Well, the response was not overwhelming, but I thought that in celebration of the fact that tomorrow I go through the hell of oral exams (hahahahahaha) I’d lay it down for you all.
Out of respect for my delicate and squeamish readers, I have hidden my review below the cut.
In brief: The Diva Cup receives 4 3/4 stars out of 5 for feminine hygiene products. I am thrilled with its performance and the changes it has introduced to my routine and the way I think about my body during that most inconvenient time of the month.
PROS:
1. D.C. costs about $30 and can be used for YEARS. It pays for itself in a few months and after that it’s all about saving the dough.
2. Environmentally friendly compared to pads and tampons. There is nothing to throw away, and the miniscule amount of warm soap and water needed to clean it doesn’t even come close to matching the environmental impact of the waste produced by pads and tampons.
3. More sanitary than pads and tampons. No matter how advanced the dry-weave technology, you are still sitting on flow when you use pads. And the risk of TSS is always there with a tampon. Add to that the harmful health and environmental effects of the by-product dioxin, and really, no one should ever use a tampon. It used to be the only option, so I would just shrug and say, “oh, well.”
4. Less icky than pads and tampons. Yes, you have to empty the little cup a few times a day, but consider these differences: you are changing it two or three times a day, compared to six or more for pads and tampons; there is no icky waste in terms of wrapped-up pads and tampon applicators, which builds up in your bathroom and is a prime object of lust for dogs; and any male partners or guests do not have to deal with wrappers, waste, and odor.
5. You never need to worry about running out. It’s small enough to sneak into a purse or bag, so you will no longer need to pack the little bag of “just in case” supplies on every trip like I do. My cycle is a bit irregular so always having something on hand is a must. It’s a real space-saver.
6. Comfortable. Here its main advantage is over the pad. It fits so well and is so pliable that I do not feel it at all. I do not think about it, wonder if it’s in the right position, or have to check to make sure it’s not leaking.
7. Facilitates understanding your cycle and body in a way that is not possible with pads and tampons. The cup has marks so that you can measure how much flow you’ve had on a given day. It’s also necessary to understand how your particular body is shaped and put together down there in order to use it, and learning how to use it helps teach you.
8. You can use it when you don’t have your period. That means if you are expecting your period you can have it in already and not have to worry about soiled clothing. Tampons are a bitch when you don’t have anything going on in there. Also, if your period tends to have a long taper-off or may stop for a day and start again, like mine does, you can use it after you think you’re done just in case. The D.C. is perfect for this function. Also, if you’re monitoring the amount and consistency of your discharge for fertility-tracking reasons, it will collect and measure your output just like it does your menstrual flow.
9. You can do your other bathroom business with it in. You don’t have to endure a wet tampon string. I was initially uncomfortable with bowel movements because I thought I might push it out. It does move with your body a little bit, but if you’re pushing hard enough to push it out, you are pushing WAY too hard and are in for some nasty hemorrhoids. I got used to it—not a big deal after a day or two.
10. Nothing goes past your cervix. You don’t disrupt the controlled environment of your uterus and you don’t have to worry about anything getting stuck or lost. As someone who has made a scary and extremely embarassing trip to the E.R. for just this reason, I can tell you this is a MAJOR pro.
11. You can do all the activities possible with a tampon (swimming, sports, etc.) without any of the waste or risks. You can also go longer, so an all-day hike during your period is possible and you don’t have to carry your pads or tampon waste around with you or tie it up in tree when camping.
CONS:
1. There is a learning curve with insertion and removal. Fortunately, the instructions are very clear and the material is soft and smooth. It took me a day to get a hang of it, and another two days or so to become proficient enough that it wasn’t a hassle. By next cycle I’ll be an old pro.
2. If you insert it incorrectly you could have leaks. This only happened to me once. I’m pretty sure it’s because the cup didn’t open. Now I know how it feels when it opens so I don’t have any more leaks.
3. Logistics. When you change the cup, you’re supposed to wash it out with warm water. Fortunately, I have a sink within reach of the toilet, so I can just twist around to wash it. But it’s a bit tricky if you have to get off the toilet to get to the sink, especially on heavy flow days. Even on low-flow days, there might be a little flow from the time it took to wash the cup, even when you have been able to wash it out without getting off the toilet. Some neatening up is required from time to time to protect your underwear.
TIPS:
1. While you’re learning, keep a few pads on hand to use at the same time just in case the cup doesn’t open and you have a leak. You shouldn’t have to do this for more than a day or two. You’ll know when you can stop.
2. Have a few minis on hand for heavy-flow days because of reason #3 on the cons list. You can use it during the washing of your cup to catch any rogue flow and also for a little while afterwards for any that remains on your girly bits after changing. I haven’t had much of a problem with this tip–in fact, I haven’t ended up having to use minis at all. But it would be helpful for someone who has a different flow-pattern from me and especially for those first few days.
3. When removing, you may have to bear down a lot more than you originally appreciated. Don’t be afraid to push. It’s not painful and it helps enormously with removal. It is uncomfortable to have to stick your fingers way up there and pushing makes it easy.
4. If you’re worried about it not opening, try this little trick: when it is halfway in, give it a little turn. It should pop open and then you can push it a little farther into place.
5. On my super-heavy days, I ended up changing it every five hours instead of the 8-10 on normal days. If you know you’re heavy check it a little more often, just like with any other product. I find that a full cup feels a bit heavy. Fortunately the shortest amount of time I have to go with the Diva Cup on a heavy day is the absolute longest I can go on a medium or light day with a tampon. It’s worth it.
So there you have it! As I had a ten-day period this month (grrrrr…) I think I’ve got it down. Give it a try! You won’t be disappointed!
Love the review! I’ve been using it for about 7 years and I will NEVER go back to tampons…
nice, thank you! i think i’m going to go out and buy one once i’m off the lactation protocol (yay no periods for six months!).
any feedback on the keeper? i’ve heard there are some differences, but can’t remember which people prefer more.
thanks again and good luck on your oral exams!!
Susie, I have the keeper and it’s supposed to be softer than the Diva Cup — that’s all I know. Also when you’re removing it, it helps a lot to collapse the suction by squeezing the sides together. I have been using it for about seven years now and have only had it leak once when I was first using it and put it in wrong so Sster, you may never deal with leaks again.
I empty it once in the morning and once before bed and it’s never been a problem (leaking).
I know their web site says that they have never had a TSS case associated with the DC, but I’m not 100% convinced. I studied TSS in college, and my memory is that it was caused by bacteria growth, not by absorbency as they seem to imply. I wonder a bit whether it has to do with being used by fewer women, or whether it genuinely is safer. There is some TSS risk associated with diaphragms, so I don’t know why the same wouldn’t be true with Menstrual cups. Here’s a quote from an advocate for “the Keeper,” another type of MC:
“There is a slight TSS risk with the Keeper. According to the company, there has never been a reported TSS case linked to the Keeper. However, it was tested by Dr. Phillip Tierno, and he found that the staph. that causes TSS could possible sling to the porous material of the Keeper. Regardless, the chances are still lower than with a mainstream tampon.”
http://www.randomgirl.com/keeper.html
All of that said, I do think menstrual cups are a great thing & a wonderful environmentally sound action to take as a woman. I have used them off and on myself. However, I have to admit that I personally am a bit turned off by emptying the cup. I don’t know why it’s any grosser than a used tampon, but I think it’s the “sloppiness” factor. (You can spill on yourself if you’re not careful, and that rarely has happened to me with tampons.)
