I've had bad cramps a couple of times with my cups (Ladycup and Mooncup), and as I never get menstrual cramps I've known they were down to the cups. Removing and reinserting works for me as I think it only happens when I get lazy about insertion and put it in wrong so it's squishing my cervix - try inserting different ways (different folding methods for example), keep practicing, or you may need a different brand of menstrual cup.

As for mess, depends what you consider mess, for me menstrual cups have never been messy but that's in comparison to the horrific mess tampons caused. All the blood should stay inside the cup until you empty it, only getting discharge on the outside, if you have blood outside the cup it could be down to not inserting correctly, or not emptying often enough. It's annoying as the tags along the side of this community have entries for cramps (check them out), but not for mess but I know it has been discussed in the past for issues such as 'threads' of blood coming off the cup. Personally if I get anything like that I just deal with it, wipe off with toilet paper and waddle to the sink with my pants around my ankles...but I doubt that's acceptable for a lot of people. Sorry I can't be more help.

For the cramps, if cup is the right fit and you've got it in right, then it's probably just your body trying to adapt. Think of it as working out a group of muscles you don't normally use... with more practice, you strengthen those muscles and you don't get the pain any more.

For the mess, keep some TP handy and dump straight into the toilet, then rinse out in the sink when you're done and reinsert.

Keep trying! Don't give up!

Are you taking it out over the toilet bowl? That should deal with most messyness.
As for the cramps, that's nasty. It really should not hurt that much. I figure your cup may be bumping on your cervix somehow. It could be in wrong, or maybe it's too long for you?
Did you consider size when you chose the Diva?

Hope you feel better soon.

I got the size one which is the recommended one for me.

It doesn't seem too long, I mean the stem sticks out a little but i don't even feel it and it doesn't bother me. Is it a bad thing that it sticks out?

The sticking out in itself isn't bad, but the cup may be putting pressure on your cervix, which could give you cramps.
Is it the cup sticking out or just the stem? If it's just the stem and if it irritates you, you can trim it a little.

I had a body adjustment time where I was really crampy with my cup to start and now that is gone, it took maybe 2 cycles.

Hope that will be the case for you too!

And, how messy it is gets better over time, but I empathize, I have a heavy flow and can't empty it often enough the first 2 days so I just empty over the toilet, get myself and the cup cleaned up with some TP, and if I can I go rinse the cup out, if there are people around I wipe it, pop it back in, get my hands as clean as possible with just TP and then go out to wash them. If you carry a purse or have the option carry a couple of hand wipes with you.

I've been using my cup for about 3 cycles now. I have finally gotten past the "crime scene" mess I made at first, and having to use what seemed like half a roll of toilet paper to wipe it out each time!

With practice, I have gotten better about breaking the suction and bringing the cup straight down to empty it. At first, I would squeeze it too much and it seemed to explode inside me.

My sink is across the room. When I go into the "little closet" where the toilet is, I take an old plastic mug filled with water. (Got the idea from a previous post on this wonderful site!)
After I empty my cup in the toilet, I swish it around in the mug. Nice and clean and ready to reinsert.

I agree that the cramps may be due to your cup touching your cervix, if you've got a sensitive cervix. You may be inserting your cup too high, or the cup may be too long for your vagina. If I were you, I'd stick with it for a few months until you've perfected your technique (and tried letting the cup open up lower and kegeling it into place rather than pushing it all the way up like a tampon). If it still causes cramps after that, a shorter cup may be in order, as the Diva is the longest on the market and is too long for many folks.

As for mess, it may help to try removing it in the shower so you don't have to worry about cleanup. It takes a lot of practice, but it does get better!

Have you trimmed the stem at all? Sometimes if the stem is long, it will push the cup higher in the vagina than it wants to be, and that might be pushing it against your cervix.

Also, if you can stomach stem-free removal, turning the cup inside-out might help.

Wait, how is it even possible to get that thing out by the stem? I snipped mine after the first few tries when I read about people doing it on here god that was years ago! because all it did was drag/pull across my insides due to the suction! Oh it hurt like a B to remove.

I think some of us use the stem to pull the cup down a bit so they can grab the base more easily.

If you're doing it right (breaking the seal before actually removing) it should not hurt to remove a cup.

Some people use it - I'm not one of them, so I'm not sure exactly how it goes, but I think they hold onto the stem while bearing down so it doesn't get sucked back up.

Good news, the cramps are gone! They only lasted one day which is good but wow so painful! I'll keep at it for a few cycles and see how it goes, thank you so much for the help and the advice, it's very appreciated!

I did wake up to a mess in my bed this morning though. Lots of leakage, as if I wasn't wearing anything for my period at all... I read a little bit about it and I'm guessing that's because I missed my cervix? Anyways I was just wondering how to make sure that my cervix is "aligned" to the cup?

thanks, i LOVE the cup despite these little frustrating things :)

At first I get that too. So I only used the cup after the bad first day or two. After I got used to it, I could use it on the first days too.

This was my first period with my divacup, and on the first day I had the worst cramps I've ever had. I've never actually had to take painkillers for cramps but I did that day. I've heard some people say they get worse cramps on the first day, but that could've been a fluke.