Diva Cup Reviews: The Diva Cup can change your life

Haha, frugal dad gets a merit badge for bravery …. good job frugal dad! I have never sent senor guinness to the drugstore for me (he’d refuse anyway, the big wuss) & hadn’t actually realized it was that common. Was just looking at these over at the Big Carrot the other day, I will admit I had never even considered them until Mrs Micah started posting about them and now you too. So despite the deafening silence I aqnticipate in this comments section somebody is listening to your advocacy! Good post!

I only read this out of morbid curiosity. As off-putting as the subject is for us guys, it was well written. Thanks for sharing…I think!

Yeah…. I was not planning on commenting on this one, but you just did such a fab job. I never expected to laugh out loud on this topic! Well done.

I love my Diva cup!

I’ve read Mrs. Micah’s post about this too. Is it really no mess? Because that’s what I fear the most – pulling out the cup and spilling blood everywhere …

Excellent article! I’ve been using the Diva Cup for several years, and I love it. When I think of the money I used to spend and the amount of waste I tossed or flushed… *shudder*

To CFO’s question about mess (if I may): There can be a bit of mess while you’re getting the hang of things (insertion and removal), but it doesn’t take long to get used to it. Also, you have to rinse it and wash it every day, but it’s a small price to pay- and you’d be washing your hands anyway, right?

Thank you for writing this post! I’ve had a Diva Cup for over 2 years and kept thinking I should write a post about it because it makes sooo much sense from a pf perspective (as well as a lot of others!) but I just didn’t have the nerve 🙂

And the diva cup is super duper awesome for traveling… No need to pack a box of products that will take up a lot of precious space or worry about finding the brand you like in a foreign country.

@Allison & Fox – Thanks! I’m going to look into this.

I use it and it trully is a good investment.
To wash it you just use soap and when you are done with it till the next month, you just boil it to keep it clean (I boil it with baking soda).

I love mine too!

Very interesting post Squawkfox. Congrats on your bravery–it sure did stimulate a lot of discussion! I’ve heard of these, but had felt a little icky about the daily re-using part of it. Thanks to your post, I think I’m mostly over it. I will definitely consider using this once my sale stockpile runs low… Amanda

This was so well written! I have been looking into buying a Diva Cup for a couples of months now and after reading your post I think I am going to go find a store that carried them. They look like a great investment!

~Jo

Savin Oxide

Any of the menstrual cups are a good idea! I have the Moon Cup US and my friend has the Diva Cup. We both like them and relaize we should have been using them years ago. By the way we both got ours at South Coast Shopping. I think the Diva was only $16.99 and the Moon Cup $21.99. No more tampons!

I love it, too! I switched a few months ago and enjoy the freedom immensely.

Oops, forgot to include that I live in New Zealand. Kiwis will be familiar with Trade Me.

A note of major importance:

If you have an IUD, you cannot use most of the cups listed above, but you CAN use the Diva Cup. Not to be too graphic, but here’s the deal (I checked with my gyn): if you have an IUD, you have the IUD string. Many of the menstrual cups sit up against the cervix like a diaphragm or cervical cup. This type of cup can catch the string of the IUD and when you remove the cup you can accidentally remove the IUD. THAT WOULD BE BAD.

The Diva cup sits lower, so you aren’t going to catch that string. If you are concerned, just make sure you don’t catch the string.

N

Great post! I agree that there is definitely a learning curve to prevent spillage. I was able to find Instead cups at our local WalMart and I live in a VERY small town.

@Daizy. I too purchased the Diva Cup larger size. I am 48 yo, no children. I am a petite, small-framed person. I tried it for 3 periods. It was painful to insert, painful to wear, pressed on my urethra pretty badly and leaked constantly. I had to admit it was just too big (both in diameter and length). After researching on the internet, I ordered a Ladycup (the small size) – supposedly one of the smallest cups you can get. Surprise! Insertion is easy, no pain, it works for me. My point is, the sizing methods all the companies are using is too broad. Age and childbearing are not the only factors to determine what size you need. Don’t be afraid to try a smaller sized menstrual cup. Hope this helps!

Insertion and removal requires a learning curve, so don’t get frustrated. It’s like a bicycle: all of a sudden, you just “get it” and you can’t remember why it was so difficult.

If you need help, there is an excellent LiveJournal community with instructions and hand-drawn examples here:

http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups/

I hope it’s ok that I linked my post about the Diva Cup back to this post about it. You just said it all so well that I couldn’t say it better!

Thanks for your comment!

I’ve found print adds in outdoors magazines (forgot which ones) advertising the Diva Cup; however I learned of it through word of mouth. I wish I had this 10 years ago! What a difference it truly makes, on my outlook at periods and “that time of the month” has truly changed for the better! Pads were too uncomfortable, tampons left me feeling “out of balance” for up to a week afterwards – these are perfect! Never in my life have I ever slept as well on my period as with the diva cup! I truly cannot stop singing about how wonderful it is. And here is a bit more food for thought – those “feminine hygiene” products are made in factories, how sanitary is that? Really? Think about it now, and we have million dollar ads telling us those are good and safe and the only thing we can use! Ugh!

Oh man..my husband is going to freak out once I bring this baby home..HAHAHAHA

Great post! Love mine too. Don’t understand the cramping either, but I couldn’t use tampons and can the Diva Cup, it is an interesting mystery. It’s been suggested it is dioxin related.

I know it was awhile ago, but for emily, you can’t have sex with it in, way too large 😉

I guess I’m old fashioned.. but it’s kind of weird. I like the idea, however, of saving money. I guess I’m always afraid of things getting lost up there. This sounds gross.. but I wish there was a string so you could pull it out. I will have to look around in stores to see if I can find one to look at it in person.

