So, I want to "go green" for my monthly menstrual cycle...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I use a diva cup and have for years. Took me a few days to figure out how to insert it easily, but smooth sailing since then. I don't have crazy heavy periods, and I just empty it 2-3 times a day (usually 2) so I don't have to deal with it in public restrooms ever.

How do you empty it 2-3 times a day without doing so in a public restroom? If I emptied 2-3 times a day that would put me at work for at least one of them. I've tried to use the Diva cup, but it always leaks the first couple days.

Well, most days it's twice, so once first thing in the morning and once sometime before bed. If I'm home all day I might add in a middle of the day emptying, or sometimes I do it right when I get home from work at 5:30 and once right before bed.

As for size, I just followed the guidelines on the website. They tell you to get the larger size if you're over a certain age (30 maybe? I can't remember exactly) or have given birth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I use a diva cup and have for years. Took me a few days to figure out how to insert it easily, but smooth sailing since then. I don't have crazy heavy periods, and I just empty it 2-3 times a day (usually 2) so I don't have to deal with it in public restrooms ever.

How do you empty it 2-3 times a day without doing so in a public restroom? If I emptied 2-3 times a day that would put me at work for at least one of them. I've tried to use the Diva cup, but it always leaks the first couple days.

If in a bind, you can just empty it (in the toilet of course) and then wipe it off with toilet paper (or flushable wipes) and reinsert.

[Anonymous]

have any of you successfully used a diva cup with an IUD? I thought that they were not compatible, but it seems like that's old news?

[Anonymous]

Hippie here. In lieu of the cup, may I suggest a sea sponge? You purchase one, cut it into strawberry sized pieces, and pop them in. Once youve used one, rinse out the blood, wash, and airdry. Extremely environmentally friendly, and no subsidizing patriarchal "feminine hygiene" companies. Cheaper too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hippie here. In lieu of the cup, may I suggest a sea sponge? You purchase one, cut it into strawberry sized pieces, and pop them in. Once youve used one, rinse out the blood, wash, and airdry. Extremely environmentally friendly, and no subsidizing patriarchal "feminine hygiene" companies. Cheaper too.

What type of soap/cleanser do you use to wash it with?

[Anonymous]

Use reusable pads

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Use reusable pads

pads are just gross

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hippie here. In lieu of the cup, may I suggest a sea sponge? You purchase one, cut it into strawberry sized pieces, and pop them in. Once youve used one, rinse out the blood, wash, and airdry. Extremely environmentally friendly, and no subsidizing patriarchal "feminine hygiene" companies. Cheaper too.

Another hippie here. I second this suggestion. I used sea sponges for many years in college and they are SO COMFORTABLE. A couple of things to consider - sometimes they are hard to grab once you insert them, so I would use a needle and thread a longish piece of dental floss through the sponge. This made it easer to remove.

The one drawback is rinsing them if you're using the same one all day. I never kept extras or anything - always used the same one throughout the day. In college it got awkward because I'd be in a public restroom and would have to take my bloody sponge to the communal sink to rinse it (I guess it's sort of unsanitary in that regard). But if you use it at home or have access to a private bathroom, this isn't an issue.

I'd also use a dark colored wash cloth at night instead of a sponge. Where do you think the expression "on the rag" came from?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hippie here. In lieu of the cup, may I suggest a sea sponge? You purchase one, cut it into strawberry sized pieces, and pop them in. Once youve used one, rinse out the blood, wash, and airdry. Extremely environmentally friendly, and no subsidizing patriarchal "feminine hygiene" companies. Cheaper too.

Another hippie here. I second this suggestion. I used sea sponges for many years in college and they are SO COMFORTABLE. A couple of things to consider - sometimes they are hard to grab once you insert them, so I would use a needle and thread a longish piece of dental floss through the sponge. This made it easer to remove.

The one drawback is rinsing them if you're using the same one all day. I never kept extras or anything - always used the same one throughout the day. In college it got awkward because I'd be in a public restroom and would have to take my bloody sponge to the communal sink to rinse it (I guess it's sort of unsanitary in that regard). But if you use it at home or have access to a private bathroom, this isn't an issue.

I'd also use a dark colored wash cloth at night instead of a sponge. Where do you think the expression "on the rag" came from?

I was the one who seconded the sponge above. You can use tea tree oil or Dr. Bronner's soap to clean them once a day (rinsing with water a few times is okay throughout the day)

[Anonymous]

I dont get periods with the Mirena IUD

[Anonymous]

LOL, this thread just made me think of something silly and off-topic - but whenever I watch "end of the world/apocalyptic" shows and movies (like The Walking Dead), I always think to myself, what would women use in a world like this, when there are no tampons or pads left anymore.

Now I know that a menstrual cup and/or sea sponges need to be part of my "zombie survival kit"!

[Anonymous]

Another vote for the Lunette. I've also used the Diva Cup and the Moon Cup. It does take some getting used to but I find tampons uncomfortable (even OB) and pads just gross, whether cloth or paper. I also really like silicone cups because you can clean them with boiling water or run them through the dishwasher. I find sea sponges to be suspect for that reason -- I don't believe you're really getting them all the way clean even with soap and water. I really don't want to take the chance of a vaginal infection or TSS.

Also, it's ridiculous to say that incinerated menstrual products = no waste. They're inherently wasteful in being a disposable product. That said, I think there are better and worse disposable menstrual products -- i.e. OB tampons preferable to any with a plastic applicator, which is just ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Use reusable pads

pads are just gross

Of course they are and the thought of using a reusable one is even grosser, but the OP asked about 'green' options .

[Anonymous]

Your coworkers will thank you if you don't. I don't understand how this works or is sanitary outside of your own house.

[Anonymous]

I love my diva cup.