But I’m really not trying to play the naysayer.
Long and short — I would say that while I heartily endorse your use of the cup, and may go that way again myself, it’s not for everyone. 
I’m sold. I’m allergic to latex and I think the keeper, or at least the version of the cup sold in our local co-op is latex, so I disregarded it. But I see this is made of silicone. I’m looking into it and I appreciate your honest and thorough assessment.
It sounds excellent – very economical and healthier. The only other con I could think of is.. cleaning it out while using a public restroom? lol
I have always wondered about the public restroom thing. However, when you consider the time frame it can stay in place, you can plan around that. AMAZING!
I’ve been on the fence for years, but I’ve gotta’ tell you – I’m sold now!
Thanks for the post. I heard about these years ago and completely dismissed them. I’m off to the co-op this weekend to pick mine up!
I am a new user with the Divacup and I got the hang of it right away. I have not had any leaks since using the Divacup. The main thing with insertion and removal is to totally relax and allow your vaginal muscles to relax as well – so you won’t be working against the tightness -and don’t be in a rush- you will master the technique better. My method of cleanup is I have a little spray bottle on the side of my toilet with feminine wash and water mixed together. After I change, I spray the vagina well with my solution then wipe with baby wipes so when I put my panties back on there will be no stains. In public I sit on toilet, spread legs, pinch, tilt slightly and pull down and out – pour out the fluid, wipe the cup with my baby wipes, reinsert and wipe the vagina really well then your good to go until your permanent destination for the day. I have no problems and I am never inconvenienced. I totally cut my stem off because I don’t need it(too uncomfortable) – I got my system down pat! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been using the Diva cup for 6 cycles now, due to a sudden development of an allergy to tampons. I have the larger cup because I am over 30, and have had 2 babies. I am happy with the cup overall (it is MUCH better than the allergy, or pads!), but I feel compelled to air my grievances because I did not see any complaints when I was researching the product myself. I do have a tilted uterus, so some of my complaints might be due to my own fauty anatomy.
1.) Although I have never considered myself a person with a heavy flow, I usually have a heavier flow in the morning, and overflow the cup after about an hour or two. This can be inconvenient because when it overflows it IS messy and slippery and difficult to remove. The suction created has made me question at times whether I was going to be able to remove it all all – especially in a public restroom where it’s harder to relax. If you don’t have baby wipes handy, it is difficult to wipe blood off your hands with toilet paper, as it just rips and sticks to your fingers. This situation is frustrating in a public restroom. (Now that I know I will easily overflow the cup on the first couple days of my period I always empty the cup before I leave the house, even if I had just emptied it a half hour before. This usually lengthens the time I have before it overflows significantly).
2.) I am still having trouble with insertion (although I think I’ll try that helpful customer service you mentioned). If I fold the cup as instructed, it doesn’t always pop back open. I have tried all kinds of tricks, including just craming it in there without folding it at all. Sometimes it still collapses, despite all my efforts to turn it, twist it, pull it, squeeze it, etc. Sometimes I have to replace it and remove it up to 3 times to get it properly placed. Every time I pull it back out, it sucks out some blood with it, and then I feel like I should wash it or wipe it out again. This process can be time consuming.
3.) As my period progresses, it seems as if the cup goes higher and higher up inside (probably because the cervix is moving), and sometimes it is extremely difficult to get enough grip on the cup to pull it free.
4.) My final complaint is that when I remove cup even in the comfort of my own home, I have to waddle over to the sink to wash it out.
Overall, I think this is a great product, and I am very happy that there are safer alternatives to tampons. By the third day of my period I do not have any problems with overflow at all, and I leave the cup in all day with no problems, and hardly a thought about it. I will continue to use my Diva cup, and I will call customer service to see if they have any suggestions to make it a little less frustrating.
I have very heavy flows-didn’t realize how heavy until I started using the cup. Now I have a reason to complain to my Dr. For all you women out there who think you have heavy periods but don’t want to do the count the pad thing, this device is for you. I figured out that I lost more than the average amount of blood in the first day and a half (or a 6-7 day period). I have found that I have to empty the cup every 2-3 hours during the first couple of day or I will have leaks (because it is full). Thankfully, I seem ok overnight, probably because of the vertical position.
I have had some leaking but figure it’s because of the learning curve. It’s worse when it’s heavy and I’m fairly certain because the cup is full to the brim and a bit gets on my “insides” while emptying or during the cleaning process.
Karrie,
I have very heavy flows too and have to empty it just as you do. It amazes me how much blood is coming out. The only time it leaked was when it was over full. Haven’t tried it at night yet, but based on your experience, I will.
Sarah
I just bought my SECOND divacup. It dawned on me that I’m already saving money because I’ll never ever use tampons and all those pads again and now? Now I can go out all day with the spare and a baggy. I pop the second cup in at a public stall, dry the ‘used’ one off and stuff it in the baggy. When I get home I scrub the used cup and reverse.
I came up with this when we were going to be out all day at a place with no potable water. Thankfully I can afford the second cup.
The other bonus is that I can keep the second at work.
Just an idea if people are up for having two cups. It seems a little silly with a product designed to reduce use but it made my life way more convenient.
I, too, own a DC and luv luv luv luv luv it! Are there things that I would like to change? Yes, but the fact that I don’t have to feel the drip is all the more reason that I love it. Got a second one cuz I like the idea of popping the clean one in and not having to waddle to the sink. There are many forums and people discussing it on the web. This is like my 5th cycle with it and it gives me so much freedom. My hubby approved of me getting my second one and I might be going to get a 3rd one here soon. I bought some castille soap to clean it, it is unscented and pure soap. I don’t want to take any chances.
There are times when the insertion is a little uncomfortable but because it is so great, I don’t even think about it. I always wear pantiliners and keep a close watch for any leaks. Otherwise, I enjoy and will always be “DIVA”.
If you are worried about keeping it clean, go to http://www.luckyvitamin.com and there are other places online that sell them for like $20 or so. My new one has slightly larger holes and was a little different from the first one. But, they work great. And I do boil mine for extra sanitation.
I’m 14 years old and have been researching menstrual cups for about a year now and know for sure I want to buy one but I still dont know which one….so far Divacup seems to be the most popular, but I dont know, emaile me if you have any ideas on which one i should buy amerysnowfreak@hotmail.com
I have used the Diva cup through 3 cycles now and also love it… but on my first few heavy days I do have to change it often, despite the products instructions indicating that overflow will be nearly impossible (made me feel like a freak until reading here that others have similar problems!)
I seem to be the complete opposite of an earlier poster though – I overflow BADLY when using the cup at night. The first time I used it overnight it overflowed – no joke – 3 times. Really horrible experience, needless to say! But now I pair it with an overnight pad and the overflow isn’t quite as uh… messy.