Fox! Just found you via Carnival of the Green. We have a store here at Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage where we sell both Moon Cups and Keepers. If your readers are interested in purchasing one and would like to support a community of folks living as sustainably as possibly, please go to http://store.milkweedmercantile.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=82_6_36&products_id=279 and check out the Milkweed Mercantile (currently a bit messy – under reconstruction). Thanks so much, and keep up the great work!

Hi Fox! I love mine, too!

I LOVE my Diva Cup – I wish I’d had it when I was travelling last year or I’d known about it 10 years ago instead of going through all the pads/tampons etc, life is SO much simpler – no worry about carrying a bag to the lou, about disposal when camping etc. For anyone looking for them try health food stores both the ones near me carry them!

I’ve been using a divacup (the silicone version) for about three years now, and I couldn’t be happier. I love that, unlike expensive, potentially dangerous tampons, I can use my cup during non-period, “spotting” times. No TSS risk, no nasty bleach, and I control how sanitary my sanitary product is. I love it!
I purchased my cup in a fit of frugality and planet-saving and now I encourage every woman I know to adopt a cup as well. Thanks for tackling such a sensitive subject in such an approachable way! I’ll definitely be forwarding this post to my hesitant girlfriends.

P.S. if you’re non into an insertable, leave-in product, why not try reusable pads, such as lunapads: http://www.lunapads.com/

Hey, I’ll be honest with you, I’m always a little nervous about this type of product, but as someone who tries to be as environmentally friendly as possible I ordered one of these to try it out. After a very short period (ha, ha… ugh) of use, I’m a believer! It’s not something that comes up in casual conversation, but if anyone is wondering, I’ll be happy to testify!

I love-love-love my menstrual cup! I’ve used both the keeper and the divacup. Both are great. It took me probably 3 times to get it in right.

I love my Divacup! I have used the Instead cup for years – I was a guinea pig for it years and years ago. I stopped using for a long time and read this post. I reread it over and over again for a few months before I finally went ahead and bought it a couple of months ago. It’s so easy and just awesome! I bought mine at iherb.com and it was CHEAP. I used code WAT706 and it got me $5 off and so it ended up, with shipping, $16.00. If you don’t have one just do it – you won’t regret it. Listen to Squawkfox.

diva convert since 1.5 years, and wouldn’t go back! the silicone suits anyone who could be rubber or latex-sensitive. if you react/have irritation with some condoms, i highly recommend the diva.

to those who might find it uncomfortable the first few times, try this: i would warm mine with very hot water from the tap. it makes the silicone more soft/pliable (and is usually a necessity if you’re rinsing and re-inserting at once). and read those user forums posted above–there are many many variations on how to fold/insert them!

as to cramps, here’s what my old naprapath told me years back:
tampons don’t encourage the natural, downward flow necessary to ridding one’s body of the uterine lining. “plugging up” the flow not only forces the flow to stay in place, but the cotton or other absorbent material is almost always chemically-treated. that’s an extra burden on a normally sensitive area. lastly, your muscles work harder to hold a tampon in its position, whereas a cup’s dimensions and shape (do NOT trim the upper lip of it!) hold it in place fairly naturally. extra-absorbent tampons, statistically speaking, encourage less frequent changing for most, which encourages toxic shock syndrome (TSS) and related issues.

the menstrual cup has a long history–from the turn of the 20th century in the western world, in fact.

not buying consumables=great peace of mind. quantifying the amount of plastic and whatnot i’m no longer throwing into landfills (or septic systems) is wonderful!

The Diva Cup RULES!

I AM TRYING SO HARD TO MAKE THIS WORK. I’m on my second full day Diva-ing. I want to save the Planet, (and the cost), of using paper products. Sleeping non-stop and worry-free is GREAT. But this STEM IS KILLING ME. It seems that when I have it PERFECTLY situated, all is well and the world is a happy place. But if I’m the least bit off after inserting, that thing is moving and jabbing. Arghh! Yes, I cut it a smidge, but I’m really considering cutting if off entirely-making insertion MIGHTY interesting. I can’t even fathom anyone EXERCISING in this thing! [ps] Removing to empty, and cleaning quickly with Baby Soap is a breeze, breeze, breeze :]
*CAN ANYONE HELP ME WITH THIS “STEM” ??*

Hi, found your blog while hunting for a pretty pic of a menstrual cup. I’ve just started on my MooncupUK last month, and it’s really, really changed how I think of my period.
Hope you don’t mind if I use your pic on my blog. I’ll obviously link and give credits.
Thanks!

I’ve used my Keeper for six years or so and absolutely adore it. I do find that I get occasional leaks, especially at night (just an anatomy thing, I think). I have just started experimenting with making my own mini-pads out of flannel and a chunk of old towel (I just traced a store-bought one and sewed it together). Working great so far, and no need to buy anything ever again!

I’m from the UK, when I bought mine there weren’t anything available in the UK, so I bought the Diva cup from the US, I’d saved a fortune in the last few years, I’d never go back to wearing tampons ( I hated pads anyway)

There is so much taboo about a normal bodily function of women, it saddens me in this day and age we can’t talk about it without it being really embarrassing
Thank you for putting up this info 🙂

This is the first website I stumbled on when searched “diva cup shorter periods” and it’s good to know I’m not the only one who thinks the cup makes for shorter periods.

And I swear, mine are less painful now, too.

Diva Cup website says it probably just seems that way, but I think it really is that way.

I love my Diva Cup!

I’m sorry; the whole thing just seems unsanitary to me. If I had an overnight guest who was a Diva Cup user, does that mean that she is going to use my bathroom sink to rinse/wash out her yucky bloody menstrual vessel in … the place I use to wash my face and brush my teeth in??? Is she going to ask for my bathroom cleaning supplies, so she can disinfect my sink and faucets afterward – every time she does her rinsing/washing ritual? And will she be asking for my breakfast oatmeal saucepan, to do her “boiling duties” in my kitchen, if she is visiting me for an extended period of time? Or will she – I hope – at least bring her own canister of bathroom disinfectant wipes and boiling pan with her in her own luggage?

