diva causing incontinence?

[gerimaple]

I'm recovering from a motor vehicle accident, and thus am on crutches at the moment. (nothing serious, just lots and lots of soft tissue damage that means I can't put much weight on my left leg.) Just to make things more interesting, my period started this morning (less than three weeks after the last one, peri-menopause irregularities can suck it

Comments

[newconvert]

If you've never had this issue in 9 years of using the same cup, I'd be concerned that the accident caused some change that perhaps the Diva is exacerbating by putting pressure on your bladder. Seems like changing to tampons or a softer cup for the remainder of your cycle would at least narrow down the possibilities of things causing it.

Separately, if the position of the cup worked great for nine years, I don't see how it could be wrong!

[bklynmom]

I wonder about a uti. I often see women with infections presenting with urge incontinence. Any clinic or doctors office can do a urinalysis to see. Also, I don't think you're wearing the diva cup too low. Mine sits just inside the entrance too. It's only too low when my cervix is low and makes it uncomfortable. If it's comfortable and working then it's where it needs to be!

[tisiphone]

I think the most important thing right now isn't whether you're using your cup wrong or not - if you've been using it for nine years successfully you're obviously not! - but whether you're comfortable and can deal with the situation. It might be an asymptomatic UTI, it might just be a muscle strain or general exhaustion from dealing with the accident. I'd suggest leaving it out for a while and using a tampon or pad, and seeing if that fixes the problem. If not, it would probably be a good idea to call the doctor and check what might be going on.

[tisiphone]

Also, Always makes lightweight pads (they're marketed as "for sensitive bladders" in the UK) that are meant to absorb urine. That might be a good idea to avoid making too much of a mess.

[spocksmentor]

You might also make sure you completely empty your bladder when you urinate - every time. With the cup, the crutches, etc. you may be emptying you bladder partially because you are distracted which results in more frequent trips to the toilet. When you think you have voided your bladder, pause and relax in case there is more to release. I find this reduces urine leaking before I can get onto the toilet the next time I have to go. I think it is because my bladder actually has an opportunity to be empty.