Pads, tampons, and menstrual cup!

When I first started my period at age 11 I used maxi pads. I switched to tampons when I was 20. Then for roughly 4 years I did not have to use anything because I was using Depo-Provera which prevented my menstrual cycle. After giving up on Depo (really made me depressed) I began using tampons again. I tried using the Instead menstrual cup in early 2004 for about 2 days since my period was light. I really liked it due to no leakage, but when it was time to remove it was such a big mess! Any tips on how to remove properly? I might try the cup again! Since then I have been using tampons (Tampax pearl is my fave!) and pads. I guess when you get a little older your body becomes sensitive to certain things. I switch back and forth between pads and tampons now because on the first two days I seem to have stronger cramps if I use tampons. So I use pads the first two days and then tampons on the last 2 days.