Diva Cup users- quick Q

[ghostmonkey]

I did a quick Google and probably missed it, but at what point is rate of flow a concern?

[apunicorn]

Hi ghostmonkey, are you concerned about heavy or light flow? I have had no issue with light flow/no flow and with heavy I just change it more often. So I guess my answer is I've never been concerned with rate of flow!

[ghostmonkey]

Uh, heavy.

Like overflowing the cup heavy.

[nachobutt]

Apr 6, 2015 14:47:13 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

Uh, heavy.

Like overflowing the cup heavy.

How often?

I know they say it's supposed to hold a lot, but mind doesn't on my heavy day

[shadesofgold]

Are you asking if your flow is too heavy for a menstrual cup to be an appropriate choice? You could just remove and reinsert it more often - like every other bathroom trip on heavy days.

[nuggetrn]

Are you concerned you are bleeding too little/much? I know the first day or two I will empty in the middle of the day and after that I only empty once... but even then I am not ever concerned about overflowing.

A quick google search tells me that the average amount of blood loss is 30-40 mLs and it is not considered heavy flow until you get to 60-80 mLs. The diva cup has markers on the inside to track fluid volume if you want to watch that as you empty just to get an idea of your regular patterns.

[apunicorn]

Oh okay. I've never overflowed - it creates a seal with your vaginal walls using suction and the blood basically pools in there and can't easily escape. I do change it more frequently on days like this simply because when it's super full changing it is a little messier but otherwise I've had no issue. No leaking, even overnight on heavy days.

[ghostmonkey]

I emptied before I left for work. 6 hours later it was full, but not leaking.

2.5 hours after that I had to run to the bathroom because it overflowed.

[nuggetrn]

Apr 6, 2015 14:52:16 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

I emptied before I left for work. 6 hours later it was full, but not leaking.

2.5 hours after that I had to run to the bathroom because it overflowed.

How many cycles have you used the diva cup? Am I remembering correctly that this is a newer thing for you? What have the previous cycles been like?

Do you remember thinking you had heavy periods using pads/tampons? Maybe the fact that you are visualizing your period differently now could be throwing you off?

[apunicorn]

Hmm... what I HAVE noticed is that if I put it in wrong, say if it doesn't unfold all the way or unfolds wrong or something else is wrong in the insertion, and it doesn't create the suction seal, leaks can happen. It took me a while to get used to how to insert it to be sure that it's really suctioned in and what I do is kinda turn it and wiggle it around a bit once it's unfolded. Hope that helps!

[ghostmonkey]

Apr 6, 2015 14:55:31 GMT -5 nuggetrn said:

Apr 6, 2015 14:52:16 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

I emptied before I left for work. 6 hours later it was full, but not leaking.

2.5 hours after that I had to run to the bathroom because it overflowed.

How many cycles have you used the diva cup for? Am I remembering correctly that this is a newer thing for you? What have the previous cycles been like?

Do you remember thinking you had heavy periods using pads/tampons? Maybe the fact that you are visualizing your period differently now could be throwing you off?

Last cycle wasn't too bad, but on my heavy day I squatted, and I have such a habit that I change every after warmups and after heavy sets that I did that then too (and it wasn't much).

I've had heavy cycles where I've gone through a super tampon and through most of a pad in about 75 minutes (or in 30 seconds once when I was walking across the basement), so I don't think this is really anything new. It was just nicer last cycle.

[ghostmonkey]

Apr 6, 2015 14:56:54 GMT -5 apunicorn said:

Hmm... what I HAVE noticed is that if I put it in wrong, say if it doesn't unfold all the way or unfolds wrong or something else is wrong in the insertion, and it doesn't create the suction seal, leaks can happen. It took me a while to get used to how to insert it to be sure that it's really suctioned in and what I do is kinda turn it and wiggle it around a bit once it's unfolded. Hope that helps!

What part of full is confusing? It's full.

Full. Full. Full. It's not leaking because it's in wrong. The cup is full to the brim.

[apunicorn]

Apr 6, 2015 14:59:09 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

Apr 6, 2015 14:56:54 GMT -5 apunicorn said:

Hmm... what I HAVE noticed is that if I put it in wrong, say if it doesn't unfold all the way or unfolds wrong or something else is wrong in the insertion, and it doesn't create the suction seal, leaks can happen. It took me a while to get used to how to insert it to be sure that it's really suctioned in and what I do is kinda turn it and wiggle it around a bit once it's unfolded. Hope that helps!

What part of full is confusing? It's full.

Full. Full. Full. It's not leaking because it's in wrong. The cup is full to the brim.

I think you should change it more often, then!

[nuggetrn]

Apr 6, 2015 14:58:23 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

Apr 6, 2015 14:55:31 GMT -5 nuggetrn said:

How many cycles have you used the diva cup for? Am I remembering correctly that this is a newer thing for you? What have the previous cycles been like?

