Simply Mom Bailey

cloth diaper specialist - motherhood honestly

  • About Bailey
    • Work with Me
    • Affiliate Links
    • Northern BC Mom Blog
    • Copyright & Privacy Statement
  • Blog
  • Cloth Diapers
    • Book on Cloth Diapers
    • Cloth Diapers 101
    • Newborn Cloth Diapers
    • Everything Flat Cloth Diapers
    • Ulitmate List of Cloth Diaper Reviews
    • Cloth Training Pant Reviews
    • Cloth Diaper Podcast
  • Bunionette Surgery Recovery
  • Home

February 4, 2019 by Bailey

Life after Vulvodynia: Menstrual Cups Give Me Anxiety

Back in September, I finally ordered a Diva Cup. I tried the quiz on PACII and I checked out my good friend The Green Vagina. I decided that the Diva Cup was the best first choice based on the answers (because if you don’t know already, there are many many different cups for different vagina’s) 

It’s been 6 cycles now, and 5 months and I still haven’t used it. Well, that’s a lie. I tried once, and well it was terrifying.

Now it just sits in its a little bag on in my kitchen shelf (oddly, because that’s where I boiled it for sanitary reasons) looking at me every time I have a cup of coffee.

PS: This post is going to get personal. If you don’t want to read about my vagina, I might not recommend this post. 

Menstrual Cups Aren’t for Everyone

If you’ve struggled with vaginal pain or sexual pain in the past, there’s a chance that menstrual cups could be overwhelming for you and strike fear and anxiety into the core of your body, as it does for me.

I used tampons very briefly and never regularly because they were uncomfortable pits of misery, more so than disposable pads which I ditched for cloth because I don’t like having burning rashes on my vulva.

Then I was diagnosed with vulvodynia, a pain condition of the vulva. I shared my story over here. Basically, it made a lot of normal things painful and really impacted my life.

I didn’t expect the impact to linger 7 years later. I didn’t expect to be sitting here telling you that I’m terrified to use my menstrual cup.

Menstrual Cups give me anxiety and other reasons I'm too scared to use a Diva Cup.

Everyone raves about them, but nobody share’s their story of fear, anxiety, and general wariness.

This is not an issue of having the right or wrong cup, this is an issue that I just can’t even get over the hump to try the thing.

What if it hurts?

Will it trigger something and make my body go back to hating me?

What if it doesn’t hurt till tomorrow?

What if it feels worse than sex?

Because while I would like to believe my vulvodynia is mostly resolved, the secret is it still bothers me, holds me back, and plays games with my mental health.

I know that’s kind of too much information, but women’s bodies don’t need to be these complex mysteries, we have stories to share and medical discoveries that need to be uncovered. 

All of these thoughts rush through my head in the moments leading up to trying the Diva Cup, and every single time it adds to the stress within my body. Turns out having an overly stressed out pelvic floor is not an ideal situation for inserting a menstrual cup. #justsaying.

It failed the one time, and I haven’t brought myself up to trying it again.

Menstrual Cups & Vulvodynia

You’re not alone.

I know I’m not the only terrified of inserting a menstrual product into her body. That’s why I’m writing this. I hope my people find me and know they aren’t alone. I know of the millions of women out there I’m not the only one sitting on the bathroom floor afraid of a soft silicone plastic cup.

Life after vulvodynia isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. There are still struggles, and I admit it’s more often I want.

Don’t worry, we can still have healthy eco-friendly menstrual cycles without menstrual cups.

Instead, I turn to my beloved stash of cloth pads that I’ve been using on and off for a decade. I would love to find some menstrual pads that are made with responsibly sourced textiles and could be easy to launder (read hand washing?)

If you know fo something let me know.

I don’t have any tips or resources besides it’s okay to listen to your body and trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t force it.

❮❮ Previous Post
Next Post ❯ ❯

Comments

  1. Isabelle says

    August 23, 2020 at 2:43 pm

    Glad to read this post. Having the same condition (vulvodynia) it’s very difficult to think of adding more pain to what we already experience. I really really wanted to try the cups, but I would also appreciate other environmental alternatives for the menstrual cyle.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check out my podcast for more about cloth diapering

The Cloth Diaper Podcast

I wrote a book about cloth diapering!

The Natural Baby Company

Categories

Archives

Reader Favorites

Horse Experience at Discovery Equine at Cheam Stables

5 Reasons to try Cloth Training Pants

5 Reasons for Cloth Training Pants

cloth-diaper-tips

6 Cloth Diaper Tips to Get You Started

Amazon Disclosure

SimplyMomBailey is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nicki shared her beautiful cloth diapering story earlier this year and in sharing about her new wool blend for diapering, I knew I had to have one. And, so I ordered a Nicki’s Knickers fitted diaper and e-flat to check out and share with you.  Today we are just going to look at her Fitted diaper. I’ll […]

Review of the Nicki’s Knickers Wool Blend Fitted Diaper

Mystic Twisted Tushies Pocket Diaper Review

On a monthly basis, I experience all types of diapers. Sometimes we’re looking at incredibly luxurious plastic-free solutions like the Lunapaca wool cover, and other day’s we are taking a look at pocket diaper. Today’s review is a look at the Twisted Mystic Tushies pocket cloth diaper.  Now, I know I don’t have kids in […]

How to prepare for Earth Day 2022 Cloth Diaper sales

  • Cloth Diaper Reviews
  • Flats & Hand washing Challenge

Pretty Chic Theme By: Pretty Darn Cute Design