I Forgot to Prep... Tampons

[goofygurl]

Also, different menstrual cups can work for different people. For me, the Diva is the way to go because I have a retroverted uterus (like extremely so) so *any* kind of reuseable device that sits high up in the vagina/closer to the cervix is painful like whoa. The Diva sits the lowest of the cups that I have tried, so it's the most comfortable--but I have to fold it in a really weird way and it took me quite awhile to figure out how to use it. I know people who hate the diva but do like the Keeper or the 'instead' cups (though those are disposable) or reusables similar to the designs of the insteads. (The instead reminds me of a diaphram--do people even use those anymore?!?--so if a diaphram was comfortable for an individual woman to use they MAY have some sucess/comfort with the 'instead'. I have shot diaphrams out at inopportune and amusing times so I never even tried once I saw what the instead looked like, LOL. Probably TMI too, now that I think about it.)

[duodecima]

Also, different menstrual cups can work for different people. For me, the Diva is the way to go because I have a retroverted uterus (like extremely so) so *any* kind of reuseable device that sits high up in the vagina/closer to the cervix is painful like whoa. The Diva sits the lowest of the cups that I have tried, so it's the most comfortable--but I have to fold it in a really weird way and it took me quite awhile to figure out how to use it. I know people who hate the diva but do like the Keeper or the 'instead' cups (though those are disposable) or reusables similar to the designs of the insteads. (The instead reminds me of a diaphram--do people even use those anymore?!?--so if a diaphram was comfortable for an individual woman to use they MAY have some sucess/comfort with the 'instead'. I have shot diaphrams out at inopportune and amusing times so I never even tried once I saw what the instead looked like, LOL. Probably TMI too, now that I think about it.)

I think, with "tampons" in the thread title, the readership should be prepared for some of the actual "facts of life" to show up.

Good to know about the instead, since I had no issues with a diaphragm (altho I'm also a retrovert ). It's still hilarious when you loose your grip on one and it bounces around the bathroom. Less so with a menstrual cup. The cleanup would be .

[goofygurl]

Okay, which one of you ZS'ers bought a Diva cup thru my Amazon link?

Is very much appreciated if so.

[foghern]

Thankfully my wife always keeps one extra box because sending me to the store for tampons would be as confusing as me telling her to go grab some spark plugs for me. I only use this analogy because my car is a Frankenstein (body is different year than motor) and cars really aren't her thing.

[Zen Chameleon]

Also, different menstrual cups can work for different people. For me, the Diva is the way to go because I have a retroverted uterus (like extremely so) so *any* kind of reuseable device that sits high up in the vagina/closer to the cervix is painful like whoa. The Diva sits the lowest of the cups that I have tried, so it's the most comfortable--but I have to fold it in a really weird way and it took me quite awhile to figure out how to use it. I know people who hate the diva but do like the Keeper or the 'instead' cups (though those are disposable) or reusables similar to the designs of the insteads. (The instead reminds me of a diaphram--do people even use those anymore?!?--so if a diaphram was comfortable for an individual woman to use they MAY have some sucess/comfort with the 'instead'. I have shot diaphrams out at inopportune and amusing times so I never even tried once I saw what the instead looked like, LOL. Probably TMI too, now that I think about it.)

I think, with "tampons" in the thread title, the readership should be prepared for some of the actual "facts of life" to show up. I read through this thread out of curiosity and to get more educated but I have to admit being "prepared" I was not lol

Good to know about the instead, since I had no issues with a diaphragm (altho I'm also a retrovert ). It's still hilarious when you loose your grip on one and it bounces around the bathroom. Less so with a menstrual cup. The cleanup would be .

At first I wondered why a single guy w/o kids (like myself) would even be doing reading this thread but now that I've got this far I can say it was worth all the detailed information and laughs . So, I just want to give a shout-out and a thankz to all the ZS Ladies that contribute openly on these forums. If it wasn't for you all pitching in then most guys would just tag this topic/situation as one more reason to cut the sleeves off of our old T-shirts in case of an emergency

[colinz]

I'm assuming you have a girlfriend (else why order any at all), and you plan to get her brand, but are you planning to bring her along? I guess it comes down to how serious the relationship is, and that sort of makes this a pointless question. Obviously you wouldn't be buying in quantity if you weren't serious about her. Nevermind.

