prevention of menstrual mayhem FYI

Since we've actually been having to *work* at conceiving this time, I've been a little resentful of my moontime. This is fairly unusual for me,

the queen of [cloth menstrual pads](http://www.gladrags.com), who soaks them in a big glass jar and then pours the water back on the earth (in the dead of night so as not to futher freak out the neighbors.) I can deal with the moodiness (don't know how well everyone else deals with it) & the carb. cravings. esp. since I've added a specific Omega 3-6-9 supplement for women by [Nature's Sunshine](http://www.naturessunshine.com).

However, I am tired of flooding and leaking during my two heaviest days of flow. And this is *NOT* a result of the cloth pads; in fact, they have helped a little. I think they just are more quickly absorbent. Tampons haven't seemed to do much---something in my anatomy does not encourage their fit. I used to say that I should just wear Depends for those two days. But while I was at conference, I bought a product called [The Diva Cup](http://www.divacup.com), a resuable, silicone cup used much like a diaphragm. I've seen mention of other similar products like [The Keeper](http://thekeeperinc.com), but never where I could see and handle one. (If I'm going to make an investment of $25, you better believe that I want to check it out thouroughly.) Well, leave it to a bunch of midwives, and those who market to them, to satisfy this need.

So, I bought one, telling N. at the time that the purchase would probably ensure that I got pregnant, so as to waste the $. As you've already read, this weren't necessarily so, and I've gotten to use the cup this week. And sisters, let me tell you, I'm loving it! It took two tries and a lot of attention to insert it the first time, but that's gotten easier with practice. It was also slightly uncomfortable the first time, less so than tampons for me, and about the level of my diaphragm when I first started using it pre-Gianna. That, too has lessened. And NO LEAKS!!!. I did wear a pad with it to be sure, and it had some spottage where my pubic hair had gotten wet when I emptied the cup, but nothing else.

The cup holds one ounce, and the pamplet says that the usual menstrual flow is in total, ~ 4 oz. This is probably a bit low for me. I had 1 1/2 oz. on days 2 & 3, then usually slow to just spotting on day 4, then another 3/4 oz. on day 5, then spotting for the next couple of days. Since I know my pattern, I only used it on the heavier days, and I only wore it for 5 hrs the first time, then the full 12 hrs. the second and third times. Each time, I emptied it once.

The directions say to wash it with hot water and mild soap after emptying it, and before re-inserting it. (I used Dr. Bonner's, which seemed to work well.) Don't know how convenient this would be if one was away from home, esp. in a public bathroom. However, with my hx of leaks, it's worth the hassle. If anyone has any further questions, just call me. And I would love to know if anyone has used the Keeper, or any similar device and how they worked for you. Call it a professional interest, or just think I've gone off the deep end. It's your story...