Caya, menstrual sex and lactational amenorrhea

The Photo: Caya is a one-size-fits-most silicone diaphragm available (by prescription) in the U.S. as of June 2015. However Caya has been available without a prescription on-line through contraceptive suppliers outside the U.S. for several years. The device is 75mm long (from the relief arch and removal dome at the anterior end on the right in the photo above to the posterior rim on the left) and 67mm wide. The six bumps on the right end of the rim and a corresponding set on the opposite side are ‘grip dimples’ and provide gripping traction for fingers on the rim during compression for insertion. Caya was designed to fit women who take the four most commonly prescribed conventional diaphragm sizes; 65mm, 70mm, 75mm and 80mm and who have a pronounced (1 to 2 cm deep) post-pubic vault to hold the relief arch. Caya has a medium tension nylon spring that arcs downward when compressed to aid in slipping it under the cervix. On average, the ectocervix (the part of the cervix that protrudes into the vagina) is 3 cm long and 2.5 cm wide. The cervix cup is 55 mm in diameter and 3 cm deep which will allow it to accommodate most women’s cervix.

The 3 cm length of the anterior cervical wall and the anterior vaginal wall form a gap called the anterior fornix which along with the cervix is covered by the dome of a contraceptive diaphragm. Thus the anterior fornix is typically a 3 cm cleft into which the stretchy silicone membrane of a Caya can be pushed by the force of a thrusting penis, assuming the shaft is long enough to reach and penetrate the anterior fornix of an aroused partner.

Menstrual sex with Caya: Returning readers will recall that in my entry for February 17, 2016 “So many men, so little time!” I discussed the advantages of the Caya contoured diaphragm. However, I didn’t discuss using it for flow control during menstrual sex and readers have asked about that so I’m sharing my menstrual experiences with Caya.

Caya as a menstrual cup:  For comparison a Diva Cup can hold one full ounce of menstrual flow (30 ml) and the average woman flows approximately 1 to 2 ounces (30-60 ml) per cycle. Depending on the size of the cervix the Caya cervix cup can hold up to 20 ml of flow if it is just being used for flow control and it has a strong seal. If Caya is to be used for flow control during penetrative vaginal sex then it should be emptied cleaned and reinserted prior to penile penetration as a thrusting penis will cause a dome even half-full to overflow. However, unless the user is flowing very heavily Caya should give the couple at least three hours of flow protection. Of course each woman is different since cervical size and flow rates will vary so there will be an interval of trial-and–error when determining the maximum interval and amount of flow that can be contained effectively depending whether it is on light or heavy days during active penile thrusting especially if a partner can reach into the anterior fornix. 

When I’m menstrual and wearing a Caya for flow control and sex I’ll carry two so I can remove one and give it to my partner who enjoys drinking the contents of the cup clots and all while I insert the fresh empty one to collect flow during our penetrative encounter.  With a Diva Cup positioned below the cervix and the woman sitting or standing the cervix isn’t immersed in flow, but with a diaphragm cupping the cervix it is submerged in flow so when the Caya is removed there is a bit more flow as vaginal discharge than with a Diva Cup.  Of course the beauty of using a diaphragm for flow control is that you can have sex while minimizing the flow contributing to the coitial discharge afterward. 

Increasing and checking a diaphragms vacuum: The wearer will want the best fit and strongest suction possible in the dome/cervix cup. The fit is first a matter of pelvic anatomy size and condition. However, if the bladder or colon is beginning to prolapse into the vagina (not uncommon in women who have given birth) the Caya may not seal effectively. A poorly sealing diaphragm can still be effective as a contraceptive barrier by using plenty of spermicide in the dome. However, it is not a good choice as a menstrual cup as it can leak flow since the weight of flow can break the seal.

After insertion and checking proper placement, by feeling the cervix under the dome with the anterior rim tucked up out of the way behind the pubic bone, the seal of a Caya can be increased by using the fingers to express the remaining air from the dome. When expressing air from the cup care should be taken to ensure a fingernail does not puncture the cup. With a strong vacuum the silicone membrane collapses against the cervix and may be pulled up slightly into the anterior fornix. This will increase the vacuum and the dome will gradually fill with flow and with strong suction the weight should not break the seal.

