Menstrual cup experiences?

Question

I'm 19 and I started my period at 13. I'm at university now so damn broke and it's annoying me how expensive tampons and pads are :/ I use organic tampons because I don't like the idea of putting something with even traces of fertiliser inside me tbh and I use the silk range Always pads because every other type gives me a rash when I wear them so it's even more expensive for me. It also really annoys me how much waste there is with pads/tampons (environmental impact terms) and I've been looking for another option.

I've just got some questions about menstrual cups, they might sound stupid but please bear with me :P

-Is there any issue with keeping the blood inside that long? Because you can keep them in longer than tampons.

-How do you know which size to buy?! I'd go for a reusable one and they're not cheap (in student terms) so I don't want to mess up but I have no idea what size my vagina is to compare to other women.

-Do you have to wash the cup after every use? I have a shared bathroom at uni with 7 people mixed genders which is just a big room with two shower cubicles, two toilet cubicles and three sinks in the open. I don't have a sink in my room either. Point is, I don't have a sink next to the toilet so washing it would be a problem if I had to do it every time (I don't mind doing it at the end of the day because I'd switch to a pad). Also, if you don't wash it every time, how do you feel about putting it back in with blood? Idk if I'd feel weird about it or what?

-How easy are they to clean? Awkward sink situation, don't fancy hanging around with the possibility of a guy walking in.

-Do they hurt at all?

-Is it difficult to put in after starting your period?

-Could it get stuck?

-Are there ever any leaks? Do you have to wear a liner as backup? I do quite a bit of exercise and some flexibility stuff, don't fancy anything awkward happening...

-How much does it fill up?

...sorry if any of those were daft haha. LASTLY: What are your experiences? Would you recommend them? Which brand?

Thank you ?

Answer

They're fantastic. I use a Diva Cup, I've used it for 4 years. Nothing to add beyond what others have already mentioned. Except maybe that is awkward the first few insertions/removals but like anything else, you'll get the hang of it quickly. So worth it.

Answer

I use the Diva cup and I really like it! There are only 2 sizes so it's not hard at all to find which one you need. The first size is for women who havent had kids, second is for women who have had kids.
In the past, my period has been VERY heavy, so I always wear a pad along with it as back up. But I would think most women wouldn't need to!
I do not clean mine every time I empty it. Usually, I empty it, wipe it off with some nearby toilet paper, then put it back in. At the end of my cycle, I boil some water and let it sit in there for a while so it's clean for next time.
The cup doesn't hurt, but it can be uncomfortable if you don't have it in quite right. Kind of like a tampon. Also, the end of the cup has a little plastic bit to help you grab onto it, if that is too long (making it more uncomfortable) you can trim it.
I highly recommend the diva cup. It does take a few months to feel completely comfortable with it, but it's worth it!

Answer

Depends on your cervix position. The cup creates a suction to your cervix which helps it from not leaking, you might have to trim the stem down so its not sticking out to far.  Cups will either come in A or B sizes. One is pre childbirth the other is post childbirth.

Answer

I switched to the Diva a year ago and it is Fabulous! It takes a couple cycles to get the hang of it so I'd use a liner just in case. It doesn't hurt at all, but if you don't position it right it will feel weird. Once it's in right you shouldn't feel it at all. Make sure you get the right size and you shouldn't have any leaks. If you visit the Diva website they have a q&a section that answers a lot of your questions. Hope this helps!

Answer

Most answered questions, as far as cleaning you could take a shower and  rinse and clean. Just pour it down shower drain and wash, I use vagisil to wash mine.

Answer

There's no issue with keeping them in top long, up to 12 hours.

The size is usually based on weather or not you've had a child.

Menstrual cup experiences?

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