Women Travelers - Time of the Month

I'm a little surprised no one has started a thread about menstrual cups. I've met many women while traveling that would never go without said item.

Benefits of traveling with the cup:
-you don't have to pack feminine napkins/tampons
-you don't have to worry if the local area has your favorite products
-you can leave it in for 12 hours (makes for easier travel on long hauls)
-you don't have to worry about disposing dirty items (especially in areas that may not have trash cans readily available)
-less waste for everyone to deal with

It's not specifically about the cups, but they are one option mentioned in this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-safety-security/1152887-menstruation-arouses-tsa-suspicion.html

while traveling that would never go without said item.

^+1 - totally in that camp.

Those are a great and convenient item, plus you only have to travel with one! It does kind of make me want to wear it for my next full body NudeOScope, just to see if they pull me aside for further questioning. "Pardon me ma'am, it seems to me, you have a shot glass in your hoo-ha! You mind 'splaining that?"

I've never heard of them. Are they comfortable? If you're only going to bring one, you're going to disinfect it after each use I assume thus you've got to bring disinfectant liquids. We can't bring liquids over 3 ounces assuming you don't check in bags. Or is the disinfectant some kind of powder you in which you add water and put into a glass?

You clean it with soap and water, available in most fine hotels.

You clean it with soap and water, available in most fine hotels.Yes I would think so!

So how comfortable is it?

Yes I would think so!

So how comfortable is it?

Very - it can take a little getting used to, including a bit of gross out factor for some, but stick with it for a few months and you'll never go back.

Very - it can take a little getting used to, including a bit of gross out factor for some, but stick with it for a few months and you'll never go back.

It does take a couple months to get used to and figure out what works best for you. I would always just clean mine out in the shower and ignore it for the rest of the day. I found the gross factor to be a lot less than tampons.

I looked into this a while ago, and saw an FAQ for one maker that said that you needed to use their special wash for it, and you had to boil it every month. That seemed to be too much effort, and certainly not practical for travel. Is this what everyone else is doing?

I looked into this a while ago, and saw an FAQ for one maker that said that you needed to use their special wash for it, and you had to boil it every month. That seemed to be too much effort, and certainly not practical for travel. Is this what everyone else is doing?

They're basically just trying to sell you their wash -- any decent soap will do. And boiling it once a month is pretty straightforward - just boil for 20 minutes or so. You can do it whenever and it's really not a hassle at all.

I looked into this a while ago, and saw an FAQ for one maker that said that you needed to use their special wash for it, and you had to boil it every month. That seemed to be too much effort, and certainly not practical for travel. Is this what everyone else is doing?How much of a disinfectant is soap and water if the water isn't boiled? Would I want to stick that thing back inside of me unless I knew it were completely sterile? No way. That's the convenience of a tampon. Each one you open is sterile. Get the super-plus or the ultra (playtex brand, in this case) and those things last even on your heaviest day between normal trips to the bathroom.

I would think boiling would be a necessity for those who use them. But I'm still curious about these cups.

How much of a disinfectant is soap and water if the water isn't boiled? Would I want to stick that thing back inside of me unless I knew it were completely sterile? No way. That's the convenience of a tampon. Each one you open is sterile. Get the super-plus or the ultra (playtex brand, in this case) and those things last even on your heaviest day between normal trips to the bathroom.

I would think boiling would be a necessity for those who use them. But I'm still curious about these cups.

I would imagine it you're boiling it between times of the month and keeping it in a sterile container. Then during your time of the month, its either inside you, or being washed with soap and water (in the shower), and then put right back inside you. Unless your , um ...inside... is in need of disinfecting, I don't see what kind of disinfecting the cup will need during its few days of use.

I would imagine it you're boiling it between times of the month and keeping it in a sterile container. Then during your time of the month, its either inside you, or being washed with soap and water (in the shower), and then put right back inside you. Unless your , um ...inside... is in need of disinfecting, I don't see what kind of disinfecting the cup will need during its few days of use.

Exactly. Boil when discolored. Replace once a year or so.

Get the super-plus or the ultra (playtex brand, in this case) and those things last even on your heaviest day between normal trips to the bathroom.


Sadly not true for some of us.

Sadly not true for some of us.

But wouldn't that be the case with a 'cup' filling up too then?

I have to say I can't not pee for 12+ hours, so changing a tampax when I go to the loo is not a big deal.

But wouldn't that be the case with a 'cup' filling up too then?

I have to say I can't not pee for 12+ hours, so changing a tampax when I go to the loo is not a big deal.

I've just started on the pill so that I won't be menstruating when I go on a bike tour in France in early June. Obviously I will need to pee every 4 to 6 hours, but as a pre-menopausal woman with very heavy bleeding, I'd need to change my tampon/pad every 1-2 hours, and I'd prefer not to have to find a restroom that often while cycling through the French countryside.

I haven't used a menstrual cup in years, but I suspect that it would have more capacity than an ultra super tampon + pad, and would probably be more comfortable during physical activity.

Ok, that was more personal information than I was really planning to share with the entire world.