I just bought a Diva Cup after years of using tampons (o.b., actually – did you know they’re called “digital”??!!!! (cuz you use your digits to insert and remove them – go figure!!!)). I decided to practice before I needed it. Good thing. It did take some technique development! But once it was in, it was as comfortable as a tampon. I like the part about never again having to worry about peeing on strings. I HATED THAT!!! A few more comments: 1) The reason I googled the Diva Cup reviews was to find out if anyone was concerned with the fact that this is a manmade product and if there’s any known reasons for concern. True, I have used bleached tampons and god knows I’ve polluted my body with enough toxins in my life, but I’m just wondering…,2) to remove the Diva Cup it seemed easier to remove when I leaned forward from a sitting position…or maybe it was my conscious decision to not panic AND to take a deep breath. :>, 3) I like the idea of buying a spare one. I bought the Diva Cup at drugstore.com ($32.49). I wish I’d read ARE’s post first. Luckyvitamin.com is a great site!!! They are selling both models 1 & 2 for $19.98!!! I just ordered another one. Thanks!, 4) I’m in my 40′s – no kids, and I wish I had had this YEARS ago. It’s one more step to understanding my body better and how it works. I always learn better “hands on”, if you will, and lastly, 5) I thought I might try cleaning them in a public restroom (as an alternative to a second cup) with a disposal cleansing cloth like the nice-smelling and alcohol-free ones from Sweet Spot Labs (they also contain aloe – although the packaging is not airtight so you have to repackage!). Thanks, all, for the insight and tips!!!
love the idea of a cup, but have had issues with leaks. the first time i inserted it, it was great. the second and subsequent times i feel i didn’t do anything different, but never heard a proper “pop” as explained in instructions, and the cup is still leaking. not sure what to do, have tried different positions while inserting, relaxing the muscles, tightening them etc…i do have a tilted uterus, not sure if this could have anything to do with it….any help is appreciated!
I just bought my Diva Cup from iHerb.com and it was CHEAP. $18.99 for the cup AND if you use a referral code (you can use this one: HIN089) you’ll get another $5 off! It’s also worth mentioning that the shipping costs at iHerb are very reasonable. I had the shipment delivered to Canada and it came in just over a week via First Class mail.
I’m really happy to read great reviews on the cup and have been waiting anxiously for my monthly friend to come so that I can finally give the cup a trial run. Like the other person who posted, I tested out the cup once I received it so that I could practice inserting and removing it before the “real thing”, which I thought would get messy if I couldn’t remove the cup properly.
I’m also concerned about the public bathroom situation but if the Diva Cup ends up working as well as I hope it will, I just might follow the advice of others and purchase a 2nd one for backup.
I can’t believe I didn’t even know these cups existed until less than a month ago! Such a great idea and it’s so nice that it’s environmentally friendly
Thanks for the wonderful review!
Thanks, JS, for the tip on where to purchase a Diva Cup at a great price! I stumbled upon your post today and have already ordered one, using the discount code you provided. I hope it works as well as everyone says!
Thank you JS for the iherb web site and the discount code. I just went and placed an order for my 2nd one (for back up). This was actually half the price of what I paid at drugstore.com Thank you to everyone else for the honest reviews. I was nervous to order and try the diva cup, but now i’m pretty excited to try it…
I ordered my first diva cup awhile ago and spent 39 dollars, on it, thanks to JS I ordered two more @ 18 dollars with the 5 dollar off coupon!! I’m glad I’ll have some spares!
A friend of mine was telling me about the cup the other day so I decided to do a little research. After reading all your comments and reviews I just decided to purchased one. (Thanks JS!)
My only concern which I don’t think anyone has really brought up yet is swimming? Has anyone tested this out? I spend a lot of time at the beach so I really want to make sure I’m not going to have any issues. Any feedback would be appreciated!
Swimming is totally fine. Better than tampons. Everything stays nice and dry and clean.
Help! I’m just starting to use the cup, and insertion is ok (takes a while to relax, but it’s ok) but removal is really difficult for me! That suction is unbelievable. I know to bear down– this gets the stem reachable– and then squeeze the sides, but I couldn’t squeeze the sides well enough to break the suction. I finally had to reach all the way up and pinch the whole cup around the lip, which aside from being pretty uncomfortable made the whole thing overflow and my bathroom looked like a murder had taken place (after running to the sink, etc. etc.) Any advice on breaking the suction?
I have been on the fence about the Diva Cup for months now. I really want to try it and be done with tampons which have been a concern of mine for years (for both the health risk and environmental impact). Reading this post and all the follow-up comments was so helpful and WOW! thanks for the heads up to the commenter who mentioned iHerb.com and the referral code — I just ordered one for less than $16, including shipping! Although I knew it would pay for itself within a few months, that initial investment was one of the reasons that held me back.
This past month I just used it for the first time and I will NEVER go back to tampons. Loved it. Way easier and a lot cleaner!
I recently tried the Diva Cup, and it seems to scrape and is painful to take out seemingly because of the 4cm wide mouth that you cannot fold or collapse before taking it out. I saw that someone had a similar complaint about the ‘keeper cup” despite the ‘keeper cup” being softer and more pliable. While the diva cup is more difficult than the soft ‘instead cup’ to get in and out, you could get use to putting the Diva Cup in (it seems 2 hands are required – one to hold in place while pushing in with the other hand), but the pain and scraping that occurs with taking the Diva Cup out makes it a no go for me.
Instead cup is comfortable to wear, easy to put in and take out, and doesn’t absorb bodily fluids like tampons, and you don’t feel like your wearing a diaper as you do with pads. Also it seems that you can wear one instead cup per cycle as long as you reinsert it immediately after cleaning (i.e. it doesn’t have a chance to touch anything and get bacteria on it).
An answer three years too late, but: As soon as I break the suction on my cup, I recreate the “C” fold before removing it and there’s no pain because the cup is much smaller. It causes some overflow if the cup is full, but I avoid this by emptying the cup more often on my heaviest days.
They seriously need to test this thing properly!! I have one but i’m too scared to use it. I don’t want us to be the next generation of surprise TSS cases like when the super-absorbancy tampon thing happened.
The diaphragm has been associated with TSS which is what makes me concerned. Although don’t people leave that in for 24 hours?
If I wore it I would feel the need to wash it properly every time I emptied it, because essentially you are keeping something in your body for a whole week that hasn’t been washed properly. That doesn’t sound good. And far worse than a diaphragm.
TSS *IS* due to bacteria. But as far as I know, the high absorbancy tampons left tiny bits of material behind and/or made the inside of the vagina very dry which meant the material would stay behind and breakdown (foreign body) and the dryness meant that the skin would have small broken areas where infection could get into the bloodstream easier.
Obviously with cups there is still old blood in there, breaking down, so plenty of bacteria, and IMO a considerable risk.
I don’t really care that there are no reported cases of TSS from cups. That doesn’t mean anything and I certainly do not want to be the ‘first’ case.
JEN I read that putting something (a needle) in the holes and (wiggling it) stretching them bigger makes the suction less. But as I haven’t worn it I can’t confirm. I think I read it on the website where I bought my cup though.
Can anyone explain what it’s like when it opens? I’m scared of the ‘snap’ open inside. It seems like it would hurt…I have looked at a LOT of pages and discussions on cups, and NEVER heard anyone mentioning that. I thought it would be a big concern…I mean it pops right open. You have to fold it to get it in, so it obviously gets considerably bigger once it opens. Ouch. Seems like it would hurt…suddenly…stretching your insides like that?
Oh and I don’t like the fact that the ‘environmentally friendly’ part is being emphasized so much on these sites.
I know it’s the popular thing to do say these days…
But women should not feel guilty in ANY WAY for using throw-away products. It is not our fault that our body leaks blood for a week every month, and we need to find a way to collect it. People should not have to stick an untested, unregulated plastic cup up their vagina to save the planet.
Do your research She, because your statement makes no since. Besides the fact that the DivaCup has been tested. Check out the website and stop feeling so insecure.