Strong seal test: The seal on a Caya with a strong suction fit should not break when gently tugging on by a finger in the removal dome or if there is flow in the dome while being penetrated from behind when the cup is upside down such that the flow is being held in the dome only by the strength of the seal.  A good test of the seal is having intercourse entered from behind (doggie style or during ballet-sex (en pointe a la seconde bent over a table, chair or holding on to a barre) while menstrual with the Caya dome expressed to maximize the suction. With 10 ml (two teaspoons) or less in the dome it should not leak when thrust into. However, because of the dynamic movement of the rim against the vaginal rugae during penetrative sex there will be a slight sheen of flow on the vaginal walls. To minimize the likelihood of staining a man’s trousers with flow while having sex in public a condom can be used.

Lactational amenorrhea: lactational amenorrhea is the temporary infertility that occurs when a woman is amenorrheic (not menstruating) and fully breastfeeding. Since I’m lactating and still want to have a regular menstrual cycle I have to limit the number of times I breastfeed to prevent becoming amenorrheic since I enjoy the swings of my hormones when I’m fertile and menstrual. I’ve found that if I limit my breast feeding sessions to about one every six hours or not more than four in a 24 hour interval I can avoid becoming amenorrheic and still cycle regularly. 

Lactating is not without its challenges: A wonderful source of information about breastfeeding problems is at WebMD. It covers painful lumps, blocked ducts, yeast infections or thrush and engorged Breasts. I use a lanolin-based cream made specifically for nipple inflammation. It’s PureLan 100 Nipple Cream by Medela which for me minimizes the likelihood of further problems. The WebMD article can be read HERE

The Flowers graduate: On Saturday March 26^th the six remaining Personal Assistant candidates completed the nine week Pelvic Intensive course that I conducted at Blackthorn Castle. I am very pleased to say they have already been placed with executives in major corporations. Returning readers will recall that Heather had a seizure during a dive-sex encounter and was hospitalized in a private dive medicine facility in Milford Haven. She was released after several days of tests and observation and was released from the PA candidate program for medical reasons. She will still remain in Taryn’s organization, but with a far less rigorous physical schedule.

Feminine fluids and diving, Testosterone at Splash

A lactating instructor in custom made DiveRubber

The photo: The lactating instructor in the photo above is thrusting out her chest and bending backward. With the shoulder straps of her tank sloping away from her waist there is an optical illusion that she is big-breasted. By ballet standards she is, but she is only a C-cup when her breasts are full. You can tell by her full lips and the way she grips the mouthpiece of her reg that she has amazing suction for giving head.

Diving and Feminine fluids: A returning reader and friend interested in cervical barriers asks: “Does the pressure experienced in the dive tank cause an expression of breast milk or a more pronounced period. I would think it would but alas I am not a diver.”

BREAST MILK: These are good questions and ones I haven’t answered before. If it’s a normal dive and I’m breathing ambient air as I descend then there is no major pressure change on my breast tissue – other than a tight wetsuit - that would cause me to express my milk. However, there are situations where I do, such as:

1) In a descent with my air shut off (or the reg is out of my mouth) where the change in depth is 10 feet or so my nipples start to leak. If I descend 20 or 30 feet w/o breathing ambient pressure air my milk flows freely. When my milk reaches full flow will depend on how full my breasts are when I dive. I try to have a partner breast feed or I pump to empty them before diving as rough sex with engorged breasts isn’t my idea of fun. Tight rubber compressing engorged breasts may look erotic, but it is very uncomfortable and not the sort of pain I’m into.

2) The other situation that forces lactation is if I’m wearing a drysuit and I intentionally release, or don’t add, air causing the suit to ‘squeeze’ me as I descend. The rubber will compress my breasts and I will lactate in my suit. I have to be careful that a nipple isn’t caught in a fold and nearly crushed as the suit squeezes me because that can be amazingly painful. Lactating in a drysuit from squeeze (or for any other reason) can be annoying. Not from the feel of warm milk trickling down my belly, but because after the dive the suit is a nightmare to clean. The scent of rancid breast milk at one I’ve never come to love so a thorough washing of the inside as soon as possible with a white vinegar and water solution is necessary before the milk turns rancid.

