amberella:
http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/centres/sex/birthcontrol/mirena.html

"In studies of Mirena, women's periods were reduced by 85 percent after three months and 97 percent after a year. Although bleeding is much lighter, some women who use Mirena have difficulty predicting when their period will occur. "

I would strongly recommend you stay away from Mirena IUD if I were you. My personal experience with this IUD was horrible. I can tell you it messed up my life BIG TIME. it's also messed up the lives of millions of women globally, that's why online there are petitions by women trying to gather enough signatures globally to convince the FDA to take it off the market in the USA. Mirena IUD gave me a terrible case of cystic acne which has taken me 5 yrs to even get control of. My face was SPOTLESS untill that thing was put in my VAJ!! Within 4months, my whole face was covered with cystic acne, oozing pus and big & extremely painful. I grew hair on my inner thighs & experienced increased facial hair which in the past 5yrs I've spent almost N2million on laser hair treatment to get rid of all this hair on my body & face. Every month I spend N40,000 of full face laser hair removal because of this Mirena. The hair growth was so bad I thought I had polycystic ovaries. Then there was the SWEAT! OMG! The horrible sweating from Mirena, and the sweat smells so bad to the point I cannot use ordinary Sure or Dove deodorants anymore. I can only use PURE ALUM that I buy in the USA & a combination of CLINICAL STRENGTH ANTI-PERSPIRENTS.

MIRENA ruined my life.

MIRENA DID NOT REDUCE MY MENSTRUAL FLOW, I BLEED LIKE A GOAT THEY'd just slit its throat. My periods became excessively HEAVY. I WAS ALSO HAVING constant spotting all month long. I would bleed on days that I wasn't on my period, I was miserable. I can't imagine what AI would have done if I didn't have my Luv Ur Body Menstrual Cup & had to wear a pad every day of the month. d

I suggest you try normal copper IUD's if you must use this form of contraception.

This is my own personal experience with Mirena, other women may not have had such an awful experience. Its best to google for Mirena reviews online before trying it. Some women use it and it's the best thing for the. Since sliced bread! It was a terrible life changing thing for me.

ashaby:
Fellow nairalanders, pls i really need ur help. Is it possible for a woman to have her menstrual cycle without pains? I have been having pains during my period for as long as i can remember and it is now getting unbearable. Please advise me on what to do if it is actually possible to secure a solution to this problem.

Will be waiting!!!

This is an old post. But I would suggest you switch from pads & tampons to Luv Ur Body Menstrual Cups. They are available in Nigeria now on JUMIA.COM & KONGA.COM. Menstrual Cups are known to reduce menstrual cramps in some women. Hope that helps

giftedlady:
Where can u get the recommended vinegar or it is it the apple vinegar

Exactly!, APPLE CIDER vinegar IS Great for the vaginal area.

it's also great for deodorising underarms. Kai!, I wouldn't recommend ordinary vinegar. The VAJ that the ordinary vinegar was used to wash must have fainted by now.

paulicoco:
Whatever on earth has gave you reason to believe your vagina is different from another woman's? Do women think this way, you better believe they do. I know it sounds unreal but the amount of women that come forward about their vagina being abnormal is of many. The funny thing is, is many of these bemused ladies haven't got a clue what a perfectly healthy vagina looks like but goes onto make assumptions that their own is abnormal. How can anyone possibly determine abnormality if they don`t know what normality is. Unless your private parts show signs of two of everything or a penis growing then that`s "not" normal. This delicate matter is one of much concern for women. If you think on these lines then it will help for you to know about the vagina in general to give peace of mind. At this point be enlightened that the chances of your vagina being different to that of another woman`s is very slim. Nevertheless it may in appearance if the pubic hair is coloured or styled.

I can only but talk the talk here and verbally explain what a perfectly healthy vagina is all about, however if you need pictures to clarify issues more clearly then you will find them on most medical sites online. The vagina needs as much care to hygiene as like you would give to other body parts, if not more. Remember your overall health in general will contribute greatly in helping keep the vagina healthy also. Little things mean a lot, eat little sugar and add yoghurt to your diet. Yogurt contains good bacteria called acidophilus. While sugar, promotes a particular bacteria that the yogurt destroys.

