Happy Earth Day, fellow Earthlings.

This.

Happy Earth Day, fellow Earthlings.

Updated:  Best one I've seen all day!  😃

Well, I just couldn't wait.

I had to try out my Caya (the pretty, purple, oddly-shaped diaphragm).

First impression? Wow. Easy to get in, SUPER easy to get out. Nice velvety texture (not so slippery and hard to grip). Comfortable at the moment. I will wear it for a few hours until I go to bed just to make sure it doesn't make me sore anywhere. So far I like it!

Good news for the ladies - Caya is the one that is one size fits most. I ordered mine from www.barriermethods.com in Germany, but I'm betting that you could do a search and order it from Canada or maybe even the UK. It might be faster / cheaper to get it from somewhere else.

I haven't used either of them as birth control yet, but that will be my next experiment. I feel like I'm getting the hang of this diaphragm stuff so I'm gaining confidence. This is all very exciting. I love to learn new things! 

Sorry if anyone is tired of these, but it's another Diaphragm post!

I wore my Omniflex for several hours yesterday. I felt fine. When I took it out there was a little bit of fresh blood, but the group advised me that it is normal and can happen if the tip of the cervix is bumped. Since I put it in and took it out a few times with varying degrees of success yesterday I'm guessing that's what happened. So my mind is at ease.

I thought I'd wear it for a while again today and I just put it right in. Took a whopping 10 seconds - TOPS. I don't know if I got lucky or if I am just getting the hang of it, but I THINK I'm getting the hang of it.

Now getting it out... that's a bit of a different story. 😂

It's not really hard to get out. It's not even hard to reach. But I'm scared of puncturing it with my nails so I'm SUPER careful. With the Instead Softcup I would just hook my finger UNDER the rim and pull. If I broke the plastic (which I never did), the worst that would happen is that I'd grab another or wear a pad. But I jumped through hoops for these diaphragms so I would be really sad if I broke either of them.

SO... instead of using my index finger to pull it out I've been using my thumb which feels as weird as it sounds. I can get OVER the rim with my thumb and that way I'm not worried about puncturing it. I am more worried about scratching myself, but I don't think I have. I might buy some of those little finger condoms just for this purpose. Probably not necessary, but it would make me feel better. I don't really want to cut my nails though that would be a logical and free solution to this rather minor problem.

Anyway, that's all for now. I took it out just a bit ago and I didn't have anymore blood or anything like that so WOOHOO! So far, so good. Maybe I will - you know - USE IT soon rather than just wear it around. I'm just taking my time, doing my research, and getting comfortable with it. After I get this one all figured out I will try out the Caya. That's the one I'm really excited about. It's got a finger grip for easy removal. I won't have to do any weird thumb-digging with it.

I was not aware that I had a weenie dog.

I was not aware that I had a weenie dog. Emma runs away from the gerbils when we let them out. She also ran from a big fat cute bee just now. 😂😂😂 What a weirdy!

Another diaphragm post:

I joined a Yahoo group a few weeks ago before ordering my diaphragms. (https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/DiaphragmsAndCaps/info) I did a whole bunch of research so I could be sure I made an informed choice. Yay for free information!

On recommendation of the group I have practiced inserting my Omniflex a few times today. First time went fine, 2nd and 3rd it ended up upside-down. 😂 The fourth time I got it right again so I left it in. I've been wearing it for a few hours now and I pretty much don't feel it anymore. That is a good thing because you have to leave them in for 6 hours after you get laid so all of the little spermies can die out.

I read that the Instead cups are 70mm and my diaphragm was sized at 75 so I think I can feel it a little more than I did the cups. It's just a little bit of pressure, though, so it's no big deal. Pretty much not noticeable unless I'm thinking about it.

Diaphragms are also a little trickier to get in than Instead cups. The Insteads have a larger, flatter rim, while the diaphragms are rounded. It makes gripping them tricky and it doesn't help that they are super springy and get slick easily. 😂 I have read stories about them flying across the room and I could totally see that happening. 😂

Anyway - so far, so good. I don't know how Shaun feels about them yet. I want to get used to them and make sure I'm using them correctly before I use them for realizes. 😁  I posted a photo earlier if any of you are curious what they look like. I think they are lovely!

I JUST GOT MY DIAPHRAGMS!!! 😀😀😀

My new diaphragms and some spermicide that is NOT supposed to set your coochie on fire! (In the bad way - I should clarify.)

LOOK AT HOW BEAUTIFUL THEY ARE!!! 😳

We've got the Omniflex Wide Seal on the left and the Caya on the right.

I think both of these spermicides have an active ingredient of lactic acid which is much gentler than the nonoxynol 9 (coochie fire) stuff that seems to be the only thing available here in the U.S. I have read about some women making their own spermicide with lemon juice and aloe vera, but I don't know how much I trust that. Also I should say that the nonoxynol 9 doesn't irritate everyone, but there is no way in hell I will personally ever use that again. Just sayin'. (I still have some Today Sponges who are free to a good home.)

So first impressions from me? The rims are springy on both which I expected, but the material is SO SOFT and flexible on the domes. Like, I had no idea. I really expected for them to be much tougher. The Caya is actually kind of velvety. Ooh.

About the Caya - I read that it's so flexible that you REALLY have to make sure it's in place. Like, double-check with your fingers because it's so soft that it's not uncomfortable even if it is in incorrectly. So I'm glad that I know to watch out for that.

Back when I had my periods I used the Instead Softcup with no issues so I don't think these will pose any problems for me. Insertion is about the same just with a different purpose. I guess if you are squeamish about touching your girly bits or putting things in there then this wouldn't be for you. But it doesn't bother me.

Speaking of Instead cups and periods - did you know that many women who use diaphragms use them as menstrual cups, as well? No irritating pads, safer than tampons, and best yet - not adding to the landfills.

I guess that could be a little more messy than some people want to deal with and depending on your bathroom setup at work or school that could be very inconvenient, but I might try it out. I guess I'll just have to see how comfortable they are. But I will admit that when I had my Mirena removed I went Always and Instead shopping. I was so excited. 😂 So I have things to use for that besides these, but that's ok. Better to be prepared than not!

I am very happy that I have these two, but since I had to order them from the internet I have no actual clue if either of them will work for me. There is one more that I have my eye on, too. I might buy it anyway because it's not expensive. It's got a different rim so that's interesting to me.

While I am grateful that I have options I think it really sucks that there is nowhere to get non-hormonal birth control in the U.S. besides condoms and sponges. This kind of stuff should not be left up to trial and error. Thank goodness Dr. Daniels at least fitted me so I knew what size to order.

Anyway, I'm off to check out my new things!

Edited to add: I bought these things from www.barriermethods.com. No prescription necessary, but you should get fitted so you know what size to buy.

This is the neutral color I was complimented on so long ago.

This is the neutral color I was complimented on so long ago. It was really hard to find something that worked with my skin tone and I actually think that Shauna gave me this. I don't think I even picked it out. LOL So she did a great job!

I've wanted to do the glitter gradient tips for SO long. Finally, here they are. And a little heart, because I don't know when to stop. LOL