete):

It's kind of an all-purpose tea. (It's the first thing I think of whenever someone is sick. Influenza, fever and especially nausea...)

It doesn't harm the baby in any way. It might even indirectly benefit from the tea, because yarrow also helps with flatulence. It calms down the digestive tract.

Just don't drink too much. More than one cup a day is not necessary and, after all, it's a healing tea, even though it's natural. You can usually buy it in drugstores, the druggist should be able to give you additional information, just to be sure.

Happy nursing! [Smile]

P.S.: Externally, it's good against diaper rash and sore nipples, especially in combination with camomile.

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pH
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The Nuvaring has helped me a lot with moods...before I started it, I had my period for nearly three months straight, and I was completely unmanagable the entire time. I had to take a different pill (progesterone, I think) for ten days to stop the bleeding before I could start the Nuvaring.

It does help a whole lot, and my cramps aren't nearly as bad, plus my periods are soooo much lighter. I used to always have to use the super plus absorbancy tampons and change them all the time, and now I can get away with the Slimfits, which are way more comfortable anyway. Also, I don't bloat as badly...I used to gain a LOT of weight through bloating (5+ lbs.) which I would then lose, and it made clothes annoying.

The Nuvaring doesn't fall out for me at all, even when I'm exercising or something. I haven't had a pap smear since I started using it, but I've actually had a lot less discomfort in general, compared to the cramps and all the other stuff. My doctor didn't want me on the Patch, and she would only let me do something with a very low hormone dose because she didn't want my moods to get out of control.

I didn't like being on the Patch at all. It made me really moody, the spot where I put the patch on would get sore and icky (like when you leave a band-aid on too long), I gained a lot of weight, and my breasts were sore, like, all the time.

So far, my moods have been okay with the Nuvaring. I mean, a little more volatile at first, but not that bad, and with me, it's been so subtle that I can't really say for sure if the moodiness is the Nuvaring or the ocd/depression and stress. Oh, and as for weight, I haven't had a problem, despite the fact that I gained weight on both the Pill and the Patch.

-pH

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vonk
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I just want to say that I appreciate the very first line of this thread. I read that and backed away quickly, only to come back and scroll down very very quickly to express my gratitude.
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ketchupqueen
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quote:
It might even indirectly benefit from the tea, because yarrow also helps with flatulence. It calms down the digestive tract.

Hmmm, okay. That might be good, Bridey has some digestive issues!
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BlueWizard
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Well ladies, as long as I have you all gathered together, could I ask a few questions?

First, I'm a guy, and a slightly older guy. Let's just say that things were a little more exciting when I was in college than they are now.

In someways, I am amazed by how advanced the world is now, but in other ways I'm amazed by how narrow and unenlighted we are as a society.

So, on the issue of birth control. I've always been in favor of BOTH partners using some type of birth control, and at the moment I am thinking primarily of high school and college age people who are not in long term relationships.

I would personally suggest that the girl use some type of spermicide even if a boy is using a condom. But what are some of the convinient options in this area? I knew one girl who used 'spray' foam, which was incredibly inconvinient. Are there suppositiories that can be place in several hours ahead of time? Can those same suppositories be placed in minutes before the act? That would seem relatively convinient. Also, what are the negative aspects of this type of birth control?

I am also, courtesy of Elaine on 'Sinfeld', aware of the 'Sponge', but am not exactly clear as to how far in advance it can be put in, and for how long it remains effective.

I know a lot of women use the pill for convinience, but considering the side effects, it really doesn't seem all that convinient to me. I read a bit about the Nuvaring, and while it has some advantages, getting it out seems like an unpleasant struggle. Though perhaps if you will forgive my chauvinistic attitude, it could be made to be fun.

Also, UID were mentioned, as a curious guy, I would like to understand how they are used. How long are they left in? How effective and convinient are they?

So, for an ignorant guy, I would appreciate any information you could give me on the pluses and minuses of various female birth control methods.

