Update: I talk more about my Diva Cup experience when I reviewed it in this video.
What the heck is a Diva Cup?
The Diva Cup is a silicone (non-latex & BPA-free) menstrual cup.
I came across a lady on a blog discussing her experience with using the Diva Cup about a year ago. I was nervous about using it and didn't until about five months ago when I saw this video on Youtube.....
Why I was nervous?
The idea of putting a cup inside of me? Ummm, no. It looked sooo uncomfortable and strange. Even though tampons are a fairly new concept (introduced in the 1930s) I wasn't too excited about changing.
Advantages of using a Diva Cup:
*Convenient- I no longer have to worry about whether or not I have enough tampons or pads on hand.
*Eco-Friendly- The average woman uses 8,000-17,000 tampons in her lifetime. That sounds like a lot of landfill waste that can be prevented.
*Cost Effective- Before using this device, I spent about $10 per month on tampons and maxi-pads. My Diva Cup was $25 with shipping and can be used for several years.
*Discreet-I appreciate the little pouch that came with my cup.
*Doesn't interrupt daily activities- Like a tampon, you can still swim, bike, etc. while using the cup.
Some tips:
*Practice inserting and removing your cup while not on your period to get used to it without the mess.
*As Angela mentions in the video above, there is a learning curve with using the Diva Cup. I didn't use it outside of my home until the middle of my third menstrual cycle because I was paranoid about leakage. There's plenty of room in the cup to collect fluid, but leakage is caused by not inserting the cup properly. I had two spills while using the cup at home.
*Watch a few Youtube videos with additional instruction on inserting and maintaining your Diva Cup. The cup does come with a guide but Youtube was a better source of information for me.
*You can purchase your Diva Cup at any natural store or Amazon (like I did).
In my experience, change is always good. :-)
Have you used non-traditional menstrual methods? Let's talk about it in the comments section.
Edit to add: I received some great feedback about the Diva Cup but since I changed my comments to Disqus all of them were deleted (as well of all previous comments throughout the blog). I was able to able save these five though.
“I LOVE LOVE LOVE my DivaCup. I've been using it for about a year and I have NO plans of ever going back. Once I got the hang of insertion, I was a breeze. No fuss, no mess...it just felt so right.”
-Keisha
Hey Monique!
Glad you shared this topic!
I have never tried the Diva Cup, but I am aware that it exists. I was always curious about it, but too chicken to give it try. A few years ago, I went another route, with cloth pads, but that didn't last long. I think I might give it a try. It is eco-friendly and a lot cheaper in the long run.
Take care,
-Evelyn
I'm a Diva Cup Girl and have been for a couple years. It took me 3 months and a couple diva-tastrophies to figure the whole thing out, but now I'm grumpy if I don't have it. :-) Not sure I would swim with it and running is sometimes a challenge, but otherwise it is great!
-Vegmom
Love Love Love my Diva Cup, until I accidentally threw it away. Oops. Lol. But I just ordered a new one and can't wait for it to arrive. It took me about the same time to get it right as it did with tampons and I no longer fear having something in too long or checking for leaks in the middle of the night like with tampons either. I wish I would've tried it sooner but I had a bad experience with an Instead cup back in the day and thought they were one in the same. Never again will I have to worry about keeping tampons with me, not keeping them in too long or having them stored in every possible place I might be when my period comes. But I gotta remember to keep the cup out of the trash can lol
-Livindreamz
Me and the diva cup don't have a great relationship. I've had it since I got my 1st period after the birth of baby girl. I've tried it a few times, but still have not gotten the hang of it.
I have not given up, but I did put it away for the past few periods. I got tired of dealing with it.
Maybe, it's time for me to try again.
BTW- I'm so glad you posted that video. I saw a video of hers awhile back, forgot her name and wasn’t able to find her again until now :)
-Crafty Earth Mama