I’m sorry, but I would not feel comfortable asking my hostess to accomodate my “Diva needs” while being a guest in her home, and the thought of using my hostess’s bathroom sink and kitchen cookware to take care of my menstrual cup care duties is just a bit much, I think. I admire the ladies who are willing to put up with the grosser aspects of this regimen, but just reading this article makes me thankful that I’m now in menopause! And I’m only partly serious about using someone else’s kitchen pan for boiling, but it really seems like a very awkward situation to have to deal with if staying with someone else while on holiday.

I’ve heard about this a little bit, and read everything on this post. My question to all users is how did you get over the apparent YUCK reaction of trying this out? How did you get yourself past the fact that it’s a little messy? Has anyone been camping with this device yet? did it work out for you there?

I’m not a tampon user – tried too many and had too many leak days with them so I gave up the ghost on those. Until you get the hang of this, was there leakage int he beginning?

Curious but still working on my inner yuck factor here – your comments are appreciated.

@Pam – I too wondered whether I’d find it yucky and you know, it isn’t really yucky at all. You definitely can have a little leakage in the beginning until you get the hang of ensuring it’s inserted properly. You’ll want to use a (cloth) pantyliner until then. A little practice, though, and you’ll be worry free.

I have been camping with mine. I empty/rinse it right in the drain when I’m in the shower. I’ve done the same in a river if I’m backcountry camping. You could also dig a little hole, dump it and rinse it. More sanitary than lugging used pads/tampons in your garbage or worse, leaving them in the wilderness. Being on your period while camping is a pain in the arse in general – I’d say the keeper makes things much easier. No waste, don’t have to change often, etc.

@Betty – If I’m not showering and need to rinse I do it right down the drain in the tub (not the hand sink). An alternative is to empty into the toilet and toilet paper wipe it out – not as good as draining but does in a pinch if you’re in a public washroom. In 12 years of use, I have very rarely had to do this – I only need to change mine every 24 hours. I think most women are good for at least 12 hours so almost all of the time you can get to a comfy place to change. There are far fewer emergencies with Diva!

Julie – Thanks for your response; I’m turning 52 this summer and believe that the way to know if you’re “getting old” or are “over-the-hill” is if you’re close-minded to new ideas or are unwilling to learn and grow. Even though this is a situation I’m no longer faced with personally (due to a hysterectomy four years ago), if anyone ever mentions the topic of a Diva or Keeper cup, I will be sure to pass along the “shower solution”. Duh, I never thought of that when I was reading this post, LOL. So thanks for sharing this solution with me and others who may not have thought of it.

And you’re absolutely right about leaving used “personal products” in a hostess’s dustbin while on holiday. A few years after marrying my husband, we traveled cross-country and spent a week visiting my in-laws. I was uncomfortable to begin with due to “personality issues” with my MIL, and the fact that it was “my time” for the entire week only added to the misery and discomfort of the trip. The “shower solution” you mentioned would have been a great option; I was showering daily, and if I were a hostess I would have no objection whatsoever to a guest taking care of her personal needs as you described. :o)

I linked to your article but I got A LOT more criticism for using cloth and the diva cup. If people were only more open to the idea. Love your post about it!

Did you even read anything? Diva cups are not plastic.

A couple of mentions:

On point 5, I have been a Diva Cup user since January 2008 and I have noticed that when participating in sports (mainly running or hiking for prolonged periods of time) the Diva Cup does become quite noticeable to you. You can definitely feel it and sometimes, this may sound gross, so men stop reading, it kind of feels like it is going to slip out. It never has but still, there is always that feeling.

To the messy question, again, going to sound very gross so any men who continued reading above, really, stop reading NOW. The very first time I used the Diva Cup I went on a full-day snowshoe trek through the rockies. Anyone who knows the mountains knows there are no toilets out there and in the winter, getting out of your snow shoes, snow pants etc. can mean that you sink quite deep into the snow, possibly needing help to get out. That being said, I went the whole trip without emptying the cup and messy was it EVER. Moral of the story, even if you think it is a light day, do not go somewhere where it may be impossible to clean the cup at some point during the day or you might have a very messy situation on your hands afterwards (both literally and figuratively).

All in all though, it is a good investment.

Your math is off re the cost of pads/tampons. If most women use only 18 per cycle, they certainly wouldn’t go through a box of pads AND a box of tampons every month. And for someone like me who has a 4-day period and a light flow, I don’t even use 18. Also, I buy my supplies in bulk with coupons and during sales, so I probably spend maybe $30-35 a year.

The environmental benefits, however, I agree with.

I am truly considering this option. I will have my IUD removed in 2 days and since I’ve had it for 5 years, I barely had periods. Is going to be weird to be back to these routines and I think the cup will help make it all easier. I never liked the old ways… too uncomfortable! I just mentioned it to my DH and he gave me a look of WTH is that! hahaha

I just received my cup today…. but so far… I can’t get to put it on correctly… I’ll keep practicing until getting it right! It’s tricky though… How long did it took you girls to get it right?

i use Lunette since 1 year and I’m loving it! It is so discrete! it is true that if i do not relax, the way i put it will lead to spills, but most of the time it is not the case. I bought it for frugal and environmental reasons. the money that were used on tampons each month allow me 1 kg pasta and 1 kg vegetables now, and these are better for my health than a bunch of bleached cotton pads. before trying the menstrual cup I wanted to try the reusable pads but it would have been difficult to dry them without being seen, so this one is more discrete.