If your hygiene ruling is poor then you may be responsible for vaginal problems occurring. It is imperative the vagina is cleansed regular. No need for rigorous scrubbing because it is a self cleaning organ of the body and an odorless one too. Most instances for vaginal infections happening is caused by sweat and oil buildup. Douching is not necessary, and should it be, then sanction of this should come from your doctor. While a douche may rid some bad bacteria it at the same time takes more of the good away. Douching can cause inflammation (vaginitis). The vagina constantly flushes.

Using condoms while having sexual intercourse keeps the vagina clean? Cotton garments should be worn round the genitals. Give this area room to breathe. Avoid tight clothing. Another unhealthy and possible danger is to leave a tampon for more than six hours inside the vagina. This can cause a toxic syndrome. Change Sanitary towels when necessary. Soiled pads not only produce smell but can cause irritation of the vagina and anus. Always be careful when inserting tampons or play objects to evade possible damage. To insert a tampon safely will include you being in a comfortable position. Rest one leg on the lavatory seat and gently work the tampon up inside the vagina. Avoid sprays, scented soaps and particular chemical based products. Soap and bubble foams are known reasons for vaginal dryness. Is there a specific way the vagina should be washed? No, but there is concerning what products you use to wash the genitals.

Although a multitude of feminine products line the chemist counter; the vagina/vulva needs no more than warm water to keep clean. Vinegar is a master solution resolver for many things and the vagina being one of those. Mix vinegar into water you tend on bathing the genitals with and soothingly rub around the area. This will leave it hygienically fresh. Keep the vagina in check with regular pap smears.

Is there such a thing as a "perfect vagina?" Well if it is "healthy" then is this not perfection. All females differ in shape and size and so do their vaginas. So what is seen as perfect when faced with this. Was your vaginal abnormality thoughts influenced after seeing a friend in the school shower or in a changing room of a boutique? If so did you not for one minute take into consideration her shape and size before jumping to conclusions. Different shaped bodies display different shaped vaginas, which may have confused you, i.e. thinking your vagina was different to theirs.

Vagina

1. Clean the vagina`s outer area "labia," twice daily with cold water. Cold is favorable as because the site is already moist and warm it permits bacteria to grow easily. If hot water is used it attracts bacteria which then results in mass build up.

2. There is absolutely no need to cleanse the inside of the vagina - as reported earlier it is self flushing. Avoid using soap; it can upset the natural balance of substances. If this happens you are at risk of developing an infection.

3. The technique you should use when washing the vagina is motion from the front working back to avoid anal bacteria coming in contact with the vagina or urethra.

4. Use separate cloths for the vagina and anus. Although both body parts are close and can be cleaned with one foul swoop, it is not a healthy method. Clean the anus last so the bath water or flannel does not become contaminated with bacteria which can easily spread to other body parts.

5. Women make a big mistake with the underwear worn. Wearing the right under garments is very important indeed. Cotton is breathable fabric and provides good coverage which helps reduce the likelihood of perspiration. Consider cotton for other parts of the body where you sweat profusely.

6. Some women who see vaginal discharge panic. No need - vaginal discharge is a necessary part of the body's regular function. Normal vaginal discharge is usually clear to white; however should this change like in the amount lost, consistency and color then have your GP check you over.

7. If possible instead of tissue to clean the vagina after weeing, use a damp flannel. With tissue one tends to give a quick wipe, whereas with a cloth it encourages the person to rub, rinse out and repeat, and this is what is needed to prevent bacteria which can cause urinary tract infections (UTI's) or other vaginal infections.

You will always have a perfectly healthy vagina if you maintain it in the way it is expected to be maintained.

Did you know when you treat your own vaginal infection you rid vaginal odour at the same time.