Now, if you will allow me my usuall ranting and raving, last night the was a documentary on how abortion activist have all but eliminated abortion clinics in Mississippi. Since they were unable to close the clinic by bombing them or killing abortion doctors, the decided to use legal manuvering. They have great teams of judges and lawyers who sit around trying to find legal ways of harrasing and resticting abortion clinics. For example, the recently decided that, as a legal ploy, rather the focus on abortion, they would focus on "women's health". What the means is that, through legal manuvering' abortion clinics in Mississippi are required to have a room that meets the standards of the surgical operationing room in a hospital with all the same equipment and staff. That means that the one remaining clinic will probably go out of business because they can't afford the level of unnecessary medical equipment.

Very tricky of them. However, I have never seen the problem with Abortion. In my eyes abortion never was and never will be a problem. PREGNANCY is the problem, and guess what, we have figured out what causes it and how to stop if from happening. I have to believe that if these abortion foes really wanted to stop abortion, they would be spending their time, resources, and efforts in stopping unwanted pregnancy. If there were no unwanted pregnancy, the abortion clinics would simply close their doors and go out of business do to lack of clientele.

Abortion isn't a problem, it's a solution to a problem. Eliminate the real problem, and you've eliminated the need for the solution. In the few remaining cases where uncontrollable circumstances truly medically required an abortion, they could be handles by doctors and hospitals as normal medcial precedures.

This is part of the hypocricy of people who oppose abortion; they are fighting the solution, while very fervently ignoring the problem. A problem which is easily prevented in a vast majority of cases.

Sorry, couldn't resist posting without adding my own rant and ramble, and sorry for straying so far from the central topic.

Back to Birth Control... enlighten me.

Steve/BlueWizard

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pH
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Spermacide increases the likeliness of developing UTIs (which are severely not fun, and on top of that, when you have a UTI you have to avoid anything that could possibly rub up against, um, that area, so no tight clothing or thongs or...uh...stuff). It also irritates the skin and can increase the possibility for infection.

Getting the Nuvaring out really isn't that bad, after the first time, as long as, like I said, you don't have long nails. If you have long nails, God help you.

-pH

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breyerchic04
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According to some very quick research, IUDs can be left in for 2, 5, or ten years depending on the type and brand. Some have hormones and some don't.


Also, it appears that sponges can be inserted as much as 24 hours before intercourse and must be left for six hours afteward, for a total of 30 hours possibly in (though they can be inserted immeadiatly before intercourse and left for six hours afterward). They are 84% to 91% affective without a condom, and moreso with one. The listed side affects are yeast infections, TSS (which is the known side affect for tampons) and allergic reactions to the spermacide.

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ketchupqueen
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quote:
Also, UID were mentioned, as a curious guy, I would like to understand how they are used. How long are they left in? How effective and convinient are they?

They are inserted and removed by a doctor. All you have to do is check after each period to make sure the string is still in place. ParaGard is just a copper IUD. Mirena also releases small amounts of estrogen. They change the way the lining of the uterus functions and prevent implantation as well as reducing fertilization, IIUC.

ParaGard and Mirena are the only two approved in the U.S. Mirena is effective up to 5 years, ParaGard up to 10, IIRC. ParaGard usage results in approximately 7 to 8 pregnancies in 1000 women, and so is as effective as hormonal BC. Mirena results in about 1 in 1000, and so is more effective than hormonal BC alone.

That's why I'm almost decided on getting an IUD (pending discussing the period issue with my doctor.)

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MandyM
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My daughter was conceived while I was using spermicide so you aren't going to hear me tell you how great it is. (But now of course I am thrilled that it didn't work, it was just lousy timing) What I used was a thin tiny sheet that melted like those Listerine Pocketpak Strips. Like I said though, they didn't exactly work.
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Pinky
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quote:
Originally posted by ketchupqueen:
quote:
It might even indirectly benefit from the tea, because yarrow also helps with flatulence. It calms down the digestive tract.