Hello! I have been using my Diva Cup for 6 years now (since I was 16) and I love it so much. I always thought tampons were kind of gross (all that cotton shoved up there? No thank you.), but now I couldn’t even imagine using them.

As for my periods: I now really only have a moderately heavy flow the first two days and then it tapers off to spotting after that. I think it’s because the DivaCup creates suction that pulls the blood into the cup. That’s also why you cramp less, because your uterus doesn’t need to work as hard to expel the blood.

I love that I never have to run to the store just to get lady products, and I love that you can see exactly how much you bleed every month.

Yay Diva Cup!

I tried the Diva Cup several times and I would love to master it – but what stopped me from continuing to use it was the difficulty I had removing it – the strong suction formed between the cup and my body together with the slippery surface of the cup made it incredibly difficult to remove. I did all the recommended things – squatting down, relaxing and not panicking … and still encountered a great deal of difficulty in removing it. The second time I thought I might have to visit the hospital or doctors to get it removed – it was so tightly “stuck” . I tried pinching the base of the cup to break the suction but even this was difficult and the whole slippy moist surface made it difficult to maintain hold on the cup to pinch it and remove it. And, no, I didn’t put the cup too high up inside me either. I would love if anyone could suggest what else I could try to make removing it easier – in the meantime I’ve gone back to tampons (organic) and use lunapads on my lighter days (cloth menstrual pads) which are great but don’t offer the same freedom as the Diva Cup does.

The Whole Foods in the town where I work carries them. I’ve been thinking about buying one for a while. I think I’m going to next time I’m on that side of town.

Why not just go on Depo Provera and say goodbye to periods altogether?

My wife’s been on it for 7 years and loves it. You want to talk frugal? Sure, $25/year sets the bar pretty low, but Depo costs my wife just $5 every 3 months. Our health insurance covers the rest of the cost.

No cramps, no mess, no nothing. Every 28 days … nothing happens. We couldn’t be happier.

that is the most absurd thing ive eever seen! hilarious

The Diva Cup does not need to be replaced EVERY year. Every 10 years is fine. It’s silicone!
The company just wants to make more money. 10 years is quoted everywhere else other than the Diva Cup website.

It’s fantastic. Sometimes it may take awhile to figure out the best placement. Each vagina is different and also goes through changes during your period. But keep practicing. It’s totally worth it!!

my BF says why not make it truly multi-purpose and use it as a funnel? LOL

I just got my diva cup the other day and it was really hard for me to get it into position, but it happened eventually. After a few times, it’s not that bad. I was surprised at how comfortable it was. I leaked twice, but only because I didn’t know how full the cup would get– I underestimated my flow. But if any first-timers are concerned about leakage and you have extra pads/liners laying around from previous purchases, I recommend using them with the cup until you’re certain that you’re positioning the cup right to prevent leakage.

In response to Michelle’s second Diva tip (posted October 9th 2009)

“Don’t use if you’re a virgin. Enough said.”

I’m a virgin and I’ve used it for the first time this month. A bit of a steep learning curve, but I can’t see myself going back. If I waited for me not to be a virgin anymore, I might have never used a Diva cup (I am definitely far far past the average age for a person – male or female – to loose their virginity). I don’t think I’d strongly recommend it to a virgin who hasn’t used tampons before (as I have), but there is no reason the average virgin cannot use one.

They recommend the larger Diva cup for women over a certain age and/or who have given birth, though that didn’t work out for me (I’m 36, though childless). Once I switched to the smaller cup, monthly bliss returned. The larger cup leaked, maybe because it would not open fully or something. I had no problem shelling out again for the smaller version – I bought a “Keeper” way back in ’97 and used it for 7 years, stopped only when it sucked out my IUD the day after I had it put in. I can never imagine going back to pads or tampons again now that my IUD is a thing of the past and I can use the cup again!

“I was honestly skeptical at first”

My quote would have read like this…

“I was honestly skeptical at first, second and third!”

It does have it’s place, it can be convenient and healthy, but for me it is not an all-in-one tampon replacement. I do use it, but it does take a bit of getting used to, but you need not be scared of trying.

~Jacklyn

After camping while on my period, and dealing with wads of used items in a ziploc, I vowed to get the Diva Cup. Pleasantly surprised! No more leaks, no more changing tampons every two hours (heavy flow) and no more packing bags of tampons with me every time we travel. Tomorrow we leave on a 7 day wilderness backpacking trip. And guess who got her period? No running water for a week and I will be fine. Before the cup, I would have had to cancel this trip.

Ok I bought a cup an I love it because it gives me more freedom and saves me money. I have never found tampons comfortable but my small ladycup is super comfy. I then bought the bigger lady cup for my heavy days. I find that I can only wear the big cup on my heavy days because my cervix rides high on those two days. I think there are quite a few cup users out there that use two different sizes in once cycle. I do use a disposable pad to work as a backup on heavy days, but that still dramatically reduces my pad usage from 18 pads per cycle down to 0-4. 0 if my heavey days are non work days.
reasons I love my cup
less time in the bathroom changing stuff
less leaks
I can sleep all night long
I can sleep naked
I can swim and do other sporty things
I can swim longer with out leaking
I am more comfy with out a sticky pad
I don’t have to carry around exta pads and tampons
I don’t have to by alot of pads and tampons
Is nicer to envirement
Is nicer to my wallet
the cup is easy to clean with plain soap and then boil in microwave in a clean jar (that I use for the purpose) for about 5-8 minutes. Or I just wipe it down with rubbing alchol. Easy, comfy, saves time and money.

