Neurodiversity support thread for women with suspected, diagnosed or self-diagnosed autism, ADHD and other NDs #18

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As usual, latest support thread.

Welcome

Weaver I think it's great that you've been proactive in thinking about it and finding a solution that works for DD. Hope the jab doesn't cause her too much distress.

BubbNC I have a Meluna cup. It's great. It takes some practice to get then hang of it at first but then you forget it's there. I suppose it depends on how you feel about using a cup.
I recommend Meluna because they have so many different shapes and sizes. There also cloth pad alternatives, maybe they would be worth considering too? I can imagine a big cloth of would even stay put in boxers.... but again, it depends on how you feel about it.

I do sometimes use a pad with my cup for the first day or two as back up security

There. That's probably more than you ever wanted to know.

And now I'm off to bed. DH is away and he pissed me off earlier which means I'm going to bed a good hour later than I would normally. It's stupid because I am sooooo tired!

I'm open to a cup as I just want to be able to function really but my biggest worry about cup is that I'm going to lose it as I read an amazon review about one that said "Had to get it taken out at the Dr's. It looks nice tho but won't buy again. Need another cup.. one easier to pull." and I just couldn't even deal with having to ring up a doctors to say something was stuck up there let alone fish it out.

I was actually looking at some of the cloth pads on amazon as had read they don't have the weird smell or texture too but was just puzzled as to how I could get them to "stay" in boxers, I might just buy a cup and a reusable pad and see how I get on, nothing to lose, I'm going to be chanting I can do this I can do this tonight! Feels ridiculous that I'm like this when others cope and like do sports etc with this once a month.

Odd suggestion - looped towels with a belt?

I'm a total convert to the mooncup! I have heavy periods. Off all hormonal contraceptives now as they made me feel rubbish. It took a while to get the hang of it but I definitely prefer it. Far better for the environment too. I find my periods aren't as long with the mooncup (not sure why?!) and easier to manage. I cramped a lot with tampons in.

I'm currently kind of wrapped in towels so not that odd, but I feel bad when I do that instead of shower as means a lot more washing. That might be my plan b if I fail at a mooncup tomorrow though.

So I'm going to just plunge in and get a mooncup for prime delivery tomorrow as still have 30 mins to order it. If it lessened cramping that would help alot, I worry I'm going to freak out a bit with the whole putting in and worrying about losing it and having to ring the doctors , but thats tomorrow bubbles problem!

I have a really low cervix during my days so I think the cup works better for me than Tampons could.

I have had two babies.... but I have no idea how one might lose a cup up there!

lmao I didn't think it was possible until reading that review about them having to go to the doctors and then my mind went into overdrives of what ifs and sent me into spiral of panic mode! There was 100s of positive reviews but that one just sent me into an absolute tizz.
I was cringing just thinking of the theoretical call to the doctors and the receptionists asking why you need an appointment.

If it helps at all I have a friend who is a midwife...
she works in a big hospital and one night a youngish couple turn up. They were using a new vibrator and realised that several rhinestone type decorative bits were missing. They even brought the vibrator with them, you know in case that helped. Anyway, friend and a dr spent some time having a fish around removing these stones....

Soooo.... it could always be worse!(?)

Read the instructions, wet it fold it and give it a go

That's for a mooncup, not a vibrator.

They were using a new vibrator and realised that several rhinestone type decorative bits were missing.

oh my actual days!!!! I think I'd actually die of embarrassment, also who on earth thinks attaching rhinestones that can come off onto something you put inside you is a good idea!!

That's for a mooncup, not a vibrator.
I laughed far too much at that, the dog looks offended I woke him with my cackling!

I have a mooncup needle too. There's tiny holes round the rim that need a needle through them before you first insert it (at the start of your period) or the suction won't be quite right.

I didn't get on with a mooncup but keep meaning to try again. I did read a very interesting article about TSS and how there are no cases recorded with pure cotton tampons only those with rayon, so I've swapped to organic tampons. Washable pads are amazing though and if you went for the largest and longest I imagine they'd stay put fairly well, they're extremely comfortable.

Have you been to gp to ask for support with heavy periods? There are some medications which can help I believe.

I use a cup, I did find it hard to remove at first but then I thought get a grip, I've pushed a baby and a placenta out, I can manage a little bit of rubber, so I pushed really hard and sure enough it came low enough to grab. I don't have any problems these days, it was just the first time.

Have you been to gp to ask for support with heavy periods?
Yes recently actually as was worried about other side effects like hair growth too and they were incredibly rubbish, he said he didn't believe my diagnosis of pcos from my last doctor insisted we take bloods to check hormones and then was like yes you do have pcos, that was the extend of his helpfulness to confirm what I'd already been diagnosed with years ago and I was too awkward to push for any help I was just like...oh ok thank you

I have a mooncup needle too. There's tiny holes round the rim that need a needle through them before you first insert

Just a sewing needle right?

I ordered the mooncup and the diva wash which is arriving today and like a collapsible container for it that's arriving later this week off amaZon also many cookery books about fermentation
feeling a lot less scared about it as people for the most part seem to get on ok with them.
although wish I was a guy right now! No periods and getting to stand to pee!

Yes just a sewing needle! I did wonder based on your symptoms if it was PCOS. Have you ever tried hormonal contraception?

I have a Meluna cup. I tried it because I find both pads and tampons horribly uncomfortable.

I was surprised how easy I found it. Wetting it before you try to put it in helps. My periods are a super plus tampon an hour heavy and with the cup they are shorter, less painful and much easier to manage. I can usually change the cup once in the time
I'd go through about 3-4 tampons.

I fold it before I put it in and grip the sides and push gently so it "pops" open again. It sits lower than tampons so I think less likely to cause issues in that way.

I bought one with a ring handle to get it out but I hated it so I cut it off and it has no handle. To get it out I push it gently together to release the suction then it just slides out.

There is a gross factor but I found I could get past that be cause the benefits to me are huge.

Yes to pretty much everything in weaver's post. You need to squeeze when you want to remove it, to break the seal.
I'm sure there is a mooncup guru... I'll go have a google...

I find it amazing and so easy. Really almost no smell at all. And cloth pads are like sitting on a little fluffy pillow. Just awesome. Whereas any kind of manufactured regular brand stinks to me. But then I found disposable nappies too stinky so I guess for me it was the obvious choice.

And actually weaver mine had a ring on too! But I cut it off. As I said I figured out my cervix is low during my period and so if the cup was in at the wrong angle and I moved or sat without thinking.... well... I think you don't need any more detail. There may have been some tears in my eyes

I'm making my hairdresser give me blue hair

Any chance of a photo?

Not much to see yet...

Exciting!

Sort of.... well.... we shall soon see!

TA DAAAAAAAA

That's gorgeous, so shiny! All those different shades :)

Your hair is epic!!! I love that, I want it