Do you remember thinking you had heavy periods using pads/tampons? Maybe the fact that you are visualizing your period differently now could be throwing you off?

Last cycle wasn't too bad, but on my heavy day I squatted, and I have such a habit that I change every after warmups and after heavy sets that I did that then too (and it wasn't much).

I've had heavy cycles where I've gone through a super tampon and through most of a pad in about 75 minutes (or in 30 seconds once when I was walking across the basement), so I don't think this is really anything new. It was just nicer last cycle.

Darn, you quoted my poor grammar. Lol.

So at least it seems like the heaviness isn't a new or worrisome thing for you... I think it will just take some getting used to and emptying it more often, it wasn't until I had made it through a few cycles that I realized that I just neededkto change it more often the first day or two. Like apunicorn said also, ensuring that the seal is good is paramount to stopping leaks. Gross but I have pulled mine out before and had blood just pour out but the seal kept it all in. Using the stem to turn it or using your finger to kind of go around the outside of the the cup and make sure it has unfolded nicely really makes a difference. If you are nervous too you could wear a panty liner until you are more confident.

And nevermind about the leaking, I think I was misunderstanding. I would just keep paying attention to how much you are having and if it continues over time look into it by way of a doctor. I dont know if I would be freaking out about that part just yet though if you are used to having a heavy period.

[nachobutt]

Apr 6, 2015 15:05:14 GMT -5 hippo said:

This is from the Diva Cup website:

"The DivaCup conveniently holds one full ounce of menstrual flow (30 ml). As the average woman only flows approximately 1 to 2 ounces (30-60 ml) per cycle."

So if you were filling multiple cups a day, and it was something out of the "ordinary" for you (or you were experiencing significant clotting)- you should probably seek medical attention.

I was going to say this is what they "say"...but I think that's a crock of shit. There is no way that is right.

[ghostmonkey]

Apr 6, 2015 15:07:03 GMT -5 nuggetrn said:

Apr 6, 2015 14:58:23 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

Last cycle wasn't too bad, but on my heavy day I squatted, and I have such a habit that I change every after warmups and after heavy sets that I did that then too (and it wasn't much).

I've had heavy cycles where I've gone through a super tampon and through most of a pad in about 75 minutes (or in 30 seconds once when I was walking across the basement), so I don't think this is really anything new. It was just nicer last cycle.

Darn, you quoted my poor grammar. Lol.

So at least it seems like the heaviness isn't a new or worrisome thing for you... I think it will just take some getting used to and emptying it more often, it wasn't until I had made it through a few cycles that I realized that I just neededkto change it more often the first day or two. Like apunicorn said also, ensuring that the seal is good is paramount to stopping leaks. Gross but I have pulled mine out before and had blood just pour out but the seal kept it all in. Using the stem to turn it or using your finger to kind of go around the outside of the the cup and make sure it has unfolded nicely really makes a difference. If you are nervous too you could wear a panty liner until you are more confident.

A pantiliner wouldn't have helped with the amount that leaked. It is worrisome, but we can't find anything wrong and no one will do a hysterectomy on a 33 year old without a diagnosis of a major problem, so I'm stuck. At least I'm not birthing clots again (no wait, I did when I went in to check it again a few minutes ago).


Thanks though. Just consider me too stupid to change often enough. The whole point of getting it was to not have to change shit every hour on the hour.

[nuggetrn]

That sucks ghostmonkey, is it that heavy throughout your whole period? The diva cup really is so nice and I wish it worked better for you!!

[ghostmonkey]

Apr 6, 2015 15:20:06 GMT -5 nuggetrn said:

That sucks ghostmonkey, is it that heavy throughout your whole period? The diva cup really is so nice and I wish it worked better for you!!

It's usually just CD2 and sometimes 3. Maybe I lucked out with timing last month with working out and didn't notice, or I just had a lighter cycle last month.


Not like it matters if I needed to call someone because I have no idea who I would call at this point in the day.

[nachobutt]

Apr 6, 2015 15:23:57 GMT -5 hippo said:

Apr 6, 2015 15:12:06 GMT -5 nachobutt said:

I was going to say this is what they "say"...but I think that's a crock of shit. There is no way that is right.

Which part?  How much the diva cup holds, or how much the average flow is?

That the Divacup can hold a whole period worth of blood.


(I was not calling YOU out, because I was going to quote them too) just to clarify, ILY.

[ghostmonkey]

Apr 6, 2015 15:25:40 GMT -5 nachobutt said:

Apr 6, 2015 15:23:57 GMT -5 hippo said:

Which part?  How much the diva cup holds, or how much the average flow is?

That the Divacup can hold a whole period worth of blood.