Most importantly in relation to feminine hygiene products, best to switch from pads & tampons to menstrual cups. Such as the NAFDAC & SON approved Luv Ur Body Menstrual Cups now sold in Nigeria. Menstrual Cups give upto 12 hours odour & leak proof menstrual protection. Re-usable for upto 3yrs. They are safer than pads & tampons, more cost effective & more Eco friendly. I bought mine on KONGA.COM. JUMIA.COM sells them to. I believe the company website link is www.luvur-body.com 08186839494. You can also buy directly from the company I believe.

eforce:
This thread is talking about the joy stick but anyone that has a joystick knows that it doesn't smell, it is the balls and areas between the thighs that smell. Here is how to get rid of male genital odour.


http://www.elijahforce..com/2013/03/male-genital-odor-elimination.html

Na lie! JOY STICK DEY SMELL OH! Especially for guys who are not circumcised. Even guys who are circumcised can stink terribly down there! Abeg oh! This is a common problem for both genders. Men stink like hell too as bad as women if they have poor personal hygiene.

planbwellness:
6 STEPS TO AVOID SPERM LEAKAGE AFTER SEXUAL INTERCOURSE

The inability to conceive for many women today is as a result of the sperm seeping out of their vagina after sexual intercourse. Do you have a similar problem? Then read on our website (www.planbwellness.com) today – 6 steps you can take to reduce sperm pouring out from your vagina after sexual intercourse…

1. Make sure the vaginal canal is clean of any artificial lubricants as these slow down sperm and also encourage leakage of sperm. This is an important step for those who use lubricants for their men or even for themselves in order to enjoy smooth penetration. If you fall in this category, you might want to stop using the lubricant now as most of the slow down sperm motility.

2. It is important that couples engage in pre-intimacy so that the woman can reach orgasm especially when trying to be pregnant because the muscle spasm that goes along with orgasm can help pull the sperm into the uterus. pre-intimacy also helps the man to have a more exciting intercourse that promotes very powerful orgasm that will result in the production of a higher sperm count.

3. Be sure to get into positions that will permit the sperm to remain inside the vagina longer. The missionary style allows for deeper penetrations and allows sperm stay longer and this is a highly advisable position to use. If it is discovered that the woman has tilted cervix then a rear entry is ideal for the man.

4. Some of the leakages are due to gravity. Avoid positions that allows for the sperm to leak out such as the woman being or top or some other positions where it is likely that sperm may leak out due to gravity.

5. Time the thrust that will release the sperm and make sure that ejaculation occurs while the penis is deep inside. After ejaculation, the man should not stand up immediately. Relax for some time before withdrawing the penis from the wife’s vagina.

6. The woman should place a pillow under her hips to elevate her pelvis. And should remain like that for at least 30 minutes. This will allow the sperm have enough time to swim downwards into the cervix rather than leaking out.

Surely, you will have reduced sperm leakages at a great percentage if you attach importance to what you just learn in this article. Try the 6 steps above and you would have taken a bold step to improve your chances of conceiving this month.

If you seek a natural solution to female infertility, visit http://www.planbwellness.com/female-infertility-remedy-kit/

Let’s have your feedback below concerning this topic. Have you tried any of the steps mentioned above before and what’s the result like? Or do you think there is a step we should include which worked for you? Kindly share with others in the comment box below. If you also have any question, ask in the comment box below and we will provide answers accordingly.

Don’t forget to share this with others that you know can benefit from it.

If you have registered for our e-mail lessons on ‘FOODS That Make Fibroids Grow Bigger As Well As Those That Help You Shrink Fibroids Naturally’, you can do so on the following link - http://www.fibroidandinfertilityremedy.info/

Stay Healthy And Never Give Up!
Plan B Wellness Center
Tel – 08074132218
Email – Planbwellness1@gmail.com
Twitter – @planbwellness

Hi, or just simply use a Luv Ur Body Menstrual Cup menstrual cup to prevent seminal leakage. The Luv Ur Body Menstrual Cup is now available in Nigeria & the small sized one is commonly used for "pooling" seminal fluid longer in the VAJ after intercource. You can get one on KONGA.COM OR JUMIA.COM OR DIRECTLY FROM LUV UR BODY MENSTRUAL CUPS LEKKI Lagos office. Their number is 08186839494, www.luvur-body.com. There is a list of supermarkets on their website for stores in various cities in a Nigeria where you can buy one from.

