DIvaCup user, problem with pain during use.

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26 June 2013 @ 03:47 pm

I love it. I really do. Been using for well over a year. But, my last 2 periods my cup couldn't get seated right. It felt excruciatingly painful pressing on my bladder. Like very bad gas bubbles. And HORRIBLE cramps. I assume I just didn't have it seated correctly, and went back to my faithful standby (instead cups). I'm over 30. 2 pregnancies, both caesarian deliveries. I currently use a size 2 DivaCup, per instructions but am wondering if a size 1 would be better? (I don't quite understand the size difference having to do with childbirth, if I haven't delivered vaginally?) I've seen many web posts of women saying they had a similar problem, but no clear fix for the problem. Do you have any suggestions?
I currently have the stem trimmed down as I originally found it irritating, could it be that rubbing on me? It doesn't feel like a scratch or cut, it feels like too much pressure. I've tried wearing it lower (literally the end visibly out of the canal) and I've tried higher, where it hurt my cervix. I've tried letting air out. I mostly use the c fold on insertion. I have no problems using the instead cup - and I note it's much more squat in size, could the DivaCup just be too long for me? Certainly an instead cup has a much larger circumference than the DivaCup, so I don't think it's that the circumference is too large? Could it be that it's not large enough and hurting my cervix? But that wouldn't register as painful pressure though? Don't know where to go from here. Please tell me someone has some insight?

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kuradi8 on June 27th, 2013 12:10 am (UTC)

Whether small or large, the Divas are the longest of all the brands and don't necessarily fit everyone. Try flipping it inside out to make it shorter and see if it works better for you that way. If so, it's perfectly OK to wear it that way. Or if you think you'd like a shorter cup, compare your Diva to the other brands at http://sizecharts.livejournal.com/ Also compare side by side photos to see if the shape of the ones you think you might like appeal to you.

The large Fleurcup is one to consider. It is medium length, high capacity, squishy soft and has a blunt (versus pointy) base. Compare dimensions and shapes to see if it or a different shape would appeal to you more.

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juliiie87 on June 27th, 2013 03:51 pm (UTC)

Agreed, it sounds like length might be the issue here.

OP, you could get a feel for your cervix and estimate how much room you have in there, then pick a cup length accordingly from the charts linked above. Whether to pick a large or narrow cup is up to you, it depends on how much capacity you need and the state of your pelvic floor muscles, since they hold the cup in place.

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trejoy on June 27th, 2013 01:45 pm (UTC)

Sckoon posted this comparison pic on facebook of the small and large Sckoon cup next to a Diva: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=208848329268275&set=a.157204147766027.36290.155406931279082&type=1&theater

These two posts have other comparison photos with the Sckoon cup: http://menstrual-cups.livejournal.com/3103969.html & http://menstrual-cups.livejournal.com/3102210.html

You have my sympathy ~ I also experienced significant pain when I used the Diva cup.

Edited at 2013-06-27 01:50 pm (UTC)

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Adrienne Barker on June 27th, 2013 09:51 pm (UTC)

Can you think of a reason why length would affect me in a "pressure" sensation though? I would think I'd feel discomfort in a different way if it was length affecting me?

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ginny587 on June 28th, 2013 01:04 am (UTC)

Reading how you worded things, I honestly think it's either a width or stiffness problem more than length. It might help if you check on where your cervix is hanging out in the middle of a cycle and see if it's the same or shorter than what it used to be.
Looking at the images on soft cup instructions, those sit way differently than a Diva cup does, so that might be why their width doesn't bother you.
And, with regards to the sizes, it seems that people just go by what works for them far more than manufacturer recommendations with age or child birth experience. Diva 2 is pretty wide compared to others. Did you use the size 1 before?

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Adrienne Barker on June 28th, 2013 10:33 pm (UTC)
update

I thing that stiffness may be the problem? Although my Diva Cup seems fairly soft and flexible to me? I just watched a youtube video where a woman was reviewing the Sckoon and she mentioned about how she was feeling a lot of pressure on her bladder from her previous cup - that's exactly what it feels like, except accompanied by severe cramping. Maybe the pressure is just irritating me? I just sent away for a Large Sckoon and am thinking also of a Fleurcup. (although I read somewhere the Fleurcup's rim was slightly firmer than DivaCup)? Hope to come back with a happy report. Thanks all for your candid comments! I wish some of this talk about the wonders of our bodies was more commonplace outside of forums, but I really appreciate the troubleshooting that you all have offered, so Thank You!

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juliiie87 on June 28th, 2013 09:39 pm (UTC)

My diagnosis is the following : the stem irritated you so the cup was already almost too long, you've had children which often causes mild prolapse (vagina gets shorter because the cervix drops), if you try to wear it higher "it hurts (your) cervix), you can't wear it lower or else it pokes out. Conclusion : your vagina is about the length of the cup and the rim is being pushed up against your cervix. It's also more likely that your cervix changed position recently than the stiffness of the cup suddenly bothering you, however it's not clear to me how long you've been using it, so another possibility would be that it's too firm for you.

When comparing the Instead to the Diva, do note that they sit COMPLETELY differently in the vagina : as far as I understand, the instead sits inside horizontally of you like a drawer, while other cups should sit (o) around your cervix, however I'm guessing with a softer, shorter cup you wouldn't feel this pressure.

http://menstrualcupinfo.wordpress.com/cup-stiffness-comparison-chart/ Cuplee, Si-bell and Meluna soft are amongst the softest cups, others rating a 2-3 would also qualify. I don't think width makes that much of a difference on a soft cup.

Edited at 2013-06-28 09:42 pm (UTC)

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Adrienne Barker on June 28th, 2013 10:43 pm (UTC)

I agree, I don't think width makes any difference. The walls of the vagina are SO dynamic, it's crazy to think what fits through. If a baby can fit, I'm sure the widest cup isn't a problem. =)
I'd been using my Diva for just over a year when all of a sudden these painful periods started. ?? I didn't know that childbirth could affect (effect?) the height of your cervix, so I'm wondering why one's cervix would drop for any other reasons. Are there other reasons (other than where you are in your fertile cycle) why the cervix could change position? Anyone know?? I really haven't noticed a change in its height, but honestly, I checked frequently when I was trying to conceive my first child, and have since had 2 babies - but haven't paid attention to what my cervix is up to lately. Haha
Anyway, I'm happy to be testing out some shorter cups! Thanks for your Dx! =)

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m03m on July 1st, 2013 07:14 pm (UTC)

Yes, it's really common for the cervix to sit lower after pregnancy/childbirth.

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