The last couple of GF's I've had, I've ended up stashing a small supply of their monthly stuff at my place, usually only 1-3 months worth at a time. Not 'ideal' from a prep standpoint, but a lot better than nothing, and if things get a lot more serious later on down the line, it's easy to quietly increase the stock levels.

The ladeez have all thought it was a really nice gesture too. Vigourous sex can sometimes starts things off early.

[Tank Woman]

Colinz, I thank you on behalf of my entire menstruating gender!
No matter how well we prepare, there always seems to be those mishaps that catch us red handed, lol, gross. When those things happen, and someone comes to my rescue, that person is my hero. Seriously.
Well done thoughtful boyfriend!

[LyraJean]

First thing, learn the difference between tampons and maxi-pads. Tampons are actually inserted where as maxi-pads just line the underwear. AFAIK, Always doesn't make tampons, so if you ever require assistance when you're on your own, that could create some confusion.

But, since things like these don't necessarily have expiration dates, why not stock store brands for SHTF? I mean, it wouldn't be ideal, but if it costs half as much for the store brand versus the name brand, it might be a better choice for preps.

If you go the store brand route have your women try them at least once. I used some store brand pads once and they leaked all over. It's as if I wasn't even wearing one. I don't do tampons I don't want to risk TSS. Sorry if this is TMI but I know I'd hate to be in this situation where I am stuck using a pad or tampon that just doesn't work and I have no other options.

[LyraJean]

so stock up and then you also have trade goods for ashtf

[KnightoftheRoc]

It's not TMI, it's practical, personal experience with a type of prep "gear". If it were a range report on a new rifle, no one would be complaining, and I would HOPE that the members reading this thread could deal with an adult topic AS adults- so far, that's been the case, as far as I've seen.

Anyone who's been in a relationship with a woman has, at one point or another, experienced one of those moments when feminine protection fails, and the mad scramble to deal with it in a least embarrassing way as possible. No one's happy about it, it's not convenient, and the whole deal pretty much sucks all around- but when it's happened to my (ex)wife, a daughter, or my fiance, I deal with it like an adult- I try to be supportive, and go do whatever needs doing for them so they can deal with it and not feel like dying of embarrassment.

On a prep level, this is why I keep some feminine products stashed in the jeep next to the emergency diapers and wipes- because you just never know.

[LyraJean]

When I was in Basic Training for the Army. All the females had to carry two pads or tampons in one of our pockets of our camo pants just in case of an emergency. One for us and one for a battle buddy. The drill sgt. would even have us pull them out at random times of the day just to make sure we had them on us.

[colinz]

Colinz, I thank you on behalf of my entire menstruating gender!
No matter how well we prepare, there always seems to be those mishaps that catch us red handed, lol, gross. When those things happen, and someone comes to my rescue, that person is my hero. Seriously.
Well done thoughtful boyfriend!

Aww Shucks.

LyraJean - That sounds like it was a good idea.

[mariposa]

First thing, learn the difference between tampons and maxi-pads. Tampons are actually inserted where as maxi-pads just line the underwear. AFAIK, Always doesn't make tampons, so if you ever require assistance when you're on your own, that could create some confusion.

But, since things like these don't necessarily have expiration dates, why not stock store brands for SHTF? I mean, it wouldn't be ideal, but if it costs half as much for the store brand versus the name brand, it might be a better choice for preps.

If you go the store brand route have your women try them at least once. I used some store brand pads once and they leaked all over. It's as if I wasn't even wearing one. I don't do tampons I don't want to risk TSS. Sorry if this is TMI but I know I'd hate to be in this situation where I am stuck using a pad or tampon that just doesn't work and I have no other options.

Very good advice. Some brands really are better than others.

[LyraJean]

I was just thinking I prefer Always since they are thin and just as absorbent for periods as a thicker pad. But if you just had a baby and still leaking I use Walmart Equate brand. They are pretty thick but better than a thin pad since it's not really menstrual waste. It gives you time to get to the bathroom without leaving a big mess on the floor. At one point in my post-pregnancy recovery I gave up on trying to hold it til I could make the 6 steps to the bathroom. It just wasn't physically possible. I felt bad for the nurses though.

[kaligaran]

I haven't found another forum that has an entire thread dedicated to prepping for aunt flow! This is awesome!

