Sterilizing cup after having BV

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17 July 2010 @ 01:03 am

Hey everyone.
I have been using my Diva cup for over a year now and I think it is the greatest thing ever. I will never use a tampon or pad again.
Anyways, 2 months ago during my period I forgot about my diva cup and left it in for 2 days. When I took it out it reeked. It was horrible. It was towards the end of my cycle, so it was mainly just the normal white discharge.
I was just recently diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis and I think it is from leaving the cup in for too long during that period. Since then I have had another period and used my diva cup. How can I sterilize my cup to make sure there aren't any bacteria left on it from the BV? I don't want to go and reinfect myself during my next period.

Since I have been using the cup, I always just take it out and rinse it out with water and then put it back in. Then at the end of my cycle I will wash it out with the diva wash. Will the diva wash get rid of any bacteria on it? Do I need to boil it?

Thanks

Tags: cleaning

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bdfiedler on July 17th, 2010 06:20 am (UTC)

i would wash it with diva wash than boil it just to be on the safe side.
~brittany

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griffinrose on July 17th, 2010 06:25 am (UTC)

Yep, I boil mine. I use the Lunette wash and wipes as well, but I don't trust them to get all the creepy-crawly's off after each period. So I make sure I boil after the end of each, that way I start out with a fresh cup each time.

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griffinrose on July 17th, 2010 06:26 am (UTC)

Whoops sorry! I meant to say " boil after end of each period, that way I start with a fresh cup.

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happytree923 on July 17th, 2010 07:22 am (UTC)

Boiling is probably the way to go. I'd boil it and then leave it in the sun to dry (UV rays kill bacteria).

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fireaphid on July 17th, 2010 09:12 am (UTC)

Smart! Diva Wash doesn't have any antibacterial ingredients, so this is definitely the way to go.

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melissa569 on July 17th, 2010 01:02 pm (UTC)

I think you should boil it too. Just for safety sake.

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kuradi8 on July 17th, 2010 01:43 pm (UTC)

Yeah, I don't usually boil either but I would if I were you this time -- only cos of the BV.

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cosmodiva on July 17th, 2010 04:45 pm (UTC)

Thanks ladies. I will boil it then. Can I just put it in a cup and dump boiling water into the cup? I really don't want my dad to see me boiling a diva cup in a pot. LOL.

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lunatic_monkey on July 17th, 2010 05:04 pm (UTC)

I don't think it will be as effective.

Why not wait when he leaves home and boil it properly?

Also, if you want to be that discrete, you can sterilize it with rubbing alcohol. Wet a cotton disk with the alcohol and rub it all over the cup.

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maxineofarc on July 17th, 2010 05:11 pm (UTC)

To kill bacteria, you need to keep it in boiling water (not just hot) for 15 minutes or so. Put a lid on the pot? :)

Rubbing alcohol alone won't kill all the bacteria- you'll need to boil it or use sterilizing tablets.

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lunatic_monkey on July 17th, 2010 05:45 pm (UTC)

For some reason cups are recommended to be boiled in an open pan.
At least I'm sure its what the Diva Cup company recommends.

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lunatic_monkey on July 17th, 2010 04:54 pm (UTC)

Hello, fellow monkey! lol I agree in this case it's better to boil it. The Diva company recommends to boil their cup for 20 minutes. I think normally its not necessarilly should be that long but for this case it might be better.
Also you can buy Milton sterilising tablets. I heard they kill bacteria even more effectively than boiling.

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cosmodiva on July 19th, 2010 02:09 am (UTC)

Ok, I will boil it in a pot for 20 minutes. But that seems kind of gross, boiling it in something that you cook food in.

Thanks for the help! =)

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nurseame on July 20th, 2010 10:36 am (UTC)

actually, not really. i mean, people put things like raw chicken in pots without any qualms. i'd rather lick a menstrual cup that's been washed well with soap than a piece of raw chicken - it probably has less bacteria on it.

also the fact that you are boiling it is *sterilising*. this means that you kill any bacteria - meaning that neither your pot nor your cup will have any live bacteria in it after you're done.

PLUS no doubt you will wash your pot when you're done :)

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