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    Megann HarveyBeth Skwarecki
    8/29/16 4:15pm

    This whole thing made me shudder. Never, never, never! I’ll keep my pads, thank you very much. I once tried tampons and they started to hurt so much after about 20 minutes and initially I couldn’t pull the damn thing out. And it was only a small tampon. It was positively microscopic compared to the monstrosity in that video.
    Also I have enough pressure on both my bladder and my intestines as it when I am on my period. No need to add more.

    Menstruation just sucks. There is no way to make it a pleasant experience and I was never able to stop it with birthcontrol, so I guess I’ll just have to be patient untill after menopause.

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      Beth SkwareckiMegann Harvey
      8/29/16 6:29pm

      Hey, nothing wrong with sticking with pads!

      The first few times I tried tampons I had an experience similar to yours, but over time I figured it out and now I’m even a happy cup user. For most people, inserting a tampon or cup so it’s comfortable is a skill that can be learned. If it’s not quite in securely, it can work its way out, which gets uncomfortable or even painful (as it pokes you in places you don’t want to be poked).

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      Carrie MathisonMegann Harvey
      8/29/16 8:44pm

      There’s nothing wrong with sticking to pads—you do you.

      But I personally found the cup life-changing so I can’t help but proselytize a little (also as someone who’s otherwise only used pads). It might be worth giving a cup a try, or going for a disposable option (not that I know much about them).

      Again though, I’m not trying to shame, or pressure you or anything—there’s no universal “right” option.

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    SpockInHeatBeth Skwarecki
    8/29/16 4:24pm

    I love my FemmyCycle. But I went through three other cups before finding it - at about $40 each that’s really cost prohibitive for most women. Many seem to try one brand and if it doesn’t work they give up and go back to pads or tampons. I’m really hopeful that prices come down and that there will be an easier way to find The One.

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      Beth SkwareckiSpockInHeat
      8/29/16 6:23pm

      Truth. I tried a DivaCup and a I think a Luna cup that didn’t work for me at all. Then I found this amazing chart and was able to select a cup that fit perfectly. The first time I put it in, I literally forgot I was wearing it until later that night.

      Life hack: I changed my phone background to red while it was in, as a reminder of “Hey, you’re on your period, don’t forget to change that thing every now and then.”

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      ASneakierMailmanBeth Skwarecki
      8/29/16 9:08pm

      I wish this chart had an option for “vagina torn apart and repaired after one or more traumatic vaginal births.” I can’t even wear tampons anymore without leaking. My Mirena comes out tomorrow due to side effects and I’m dreading getting Aunt Flo back; I hate having to sit in it with pads (also because the synthetic materials make me itch).

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    Sunshine1970Beth Skwarecki
    8/29/16 4:05pm

    This will be a TMI post Beware:

    I use one. Never will go back to tampons. I still have to use pads tho for the possible dreaded leak, but I don’t use as many. On the heaviest days—usually on day one & day two—I use a couple of pads. Then the rest of the time — days 3 thru 6 (yeah, mine lasts 6 days—sucks) I use panty liners.

    The worst part is emptying it in a public restroom, then having to clean it up & put it back in, and for me it’s only on the first heavy day I dread going to a public restroom. Rest of the time I can wait till I get home from work to clean it out

    I know I’ve saved some money using this little gem—not using tampons, nor using as many pads/panty liners, and there’s a huge plus not having to carry tampons with me. I always hated that. (still will carry the liners, tho)

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      carobotSunshine1970
      8/29/16 4:16pm

      I use one too - mostly for the amount it holds - still got leaks however until I got an IUCD. Now it’s used for the small amount of menstruation spread over several days.. no need to buy mini tampons or anything else.

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      Sarah TSunshine1970
      8/29/16 10:00pm

      If I’m going to be out in public during the first two days of my period, if I’m going to be out for several hours, I’ll put an empty peribottle in my purse. Fill it up at the sink before I go into the stall, and use it to rinse the cup over the toilet.

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    T. B. HallBeth Skwarecki
    8/30/16 1:08am

    I’ve been using a diva cup for about a year now. I have PCOS-driven hell periods where I will often bleed what I now know to be 2-3 ounces in one day. The cup has been a lifesaver, honestly.

