My sister bought me a diva cup (size 1) a while ago, and I’ve had a few false starts with it. Last summer I wore it once for most of a day without any problems, but when I went to remove it I kind of just pulled hard, rather than breaking the suction first, and I ended up flinging the contents all over my bathroom >.< Discouraged, I put it away for a while, but I’m getting back to it now.

I realized yesterday that the punch down fold I’d been trying to use wasn’t working for me (small tip to insert, then I’d get to the corner of the triangle and it would hurt like hell), but when I tried a U fold it went much easier, as long as I could hold it closed until it was in far enough. Now that I know I can insert it without any pain, I’m excited to try it out for real this cycle. Thank you to everyone who’s posted information here, it’s been really helpful to me! I didn’t select this particular cup myself, but I think I have a pretty high cervix (I’ve never been able to reach the thing) and the diameter of this one feels ok, so I hope the diva cup will work for me.

I was wondering, how do you guys handle it when you have to empty it in public bathrooms, any tips? I have a pretty light flow, so if I really can wear the thing for 10 or 12 hours, maybe I can avoid dealing with it when I’m not at home. If it seems comfortable, is there a downside to trying to wear it that long? And one last thing, I’ve been cleaning it with my normal body wash, which is scented, because I know I don't get irritation from it (obviously I rinse the cup thoroughly.) Is this ok, or should I consider some different soap? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.