AllWoman:
Hi, I've used tampons for over 24 years but after my first child and the onset of fibroids which lead to my very heavy menstrual flow, I had to find something to help me manage my menstrual flow better than the super plus tampons I was surviving on because they were leaking and staining me and smelling terribly ,of urine after I pee. It just wasn't working for me anymore and I didn't want to go back to pads because I would obviously have to double the pads because of my heavy flow. Doubling the pads would mean friction and sores in my inner thighs, not to mention the heat and smell and discomfort of sitting in a pool of my own blood all day....Pad never worked for me really. My husband used to say its easy for anyone to know when I'm on my period because I use bleach alot during that time of the month to wash off the blood stains on my undies and this bleach smell always lingered on my hands.....

I stumbled upon menstrual cups by chance and gave it a try and was pleasantly overwhelmed by the change it made in my periods. The menstrual cup I bought in Lagos here was able to "hold" my heavy flow for 12 hours with no leakage or stains. I put it in when bathing early in the morning before going to work and I don't need to worry about wrapping or changing tampon and pantyliner till just before I go to bed at night. and I haven't had to buy a tampon or pantyliners again since then because menstrual cups are re-usable for some years.

The most surprising part was I couldn't feel it inside me at all! and I don't have that unpleasant smell women get during their period anymore and no more bleach smell on my hands!!. I also noticed it shortened my periods because the menstrual cup is collecting the menstrual flow directly from my cervix inside me so the blood is not taking its time to flow down and out of my body from inside me.

Could this be the future of feminine hygiene, especially with the push around the world for each of us to do our bit to preserve the earth from global warming by reducing our personal carbon foot print?

I'm a very eco-conscious person in terms of what I use on my body so I am very very happy I am throwing away less pantyliners and tampons because they don't decompose. I'm also on a healthy hair journey and have eliminated Sulfates and Parabens etc from my hair and skin care routines. Before every month I used to throw away about 16 tampons and upto 12 or more pantyliners used to backup the tampon. Nobody ever wonders what becomes of all this feminine waste Now with this menstrual cup, I throw away no waste each month because I just flush the contents down the toilet every 12 hours plus I'm saving money. Has anyone used a menstrual cup before? Which one did you use? are you trying to manage your menstrual cycle in a more eco-friendly way?

Hello Everyone, below are links to some articles you can read which validate the fact that pads & tampons can be unsafe & menstrual cups are a safer, more cost effective & Eco friendly alternative -

http://natural-fertility-info.com/tampons-infertility.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mercola/feminine-hygiene-products_b_3359581.html

http://ecowatch.com/2013/11/05/groundbreaking-report-exposes-chemicals-linked-to-cancer-in-feminine-care-products/

http://www.naturalnews.com/040302_womens_health_feminine_hygiene_toxicity.html

Pelummy:
menstrual cup? Wetin happen na ,shey i want to fetch water ni? ETT

No, Pelummy, menstrual cups are not for fetching water. They are for Menstruation.

If you do a bit of research, you will find out its a bell shaped device made of medical grade silicone that's inserted vaginally as an alternative to pads & tampons for menstruation. They are re-usable for upto 3yrs & give upto 12hours leak & odour proof menstrual protection. No pad on earth will keep you dry and un-stained for upto 12hours. & you definitely can't re-use a pad or tampon. It's medically proven that menstrual cups are safer, more cost effective & more Eco friendly than pads & tamping which cause cancer.

READ THESE ARTICLES WHEN YOU HAVE TIME PLEASE-

http://ecowatch.com/2013/11/05/groundbreaking-report-exposes-chemicals-linked-to-cancer-in-feminine-care-products/

http://www.naturalnews.com/040302_womens_health_feminine_hygiene_toxicity.html

http://natural-fertility-info.com/tampons-infertility.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mercola/feminine-hygiene-products_b_3359581.html

Nahhh, absolutely not for me

Yes please tell us "WHY" considering that menstrual cups are SAFER, MORE COST EFFECTIVE & MORE ECO-FRIENDLY than pads & tampons....so "why" please?