I am new to Squawkfox and am loving every piece. I have never heard of menstrual cups before today. I, too, dislike the “not being able to doing anything during my period without using a tampon which is painful and irritating” aspect of my monthly cycle. I also very much dislike the high cost of sanitary products, although couponing and sale shopping have helped. I am very excited to try the Diva Cup. I am a nurse, so if I can handle other peoples’ bodily fluids, I should definitely be able to handle my own! Thanks for the product info 🙂

Great article! I love my diva too!

@Susan… that was my reaction at first… I was so decided until I saw it… I standed in my drawer for 2 months! Then at the beginning, I was learning to put it on, and was terrified… But I hanged on and it took me like 3 cycles to get used to it…. NOW I LOVE IT! I have been using it for 2 years and I wish I knew about it since I got my first period!!!!!!! I don’t know how I lived without it… seriously!

Menstrual protection is a very individual thing. I could never get the hang of tampons, not to mention that despite its seven day length, my period just isn’t very heavy (a scary accident when I was younger proves this, but I will spare you the details!). I resorted to cloth pads in my late teens/early 20s out of sheer poverty and the result is bliss. No more irritation (no fragrances in cloth), no more pulled pubes from the adhesives and no need for “wings”. It’s the adhesives themselves that necessitate the use of wings – rectangular cloth pads just sit there and move with your body so they don’t bunch up and you don’t get the same leakage as with conventional protection. I used a conventional pad just the other day and despite being about 30cm long, it still leaked!! Even with wings!

Happy you went there! good to know and I think I will have to try this soon!

Wonderful blog! My favorite part is #2. I just got my Diva Cup this year, and I feel kinda bad for the 15 years I’d look at the trash bin and think, “Is there REALLY no better way to manage this??” Instead of dwelling, though, I’m talking to every woman (and some men, believe it or not!) that I can about menstrual cups. I love my Diva Cup, but I’m careful to talk about other brands, too, just in case the the Diva isn’t the right fit. LunaPads and their Pads4Girls campaign is also on the table.

One more VERY important reason this is a great product: NO LATEX. Many–actually MOST–commercially available feminine hygiene products contain latex. Those of us with latex allergy have very few alternatives.

So I heard about these years ago and i said bravo but… I will not be able to use it. I have never been able to use tampons as i find them extremely uncomfortable. guess i am stuck with pads

@Jessica actually it is not a hate it is more uncomfortable having one in and painful sometimes will it still work?

I used the divacup last month, knowing the risks of use while having an IUD. I only used the cup for the first 8 hours before the strings to my IUD were longer and I felt the plastic of the “t” sitting low in my cervix. The darn thing sucked right down my cervix! It had nothing to do with my strings … and apparently everything to do with the suction. What’s more, my IUD was working hard for three years before this happened. Cautionary Tale of Cups.

I think I’m going to have to cave in and try one of these. I bleed a lot — thanks to the blood thinners I take since my artificial heart valve was put in. It never bothered me that much before, but now I have at least two nights a month where I wake up and having to change everything and occasionally even jump in the shower. No fun and kinda disgusting.
I’m hoping something like this would work for me. I worry, though, since they only seem to come in two sizes and I’m super tiny.
What the hey, right? It’ll be worth it if it works. Thanks for the informative article!

@Jessica: I got my cup the day before I started this month — I cracked up a little that the box was marked “time sensitive materials.” Its been in use for a full 24 hours now and I have to say its AMAZING!
My first night every month is always a nightmare, especially the first time I stand up and the “gush” happens. This time, I woke up twice with no incident, emptied, cleaned and reinserted the cup while I was still half asleep and went back to bed. No leaks, no mess, just blissful rest. If it weren’t for the cramps, I wouldn’t know I was even having my period.
For other small ladies out there, I have to say you should give it a try. I’m 4’8″ (I did say I was super tiny) and it fit just fine. I did have to trim off the entire stem, but I can still reach it without any issues. There is a learning curve, as everyone says, but it is so, so worth it.
I’m going to tell all the women I know!

This post is going to be on the earthy side!

I’ve been using mine for years. I’ll never go back to tampons or disposable pads. I think part of the reason I suffer fewer cramps with the Cup is at least in part to where my cervix is sitting. I hated tampons, because depending on where I was in my 9-13 day cycle, I could feel it jabbing my cervix, and it hurt! The Divacup doesn’t do that, ever. I’ve had a leak once or twice, but those I blame on user error, when I thought I had it in right, but really didn’t.

Love, love, love my Mooncup UK!!!

1. Much easier to deal with heavy periods.
2. Much easier to deal with field work/outdoor activity.
3. Never caught without supplies.
4. Much, much cheaper.
5. Don’t need a liner as backup as I did with tampons.

A couple tips for those who have trouble with cups.
1. try and sit down for a bit after insertion. it seems to help it get into a good position.
2.never insert/reinsert immediately before bed. it violates tip 1.
3. empty/reinsert in the shower–cleaner and easier.
4. rinse well – soap can cause problems. boil before and after period.

I ordered one a few days ago.
My bf is kinda creeped by it and says it looks huge.

I want to add that there are reusable pads out there too, basically you insert how ever many cotton (I believe) layers into the pad, and then you can wash it with your laundry, either after your period, or during it to keep it going fresh and avoid having to buy as many.

(for environmentally, cost effective, feminine hygiene products for those that do not like inserting items, or have personal or religious reasons against it)

umm yeah. no. I’ll stick with pads. Not putting a cup up there. It grosses me out thinking about it. I’ll have to save money some other kind of way.

gg, is that conventional or cloth pads? Conventional pads irritated my skin no end, no surprise really, most of them are fragranced! If you haven’t already, switch to cloth. Irritation was one of the reasons I switched, and I rarely get it now.

