I Forgot to Prep... Tampons

by **duodecima** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 2:58 pm

Azo/Pyridium (the stuff that turns your pee, snot, and tears bright orange) is great for numbing up that internal burning. Doesn't hit the bacteria, tho, unfortunately, if there is an infection.

by **wee drop o' bush** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 3:16 pm

Cephalexin is the most effective for me, Trimothroprim is what I get unless I request the former though.

by **kaligaran** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 4:15 pm

duodecima wrote:Azo/Pyridium (the stuff that turns your pee, snot, and tears bright orange) is great for numbing up that internal burning. Doesn't hit the bacteria, tho, unfortunately, if there is an infection.

Thanks for pointing that out duo, I should have added a disclaimer for "There's no substitute for a doctor if you think you may have a UTI. Do not self-medicate a bacterial infection."

I think my doctor got sick of constantly seeing me b/c I thought I had a UTI and then didn't (serious UTI symptoms and visible blood) so sent me to a specialist which told me not to bother going to the doctor for a test until the symptoms have persisted for 5+ days.
During those 5+ days AZO is my lifesaver. And cheap if you get the generic brand.

Has anyone else had any issues with the menstral cups and UTIs?

by **duodecima** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 9:17 pm

kaligaranout wrote:[I think my doctor got sick of constantly seeing me b/c I thought I had a UTI and then didn't (serious UTI symptoms and visible blood) so sent me to a specialist which told me not to bother going to the doctor for a test until the symptoms have persisted for 5+ days.

Well "got sick of" is one way to put the "wait, I keep treating this patient but never getting a positive culture, WTF? Better ask the specialist..." And I'd do the disclaimer as "if it's bacterial, treat with antibiotic" - some patients don't alway have to be seen to get the prescription. And generic azo is da bomb for what it does.

UTI's are known risk with pessaries (other things that sit in the vagina) so it wouldn't surprise me if there was a similar risk with menstrual cups. Some people hally better to find issues, some don't, YMMV.

by **pahwraith** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 11:13 pm

Boy am I glad my gf has no problem with her Diva cup. Not only are we set for the long term, it spares me the whole "you bought the wrong brand" argument. :mrgreen:

But really great topic, I hadn't even though about it. Good stuff.

by **kaligaran** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 11:42 pm

duodecima wrote:Well "got sick of" is one way to put the "wait, I keep treating this patient but never getting a positive culture, WTF? Better ask the specialist..."

Yeah that's pretty much exactly what happened. lol

duodecima wrote:UTI's are known risk with pessaries (other things that sit in the vagina) so it wouldn't surprise me if there was a similar risk with menstrual cups. Some people hally better to find issues, some don't, YMMV.

That also makes sense to me. Since I've not had any issues with tampons in the 20+ years of use, sounds like I just need to try a DivaCup. If it works for a couple of months without issues, than I will buy a couple for preps. Much less space than stockpiled tampons, no issues of moisture/water damage to the boxes since they can be boiled clean and cheaper in the long run.

Again, great thread. I'm glad it was started. Now I have something to go buy this weekend.

by **goofygurl** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 11:55 pm

kaligaran wrote: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

I stock soap for bartering..I'm sure I can't be the only one. :wink:

by **goofygurl** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 11:57 pm

kaligaran wrote:
KJ4VOV wrote: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.

Mine never moved around. Stayed in one place..but like I said, I've had a kid and BOTH of their sizes were just too painful for me to wear.

by **shadows on the trees** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 3:27 pm

wee drop o' bush wrote:
KJ4VOV wrote: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.

You can buy cranberry pills now, too. AZO makes some, CVS has their own brand, and health food stores carry them. I'm prone to UTIs, too, so I stock both the radioactive orange pee pills and cranberry.

As for diva cups/instead cups, I tried instead once and -horror- couldn't get the damn thing out. Thank God for understanding husbands! (TMI, I know.)

by **wee drop o' bush** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 3:28 pm

That's ok!
Thanks for the cranberry pill idea

by **huntingohio** » Fri Jun 29, 2012 10:12 am

I know i shouldnt have because men have no real business in dealing in feminine hygiene.. but i googled a diva cup.. self fail

by **wee drop o' bush** » Fri Jun 29, 2012 10:15 am

huntingohio wrote:I know i shouldnt have because men have no real business in dealing in feminine hygiene.. but i googled a diva cup.. self fail

It's ok, it's good to know what we are discussing here :lol:

by **huntingohio** » Fri Jun 29, 2012 12:18 pm

umm unless you have safesearch off....... images may be disturbing to some viewers

by **goofygurl** » Fri Jun 29, 2012 12:49 pm

huntingohio wrote:umm unless you have safesearch off....... images may be disturbing to some viewers

by **Resolute** » Fri Jun 29, 2012 1:51 pm

Great thread, even from a guy's perspective.