Harmvirus:
Hi ladies..Saw this online and decided to share..menstural cup? Eww..am even scared of using a tampon now a cup..will not even try it...what do you think?
http://m.wikihow.com/Use-a-Menstrual-Cup

Hi a menstrual cup is safer, more cost effective & more Eco friendly for you than a pad. Its best to approach these things with an open mind.
You are probably thinking there will be blood all over the menstrual cup righ? SO WRONG! And there is a simple reason why menstrual cup cups are LESS MESSY THAN PADS & TAMPONS. it's because while using a menstrual cup, the blood is collected directly from your cervix where its drips from straight into the cup. So if you stick your finger up your VAJ while on your period if you use menstrual cups, there will be NO BLOOD on your finger when you bring it out. Try that same experiment with Always pad or tissue paper & tell us what you notice on your finger when you take it out. The menstrual fluid will be all over your inner VAJ walls if you use pad because the blood will drip from cervix and flow by itself down the inner VAJ walls to exit your body. Not so with menstrual cups. The menstrual fluid drips directly into the menstrual cup since the cervix is positioned inside the menstrual cup.

I think it's the fact that in Nigeria all women know is Alway pad and condom. Women don't know that apart from toilet roll and Always pad, there are several other safer things they can use for their menstrual periods apart from pads and tampons. It would be great if women could be open minded about these things. As a long time menstrual cup user myself, I would personally say the "Ewwww" or "YUCK FACTOR" lies completely with pads. With these you are basically sitting in a pool of wet soggy smelly blood for 5-7 days. What could be more disgusting than that? With a menstrual cup, I only see the blood once a day when I remove the cup to empty it once every 12 hours. Menstrual cups are re-usable for upto 3yrs, they give upto 12hours leak & odour proof menstrual protection. With menstrual cups you will be so clean, dry & sweet smelling "down there" that women it appeals to have oral Sexx while on their period with these menstrual cups. We all know you can't try that with pad With menstrual cups, there are no leaks or undies staining as with pads, no offensive odours "down there" like with pads, no VAJ friction sores or itching. With a menstrual cup women can still swim, run have Sexx, do yoga etc while on a menstrual period. Try swimming with a soggy pad.....

ChynoBEATS:
I think you're a fear fear . Lolzz. Obirin tio lemi

May not be just fear fear, I think it's the fact that in Nigeria all women know is Alway pad and condom. Women don't know that apart from toilet roll and Always pad, there Re several other safer things they can use for their menstrual periods apart from pads and tampons. It would be great if women could be open minded about these things. As a long time menstrual cup user myself, I would personally say the "Ewwww" or "YUCK FACTOR" lies completely with pads. With these you are basically sitting in a pool of wet soggy smelly blood for 5-7 days. What could be more disgusting than that. With a menstrual cup, I only see the blood once a day when I remove the cup to empty it. Menstrual cups ate re-usable for upto 3yrs, they give upto 12hours leak & odour proof menstrual protection. There is no leaks or staining as with pads, no offensive odours "down there" like with pads, no VA j friction sores or itching. With a menstrual cup women can still swim, run have Sexx, do yoga etc while on a period. Try swimming with a soggy pad.....

Juwonesho:
Good day evry1 o and thank you to our docs for d selfless, great job u'r doing on here. May God continue to bless all that u do. Pls I urgently need ur help o, where can I get INSTEAD softcup(menstrual cup) in Abuja and if u have an idea of the price? I'd rily appreciate d info;its really urgent. Thanks vry much in advance.

Instead Soft Cups are not available in Nigeria. You may need to ask someone in the USA to get it for you. Alternatively, you can buy a small sized Luv Ur Body Menstrual Cup on JUMIA.COM OR KONGA.COM OR from www.luvur-body.com/onlinestore or go to H-MEDICS SUPERMARKET on Ademola Adetokunbo Street Wuse 2 Abuja next to AMIGO Supermarket to buy the Luv Ur Body menstrual cups in Abuja. It will serve the same purpose to "pool seminal fluid" inside for longer.

Cocodiva:
Hello house,
I'm good @hopeful,thanks.good to know you are too.

A quick addition to the SMEP plan.
Sperm meets egg plan (SMEP) works perfectly well with the use of preseed. Especially for those who don't get enough EWCM. It also goes well with the use of soft cups e.g instead cup and the good menstrual cups such as mooncup. With these,the little swimmers will hopefully head to the desired destination.as long as the tubes are patent.even if its just one patent tube. A modification to the SMEP,if you don't have OPKs, or have anxiety using them,(like I do) you can omit it and just BD on those days stated.hopefully,the party will still go on. Fertility wishes to all!