And one more: no more of that gooey-diaper feeling. Have to say I was dubious, but desperate. Five years later, I still suggest the Dive Cup to every woman I know well enough to discuss it with. And I’m as perplexed as you, but no more or many less cramps, headaches, and feeling like a slug who’d rather be under a rock. Cheaper, easier, and I can use a white towel straight out of the shower any time of the month!

gg, FWIW, I originally resorted to cloth out of sheer poverty, and the pads I’m using 15 years later are still going after costing me nothing. True, they’re not ideal, but they don’t have to cost you anything. Especially if you aren’t sure about them, just cut some rags or old clothes and fold them up – done! Experiment with them, and if you don’t like them, well, they didn’t cost you anything, did they?

You might like to know that I’ve used conventional pads a few times since converting to cloth and as soon as I do I regret it!

Unless you are trying to get pregnant, there is no real need to menstruate. Get a continual birth control perscription instead. I’ve been on depo-provera for a while now and I NEVER have to think about things like this!

I wish I had known about this 15 years ago. I can’t believe how clean feeling it is. Worth the money. I also read it can last up to 10 years… Not sure if it’s safe past 1 though? Bought a few reusable pads as well just for the really heavy days, so hopefully I am set to never have to buy disposeables again! Goodbye massive wastes of money!

Okay, yeah. My friend’s been trying to convince me to switch for a few months now but I just barely started using tampons. (It was a psychological thing I had with putting somethin “there”), but I recently got married and am a little more comfortable with it. This sounds like a perfect alternative to sleeping on towels! I do have an IUD, though. Has anyone had any trouble with Diva Cup and paragard?

@Sarah:

I believe they’re complying with the FDA (or some other facsimile; tis based in Canada) on this one. Since it is a personal hygiene product, they could be *required* to advise no more than one year. Yes, this increases profit if women feel the need to comply, but other sources of theirs that I’ve read have implied (if they’re not allowed to be explicit) that it is safe for longer.

I could be mistaken, but I do believe that this is the case.

@melissa: This video should help answer that question! 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bj3r3ooD6F4

I have a relative who has an IUD and uses the Diva Cup with no trouble.

Great article! I just bought mine and can’t wait for it to come in the mail. You might want to update and discuss how to purchase the Diva Cup. I found you can only get it on a site like Amazon.com or very few health food stores. If you go to DivaCup.com you can do a search to find store to buy them, if you don’t want to order online.

Today was my first time trying the Diva Cup and already I’m in love. I put it in this morning, wondered all day whether I was actually on my period, and removed it this evening, delighted to find a little collection pooled in there. It feels like I’m not even bleeding. And maybe I’m getting ahead of myself, but I agree about the no cramps thing. Usually my first day is super crampy. I hope every day with the Diva Day will be like today.

I’m about to start my 2nd cycle with my Diva Cup and I cannot love a product more than this. My last cycle I went to Whole Foods and bought the size 1 as I’m in my 20’s with no children and with the livejournal community and all their great tips I was able to use it my whole period with no leaks! There was a few blood spots on my underwear ONCE but that was probably due to residue. I will say if it’s your first time inserting do not try to do it in the shower with the water on, it makes your hands slippery and hard to keep the fold until you insert far enough in.

The three tips I have are watch youtube videos for fold methods!!! The punch down is my favorite.
Two is do not be afraid to get a little pushy with your fingers! As long as it doesn’t cause pain the vagina is meant to stretch a lot, so if you need to reach up and pinch the bottom to release the suction to remove the cup just do it! Don’t feel like you are going to break yourself and end up taking ten minutes to pull the thing out 🙂
Three is when you are cleaning the cup after each removal make sure you use something to gently stretch the vent holes, either an unused clean bobby pin, or something similar and make sure there is no residue in the holes and sllightly move it around so you stretch each one, this is why some people find their cup losing suction after a year or two. Those holes are what keep the suction going!!

I wish the tampon pad business wasn’t so greedy, menstrual cups can literally change the world.

I love my Diva Cup as well!!! one thing I will mention tho… from most of testimonials of women who have been using the diva cup or cup similar, they can use the same cup for years, some for even 8 years already! so replacing it every year may not be necessary as long as it does not begin to deteriorate, which silicone usually does not do very much.

I have a Diva Cup and I love mine! A great review on a product that I think is very worthy of praise. Thanks!

Chelsea – I’m more or less “on the brink” at 48 (although my GP says all my hormones are fully stocked and not at all peri-menopausal), but after buying one earlier this year I am HOOKED! I always hated my cycle; the mess was bad enough but the pain was horrible. Not just bad cramps, but nausea and an awful feeling of “gut-pulling” when I’d remove a tampon that was bad enough to make me whimper out loud.

The Diva Cup made such a difference that I asked my doc for some tests to prove a theory (I’m in Canada, it cost me nothing). It turns out my suspicion was right on: I WAS actually allergic to something in the tampons (bleach? fibers?) and my body was treating them as a toxin. Also, while I have no medical evidence to support this, but believe the extremely heavy flow I’d get after a day or two might have been part of the allergic reaction. That scary “flooding” has never happened with the cup.

In my case, at least, the monthly pain had a physical source that was actually CREATED by the products, so if a woman says she feels as if her pain and discomfort are lessened or absent, I’d tend to believe her.

The savings are secondary to me. If I can only use it for a year or three, that’s fine. Every month I don’t have to deal with pain and mess are worth every penny.