I have a friend (very in to the natural stuff, and whatnot) who now swears by the Diva Cup. She absolutely loves it and even told me I should get one. Mind you, I have a penis, so the Cup's utility would be somewhat... limited.

My girlfriend has reusable cotton pads. I don't know the last time I've seen a disposable anything related to that in this house. I think we found her last supply of them online at Etsy or something. You can find a lot of people who make their own and resell them. Another advantage - they don't crinkle like some other pads!

With the discussions on pad leakage, and uncomfortable tampons, if people had to choose something generic as a universal SHTF pad, caring only about utility, what would y'all choose? I'd say tampons should be ruled out due to their discomfort between different brands for different people.

I have shot diaphrams out at inopportune and amusing times

Is it wrong that I picture the sound of a cannon and a diaphragm rocketing out from underneath a skirt, doing its best impression of a bouncy-ball around a room? :mrgreen:

by **Chantrea** » Fri Jun 29, 2012 4:28 pm

I use reusable pads--had to for many years (and still have to be careful) because I started getting a allergic reaction to adhesives and probably the gel beads in disposable pads. Not at all a fun thing to have happen post cesarean. I started blistering everywhere there was any kind of contact--so...the IV/heplock thing, the band-aid from the MMR booster I got in the hospital, and everywhere I got exposed to the absorbant beads, both on the postpartum pads AND even from changing the kid's disposable diapers! (we had already planned on switching to cloth for all the kids too, but I wanted to at least get the meconium poops out of the way before I had to wash it out of the diapers).

Tampons are a really nice convenience thing, though. They're also super compact storage wise, compared to pads of any type (not a reusable cup). But the disposable thing is a problem in some ways.

I do not believe there is such a thing as a universal utilitarian menstrual hygiene thing. There are even hundreds of different shapes/kinds of cloth pads--for a very good reason. What works is going to depend on weight/body shape, typical flow, ect and by no means is there a universal for women. You can make stuff work in a pinch, but as others have said if you know the preference or are preparing for yourself, then if you're smart you stock up on the things that you want.

I mean I think every woman has at some point in her life had to do ye old folded up toilet paper pad-on-the-fly, but that's hardly comfortable or useful. And the cut up rags are always going to be an option, too. Sometimes there is not a truly one-size-fits-all universal solution.

by **goofygurl** » Mon Jul 02, 2012 11:29 pm

I still need to get some reusables. I just tend to buy whatever I can get cheap, although like previously stated, Always is my preferred brand. Most of the time the best coupon deals are Stayfree though. Re-useable ones would definately out weigh that cost though.

Anyone know of a good place to get them already made? I am sans sewing machine and can't make them myself.

by **Chantrea** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 1:08 am

There are tons and tons and tons of places, GG. If you do a google search on "cloth menstrual pads" you find a plethora of options. It depends on what you want. I used to like ones that snap around undies (like the "wings" of certain disposable pads) but now I don't care about that.

I give the same advice for buying cloth pads as I do cloth diapers--since different shapes are better for different bodies/outputs, if you can always get just one or two pads of any given type and try before you buy enough to get you through a typical flow.

by **shadows on the trees** » Wed Jul 25, 2012 1:29 pm

I just ran across this article on a parenting site I read sometimes. Claims that "GladRags" last 5-10 years and beyond... This article may have just convinced me to give them a try. Thinking of all the $$ I could save...

by **Towanda** » Wed Jul 25, 2012 3:48 pm

Kaligaran, I've been using a Diva cup for over ten years. 12 hours is the maximum time that's recommended for leaving it in without emptying and rinsing. A Diva cup should be washed once a day in a soap that does not irritate you. I'm fine with washing mine in Dr Bronner's peppermint soap when I shower, but I have a friend who has to use silicone sex toy cleaner on hers or she gets a yeast infection.

Boiling a Diva after your period is over is fine. Remember, your feminine hygiene products don't have to be sterile, they just have to be clean. Diva cups are made of medical grade silicone and can stand up to boiling. Moon Cups are made of natural rubber and don't take boiling very well.

Trimming the stem isn't that big a deal. Trim it to a length that doesn't feel stabby, but leave at least an eighth to a quarter of an inch for easier gripping and removal.