Hmmm, okay. That might be good, Bridey has some digestive issues!
If it's "only" flatulence, it might be helpful to press her knees against her belly (It's Yoga- they call it "loosening of the winds" or something [Wink] It works for adults, too.).

When she isn't wearing a diaper, you alternately press her knees very slowly and gently against her belly. Hold it there for two or three seconds. Left knee, right knee, both together, and again. It doesn't help all the time, but sometimes it does, and then it's VERY helpful. :grin:

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MissAmandaJones
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I always liked the sponge. I found out though that after you've had a child they are a lot less effective. I think it was something like only 65% effective. I have been using those strips like MandyM described. We won't freak out if we get pregnant, it would just be nice to wait until our house is finished, so I am not too worried if we have a woops. Actually, I'd probably be happy.
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ketchupqueen
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We already do the knee-bending, but thanks. And it's actually rapid bowel movement (green poop) as well as flatulence. I know Emsie has my IBS bowel patterns and has since she was born, it's beginning to look like Bridey has them too.
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blacwolve
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I want to speak up in support of the pill. I've been on Desogen for almost two years now and I love it. Starting was a little hard, but not horrible. I was nauseous for a few nights, and my breasts were horribly sore while they grew; but I acheived my lifelong dream of becoming a B cup, so I was happy (I gained completely unrelated weight and moved from a 32B to a 34A, to my great disgust, about six months later). But I didn't gain any weight because of my pill. For the past two years I'd been very depressed, with things getting horrible the week before my period, and leveling off to a general misery the rest of the time. The generally misery stayed, the lows around my period stopped.

I'm at perfect usage with the pill. I have my watch alarm set for 10:00 at night, a time when I'm always awake, and keep the pills in my purse, which I always have with me. If I don't have my watch on me and miss a pill or take one more than 5 hours late, I use spermicide if I have sex in the next week. But that doesn't happen very often.

Also, my period is now insanely regular to the point where I can tell you what time it should start (Wednesdays, mid afternoon) and bleeding is lighter. Cramps are all but nonexistant. I take pain relief when I feel start and that takes care of it. Most people probably wouldn't notice the pain at all, but I'm a baby like that.

Just felt the need to defend the pill, it's really not all bad.


One quick question, my roommate has an IUD and she doesn't have periods at all. Is that not normal?

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theamazeeaz
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quote:
Originally posted by ElJay:
Huh. I made some promises in that thread I didn't keep.

Glad you found something cool though, theamazeeaz. [Smile] My concern about the cups has always been the idea of having to dump/rinse them at work, but if you can leave them in for 12 hours, that would be an issue. How about exercising? Do you run or bike at all? It seems like whatever I wear, it leaks when I'm biking, and I'd wantt o be sure I could jog without jarring it out.

I don't run, but I know you won't jar it out jogging, believe me. As for biking, I'm not entirely sure. I got a bike recently, and was wearing the cup the first day I got it (I also got a seat cover, because even my dad thought the seat was a little iffy). I never trimmed the stem of my diva cup, and it sticks out a little. I thought I would feel the stem perhaps on the bike seat, but no I didn't.

I've heard of people having issues when having rather large bowel movements. I've also heard of the cup getting pushed up higher if you happen to orgasm. You can't wear reusable cups during regular sex though. But there is another cup which you can- Insteads. They sit around the cervix. They're disposable, and I've never used them. My roommate has and it worked. She's also a nuvaring user, and since Insteads are basically nuvarings lined wtih plastic, they were easy to deal with.

I've had the good fortune of spening most of my time as a student in an observatory with a single stall bathroom, which is the best option you have for cup cleaning. I've heard of people carrying a water bottle into the bathroom, but I've just wiped the cup out with toilet paper and stuck it straight back in the one time I needed to. When I was at my dorm, I blantantly wash it out.

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MandyM
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MissAmanda, it took us about 3 months to get pregnant while using those spermicide strips. It's a good thing you don't mind getting pregnant. [Smile]
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