Thank you for an excellent article, Kerry. I plan to pass it on to every woman I know.

ok im 13 i love the idea of using a diva cup. i have done my research on them and i am not squeemish about putting it in. i just dont know how to ask my mom. i have seen many people saying they wish they did it when they were my age so i dont want to have that same regret. also i have a VERY hevy flow and i am sick of going to the bathroom every 45 minuites. would diva cup leak?? advice plz!! thanks

Foxy Girl, I’m so happy to hear of female as young as you taking your health into your own hands. Good for you! I happen to be about the size of a 12 year old (4’10” tall, 90 lbs)and have heavy periods, I have an article telling about my experience with the menstrual cup if you would like to read it (http://cleaningouttheclutter.com/2013/02/a-menstual-cup-is-a-girls-best-friend/). Just be honest with your mother. Give her the facts you have, tell her you want to make a healthy choice for your body, and explain that you believe it could help with your cycle. Good luck!

krista davis,

I showed my mom your article and she was so excited to try it herself!! (and me too) thanks so much for giving me the courage to talk to her about it. it sounds like it will be so much more convenient! cant waitt

<3 foxy girl

Foxy – I’m glad you and your mom are going to give this a try. I think you’ll be pleasantly astonished at how much of a difference it makes. Here in Canada I’ve only seen the Diva Cup, but I’m completely satisfied with it.

One word of caution: “clean with hot water and re-position” means just that – no wearing it when it’s been used then left out, even for a short time.

I finished a cycle, washed with with hot water as usual, and left it on the tray I keep for it in my cabinet. The next morning I realized I needed it an extra day, so I re-rinsed it with hot water, re-used it … and ended up with a very annoying yeast infection. Ugh. It was “left” for less than 8 hours, but that’s time enough. NO problems when boiling for five minutes between uses, even when post-boiling it sits in its tray for 3 weeks. So I learned to follow directions the hard way.

thanks so much for the starting advice! I definitly wont leave it out then use it with out sterilizing. baaad idea, i definitly dont need an infection. should I get cloth pads or can i just use disposable pads? are there any more benefits of cloth pads besides just being reusable?

I’ve used the same DicaCup for many years with no problem. An easy way to keep your cup very clean is washing with Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap (I use the peppermint). That soap, with some hot water, gets my cup nice n’ clear once more!

Foxy Girl,
I’m glad to hear you are using the menstrual cup. In regards to removing it, you will need to gradually squeeze the cup at the base and slowly move your finger hold up higher until your seal is completely removed, then pull down, while maintaining the break in seal (I touch the sides of the cup together). You might be able to pull it out a little at a time, but before anything can be removed comfortably you will have to break the seal completely. Also, make sure you don’t put it in too high. You need to have the tip of the cup right at the entranced of your vaginal cavity. It might stick out slightly, but it should be about even so you can sit easily without pressure. You also might need to use your vaginal muscles to push it out a little, similar to when you have a bowel movement. I hope these tips help.

I purchased the Diva Cup a few years ago, and gave it a try recently and thought it would be successful. While I was sleeping, I had awoken to severe crapping – something which never happens to me, since I do not suffer from severe crapping to begin with. I probably had the Diva Cup for about 4 hours. I waited it off, and tried going back to sleep but it was nearly impossible! So, I decided to remove it. The cup was practically full (sorry for TMI), but apparently you can keep it inserted for several hours, and I think I read something (cannot remember where) that you only lose a certain amount of ML during your period. Wondering how often one needs to spot check. I would hate to have to remove and insert when not needed to – for the fear of being paranoid.
I have not given it a try again, but would love to. I am thinking if I should purchase a new one, since it has been stored for a few years before using. Also, read online about cramping being due to the suction of the cup. So, it may be that I have it inserted wrong.

@ Passerby, tampons are NOT supposed to be used at night. That is the official line, risk of TSS and all that. It’s just women do use them at night and have for decades. So yes, the article is correct.

Meanwhile I noticed something this week. Those monster, mega long pads are TERRIBLE. (I had someone give them to me.) They leak like nothing else. The flow just travels along the pad and onto your undies! One more reason to use cloth. 🙂 (Assuming I could find one that works for that 24-36 hour “heavy” part of my period.)

I absolutely adore my cup. Been using it for about 5 years now. I will never ever go back to tampons or pads.

I love my Diva Cup! It really is the best change I’ve ever made in this category for all the reason listed. I agree on every point and I can certainly tell that I don’t have anywhere near the cramping I had using tampons.

I recently bought a Yuuki, which is a czech cup but you can buy it for about 23$ on amazon. It’s a bit shorter than the Diva and since I have a lower cervix I thought it would be a better choice. I have never been so happy with a product in my life, it’s amazing! I also have a “Green Donna” which is a chinese menstrual cup modelled after the lunette. I haven’t tried it during my period but I can say it isn’t as firm as the Yuuki and is more flexible. It would probably be trickier to pop open. Try the Yuuki though if your cervix is low, the Diva Cup is one of the longest cups out there.

They’ve been available at the ladies gym in Brantford (The Fitness Centre) for years. Baffled why you can’t find them at drugstores and big chains.

However, two sizes do not fit all. If I’m aware if its presence, it’s not working as intended. Darn it.

Christy – thanks for the tip on the Yukki.

Only a year? I’ve had mine for 7 years with no issues! Love it

IUD* sorry

I find this such a good idea, but a little icky but then I had another thought.. its just like the disposable diaper/cloth diaper debate… which I had no problem with cloth…
I am going to take the plunge and then that extra $4000 ish a yeah acan hit my RRSP instead!

@Lex:

This isn’t just an “idea”. This is sustainable and anything but lazy. Please do a little more research before writing it off.

Hello everyone! foxy girl here. I just wanted to check in and say that for the 1/2 year i have had my cup, I love it! And thanks to all of you wonderful women for helping me know more about them. It is all that I hoped for! I can now get through a school day without having to run to the bathroom every hour. It is amazing!

The diva up is one of my absolute fav purchases this year. It’s transformed my relationship with my period and body by extension. Period sucks 40% less (also not scientific), but I’ve also experienced lessened cramps and increased freedom and comfort. The anxiety about not being able to remove it is completely dissipated, it just requires getting used to. By your third cycle with it, you’ll be in love. I also realized that removal is VERY easy when you sit on the toilet and lean back. No baring down, no anxiety, it just comes into reach. It’s my baby.

