Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Diva Cup Question

jnclelland

Recommended Posts

jnclelland Contributor
jnclelland
Posted

Okay, after reading everyone raving about the Diva cup, I ordered one. I'm trying it for the first time today, and I REALLY want to like it, but I'm either doing something wrong, or else I'm just shaped funny. :blink: I'm pretty sure I'm inserting it right, but within a few minutes it slips down so that the stem - and even a bit of the base - is protruding from my vaginal opening, and it's NOT comfortable. After reading about how you're not supposed to even feel it, I think I must be doing something wrong. But it is forming a seal and it's not leaking, so is it possible that I'm just not shaped right for it? Any suggestions?

Jeanne

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

Sorry, my days are over.....unless George Clooney starts delivering my mail. :P

Guhlia Rising Star
Guhlia
Posted

Either you're not inserting it far enough or you may have to do kegel exercises (sp?) to tighten up your muscles so that it will stay in place.

wolfie Enthusiast
wolfie
Posted

I think that they say that you can trim the stem if it bothers you. Have you checked their website? If it isn't leaking, I would imagine that you have it in place correctly. Were you able to spin the cup around once or feel that the cup has opened up? Sorry for the TMI, but I have been using this for over a year and it took me a cycle or two to get it down.

jnclelland Contributor
jnclelland
Posted
  • Author
I think that they say that you can trim the stem if it bothers you. Have you checked their website? If it isn't leaking, I would imagine that you have it in place correctly. Were you able to spin the cup around once or feel that the cup has opened up? Sorry for the TMI, but I have been using this for over a year and it took me a cycle or two to get it down.

Yeah, I looked at the web site and read the directions carefully, and after a few tries I was able to spin it, so I don't think that's the problem. I may try trimming the stem, but I think it's slipping low enough that even the base of the cup would bother me.

I do semi-regular (okay, not regular enough!) Kegels, so I wouldn't have *thought* that would be the problem, but I guess you never know. -sigh-

Jeanne

Michi8 Contributor
Michi8
Posted
Yeah, I looked at the web site and read the directions carefully, and after a few tries I was able to spin it, so I don't think that's the problem. I may try trimming the stem, but I think it's slipping low enough that even the base of the cup would bother me.

I do semi-regular (okay, not regular enough!) Kegels, so I wouldn't have *thought* that would be the problem, but I guess you never know. -sigh-

Jeanne

The only suggestion I have is to ensure that you have purchased the correct size. For women who have had children or are simply older than 30 (regardless of having children or not) size 2 is recommended for proper fit. I suspect, though, that it simply doesn't work well for everyone.

Michelle

jnclelland Contributor
jnclelland
Posted
  • Author
The only suggestion I have is to ensure that you have purchased the correct size. For women who have had children or are simply older than 30 (regardless of having children or not) size 2 is recommended for proper fit. I suspect, though, that it simply doesn't work well for everyone.

Michelle

Yup, I got size 2. (I'm over 30 AND have 2 kids!)

I tried trimming the stem, but it didn't really help. And I'm inserting it as far as it will go; it's fine at first, but then it slides down to this uncomfortable position. -sigh- And it sounded like such a great idea! I guess I'll try doing more Kegels for awhile, but I suspect that somehow my innards are just shaped wrong for it. :angry:

Jeanne

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


hathor Contributor
hathor
Posted

If it is sliding down, wouldn't that mean you need the smaller size? I would contact the company if I were you.

I remember doing a little research on this for my daughter. I'm menopausal ... unfair that I finally hear about something like this when it is too late. Anyway, I thought I ran across a few comments of older women who found the size 2 too large. You might google a bit & see if you can find women's comments on their personal experiences with the Diva Cup.

Michi8 Contributor
Michi8
Posted
If it is sliding down, wouldn't that mean you need the smaller size? I would contact the company if I were you.

I remember doing a little research on this for my daughter. I'm menopausal ... unfair that I finally hear about something like this when it is too late. Anyway, I thought I ran across a few comments of older women who found the size 2 too large. You might google a bit & see if you can find women's comments on their personal experiences with the Diva Cup.

The bigger size is necessary for women who have had children, because the vaginal tissues have relaxed more. For some women, the tissue elasticity changes enough that even the larger size will not remain in place correctly. Unfortunately, kegels don't always make much difference when it comes to genetics and the effects of gravity.

Michelle

Cheri A Contributor
Cheri A
Posted

Bummer. I think I'd contact the company too.

I've only used it one cycle so far. I did have to trim the stem because it was bothering me. But, once I did that, it was fine.

jnclelland Contributor
jnclelland
Posted
  • Author

I do wonder if a smaller size would work better. It stays in place fine; it's just that the place where it stays is a little too low to be comfortable. I know there's an issue of vaginal stretching because of having had 2 kids, but my feeling is that my vagina is a little too *short* for this one.

After a couple of days, I can report that it feels fine when I'm sitting or lying down (so I can use it at night, which is nice!); it's when I'm up and walking around that it gets uncomfortable. I think I'm going to call the company and see what they suggest.

Thanks for all the input!

Jeanne

jkmunchkin Rising Star
jkmunchkin
Posted

Ok I clearly missed this thread!!! What the heck is the diva cup??!!!

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted
Ok I clearly missed this thread!!! What the heck is the diva cup??!!!