The compression of breast tissue while diving will decrease the milk quantity to an extent and puts a lactating woman at a higher risk of having clogged milk ducts so I use a good skin cleanser after I dive and if I’ve been submerged more than an hour I pump a bit to ensure my ducts are flowing freely.

URINATION: Urine is another fluid the quantity of which is pressure related and that affects both male and female divers. Any diver who says s/he hasn’t peed in his/her wetsuit is lying. When diving the pressure of the surrounding water causes immersion dieresis which is not depth related as long as the diver is breathing ambient air. Immersion dieresis causes buildup of urine from increased pressure squeezing fluid out of body tissue, which is why dehydration is such a problem for divers and it can contribute to decompression sickness. That’s why it is so important that divers stay well hydrated. Immersion dieresis can reduce the amount of breast milk and the thickened milk can contribute to clogged ducts.

MENSTRUAL FLOW: The effect of diving on menstrual flow is to slow or stop menstruation during the dive primarily from the effects of immersion dieresis. Once I’m on the surface again there is a surge in flow over the next few hours that requires emptying my diaphragm more frequently.

Towel Girls and testosterone at Splash: Gigi has an after-school job as a Towel Girl at Adolph’s adult pool facility in the hills. For more about that see my March 9, 2010 Blog entry entitled ‘Towel Girl Fantasies’. One of the hormonal supplements available at Splash is Androderm, the testosterone patch and one of the senior Towel Girls is undergoing physiological changes. Her muscles are beginning to bulk up, her voice is getting deeper and she is beginning to have a little hair growing on her chest and chin. She is a petite blonde with a svelte figure and unblemished skin and that is changing though at this point she is still quite attractive. Rumor is that she is getting a reaction to the testosterone patches than most of her clients wear to improve their muscle mass, virility and stamina. That is because her specialty is mind blowing oral sex and she has swallowed pints of semen and testosterone ladened urine from her clients on a daily basis for the 7 months that testosterone therapy has been available at the club. Approximately 90% of a testosterone dose given intramuscularly (from Androderm) is excreted in the urine as glucuronide and sulfate conjugates of testosterone and its metabolites; about 6% is excreted in the feces, mostly in unconjugated form, so the thought is that she is getting masculinizing side effects from the testosterone excreted in the urine of her clients.

The Gyn who oversees the health of the Towel Girls and Endocrinologist who prescribes the hormonal supplements at Splash deny that there is any connection between this girls symptoms and her secondary ingestion of testosterone. Meanwhile she has taken a leave of absence. Gigi volunteered to take her place since a lot of the men on Androderm are wealthy Europeans who are worth cultivating as sexual partners. I’ve asked my medical advisors at the clinic to research the literature to see if there are any reports of masculinization of escorts and working girls from metabolites of testosterone ingested while giving head to men on supplementary testosterone. Meanwhile her father, Jacques, is supporting her in her desire to take the place of the masculinized blonde saying that Androderm or its equivalent have been in use in Europe for years with no instances of masculinization that can be traced to professional girls providing oral sex.

The first performances of Dracula: The first performances of my adaptation of the ballet Dracula were to packed venues and were very well received! I danced the heroine, Flora, Sunday night. I was CD3 and my period was in full flow so the audience was properly shocked when it seemed as though I was hemorrhaging. My partner, in the role of Dracula, tried to staunch the flow after he had gorged on my blood and flinging the bloody thong around he splattered a few of the men in the first several rows with my flow. I thought for guys wearing $2,000 suits they took being splattered rather well. We offered to have the suits of five men dry-cleaned and only one took the offer. The others said they were not going to have my blood cleaned off. My producer gave each of them our card so if they change their minds they can get back to us. We did say the older the stain the less likely it would come out. Fortunately there were no women in the first few rows.