How do you take it out without spilling the blood?

Does anyone have experience using a cup immediately postpartum? How soon after childbirth before it can be used?

Lex: TSS is linked to cotton, not to silicone. You’re waaaay worse off using tampoons.

Cory: Empty it more often and then over the toilet.

Kenzie: According to the swedish M-cup site (http://menskoppen.se) You should NOT use it directly after giving birth. As soon as your menstruation becomes regular again, it’s fine to use it as normal.

Guam Teen: You might need a smaller m-cup (no, diva cup is not the only brand!), but otherwise there is nothing to stop you. The small yuuki cup is one of the smallest 🙂 Also, congrats on getting better wages! 😀

// random knowledgeable dudette

I use a Lunette, which is available to Americans if you buy it online. I was surprised to see that the Divacup is supposed to be replaced every year, because the Lunette is supposed to be replaced every 10 years for even more savings.

A menstrual cup is also nice because you can put it in before your period starts – great for people like me, considering I always wake up with cramps and start my period sometime during the day. I can just put the cup in and be ready ahead of time!

There can be a little bit of mess when you are learning to use the cup and get it placed properly, but it doesn’t take long to master.

I’m so glad that you wrote this! I started using the Diva Cup about 6 years ago and have been slowly convincing all of the women in my life to try it and wishing I had a larger platform to shout from. I loved seeing the community of support that formed in the comment section too. I have had the same Diva Cup all 6 years and have had no problems with it. When I bought mine they used to say that they were good for up to 10 years. I’m not sure what has changed or if it is just for marketing purposes that they’ve shortened it to annually, but just thought I’d share! And to be totally honest, although I absolutely LOVE my Diva Cup, I tend to have the opposite effect with cramps. It certainly hasn’t helped them, but I hope it really is helping other women! It has been such an amazing relief to not create so much unnecessary trash every month! I hope that you will all give it a try!

As for the cramping, for women that are prone to clotting having a tampon in close to the cervix forces small blood clots that would normally pass through the cervix to get trapped against the tampon keeping the cervix forced open. Fluid can build up behind the clot creating pressure and the clot can get bigger. Clots passing through the cervix, even small ones, are usually accompanied with pain, so the larger the clot and the more fluid behind it the more pain. Modernly a lot of women are on birth control which increases risk on blood clots. I was having cramping due to passing blood clots through my cervix and my doctor recommended me going to pads because of this issue. The thought of pads disgusted me, and I am also very physically active, so when I found a DivaCup at a health food store I was very excited. I experience almost no cramping now.

CTY, they are actually good for much longer than 1 year, but government regulations forced Diva to print that on packaging. Just examine it before use for wear. I’ve heard many women use them for up to 10 years before replacing them. As for needing 2, though I haven’t found one that fits me yet, I have read quite a bit about the emptying/reinsertion, and it seems you can just wipe it out with TP or cloth while still on the toilet. Just don’t drop it on the floor or anything 😉

@TMenya: I’m in a community choir that rehearses in a church, and I donated all of my disposables to the ladies room. They keep a basket full of disposables in there in case of any surprises. I also worked for a place that had pads in case of emergencies, favoring Seventh Generation. As for pantyliners, when I’m afraid the cup might runneth over, my backup is a LunaPad or GladRag. 🙂

Grace – That’s what I did, a day or two before my first period with the cup.

I actually had a diva cup years ago before having my son and LOVED it. Since having him I went back to tampons because my size 1 didn’t do the trick anymore. I have since bought another size one diva cup and a size two as well as a post-childbirth blossom cup and I’ve had leaking issues with them all. I have nothing against any of those brands as I was a faithful diva cup gal for years but obviously my body has changed since then. I recently ordered the femmycycle starter kit as it comes with two cups (regular and low cervix) and while the shape is very different from the tapered bell look of every other cup out there in pleasantly surprised at how comfortable it is. It also has a very large capacity so you REALLY don’t have to worry, even with a heavy flow. My husband is thrilled that we don’t have a bunch of tampons and pads in the trash and I’m thrilled that my period is more undetectable than ever. I rant and rave over menstrual cups because they really are a game changer for women as well as our partners and kids! No more messy bathroom trips and no more cats and kids digging bloody tissue-wrapped tampons out of the bathroom trash!

The Diva Cup works great for me. Part of the trick is to fold it into a U shape when inserting and when removing don’t pull on the stem. Instead bare down a little and then pinch the cup above the stem so it begins to fold just like when you inserted and then remove. If you are having trouble reaching lift a leg up or squat. This will shorten the distance between the cup and your fingers. Also some women have a very low cervix and the Diva Cup is too long for them. In this case I recommend a naturally shorter cup like the Lunette cup. Sometimes if my muscles are tense the cup will work it’s way down a bit and be uncomfortable. Simply gently push the cup farther up as you relax and you’re good to go!

I love that there’s still comments happening on this old of an article! Clearly the subject matter has stayed relevant. 🙂 Anyways, I started using the Diva when I was 22. I wanted to start it much earlier but was too afraid to try it. Oh, how I wish I had; it would have made undergraduate as a dance major so, so, SO much easier. It really has changed my life, and now I tell everyone I can about them (usually people are squicked out, but I’ve made a few converts). Nothing is ever going to make periods perfect and and as easy as not being on your period, but I have to say the cup makes it about 95% perfect, and that’s good enough for me. And I hate pads and tampons, so it’s a win-win all around. So if you’re on the fence and you’re a bit scared, try it! But do your research first. Go to the livejournal menstrual cup page and read up on which cup is best for your needs. While there is a way to sell used cups so it isn’t a total loss, why waste time and money if you can do a bit of research up front?