I hate to think that I am the same sex as you. You have no idea what you are talking about with regard to TSS and people don’t feel guilty for using tampons. An alternative was presented, a lot of women like it, it works for them, and beats having a trash can full of smelly, bloody tampons. No one is using the cup because they were guilted into it. It doesn’t work for some. Whatever. I would be willing to bet that you dye your hair and use tampons which have a host of chemicals that are coming in contact with your skin and absorbed. A silicone cup is probably one of the most benign item that comes in contact with your skin over the course of the month. If you cause abrasions on the inside of your vag and introduce staph, that is your problem, not the cups. Do some research on TSS before displaying your ignorance.
to she:
i don’t really feel it pop open inside of me. i can feel it expand in my fingers, and sometimes i can hear a little noise, but no pain at all. as for your concern for tss, the cup does not leave particles behind, and you won’t have issues w/ broken areas of the skin because you remain very, very moist. when i started using the cup, it certainly wasn’t for the enviroment (although i am all for saving it, and i’m glad the cup is helping). pads gross me out, and tampons became such a hassle. i use the bathroom like once a day, and it inconveniences me to have to go 10 times a day for a week every month. the cup is much more suitable for me and my lifestyle.
I just ordered my sister and I diva cups (after much thought and deliberation) from iherb.com. They are $18.99 there but you can also get $5.00 your first order using this coupon code: POL105. I think that someone has posted a code before on here but I’m not sure if they expire, this one is new. The shipping was only $1.68 for 2 cups and orders over $60 the shipping is free which is awesome. The only website I saw it cheaper for was on organicpharmacy.org for $16 or so.. but they had no reviews anywhere so I didnt trust buying it from there. I cant wait to get my cup and use it! I love the idea of no more nasty tampon strings and no waste
I admit this thing needs a little getting used to and overcoming some of your own fears and discomforts, it also certainly gets strange looks and discussions when you share the DC joy with others… but to them i say “dont knock it till ya try it” because the DC is pretty rad for all reasons mentioned above. I love it. I am a little nervous about the amount I dispense… where do I go to see if that is normal?
Hmm I am seeing other interesting comments wondering if I should post on what I have learned over couple of days.
1. Insertion: I too have a hard time putting it in and twisting like they say for the suction to happen.. umm ya i cant twist a folded cup.. BUT, what i do is put it in and gently pll down and back up and mayb little pull down again… then i get this pop and thats the suction i was waiting for..
2. removal: u really should not have to reach in to your guyts to get to the top of the cup and then dump it all over the place, if you can squeeze just above that straw like part at the base of the cup and literally pinch it and pull out slowly, when you get towards the total removal angle it so part of the top of the cup comes out first not the whole shebang, thats wide and splashable… (oh and when you go to take ou do a little push kind of like a bowel movement, it brings the tip further down to grasp)
3. i dont see why you think you have to wear the thing all week without washing it, like someone said. i rinse mine almost everytime, cuz thats me and i can when im home. i also take it out before or in the shower… bathe nicely, wash it in warm soap water then insert before i get out
4. I have not had any leakage at all on any clothing and i have had a very heavy flow, i dont know how but i feel like i can feel when my cup is full, so i go to dump it and each time it is. been lucky i guess. i am usually the girl that goes through almost 2 boxes of tampons a month and pads to protect all my clothes. i cant wait to get rid of my period panties. undies shopping here i go!
oh and no more pulling out dry tampons! woo hoo
OK, I am sold. You can get them on ebay for about $18. I just ordered one. My motivation is that we have septic and no one can come up with a nice way to get rid of a bloody tampon-and my flow is too heavy to use just a pad.
Wish me luck!
I have been using my DC (NB: awful name) for 3 months. I will never use a tampon ever again. It always dried out after the heavy days were over and I ended up gasping with pain when pulling it out when things got dry…it was awful and painful.
In addition, I could feel the sides of the tampon tissue being torn off when it was pulled out. It was really, really unpleasant. However, when I started using DC all these problems went away and as well as my really really painful stomach cramps. This product is an amazing investment even though it seems a bit pricey at first. I’ve mastered the insertion after the 1st month. The trick is just in the feeling of it being popped open inside and then twist its stem to make sure it is in place.
However, I do not understand how people cut off their stems! I wake up in the morning and feel it so high up that I have to push it out and the only way I can get hold of it is by the magic stem! Anyhow, anyone who is tired of tampons should look into this. Not to mention the fact that is very eco-friendly. Good luck with it:D
Good lord. A TEN DAY CYCLE?! Sweet Jeebus, I didn’t even know that was possible. I will no longer complain when the Period Fairy decides to stay for a week.
I’m thinking about getting a DC now, by the way. I’ve only been getting my period for about 5 years now, so I’m still in for a loooooong ride.
But I think my mom would like it too…she’s going through that lovely time of life called menopause. Add in the eco-friendly and I am one interested chick.
Thanks for the post!
I ordered a Diva Cup last month and am trying it out for the first time now. It’s wonderful! It is a little messy when I remove it, and since I’m in college dorms there’s only a public washroom…but it’s so much easier than tampons, and I haven’t had any real problems with insertion or removal. I love that I’m producing less waste, and that no one else has to deal with my bloody tampons or pads. Yay Diva Cup!
she:
The divacup is regulated and has been tested.
When I first got my divacup I was really excited about it and informed my mom as well as other women in my life about it. My mother was very nervous since she had never heard of a menstrual cup and wanted me to talk to my obgyn before using it.
I went in my obgyn and she told me that menstrual cups have been out there since the 50′s and that they are perfectly safe. We are not a new generation of users but perhaps it has become more popular due to environmental concerns and the annoyance of pads and tampons.
I also remember researching the divacup and discovered that they have been approved by the FDA in the U.S. and by other organization in other countries.
http://www.rockabuybaby.com/content/diva_cup/diva_cup_regulations.html
As a sidenote; I have been using the divacup for about 6 months and still have problems knowing when it is in properly which has resulted in a number of leaks but overall it has been great and really made me learn about my body.
So I’ve been reading these reviews and finally have decided I’m going to get a Diva Cup (as soon as my poor college self has $30 all at once, pretty rare…)
I’ll say this right now though, I often have tamon leaks (though usually use just normal ones and try to replace them more frequently). Am I going to have to worry about leaks as much with the D.C., or will this problem take care of itself? I know a bunch of others have had leaks, but no one mentioned whether they ever had any with tampons or not before…
If you cervix is low, especially during your mense, DO NOT GO with a Diva Cup. It is too long. AND Diva Cup customer service won’t give a hoot. Though in the minority, this ain’t an isolated case but Diva Cup isn’t willing to put a warning on their site. After much research, those who had the same problem, found success with the UK Mooncup. You may also want to try Miacup. The small Lunette would be a possible third alternative.
Even after children, if your cervix rides low, the Diva Cup may be too long.
I have been using the DC for 4 years now & wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Many reviews are concerning leakage & I did have issues with this as well when it was new. I now have a foolproof way, for me and hopefully others, to prevent this though.
Some of you may not like the idea but if you are fine with your body, the DC can be folded as instructed for insertion and as you are inserting it make sure it is opening around your cervix. Automatically it seems to open up and I then know for sure that the flow will be going to the right place.
I also can’t say that I’ve ever had that popping open sensation to deal with. You just know that it has opened as you can feel it and as well there should be no pain.
As for swimming….. I’ve never, ever had a problem but you definitely need to make sure it’s inserted properly so make sure you do the trial and error before swimming.