So ladies, I have been interested in the whole diva cup idea but haven't given it too much thought yet, just stockpiled tampons. After reading this thread about the various brands and experiences, including the mentioning of 'trimming the stem' now my head is spinning.

My thought in SHTF is that cleaning it properly to prevent bacteria may be problematic since clean water and soap may be at a premium. Thoughts?

What are the recommendations from the ladies here for them? Just buy different ones till you find one you like?

edited to correct my fail typing

[wee drop o' bush]

Kali I must give my moon cup another go. I eventually got it working great for one cycle but got cystitis from using it, the moon cup was uncomfortable to work with. I'm diabetic & get cystitis easily anyway so I thought "nah I don't need another possible way to get a UTI"

[kaligaran]

Kali I must give my moon cup another go. I eventually got it working great for one cycle but got cystitis from using it, the moon cup was uncomfortable to work with. I'm diabetic & get cystitis easily anyway so I thought "nah I don't need another possible way to get a UTI"

I am prone to UTIs as well, so this definitly scares me. This is one of the reasons I having beand definitly not planning on it for SHTF since I don't think soap/water would be readily available.

[KJ4VOV]

For those ladies prone to UTI's, cranberry juice is an old remedy/preventative that actually works. It does this through changing the pH of your urine, which stops bacterial growth.

[LyraJean]

For those ladies prone to UTI's, cranberry juice is an old remedy/preventative that actually works. It does this through changing the pH of your urine, which stops bacterial growth.

As a side to KJ4VOV, Cranberry juice doesn't taste very good at least to me. If you are drinking cranberry juice for a UTI do not mix it with another juice or water it down. It will change the pH of the juice and not work. This is what my doctor told me when I had an UTI that turned into a kidney infection from taking baths. I was 14 or so. So ladies, soaking in the tub not such a hot idea.

[wee drop o' bush]

For those ladies prone to UTI's, cranberry juice is an old remedy/preventative that actually works. It does this through changing the pH of your urine, which stops bacterial growth.

It does ease my discomfort but its full of sugar. I always end up needing antibiotics anyway so I just drink water instead & thole till I have to go to the doctor.
I do love cranberry juice though, I've tried the 'light' version but it has an aspartame aftertaste.

[ptAltered]

Try drinking REAL cranberry juice not "Cranberry juice cocktail" which is mainly HFCS and water. Real cranberry juice is delicious, tart and healthy! Also goes well in a Cosmo!

[LyraJean]

Try drinking REAL cranberry juice not "Cranberry juice cocktail" which is mainly HFCS and water. Real cranberry juice is delicious, tart and healthy! Also goes well in a Cosmo!

Cranberry juice cocktail doesn't work for UTIs. It's got to be straight cranberry juice or I guess you can just eat cranberries.

[wee drop o' bush]

cranberry juice is delicious, tart and healthy! Also goes well in a Cosmo!

I did not want to be the one to go there
But yes, yes they sure do

[kaligaran]

For those ladies prone to UTI's, cranberry juice is an old remedy/preventative that actually works. It does this through changing the pH of your urine, which stops bacterial growth.

Off topic:
Yes, this is true I think for most people - men and women alike. But it also depends on the condition that causes it. For example, some people have exposed blood vessles in their bladder (I forgot the name of the condition) but it lends itself to more UTIs and symptoms and often blood in the urine when no infection is present. Often I get UTI symptoms for days at a time with no UTI (fun fun) so I keep Azo Standard on me at all times, it's over the counter and suggested by a urologist I saw. Turns your pee radioactive orange but releives all symptoms of a UTI.

Back on topic:
Diva Cups' FAQs on their site says:

A. Menstrual cups are not associated with an increased risk of UTI.
You may need to trim the stem a bit so that it is not protruding near to the urethra. Also, it is important to wash and rinse the cup and the stem thoroughly. It is best to use a mild pH balanced wash like The DivaWash, so that residue is not left on the cup. Residue may cause irritations.
As for all gynecological concerns, we suggest you consult your physician.

I wonder if trimming that stem is the key here?
Also, I noticed it can be boiled for cleaning and that's recommended every month. That makes me feel a bit better about SHTF use.

But for normal use... I know you only have to take it out every 12 or so hours, but what if it moved around and you need to adjust it during the day. This could be a really awkward in the ladies room at work since we don't have private sinks even in the handicapped stalls.