Mooncups are not available in Nigeria. There are brands available in Nigeria through JUMIA.com & Konga.com such as the Luv Ur Body Menstrual Cup brand, www.luvur-body.com . It's not made in Nigeria but its NAFDAC approved & approved & performance Tested by the Standards Organisation Of Nigeria. It's the FIRST & ONLY Menstrual Cup brand approved by NAFDAC & SON. The medical grade silicone it's made of is also approved by the Food & Drug Administration Of The USA (FDA).

forbisi:
Not looking forward to trying this at all. The thot of sticking something inside me still freaks me out. I can't even use a tampon.

Forbisi hi, women have been sticking things inside them for hundreds of years. Its part & parcel of being a woman. Women stick not just tampons & menstrual cups up there, but also adult intimacy toys, contraceptive Nuva Rings, contraceptive cervical caps, contraceptive diaphragms, female condoms, suppositories etc. I think the problem is that in this part of the world, all we know is pad & condom. The size of a menstrual cup is nothing compared to a baby's head that comes out of us during birth neither is it comparable to the larger girth of a man's private part. Once a tampon or menstrual cup is inserted properly, you can't feel it AT ALL. But a pad you will ALWAYS feel because of its bulk, soggy wetness, the friction sores etc. With a pad you are basically sitting in a pool of your own blood all day long for 5-7 days. As a woman, During sexual intercource, you will stick something inside you....that is inevitable.

Another major problem women have with these products is the erroneous belief that you will feel it when its inside you. You can't. If you stick your finger inside you, and scratch the "RUGAE" or bumpy inner wall of your VAJ, we both know as women that you will feel absolutely nothing, at best a slight sensation. Considering menstrual cups & tampons are inserted sliding upwards against the RUGAE, you won't feel it. The stem of a menstrual cup can be cut off if you find it uncomfortable or you can simply turn the cup inside out. I suggest you try it and see. You will love it!

Latifahed:
Hmmmm interesting.but r u sure pads causes cancer ?

Latifahed hi, yes they do, most are made & whitened using industrial bleaches & other well know carcinogenic material. Carcinogens are things that cause cancer in humans. Its best to google & do some research on the issue. You will find a wealth of information on this online. Best regards.

Juwonesho:
Hello sisters, I'm so glad I found this thread bt unfortunately its an old one I'm sincerely hoping any of u ladies wld see ds vry soon and can be of help. I stumbled on menstrual cup online too and got so interested so I actually decided to try it out for a particular 'bedroom' challenge hubby n I are facing; s.emen leaks back out after doing d deed. Usually messy n inconvenient. I'm particularly interested in d Instead brand cos of d great reviews I read abt it. Now my problem is: I've searched online bt dn't know where I can get it here in Abj; I only found a store for d Luv ur body cup. I'm desperately searching for d Instead brand especially. Pls if anyone knows how I can get it n an idea of d price, I'd rily appreciate. @Allwoman I know ds is a huge favor to ask (seeing as u know me frm nowhere) bt I dnt know if there's any way I can get d Instead softcup thru u? I'd be grateful.
Pls if any1 has an info, i'd appreciate. Hoping some1 sees ds sha. 10x in advance

Juwonesho:
Hello sisters, I'm so glad I found this thread bt unfortunately its an old one I'm sincerely hoping any of u ladies wld see ds vry soon and can be of help. I stumbled on menstrual cup online too and got so interested so I actually decided to try it out for a particular 'bedroom' challenge hubby n I are facing; s.emen leaks back out after doing d deed. Usually messy n inconvenient. I'm particularly interested in d Instead brand cos of d great reviews I read abt it. Now my problem is: I've searched online bt dn't know where I can get it here in Abj; I only found a store for d Luv
ur body cup. I'm desperately searching for d Instead brand especially. Pls if anyone knows how I can get it n an idea of d price, I'd rily appreciate. @Allwoman I know ds is a huge favor to ask (seeing as u know me frm nowhere) bt I dnt know if there's any way I can get d Instead softcup thru u? I'd be grateful.
Pls if any1 has an info, i'd appreciate. Hoping some1 sees ds sha. 10x in advance