Hope this helps
How old can you start wearing DC. My daughter is twelve and I feel she’s too young for tampons-and they are also bad for her.
The Model 1 size is for women pre-birth or the age of 30. I would try to work her up to using the cup. Organic pads, then organic tampons, and then the cup so that she can figure out her body and how to insert the product.
Started using mine when I was 16, a virgin, and very small and slight. No problem at all.
I just bought one online, and received it just in time. I was worried that changing time would be a disgusting mess. It’s not at all! I had a hard time putting it in the first 2 tries, right after I got it, and right before my period. Then I started my period, tried again, and it was just right! I sometimes get cramps when I first insert tampons in the beginning of my periods, and I didn’t with the DC. I am thrilled that I no longer have to worry about going on my tampon string, or having to change each time, and my tampon getting stuck to my skin from changing frequently (I have to go a lot more when I am on my period). I’m 37, and I sure wish I tried it sooner.
Erin I totally laughed at your comment about pulling out dry tampons. It’s the worst and that’s actually why I looked up this review. The dryness hurts so bad sometimes, I have to brace myself as I change my tampons. My flows are typically pretty light except for the first day or so, so I think the cup will lend itself well. I’m so going out to test this cup out because the dryness bit will effect me for days after my period is over. I think my only concern for the cup is letting it sit in there longer than regular tampons, but I suppose there’s no harm in being just as careful with changings to keep things sanitary. I’d probably get more than one for cleaning purposes.. but really.. thanks guys for these reviews. I’m usually so shy about this stuff and have been wanting to try the cup for a while.
I just bought my cup, and am using it for the first time now. I haven’t emptied it yet, so I don’t know yet how that will go, but inserting it the first time wasn’t too bad. Sitting here at my desk right now, I can sort of feel it if I flex my muscles down there, but not it any uncomfortable sort of way, just an awareness…I suppose that just as with tampons, that awareness will fade after getting used to it. I did have a little trouble trying to rotate it a full turn, but I feel like it worked ok anyway. I haven’t checked for leaks yet, but I can usually feel anytime I have even a small leak, so we’ll see. So far, so good!
I am curious how emptying the menstrual flow into the toilet or sink would affect the water supply.
If someone has AIDS or another contagious disease could it ever be contracted through the water supply?
Is the water filtered and processed enough to erradicate those diseases?
The Diva Cup sounds amazing, but I was wondering about any potential harm to the water supply.
I don’t have any type of disease but I was thinking about the Green aspect. No tampons, no mess just empty in the water……..hmmmm
Thanks for any feedback.
How does the DC handle over night? I only saw one mention of emptying it in the morning.
KK, I imagine that it wouldn’t be any different than any other form of menstrual control, considering that when you use the bathroom while on your period, you most certainly leak some of your period into the toilet on a regular basis anyway. As far as someone with disease is concerned, same thing, it wouldn’t be any different than normal, the filters at waste management stations and the chemicals used to clean the water before it is sent out along the pipes would most definitely eradicate any concerns of disease.
Patti, I used the diva cup for one cycle so far, but I feel like it is a great product. I have VERY heavy flow for the first half of my period each month lately (a product of stopping breastfeeding I think), and so I leaked a little in the beginning of my period using the DC, but once it let off a little I had ZERO problems with it. However, considering how heavy my flow was the first few days, when I woke up in the morning, I found myself rushing to the bathroom because I could feel myself just starting to leak out some. But again, as my flow lightened up a little, I had no problems with leaking overnight, and it wasn’t any more full than usual by morning. I would just like to emphasize that my flow is VERY heavy, so much more than normal right now. I had to empty the cup every 2 hours or so for the first 3 days of my period because it was full to the brim basically, so don’t judge the cup on my crazy periods. I felt that even as often as I had to empty it those days, most all people would not have to deal with that heavy a flow, and so leakage would not be a problem for most people. And having as heavy a flow as I do, I still LOVED using my DC and will never go back to tampons!
Wow, I found this discussion by googling to see what I could find about pain in removing the DC, and this has been very helpful!
I officially as of 20 minutes ago love the divacup. I got it at my local natural market a few months ago, but at first I hated it, finding it extremely painful to insert and remove, and very uncomfortable to wear. My vagina is kind of narrow, so I thought this was the problem. I quickly gave up on it.
But this cycle, I decided to give it another try, and it is working out so much better for me. I think part of why it was so uncomfortable to wear before was that the stem was too long (it would poke out very noticeably), so I trimmed it just to the first ridge, and it has made a HUGE difference. (I think it’s very easy to forget that a-quarter-of-an-inch-or-so isn’t very big in the way we’re used to thinking of it, but down there, it matters a LOT!)
Also, you do just need to get used to it. Putting it in does take practice to get it comfortable. The instructions say to turn it a bit, and I find I have to use my pushing-muscles to push it out a little so that I can grasp the base to turn it, and once it’s turned I just push it back up in there with my index finger. (I don’t experience a popping sound or sensation.)
I had to get used to the fact that I can feel it when I’m wearing it. A tampon I wouldn’t feel, but those are much skinnier, so that makes sense! The DC is wider, and I can feel it — I think I confused mere sensation with pain, at first. I am totally used to it, now.
Removal had been the hardest part. The great amount of suction can REALLY hurt, and when I did finally get the thing free, I would find that I had dumped my flow all over myself, what a mess!… hence me being grateful for this discussion, because it gave me two excellent tips. The first one was to bear down hard and push it out. I hadn’t been doing that before and it really helps! The second was to pinch the cup to break the suction. I was able to pinch the top rim of the cup and the suction immediately broke and I had zero pain, for the first time!
And I have another (perhaps obvious) tip to share with those that may be having the inadvertantly-dumping-flow-on-croth problem: the angle is crucial. I’d previously tried to remove it on a tilted angle, which I suppose would only naturally lead to cup spillage! But tonight I made a point to angle my hips in such a way that I could remove the cup at a straight-downward angle. It worked beautifully.
It is really exciting to get it all figured out! If you’re thinking of getting one but aren’t sure, DO IT! I, for one, am THRILLED at the idea of possibly never needing to use a tampon again!
To CM:
You were asking about how young one can use the cup and I seriously wouldn’t advise anyone to use the cup if they’re a virgin. I’m married but have no children yet (so I use the smaller size) and when I first tried using the cup, a couple of months ago it was difficult to insert as it was a tight fit for insertion. It is not at all like tampons which are much smaller and have the added help of a smooth applicator. On my first try to insert it the cup it opened way too early and was very painful (I can’t imagine how much more so it would have been had I been a virgin). I don’t know if this information is too late for you but thought I’d pass it along just in case.
For everyone else: My first trial ended painfully because 1. I accidentally let it open too soon and 2. I was rather dry that day. I actually didn’t use it at all that cycle or the next (we were on vacation and it just didn’t seem like the place to try something new) but now that I’ve figured it out and feel more confident it’s great!
One thing that I have found to be helpful with insertion is to go ahead and rinse the cup with warm/hot water prior to inserting it for the first time, the water adds a little bit of lubrication and since you use warm or hot water it warms up the silicone to make it a bit more pliable. Like others I have never actually heard a popping noise, but you can sort of feel it expand inside of you.
I would like to respond to “she” who is concerned that the Diva Cup has not been tested. If you go to http://www.divacup.com, you will find information stating the following:
“The DivaCup holds market approval by the U.S. FDA and is the only menstrual cup that holds market approval by Health Canada; consequently, it is the only menstrual cup that can be sold in Canada.”
