Vaginal discharge collection device and intravaginal drug delivery system

A method of using a plurality of menstrual discharge collectors during a period of menstruation, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a first menstrual discharge collector including body means for providing a collection space for the collection of menstrual discharge and having an opening for the passage of said menstrual discharge into said space, and rim means for providing resilient outward holding force sufficient for holding said collector in position within a woman's vaginal canal during use, said body means having a top, said rim means having a leading portion and a trailing portion, said rim means being affixed to said body means proximate said top of said body means;
• (b) positioning said discharge collector in said position such that said leading portion of said rim means is located at a rearward location behind the woman's cervix, such that said trailing portion of said rim means is located at a forward location behind the woman's pubic bone, and such that the woman's cervix is located between said leading and trailing portions of said rim means;
• (c) holding said collector in said position, with a substantially looser fit than would be needed to inhibit the passage of sperm around said rim means, by applying said resilient outward holding force against the walls of the woman's vaginal canal;
• (d) while holding said collector in said position, collecting a first volume of said menstrual discharge in said collection space without absorbing said discharge by allowing said discharge to flow through said opening and into said space;
• (e) subsequently, disposing of said vaginal discharge collector together with said first volume of said menstrual discharge;
• (f) providing a second menstrual discharge collector including body means for providing a collection space for the collection of said menstrual discharge and having an opening for the passage of said menstrual discharge into said collection space of said collector, and rim means for providing a second resilient outward holding force sufficient for holding said second collector in said position within the woman's vaginal canal during use, said body means of said second collector having a top, said rim means of said second collector having a leading portion and a trailing portion, said rim means of said second collector being affixed to said body means of said second collector proximate said top of said body means of said second collector;
• (g) positioning said second discharge collector in said position such that said leading portion of said rim means of said second collector is located at the rearward location behind the woman's cervix, such that said trailing portion of said rim means of said second collector is located at the forward location behind the woman's pubic bond, and such that the woman's cervix is located between said leading and trailing portions of said rim means of said second collector;
• (h) holding said second collector in said position, with a substantially looser fit than would be needed to inhibit the passage of sperm around said rim means of said second collector, by applying said second resilient outward holding force against the walls of the woman's vaginal canal;
• (i) while holding said second collector in said position, collecting a second volume of said menstrual discharge in said collection space of said second collector without absorbing said discharge by allowing said discharge to flow through said opening of said second collector and into said collection space of said second collector;
• and
• (j) subsequently, disposing of said second discharge collector together with said second volume of said menstrual discharge;
• and
• wherein said steps of positioning and disposing of said first discharge collector and said steps of positioning and disposing of said second discharge collector all occur during said period of menstruation.