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      I'm Knitting a SweaterT. B. Hall
      8/30/16 10:13am

      The most beneficial surprise of using the cup has been being able to accurately measure flow. A few years ago I went from having a 6 day period to a three day, which sounds great. But those first two I always felt weak and dizzy. When I was going to a particularly horrible gynecologist she basically said, it’s only three days, quit whining I have patients who bleed for more than a week, it can’t possibly be that bad if it’s that short.

      So I switched to a new gynecologist and to a cup, which lets me record what’s going on. My last six cycles the first two days vary between 30-60 ml (2-4oz) *each*. 60-80 is a heavy period all its own.

      The combination of this measurable information and a doctor who actually listens means my concerns are finally being heard. It's awesome.

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    RaeBeth Skwarecki
    8/30/16 3:04am

    I spent two winters in Mexico, where tampons are hard to find, expensive, and lack in options. After two times of lugging six months worth of tampons with me and knowing that I was going to be traveling to the Balkans for six months, I knew I needed a more practical solution. I bought a Blossom cup (much softer and shorter than the one in this video and the least expensive cup I found) and haven’t looked back.

    The breaking in period was difficult, messy, and painful. But the pros for the cup were so strong that I kept at it. Now, I can’t imagine using anything else. I have a super heavy flow where at night I needed both a super tampon AND a thick pad, and I had to set an alarm on the first night to change everything out around 3AM. Now, on the first night, I just need the cup and a panty liner and I otherwise only need the cup! I’m usually sleeping in someone else’s bed since I travel so much and not being worried about messing the sheets is a relief!

    There is no waste, it’s easy to keep my cup handy so I don’t get caught if my period surprises me, and going from 12+ tampons a day to having to empty a cup once or twice was life changing. I’m also saving so much money.

    One tip I’ve never seen is if you have a heavy cycle, empty your cup more often if you’re in a situation where washing up is difficult. It’ll be less full, so it’ll be less messy to do so.

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      maisymouserRae
      8/30/16 8:06am

      12+?!?!?! I knew I was lucky (maybe 1/day during my heavier days) but DANG! Glad you found something that works for you. I’ll probably stick to tampons (when I was 15, my mom found a super sale and bought 3 generations’ worth of tampons), but I’ve always liked the idea of trying a cup.

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      Raemaisymouser
      8/30/16 8:23am

      Yeah, it was absolutely ridiculous. I could go through one super tampon an hour the first day or two of my period. So you can see how having to empty the cup every six hours the first 48 hours, every twelve hours the next 48 hours, and then once every 24 hours until I’m done has been life changing!

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    Burner613Beth Skwarecki
    8/29/16 9:22pm

    How are these for ladies who’ve had kids?

    Frankly, I cannot wait for the sweet embrace of menopause. I started my period in fifth grade and am ready to be done with it.

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      Sarah TBurner613
      8/29/16 10:02pm

      I’ve had kids and mine works great. I already had kids when I first started using mine 13 years ago. Worked fine at several years post-baby, and equally well two weeks after the birth of my 5yo.

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      Burner613Sarah T
      8/29/16 10:12pm

      Thanks for the info. Maybe I'll try one. I'm pretty sick of pads and tampons.

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    BArchBeth Skwarecki
    8/29/16 11:55pm

    I really like the instead cups and I’ll reuse one per cycle. I’m not sure which long lasting cup most resembles instead though. Luckily between pregnancy and breastfeeding I’ve only had two cycles since February 2014 and probably won’t again until late 2017. So I’ve got plenty of time to figure it out.

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    MrsASRBeth Skwarecki
    8/29/16 4:27pm

    I have a Lena cup. I can't believe I waited as long as I did. I thought it was going to be messy and difficult. It's been a breeze, and it's saved me money. I've been lucky to have zero leaks. Life changing.

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      Sunshine1970MrsASR
      8/29/16 5:00pm

      You’re lucky with the no leaks. I haven’t been as lucky...but life changing for most days, you bet. I think about those commercials now where they show a woman wearing white pants, shorts, skirt, whatever & she’s on her period. Or she’ll be dancing around...I never understood....until the cup. Now I get it. I even would feel comfortable swimming with a cup in. Before, no way, nuh-uh, not gonna do it.

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    RenRenBeth Skwarecki
    8/29/16 8:42pm

    Mad props to what women go through each month. Seriously, thank you. I watched this and just had my jaw dropped the whole time.

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    MakoBeth Skwarecki
    8/30/16 1:40pm

    I am so glad I am a guy... I have the utmost respect for the stuff women go through and put up with.

    Reply