I hope this helps to confirm that this product is safe to use and that you are not just sticking an “untested, unregulated plastic cup up their vagina to save the planet” (to quote what “she” wrote).
On another note, it’s been a year since I started using the Diva Cup and I still love it. I love that I don’t have to go to the store to spend time in the pads/tampons aisle anymore. It’s great for bringing with you on vacation as well since it’s small and barely takes up any additional suitcase space.
i only recently learned about the DC and am excited beyond words to get one and try it out. i hate the smell of being on my period, and am really hoping that these eliminate that. i like the idea of getting 2 or 3. as my sink is on the other side of the bathroom, this would help with clean up.
one question, if it’s not supposed to sit at the cervix, where does is fit? just somewhere inbetween?
The style of writing is very familiar to me. Have you written guest posts for other blogs?
I am definitely sold. Will be buying the DC before my next cycle. I think I have read over a hundred different reviews of this product today and I can honestly say that nearly every single review is beyond positive (drugstore.com, amazon, this website). I find this to be great because, I never have liked tampons. Besides the fact that every single year there are over 20 billion pads and tampons being thrown away in landfills(YIKES) and tampons are never 100% leak free on my heavy days which is so annoying. I always have to wear a pantyliner with tampons and I can never sleep in. And another annoying thing about tampons is that they do not keep the “odor” away, no matter how many showers I take in a day. I will take the advice of what someone mention earlier and buy 2 to 3 of them so at least when I change them, I wont have to worry about any drainage(at least on my heaviest days).
I’m 26 years old and hardly a virgin. However I do have a smaller vagina, and while I haven’t used the Diva cup yet, I would like to offer this suggestion that my doctor gave me about tampons when I was younger: do not be afraid to use a little lube for insertion!
That being said, I’m excited to try the diva cup after reading this review and all the comments! A couple of years ago I tried the disposable “Instead” cups and they gave me horrible cramping pain because of their large size! The DC looks MUCH smaller and more comfortable to use, I can’t wait!
I do however have one question. With the “instead” brand cups you can have clean intercourse while on your period. I can tell because of the stem on the DC that this will be in no way possible. Does anyone know of a smaller reusable cup that is okay for intercourse? If not, no biggie, I know I’m asking a lot out of a sanitary product!
To CM: remember how familiar you were (or weren’t!) with your vagina at 12? I would think this alone would make the DC very difficult to use. I know you feel tampons are bad for her, but I would at least make sure she feels comfortable with applicator-less tampons before introducing her to the diva cup.
Kudos for being concerned and involved with your daughters development! I had to figure all that stuff out on my own since my mom was too “private.”
I have never used the Diva Cup but I would like to. I found a video for those that are having troubles putting it in and taking it out. It sounds reasonable so I hope it helps.
http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-use-a-menstrual-cup-235591/
[...] Diva Cup Review by Boomerific [...]
I second all of the points of this post – the DC is incredibly easy to use, and makes being a girl so much less hassle. As long as I have my DC and ibuprofen I can forget about my period for the whole day. It’s great.
I’ve had mine for about a year and a half, and it was starting to discolour. I tried boiling water, baking soda, soap, etc, but nothing worked. Then I discovered that either hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol makes the discolouration rub right off and it looks good as new. The DC website says not to do this as it could “damage the silicone”, but it doesn’t seem to be doing so, and even if it does I can always get a new one. The benefits are worth the risks (purely $$ risks) in my view. Thought I’d share that with anyone else who was having the same problem.
If I empty and replace it and then have a shower, it is completely leak free. Otherwise whatever passed it in the process of emptying it can rub off a bit. Regardless, significantly cleaner than tampons.
To anyone who is wondering if they should try this product or not, by all means go for it, there’s nothing I would recommend more highly than the DC. As a virgin who is rather small and slight, I find it quite comfortable and easy to put in and take out. I haven’t had any problems that I haven’t been able to fix with the minimum of effort.
I HATE pads because of their sticky sweaty feeling, and I don’t like tampons because of the health risks associated. I’ve been researching this product for months and this review has sold it to me.
I have a couple of questions though.
1.I’m 16 years old and a virgin. Can I still use it?
2.What about at night time? Does it “go back inside?” Can you feel it swishing around?
3.Doesn’t it go everywhere when you take it out? It sounds messy.
Thank you.
Absolutely amazing. This has been my easiest period of my life.
Yesterday was day two of my period (the heaviest day), and the Diva Cup allowed for me to wake at 4am and not have to check the cup until 2 in the afternoon! It wasn’t even half full at that point! After that, the Diva Cup allowed for me to go from 2pm ’til 11pm without a removal! Considering past periods, I would of had to stop and change my tampon every hour on the hour. What a day!
I was able to actually go to a hockey game and not have to go to the bathroom and stand in line with the other 5 thousand woman having to take care of their periods at each break.
I am 30, and I have always considered my period the ultimate hassel. Though, I was looking for the Instead Cup that was previously put on the market (which allowed for intercourse), but I think I prefer the Diva Cup.
It is simple. no mess.
Meg:
I would definitely recommend against using the diva cup if you’re still a virgin. I wasn’t a virgin the first time I ever used it and it accidentally opened too early (I let go too early) and it was a rather painful experience. I’m pretty sure that it would be much more difficult to insert, possibly requiring some lubrication.
As for it “swishing around” I haven’t experienced this at all. Once I’ve put it in I am able to move around and sleep comfortably. I NEVER notice my flow once it’s in. I cannot even feel it like I can with pads and tampons.
I will say that it can be messy to empty at times. Mostly you have to make sure that when you pull it out that you don’t tip it over right away so that you don’t get the outside of it (and you) dirty. You will of course have some leaking while you empty and clean it (I luckily can reach my sink from a sitting position on the toilet) and so you need to clean up a bit before/after you reinsert it.
Keeper vs Diva Cup
I used the keeper for over a decade and then bought a diva cup when it was time to replace it. While they are very similar, I prefer the keeper.
The keeper has a long stem at the base. You can cut the stem to the length that you like. I recommend cutting a little bit off, testing out that length, cutting a little more if it is still too long, until you reach a length that is comfortable.
The stem on the Diva Cup is VERY short. This can make removal difficult. And those experiences alone, make me hesitant to use it again.
I just got a DC right before my period and have taken it out and put in back in twice so far. Seems great – need to work on my technique but I think it’s going to work out great.
How long can you keep these things for before they should be replaced? It says 1 year on the instructions, but I thought maybe longer…
Also, I seem to need to pee more often – anyone else noticing this? Maybe it’s just today, will have to wait and see how things go…lol.
Pretty happy so far with my purchase – paid $40 for it, so will have to try buy online next time.
I AM FRUSTRATED. up until a couple of months ago, i was using the keeper with satisfactory results, until the rubber cracked and therefor caused leaks. i’m NOT as satisfied with the diva cup as i was with the keeper. i find the silicone to be too soft. the keeper would just pop open once in place, but the diva cup tends to want to stay collapsed. it takes many tries before i finally get it. i use the larger sized cup since i’m over 30 and have birthed a child. even still, i have to wear a pad with it, and on my less heavy days, a liner. it doesn’t seem that my issue is over-flow, since when i take it out, the cup isn’t full. i also have encountered the cup falling out during a bowel movement. should there perhaps be an even larger sized cup? i’m not sure. all i know is, i miss my keeper.