When in public bathrooms, take a couple damp paper towels in the stall with you to wipe off the outside of the cup. I usually also carry a travel pack of Wet Ones or similar to, um, clean up the worst of the evidence before I leave the stall and wash my hands.

There was something else I was going to say, but now I don't remember what it was.

Sent via messenger owl.

by **Aleighus** » Wed Jul 25, 2012 6:14 pm

Chantrea wrote:I use reusable pads--had to for many years (and still have to be careful) because I started getting a allergic reaction to adhesives and probably the gel beads in disposable pads. Not at all a fun thing to have happen post cesarean. I started blistering everywhere there was any kind of contact--so...the IV/heplock thing, the band-aid from the MMR booster I got in the hospital, and everywhere I got exposed to the absorbant beads, both on the postpartum pads AND even from changing the kid's disposable diapers! (we had already planned on switching to cloth for all the kids too, but I wanted to at least get the meconium poops out of the way before I had to wash it out of the diapers).

Tampons are a really nice convenience thing, though. They're also super compact storage wise, compared to pads of any type (not a reusable cup). But the disposable thing is a problem in some ways.

I do not believe there is such a thing as a universal utilitarian menstrual hygiene thing. There are even hundreds of different shapes/kinds of cloth pads--for a very good reason. What works is going to depend on weight/body shape, typical flow, ect and by no means is there a universal for women. You can make stuff work in a pinch, but as others have said if you know the preference or are preparing for yourself, then if you're smart you stock up on the things that you want.

I mean I think every woman has at some point in her life had to do ye old folded up toilet paper pad-on-the-fly, but that's hardly comfortable or useful. And the cut up rags are always going to be an option, too. Sometimes there is not a truly one-size-fits-all universal solution.

I started using the reusable pads for the same reason as the bolded. I made my own though, based off of this pattern: http://www.tinybirdsorganics.com/organi ... hpads.html

They are really easy to make yourself. As long as you can cut and sew a little, you'll be fine. If you use the cotton flannel (like for baby blankets) you can usually get it on sale for between $1-2 a yard. For the terry middle, I used an old hand towel (Made 8 pads from one).

I do have a couple of boxes of pads & tampons stocked just in case someone else needs them, but I plan on making a backup supply of the cloth pads.

by **Resolute** » Wed Jul 25, 2012 8:23 pm

Thanks for the link - my gf just pinned that pattern. I think she sees a trip to the fabric store in her future.

by **shadows on the trees** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:33 pm

shadows on the trees wrote:I just ran across this article on a parenting site I read sometimes. Claims that "GladRags" last 5-10 years and beyond... This article may have just convinced me to give them a try. Thinking of all the $$ I could save...

It might have been nice if I'd shared the link, huh?

http://mothering.com/all-things-mothering/mothering/go-reusable-a-behind-the-scenes-look-at-gladrags

by **kaligaran** » Tue Aug 07, 2012 7:18 pm

Towanda wrote:Kaligaran, I've been using a Diva cup for over ten years. 12 hours is the maximum time that's recommended for leaving it in without emptying and rinsing. A Diva cup should be washed once a day in a soap that does not irritate you. I'm fine with washing mine in Dr Bronner's peppermint soap when I shower, but I have a friend who has to use silicone sex toy cleaner on hers or she gets a yeast infection.

Boiling a Diva after your period is over is fine. Remember, your feminine hygiene products don't have to be sterile, they just have to be clean. Diva cups are made of medical grade silicone and can stand up to boiling. Moon Cups are made of natural rubber and don't take boiling very well.

Trimming the stem isn't that big a deal. Trim it to a length that doesn't feel stabby, but leave at least an eighth to a quarter of an inch for easier gripping and removal.

When in public bathrooms, take a couple damp paper towels in the stall with you to wipe off the outside of the cup. I usually also carry a travel pack of Wet Ones or similar to, um, clean up the worst of the evidence before I leave the stall and wash my hands.

There was something else I was going to say, but now I don't remember what it was.

Sent via messenger owl.

Thanks so much for the info, you answered all of my questions
Sorry for the delay in my response I just saw this post.

I haven't yet picked one of these up but I will in the next few weeks for sure especially now. I'm really curious about them.
Also good point about being clean and not necessarily needing to be sterile. I hadn't really considered it that way. I was just thinking in SHTF, soap may be at a premium, while water prolly will be too, it will be easier to boil than not (initial thoughts).