Possible TMI alert. Since having my second child tampons just don't work for me and pads seem kind of gross to me (not to mention not very environmentally friendly) so I got a Diva Cup. Now that I see it in person I am a bit apprehensive but hopeful. My questions are...does anyone know what kind of soap I can use to clean it? The instructions say use a mild soap. Could I use Ivory dish soap? Also, if you use a Diva Cup, have you experienced any leaking problems? Thanks!
Well, they make a cleaner specifically for it - it's called diva wash. Personally I just rinse well in warm water when I empty it and boil it at the end of my cycle. It only leaks if you don't place it correctly
I love the Diva Cup and have used it for years! I use whatever dish soap I have on hand to clean it, and boil it once a month as well. As for leaking, I had a horrible leaking accident when I first started using it (the first month or so), but after I got used to it I haven't had any trouble. I had to figure out how to angle it. It's a bit different for each woman. When it's comfortable for you, you probably have it right.
I have the diva cup. Love it!! No issues with leaking, and it's super comfortable. I wish I'd discovered it years ago. Anyhow, they do make a special soap for it called Diva Wash, but you could use any mild soap. I'm sure Ivory dish soap would be fine.
have you read the article saying diva cup can cause endometriosis and adenomyosis? also anything foreign inserted in our body can cause infection... i have no problems with pads, it may be kinda gross but it is safer..
I have no experience at all (I don't get a period with my birth control). But I've heard that until you get used to it, it's a good idea to wear pads in case there is some leaking. Have you considered "mama cloth"? It's cloth pads, usually very soft! I only suggest that since you seem concerned about the trash from regular pads. When AF returns (whenever I have my IUD removed) I will be looking into the Diva Cup and or/mama cloth. Most likely mama cloth since we'll be TTC then, so I probably won't need it very long.
I would imagine Ivory dish soap would be mild enough, just rinse it well.
I don't think it's for me, personally, but I have a good friend who LOVES hers and has used it for about a year. She's never had an issue -leakage or otherwise from it.
Sure any mild soap will do, just make sure to rinse it well. I try and not use anything that contains antibacterial stuff in it.
I also boil mine after each cycle for about 5 minutes on the store top before putting it back up for the next time.
I used to leak on my heaviest day of my cycle (2nd day) but that was because the cup was too full and needed to be emptied before I got up in the morning.
I will wear a light cloth pad that night and try to get up and rinse it out in the middle of the night.
I've been using mine now for over two years. This thing rocks and I wished I would have used it sooner.
I promised my self that I would use it at least 5 cycles before making my final decision about using it. Glad I did because it was kind of tricky the first few cycles and getting use to of handling it.
If I could tell women about anything in this world that could really make life so much easier and cleaner, not too mention cheaper and good for the environment, this would be it. Got my best friend to try one after I used mine for a year. She now is sold on it as well.
Here is a good site about folding methods that helped me: http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups/453392.ht...
And a forum : http://community.livejournal.com/divacup/ that could help in answering some questions about getting started.
Wish you well and don't give up. It's worth the effort :)
C.
I've never used Diva Cup specifically, but I used to use "Instead" (the disposable version I guess... I don't even know if they sell them anymore. Those ones weren't supposed to be washed and reused, so I don't know about that, but as for leakage, once it's placed properly, I never had a leak.
I'd recommend putting it in when AREN't on your period to er... practice (you don't want to spend ten minutes messing around with it when you're actually on your flow). Practice putting it in, taking it out etc. Walk around with it in for a while ... if you feel it, you probably need to adjust it. Teach yourself while there's no risk of leaking and you'll be good to go when AF arrives :-)
"Mild cleaner" would be anything that does not have antibacterial or lotion in it. Ivory soap should be fine. Here's another article about them. Read the comments below also for reader comments and questions answered. http://www.thethriftymama.com/2010/11/menstrual-cup.html