(I was not calling YOU out, because I was going to quote them too) just to clarify, ILY.

For someone with a light cycle, yeah, it would. I used to have those. They were nice.

I want them back.

[physiomeg]

Coming out of lurking...

When I tried the Diva Cup, I was very excited for the prospect of not having to change my products every hour or less...didn't work out great for me. I tried every type of fold I found online, made sure the seal was good to go, wiggled, twirled, ran my finger around the edge, everything. It still overflowed for me, especially with clots. I ended up having to take it out almost every bathroom trip. I also call bullshit on the 1-2oz per cycle.

Sorry you're having trouble. Just wanted to say you're not the only one.

eta: I see 1-2oz is average and therefore I'm not average, I guess. 

[nachobutt]

Apr 6, 2015 15:26:49 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

Apr 6, 2015 15:25:40 GMT -5 nachobutt said:

That the Divacup can hold a whole period worth of blood.


(I was not calling YOU out, because I was going to quote them too) just to clarify, ILY.

For someone with a light cycle, yeah, it would. I used to have those. They were nice.

I want them back.

True, I consider my cycle "normal" and only have like 3 days of actual bleeding, and only a few hours of what I would consider "HEAVY". I still don't see it holding enough for all three days.

[ghostmonkey]

Apr 6, 2015 15:34:43 GMT -5 hippo said:

ghostmonkey I think that you should keep going back to your Doctors (especially because of the signifcant clotting) and insist that they either a)figure out what's going on, or b)allow you to have an elective hysterectomy (if that's what you want). IMHO, if it's affecting your quality of life then it is a "major problem"

I need to find a different one to go to. I don't know what happened to my OB in the last 4 years, but he's changed, and his support staff at his new office sucks ass. I've still never been called back from my ultrasound in November. I assume that means all was fine, but I really have no idea.


I may let my PA take a crack at it. She can't do any worse.

[nuggetrn]

Knowing a little bit more about your history now I do think I would try again with the doctors. Ask your PA, maybe get a referral somewhere, or at least find another OB.

[onesweetworld]

I also have the issue of having to dump my sckoon every few hours on CD2/3, I can feel the weight of it getting heavier and heavier and have to dump. I will also leak every once in a while. IF you are experiencing clotting, I would at least call the DRs to let them know and seek their advice.

[anonymouseliza]

Write it down - also the fact you have large clots - and call your OB. You should always bring it up when you are bleeding at the levels you are. If it were one time, no big deal. If clots are involved, it may be throwing the ounce measurements off. But it sounds too heavy to just let go.

[ghostmonkey]

Apr 6, 2015 16:26:36 GMT -5 anonymouseliza said:

Write it down - also the fact you have large clots - and call your OB. You should always bring it up when you are bleeding at the levels you are. If it were one time, no big deal. If clots are involved, it may be throwing the ounce measurements off. But it sounds too heavy to just let go.

Oh, I did. He didn't bat an eye at the clots that I literally had to bear down to push out. 

So our relationship is done. His staff just fixated on the "heavy" flow even after I told them multiple times I don't give a fuck about that, the clots are my concern. 

The only thing on the notes my OB was given were about heavy flow. Not even a mention of clots. 


New doctor time.

[anonymouseliza]

Apr 6, 2015 17:18:53 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

Apr 6, 2015 16:26:36 GMT -5 anonymouseliza said:

Write it down - also the fact you have large clots - and call your OB. You should always bring it up when you are bleeding at the levels you are. If it were one time, no big deal. If clots are involved, it may be throwing the ounce measurements off. But it sounds too heavy to just let go.

Oh, I did. He didn't bat an eye at the clots that I literally had to bear down to push out. 

So our relationship is done. His staff just fixated on the "heavy" flow even after I told them multiple times I don't give a fuck about that, the clots are my concern. 

The only thing on the notes my OB was given were about heavy flow. Not even a mention of clots. 


New doctor time.

Oh fuck yes it is.  Clots are serious - more serious than heavy flow.  They are not normal.  I hope you find someone good..

[Andrea]

I was lurking because I am so curious about the diva cup & have always wondered if it would work with my crazy flow.

But can you guys elaborate on clots? I have very irregular cycles, but when AF comes, she comes with a vengeance. I (incorrectly?) assumed clots are part of the process. I have pretty large ones that I pass every time. I guess I never thought to bring it up as they are my 'norm'.

[anonymouseliza]

Bring it up with your doctor. Some clotting is perfectly normal, but a high volume of clots or very large clots are considered abnormal. I can't remember what the size concern is now - I feel like it's larger than a quarter on a consistent basis (ie, one large clot that doesn't happen again isn't a real concern). But it's worth a mention to the doc to get a sense of whether or not you need to keep an eye on it.