Ok, that was more personal information than I was really planning to share with the entire world.That's OK; you're among friends. :)

How much of a disinfectant is soap and water if the water isn't boiled? Would I want to stick that thing back inside of me unless I knew it were completely sterile? No way.

SNIP

I would think boiling would be a necessity for those who use them. But I'm still curious about these cups.

OK, how can I put this delicately??? Sensitive readers may wish to skip.

There are "items" routinely placed in the same locale as the cup which are washed daily with soap and water (we ladies hope) but never boiled.

Anyhow, I've had a Keeper for over a decade and have never boiled it. Wash in hot soapy water morning and night in the shower and emptied every time I use the restroom. I've had no bacterial infections and a greatly reduced instance of yeast infections compared to when I used tampons. Can't even remember the last one.

There are "items" routinely placed in the same locale as the cup which are washed daily with soap and water (we ladies hope) but never boiled.

I have to admit, the thought of boiling said "item" created a visual that made me laugh out loud in public :D

However I also +1 to the rest of your comments -- soap and water work great, no infections of any kind since I've been using it.

I've had no bacterial infections and a greatly reduced instance of yeast infections compared to when I used tampons. Can't even remember the last one.Yeast infections aren't necessarily caused by tampons. I don't remember the last time I had a yeast infection—maybe when I was a teenager?

I am a person "blessed" (insert sarcasm here!) with period so heavy I have to constantly take iron pills....... When I went to Australia for the first time, I knew I was going to have a period so I packed a box of 40 super plus tampons because I knew I would need them. When I arrived, TSA had gone through my suitcase on the LAX side and OPENED EVERY SINGLE TAMPON!!! Seriously, opened a factory sealed box and then proceeded to open all 40 tampons. Needless to say, I was screwed because in all the running around I did, I could only find those damn OB tampons (you know, the ones for women who WANT to have a period but really don't).
I had to have a friend federal express me a box of 40 super plus tampons so I would make it.

After that............I take the depo provera shot!! I will never get caught out again on an international trip!!!

Hi everyone,
Count me in on the cup lover club. I've used my mooncup for years now. I rinse it out with tap water when it's full (after emptying it into the toilet), then following the recommended instructions from the manufacturer, boil for 6-8 minutes after The Red Aunt leaves for the month. If it's not convenient to rinse after emptying, I wipe out with some loo roll/toilet paper. I love it and would never ever ever go back to tampons. No more dryness, no more pain. LOVE!

I am so glad I am OLD Penny! I'd nearly forgotten about all this bother. Yes, memories drift away with time.

Good luck to you young folks.

I'm so looking forward to being Old Katja...

I'm so looking forward to being Old Katja...

My life has improved in many ways since I got 'old'. Really!

It has been a joy in many ways.

Thanks for this thread! I have been considering a cup for a while now. What do you think about the different brands? I have heard of three: Keeper, Moon cup and Diva cup. Any better than others?

I use the Diva cup and am pleased with my experience I do not have knowledge of the other brands. I originally began this method for my backpacking interest. My first time to use it, I was on the trail in Yosemite National Park. I had just passed a group of men and then had to pull over, find a discreet place and position and insert. Three years later I am still using this method.

Thanks for this thread! I have been considering a cup for a while now. What do you think about the different brands? I have heard of three: Keeper, Moon cup and Diva cup. Any better than others?

I've used both the DivaCup (available in the US) and the UK Mooncup (not the same as the "Mooncup" sold in the US). I've never used the Keeper, but ruled it out as it is made from rubber and I have allergy issues. Both the DivaCup and UK Mooncup are made from medical grade silicone.

I had the DivaCup for about 5 years and was interested in trying the UK Mooncup because I'd read that it was a bit more flexible.... not that I ever really had trouble with the DivaCup... I just wanted to try it. Honestly, I couldn't tell much of a difference. So, in that respect, either will do.

I love my cup. I'm in the camp with the others who said they can't imagine going without it now. And so, so much easier for traveling. As others have said, it might take a couple months to get used to. I had a little light leakage (a pantyliner was plenty to take care of this) the first month or two as I learned the correct positioning. This from a woman who always wore a full size pad in addition to a tampon because tampons would ALWAYS leak on me. With the cup, I have no problem going without backup and am confident I'll be fine. No leakage at all after those first couple months getting used to it.

I also cut the stem way down on mine to keep it from poking at me. Now, I can't even tell when it's in. It's not uncomfortable at all. I've also never boiled mine. It will get discolored - not to be gross, but anything left in blood will get discolored - and I'm not using bleach on it to get that out. ;) But I've always just used soap and water and let it air dry when my time of month was over before putting it away again. I've never had any problems with any sort of infections or bad stuff.

Hope this helps. :)
Julie

Thanks for the tips! That was good info, OfftoOz. I plan on getting one, but given I hope to be pregnant in the next few months, I am going to hold off until after the kiddos come.

Thanks for the tips! That was good info, OfftoOz. I plan on getting one, but given I hope to be pregnant in the next few months, I am going to hold off until after the kiddos come.Wonderful news!