Anyone ever use a Diva cup?!
Question: I just started using a diva cup. I have soreness now in THAT area! Is it just, um, that I scratched myself or something or am I in trouble?
Answers: I just started using a diva cup. I have soreness now in THAT area! Is it just, um, that I scratched myself or something or am I in trouble?
I don't have a Divacup but I have a Mooncup which is similar.
You are probably just having troubles getting used to it, it you are pushing it against the opening to your vagina as you are inserting this could cause soreness.
Remember your vagina naturally stretches and lubricates, as the menstrual cup is made from silicone it should go in easier than tampons. I'd suggest you do what a woman would do when using tampons for the first time; lay yourself comfortably on your bed and relax (masturbation is the best way to relax yourself for this) and insert the menstrual cup this way, if need be use a little lubricant like KY jelly.
You could also try using it while in the shower or the bath, either before you have your period or during your period - in the shower is a good time to empty your menstrual cup anyway.
You don't say where you are sore or how far you have gotten while using the cup, if you have actually had it inserted it may be an issue with suction, if you are not breaking the seal correctly while removing then this could cause you some pain - make sure to grab the base of the cup and squeeze to make sure the seal is broken before removing the cup.
Another idea is to try different folding methods;
The 'C' fold (this is the one they show you with your cup). The punch-down fold where you push the rim of the cup down into the cup to the base then pinch the side of the cups together (looks like this - http://community.livejournal.com/menstru... ). The '7' fold which is like the 'C' fold but you fold one size of the cup over and down to form a '7' shape with the rim of the cup. The origami fold where you push one side of the rim down half way in the cup, bring one side of the cup across the other and down as in the '7' fold then press cup flat creating folds at the bottom of the cup and pinch the bottom of the cup to insert. The labial fold, which is just easier to show, here - http://community.livejournal.com/menstru... - unfortanatly I don't have photos of all the different folding methods.
You have a year to try to find something that works for you, but you may want to look into a different brand of menstrual cup;
Mooncup - http://www.mooncup.co.uk
Keeper - http://www.thekeeper.com
Lunette - http://www.lunette.fi
Ladycup - http://www.ladycup.eu
At least the Mooncup and Keeper also have full refunds for 3 months, although granted not as long as Divacup still enough time for you to try them, I'm not sure if Ladycup and Lunette have refunds like that though.
Each of the brands is slightly different, if you look at comparrison photos between Divacup, Mooncup, Lunette and Keeper - http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y190/El... - you will see slight difference in shape and size, also the silicone cups can vary in how soft they are, so another brand may work better for you.
youre probably still getting used to it. I have never used one...I couldnt bring my self to do that....but i applaud you!! be sure you clean it properly and if youre super concerned go see a doctor. better safe than sorry
I have used a Diva cup for a couple of years now, and do not think you are in trouble. You could have easily scratched yourself, but it you did no doubt you you would have known it at the time. It is also possible you did not have the cup properly inserted. I think that is the most likely reason for the soreness. If it doesn't heal soon I would check with the doctor.