Juwonesho hi, this is AllWoman, I'm so sorry to be replying to your request so late but I haven't logged on here for very long. Yes, I can give you one SoftCup but how will you get it. I couldn't really use the instead soft cup because it was just too wide, it definitely wasn't as comfortable for me as the normal shaped menstrual cups like the Luv Ur Body Cup. The Instead Soft Cup was very wide like a contraceptive diaphragm or contraceptive cervical cap. And because it's not re-useable, I would suggest you get a reusable one that is available locally here in Nigeria that you can use over & over again for upto 3yrs after each sexual intercourse. If you are looking for a small menstrual cup that will effectively "pool" the semen inside you for longer, maybe you should get the new Luv Ur Body Small sized menstrual cups these are now available on JUMIA & KONGA or from www.luvur-body.com directly. The Instead SoftCup is only 8 in a packet so this may not be so cost effective.

If you still need it, let me have a number I can reach you on. Best regards.

Hi menstrual cups have also been known to reduce menstrual cramps in some women and shorten the length of a woman's period generally. Do some research and see. A readily available one in Nigeria is the Luv Ur Body menstrual Cup. You can buy it directly from their website or off online stores like Jumia. Im not a doctor but you may want to invest in a good hot water bottle for your back or tummy and up your calcium level through leafy vegetables, almonds and foods high in calcium since you don't want to take supplements. Ginger tea may also sooth you but make it fresh ie buy ginger and boil some in hot water and drink, you can add honey to sweeten if you prefer. Hope you feel better, Take care.

Hello Everyone, happy new year. I bought a pack of Instead Softcup Menstrual Cups from Boots pharmacy in London and Im going to give it a try and let you all know how it goes. This brand is supposed to be disposable so is not as Eco- friendly and cost effective as other brands. Some women re-use it more than once to save some money. Has anyone tried any other brand! Share your experience please thanks.

Hello Everyone,

I'm going to try to post pictures of some of my own menstrual cups on here.

I haven't uploaded a pic on Nairaland before so lets home this works. These are not all the menstrual cups I have just some. The beautiful bright red and cloudy clear ones at the top right of the pic are the two I bought in Lagos here ie the Luv Ur Body Menstrual Cups, they are the prettiest and have flower designs on them. I have one medium size and one large size. For most of my Cups, I buy both sizes ie medium and large. There is a size guide in the Products section of the Luv Ur Body Menstrual Cup website if you want to know your right size www.luvur-body.com/shop/index.php/en/products

I'm sharing more on this Luv Ur Body Menstrual Cup brand because its what is readily available in Nigeria for now. There is a list of shops where you can buy it from on their website or you can order straight from their website and they deliver globally to your door.
As I've said, I've found menstrual cups particularly useful for heavy flow.

I also have a few re-usable methods of contraception such as my contraceptive cervical cap and my contraceptive diaphragm, I will share pictures of these next post for women who want to stop taking birth control pills and injections to prevent pregnancy. All these pills and injections have side effects. These re-usable methods for menstrual protection and contraception are safer and puts you the woman more in control. You can for instance use your cervical cap or diaphragm to back up a condom because as we all know, condoms break and some men are even bold enough to pull off the condom (without your woman's permission) when a woman isn't looking just because they want skin to skin contact. I would encourage everyone to google and read up on these topics to shift mental paradigms on RUMPS (re-usable menstrual products) because pads are NOT the only things out there for menstruation, there are safer more eco-friendly methods of feminine hygiene......thx

Pics are not loading! somebody help pls? any suggestions?.....

@ella00 & @champs hi, there is a menstrual cup available in Lagos, the Luv Ur Body Menstrual Cup, you can buy directly from their website with your ATM card via GT Pay or PayPal etc and they will deliver to your door. www.luvur-body.com/onlinestore that's how I bought mine, their website also has a list of stores where its sold in Lagos & Abuja such as all Ebeano stores on Admiralty Rd Lekki, Chevron Drive Lekki, Gbagada, Ikota, Goodies Supermarket Ikeja, Jumia sells it too etc their lekki office number is 08186839494