I love the cup. I was introduced to it 2 or so years ago. My sister uses alot of organics. I was completely uncertain with the entire thing at 1st. I had so many questions. I went online and read everything I could find about it. Once I started using it, it took no time. I was amazed at how much easier it is. 1 problem though, I still have trouble with it hurting when I pull it out. I dont relax and I cant seem to sqeeze it together correctly, But its worth it. Is so easy and saves so much time and money. I will never go back to pads or tampons. I change it 1 time in the day and 1 time at night. Its great when your on the go. I dont have to stop every hour or so to check or change things. I used to dred that time of the month. Not so bad anymore. At night when I shower I clean it then insert it once im done showering.
I hate the public bathroom mess. It was so tense for me. Once you know how often you need to empty it based on your own flow then its easy to work around. Most can go most of day with only changing 1-2 times. I have tried to sell it to all of my friends and family.
Just ordered the Diva off iHerb – that code (HIN089) still works – they also offer the Diva Wash, which I also purchased. About 10 years ago, I began using the Instead, which worked amazingly well until they changed the “cup” part. It used to be slightly thicker – the newer, thinner “cup” leaked terribly, even when not full, so I’m really excited about this new Diva cup – thanks for all the insertion & removal hints!
I just ordered the Diva also from iHerb-the referral code it gave me for $5 off is: NOF218. Hehehe.
I’m excited to try this new thingy dingy. I ordered the “Pink” cup because I’m under 30. I’m wondering if I should have bought the “blue” one because I have had one baby vaginally, but I am 21. Any ideas?
I’ll try it and see how it goes!
To Tori and Meg:
This is my first go round with the DC, I’m in my 20s and a virgin and OH MY GOD it hurt so bad the first time. I did get some lube which helped but once I figured out the right way to get it in, I was fine, couldn’t feel it at all. Getting it out was also really tricky and hurt pretty bad, but again, once I figured out what I was doing it was fine.
I have been wearing super plus tampons for years, but this is a totally different ball game. It helped to do the “punch down fold” rather than the “C fold.”
I’m still in my ‘first cycle learning curve’ that I keep seeing, so I’m not giving up yet. I’m moving to Europe shortly and would rather not pack a suitcase full of tampons or try to figure out what to buy over there.
I’ve been using mine for over a year now, and have a few answers for some of the questions that have been repeated above:
Hard to remove:
Once in a while it will ‘slip’ up, or become slippery because of overflow. I find that if I bear down the little tip moves down to where I can easily reach it. If it is slippery I bear down, and using one sheet of toilet paper I can pinch the end and remove. The TP gives you just enough ‘traction’ to get it out without a problem.
Removal mess:
No, not messy. You pee, wipe, and then remove the cup and empty it between your legs, and wipe again. Eventually you learn when emptying the cup to shoot for the deaper water so it doesn’t leave any blood under the rim
The ‘waddle’ to the sink:
Tuck a couple of pieces of toilet paper against (not in!)yourself. Even on my heavy flow days (and I empty every TWO hours on heavy flow days so they really are heavy!) that is enough for me to get the almost 5 feet from the toilet to the sink and back safely!
I’ve converted a few friends to Diva Cup use and was just looking it up on Amazon for one of them and found it for $21.59. That’s MUCH cheaper than most places, even with shipping.
I just ordered my first Diva Cup from iHerb. I’m excited to try it!
Discount code YUS111 works as of March 2010!
I am a Diva Cup novice. I am actually a little ambivalent toward the cup. I get bad PMS, so my complaints about the DC might be irrational. I am on my second day and feel very uncomfortable the few minutes following insertion. I don’t know it the cup just hasn’t unfolded, but I will be sitting around doing whatever, and all of sudden I get a sudden pain where the Diva Cup would be. I think it is the cup unfolding and popping back into place. It is very uncomfortable and sometimes painful. Is anyone else experiencing this?
Overall I am happy with the product. This one discomfort is something I can get passed. Just still trying to get used to it. It is really messy, so I hope to figure out a system for myself. I have been reading previous postings, and appreciate all of the advice.
~Sara~
Hey,
And if you take it out in there… well…. its not as big of deal to spill.
just wanted to say…. Sara,
I had the same problem you’re having. What helped for me was doing it in the shower. If you put it in while your in there I’ve found that I am way more relaxed due to the steam and all
I jsut empty mine sitting on the toilet so that it spills right on in where it is supposed to go. I find that the angle makes it easier to empty like that too!
Also to help get it in right…. try different folds (Just youtube diva cup folds and prepare to be amazed!). I found that pushing one side into the cup works very well for me (I think thats called the punch down). I put it in like that and then push it up all the way then pull it out a little and twist it back and forth and once I can tell its open I push it back to where it should be. Oh and make sure you are putting it in horizontal.
If it is uncomfortable while it is in there… cut the steam. I was so scared to cut it because what would I pull on!? But after cutting off two of the ridges I can’t even feel it in place!
DONT GET DISCOURAGED!!!!
The first month is hard but i promise it gets better! I am 18 and have been using it for a year already!
Hey, this is my very first cycle with the Diva Cup and I LOVE IT!!! Much better than a tampon, and it does not dry me out. It is much cleaner than my experience with tampons as well. As for those concerned with overflowing, I have changed it quite a few times and have not filled it over the 1/4 ounce mark and it goes up to 1 ounce. I believe that there should be another model for those with above average flows but to my knowledge there is no such cup yet.
And as for changing/emptying it, for me it is the same as I did with tampons, actually less often. Once in the morning, afternoon then before I go to bed. I do wear it overnight, I love that it keeps the blood inside and not up my crack.
It is very comfortable. I have not had any leaks.
I will NEVER go back to tampons or pads.
For the public restroom thing, for me I can leave it in as long as needed to get to a private bathroom for clean-up. If you know in advance that you will have to change it in a public restroom and find it too bothersome, I suggest an using a different product.
Overall, I am highly and completely satisfied.
I will use the “Diva Cup” for the rest of my life.
I’m intrigued by the idea of menstrual cups, but I’m afraid it just won’t work for my current situation…
See, the first two days of my period are mad-heavy. I go through a “super” weight tampon every two-three hours. It’s bad enough having to run to the restroom to change that – I work in food service in a large public market, and the only restrooms are A) a two-minute walk away and B) open to the public as well as employees, which means absolutely no waddling would be possible.
Could anyone hazard a guess whether the Diva Cup could get me through a five to nine hour workday?
(though I suppose, ultimately, I’ll just have to try it for myself.)
Dentata, I recommend purchasing 2 cups to get you through those first two days. If you have a clean one with you in the stall to pop in then you can simply rinse out the soiled one while washing your hands – ready for next time. OR if you feel it won’t be clean enough to use again that same day, perhaps a third cup is in order. It seems you can buy them cheaply online if you look around so maybe that would be best for you.
Good luck!
I can go 12 hours without changing my cup, even during my heaviest flow days. My cup hath never overfloweth… it’s only gotten about 3/4 of the way full. So I only change mine twice a day: when I get up in the morning, and in the evening. Takes less than a minute to pop it out, rinse it, and pop it back in. It’s a snap. Love it.
I’ve been using my Diva cup for years now and love it for many reasons already listed on this site.
A few challenges though…
It is discolored, even though I clean it with soap several times a day and boil it in water after each cycle.
There also seems to be a funky smell…any one else have this happen?
The holes near the rim of the cup seem to have small red flecks in it and it seems impossible to clean there…thoughts?