.... a birth control thing-a-ma- zig? :huh: No longer a diva. <_<

cat40 Newbie
cat40
Posted
.... a birth control thing-a-ma- zig? :huh: No longer a diva. <_<

Nope..it's a menstrual thing a ma jig. We sell them at the Co-op I work at. Never used one tho' just couldn't get past my own mental images. :huh:

Cathleen

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted
Nope..it's a menstrual thing a ma jig. We sell them at the Co-op I work at. Never used one tho' just couldn't get past my own mental images. :huh:

Cathleen

ooops. sorry, but out of that market.

jkmunchkin Rising Star
jkmunchkin
Posted
Nope..it's a menstrual thing a ma jig. We sell them at the Co-op I work at. Never used one tho' just couldn't get past my own mental images. :huh:

Cathleen

Thanks. I had to go on the website and look. I think I'll stick to my tampons for now.

Cheri A Contributor
Cheri A
Posted

It took me about a year to try the Diva Cup.

jnclelland Contributor
jnclelland
Posted
  • Author
I do wonder if a smaller size would work better. It stays in place fine; it's just that the place where it stays is a little too low to be comfortable. I know there's an issue of vaginal stretching because of having had 2 kids, but my feeling is that my vagina is a little too *short* for this one.

I checked the web site, and it doesn't look like the smaller size is any shorter. But I decided to throw caution to the wind, ignore the directions, and cut the stem completely off. (Watch out - next thing you know, I'll be running with scissors! :lol: ) That helped a LOT; I can still feel it, but it's not terribly uncomfortable anymore. I even went on a hike with it yesterday, and it felt okay.

And I gotta say, I LOVE that I can just leave it in all day and forget about it! I'm on vacation and out of my normal routine, and the last couple of days it would have been a real hassle to have to change a tampon every hour or so. So I think I'm a convert!

And now I think I'll go back to NOT discussing my menstrual cycle on the internet... ;)

Jeanne

cat40 Newbie
cat40
Posted
:D:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      126,850
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Gord
    Newest Member
    Gord
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.9k
    • Total Posts
      69.7k
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Years of testing - no real answers

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      The intestinal tract can be as long as twenty-two feet long, so intestinal damage may be out of the reach of endoscopy tools.  Some people have had more success with capsule endoscopy, but this method cannot take biopsies.  
    • knitty kitty
      What should I do with these test results?

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Jack Common, It's possible that your antibiotic for giardiasis has caused thiamine deficiency.   https://hormonesmatter.com/metronidazole-toxicity-thiamine-deficiency-wernickes-encephalopathy/ And... Thiamine and benfotiamine: Focus on their therapeutic potential https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10682628/ For clarification, the weight of your slice of bread is not equal to the amount of gluten in it.   Gluten helps form those big holes in breads, so breads like thick chewy pizza crust and artisan breads contain more gluten than cakes and cookies.  
    • knitty kitty
      Guidance on next steps after the lab tests

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Sorry about that link.  It was meant for a different post.   Do consider taking high dose Vitamin D in order to get your level up to around 80 nm/l quickly.   This is the level where Vitamin D can properly work like a hormone and can improve the immune system and lower inflammation.  It makes a big difference.   I took high dose Vitamin D and really improved quickly.  I ate Vitamin D supplements throughout the day like m&ms.  My body craved them.  Very strange, I know, but it worked.   Before you have surgery, you really need to improve your vitamins and minerals.  Vitamins A and D, Vitamin C and Niacin are extremely important to skin health and repair.  Without these, the body does not repair itself neatly.  I've got a scar worthy of a horror movie.  My doctors were clueless about nutritional deficiencies. A sublingual Vitamin B12 supplement will work better for boosting levels.  Tablets or liquid drops in the mouth are easily absorbed directly into the blood stream.   Do bear in mind that about half of Celiac people react to the protein in dairy, Casein, the same as they react to gluten because segments of the protein in Casein resembles segments of the protein Gluten.  Some people lose the ability to produce lactase, the enzyme that digests Lactose, the sugar in dairy, as they age.  Others lose the ability to produce lactase because the intestinal Villi become damaged during the autoimmune response against gluten, and damaged chili can't produce lactase.   Do try Benfotiamine.  It has been shown to improve gastrointestinal health and neuropathy. Keep us posted on your progress!
    • ABP2025
      Guidance on next steps after the lab tests

      By ABP2025 · Posted

      Thanks sending me additional links including how to test for thiamine deficiency. With regards to your first link, I wasn't diagnosed with giardiasis and I didn't take antibiotic for it. I try to generally stay away from antibiotic unless absolutely necessary as it might affect gut health. For treating phimosis, the doctor didn't give me antibiotics. I need to have a circumcision surgery which I haven't got around to schedule it.
    • ABP2025
      Guidance on next steps after the lab tests

      By ABP2025 · Posted

      I'm not vegan, just vegetarian. I consume dairy but not egg. So I have started including some Vitamin D fortified milk as well as a multivitamin with 2000 IU daily. For Vitamin B12, like you said it's very difficult to get it from just vegetarian sources and have started consuming Vitamin B Complex daily. My PCP was worried when my Vitamin D result came out as It was 3.7 ng/ml last year. He said that being low for a lengthy time could have done some damage to the body over the years. Now, though Vitamin D level has improved after the supplements, I'm not sure if the neurological damage has already been done. I'll continue including the supplements and see if my symptoms improve. I'll also get tested for celiac to see if I need to be in gluten-free diet.
×
×
  • Create New...