@ellistmedia hi that may be primarily among women that use pads. They are the ones it may take time. Millions of Nigerian women like me use or used tampons and so I guess we are already used to 'inserts". I think any woman who has had sex with a man before or used a intimacy gadget before may not be so squeamish about inserting a cup . Menstrual cups will also be easier for women who have implants like IUD's (inter uterine devices eg Copper T, Mirena) as a means of contraception and women who use contraceptive diaphragms or cervical caps which are all inserted healthier, eco-friendly, safer barrier methods of contraception. I think women need to begin to think more about RUMPS (Re-usable menstrual products eg menstrual cups, menstrual sponges, clothe pads) there are so many things out there we can use to make TTOM (that time of the month) safer, more comfortable and most importantly more eco-friendly aside from pads. There are many RUMPS forums on FB, twitter too, check them out when u can. I've learned so much from them. Also google menstrual cups, there are hundreds of videos on youtube about menstrual cups and RUMPs. Even Kenya and South Africa have their local brands of menstrual cups.....the Giant Of Africa will not be left behind . More RUMPs means less exposure through your monthly period to dioxins in disposables like tampons and pads that cause cancer.... As women we need to do our bit to start reducing our carbon foot print. Change must start with "ME" today

hi, I tried the Copper "T" IUD first as a means of contraception. It made my periods so heavy I has to take it out. The my Doctor told me and the one called the "Mirena IUD which has a slow release drug it releases into your blood stream every month, I think its the same active ingredient in some birth control pills. This one for me was even worse. I made the mistake of taking his word for it that it was good and I didnt do my own research and it messed me up big time! it gave me the most horrible cystic acne! I never used to have pimples, it has destroyed my face, i took it out after 3 months because so many women on the internet were complaining about it too. but at the same time i have friends that have used both with no side effects. so these things depend on each womans body. the mirena also made me eat alot, i gained weight, i grew hair on my face, and my sweat was very strong smelling....it was horrible with both the copper T iud and the mirena iud, i was spotting throughhout the month so sex was impossible. all these things are hit and miss. no i use onlt diaphrams and spermicides to back up condoms, i have gone "green" in terms of birth control. no more chemicals in my system!

Hi, I've used tampons for over 24 years but after my first child and the onset of fibroids which lead to my very heavy menstrual flow, I had to find something to help me manage my menstrual flow better than the super plus tampons I was surviving on because they were leaking and staining me and smelling terribly ,of urine after I pee. It just wasn't working for me anymore and I didn't want to go back to pads because I would obviously have to double the pads because of my heavy flow. Doubling the pads would mean friction and sores in my inner thighs, not to mention the heat and smell and discomfort of sitting in a pool of my own blood all day....Pad never worked for me really. My husband used to say its easy for anyone to know when I'm on my period because I use bleach alot during that time of the month to wash off the blood stains on my undies and this bleach smell always lingered on my hands.....

I stumbled upon menstrual cups by chance and gave it a try and was pleasantly overwhelmed by the change it made in my periods. The menstrual cup I bought in Lagos here was able to "hold" my heavy flow for 12 hours with no leakage or stains. I put it in when bathing early in the morning before going to work and I don't need to worry about wrapping or changing tampon and pantyliner till just before I go to bed at night. and I haven't had to buy a tampon or pantyliners again since then because menstrual cups are re-usable for some years.

The most surprising part was I couldn't feel it inside me at all! and I don't have that unpleasant smell women get during their period anymore and no more bleach smell on my hands!!. I also noticed it shortened my periods because the menstrual cup is collecting the menstrual flow directly from my cervix inside me so the blood is not taking its time to flow down and out of my body from inside me.

Could this be the future of feminine hygiene, especially with the push around the world for each of us to do our bit to preserve the earth from global warming by reducing our personal carbon foot print?

I'm a very eco-conscious person in terms of what I use on my body so I am very very happy I am throwing away less pantyliners and tampons because they don't decompose. I'm also on a healthy hair journey and have eliminated Sulfates and Parabens etc from my hair and skin care routines. Before every month I used to throw away about 16 tampons and upto 12 or more pantyliners used to backup the tampon. Nobody ever wonders what becomes of all this feminine waste Now with this menstrual cup, I throw away no waste each month because I just flush the contents down the toilet every 12 hours plus I'm saving money. Has anyone used a menstrual cup before? Which one did you use? are you trying to manage your menstrual cycle in a more eco-friendly way?