I’ve been using the DC for six months. I’m 40 and have had two children. I LOVE the DC. I had an excellent first month, a frustrating second month and smooth sailing ever since. I like emptying/washing/reinserting it in the shower best. I use the punch down fold, insert it just beyond the pubic bone, hold it above the stem to give it a turn and then wiggle it up and into place. I usually empty the cup 2-3 times per day, 4 on really heavy days. Sometimes I pair the DC with Glad Rags which I bought at the same time. The Glad Rags are like new because I’ve had so few leaks.
I love the DC because I don’t feel like I’m sitting in my own yuck because it’s not yucky. I know it sounds weird, but the flow seems cleaner when it’s collected in the cup and emptied. There’s no odor. If I do have to empty it at work, I put a waterbottle in my purse, empty the cup, rinse it with a little water, dry it with tp and reinsert it. I like the idea of buying a second cup as others have said, especially for the prices mentioned above.
I also like the DC because it makes sex play more fun. No penetration, but it’s so fresh feeling that oral and other activities are just as much fun as any other time of the month, and I find a big O’s or two relieves cramping etc.
As for the blood collecting in the little holes, I just stretch the holes a bit under warm running water, scritch it with my fingernail, and it usually washes away.
I will never go back to tampons or plastic pads.
I just bought my Diva Cup from iHerb.com and it was CHEAP. $18.99 for the cup AND if you use a referral code (you can use this one: OWA942) you’ll get another $5 off! It’s also worth mentioning that the shipping costs at iHerb are very reasonable. I had the shipment delivered to Canada and it came in just over a week via First Class mail.
I’m really happy to read great reviews on the cup and have been waiting anxiously for my monthly friend to come so that I can finally give the cup a trial run. Like the other person who posted, I tested out the cup once I received it so that I could practice inserting and removing it before the “real thing”, which I thought would get messy if I couldn’t remove the cup properly.
I’m also concerned about the public bathroom situation but if the Diva Cup ends up working as well as I hope it will, I just might follow the advice of others and purchase a 2nd one for backup.
I can’t believe I didn’t even know these cups existed until less than a month ago! Such a great idea and it’s so nice that it’s environmentally friendly
Thanks for the wonderful review!
I just ordered my first Diva Cup and can’t wait. My cousin has used her for years and loves it so I had to try it. With my order I was given a code for anyone else to use for $5 off. With this code and standard shipping, it was only $23.10. Go to http://www.iherb.com and use the code: TIG870
Excellent java and a cool morning on the patio with the pet dog reading through some fantastic copy, what more can you ask for?
WOMEN WITH 5 DAYS + PERIOD – BEWARE OF THE DIVA CUP!
During a HPV screening, my gynecologist noticed noticed some irregularities… He was trying to identify what could have caused those and when I mentioned the Diva Cup, he said I should stop using it immediately. When I asked why, he explained that the main problem with the cup was that it retained all the moisture inside which can lead to all sorts of infections and small ulcers. He doesn’t recommend the extensive use of tampons either. Apparently, it’s important for cervix to “breathe”…
Hope that helps…
Hi, I’m a whitewater raft guide in the summer and spend up to 25 days a month on the river, my main concern is doing strenuous activities where I’m moving in all sorts of different positions. Has anyone ever experienced it moving and causing a spill. The cleaning of it will be a challenge, but I’m sure I can figure it out. Also, I use the nuva ring as my method of birth control. Has anyone tried using the two in unison. I usually still bleed for a day or so after inserting my nuva ring, but I feel like it would get in the way of the DC creating a seal.
I know that the Nuva Ring isn’t an IUD but I did see that Diva International says not to use a menstrual cup if you use an IUD and was wondering if there might be any correlation…?
I use them together (and have had them inserted together). It’s no problem. The DC website says it’s fine as well.
After reading all the reviews and Q and A, I can relate to ALL of the concerns/grievances others have regarding tampons/pads. I am under 30 but I have birthed 3 children, so I am hoping I’ll have any easy time with the larger DC. I think this sounds like an ideal product for a SAHM with a 24/7 private bathroom only a few steps away! Looking forward to trying it out
first off I HATE TAMPONS lol, and i dont like pads. ( even the light tampons are to painfull to insert and remove and leave me with that cotton crunchy dryness) blah. ( being extremly active with pads..i get heat rashes and bunches up ) so right now im using instead softcups ( not a bad product altho removal is a bit uncomfy and difficult ) so next month im ordering a diva cup
im very excited as i can now go hunting, camping in back country and not bring any thing menstrual related except 1 cup ( * does a dance *) ill need the size 2 im 26 and deliverd by c-section ( even tho you dont give birth vaginally your vagina is still alterd by pregnancy ) i dont however use any internal menstrual things overnight, to give my lady bits a rest. ( dont look at me like that…i use pads at night..haha no i dont just bleed everywhere ) so im super super excited.
OMG When I was just starting i had a 65 day period. IT WAS HELL!
You are so lucky. I thought that 20 days was average for a long time.
I have been doing a lot of research on the Diva Cup and I am thinking that I am going to have to try it out. One of my problems (but also incentives) is that I am going into college as a freshman and will be sharing a bathroom. I think that it is going to be a lot easier and cheaper using a DC, but I’m a little worried about cleaning it in the dorm bathroom. Has anyone had this problem before?
Also, I have a really heavy period due to endometriosis, which has been tamed with the help of hormones, but I still have awful cramps and an interesting cycle that causes me to go through super plus tampons like crazy the first few days. I’m a little worried about it over-filling and leaking, but then I guess most people haven’t had a problem with that.
After having finally found a brand of tampon that doesn’t hurt like hell to insert and wear (thank you, U by Kotex), I am concerned about having to wear tampons at night (because pads are icky and smelly, and I don’t think the roomies would be happy with that). Plus, tampons are SUCH a HASSLE.
Help? Comments would be really appreciated, seeing as I can’t talk to my OBGYN since I am moving soon and still have yet to find a new one.
I also have an extremely heavy flow and no endometriosis or other issues like that; when I started using tampons a couple of years ago (I’m 44 and my daughter reintroduced them to me) I had to use the super plus tampons AND wear a pad. With the DC I still have to use a pad because I still have leakage. The pros to the cup, my cramps have lessened, my cycle seems shorter by a day or two and I don’t have to
change every one to two hours as with a
pad/tampon. Being in a dorm situation, I would recommend a second one to have on hand to make things a little easier on yourself. I hope this helps. Also, magnesium calcium zinc tablets help greatly with cramping.
I am 30, sahm and on my second day using my new diva cup. I love it. I heard about it 5 years ago and was grossed out by the thought of it. Now that I have used it, tampons seem so much more gross!! I actually think my cup is interesting and awesome. And kind of fun. I’ve just told all of my sisters about it and they are excited to get their own cups.
I am on day 2 with my new DC. I am under 30, never been pregnant, and am very small in every (yes EVERY) way! I was VERY nervous about using the DC because of my small parts but so far it’s not as bad as I imagined. I seem to have insertion down for the most part, just a bit hard to first get it started going in. I do find it hard to get a grip on the end to twist it into place as it’s hard to get my finger tips inside the tight space:/ I have only removed it one time and it was, well, scary. It took me about 15 minutes to get it out (half of that time was panicking that it wasn’t going to come out). I had a hard time getting a grip on the stem to try and pull it down enough to be able to pinch the base to release the suction. I ended up getting some rubber gloves to try and get a better grip and was still having trouble. After I calmed down a bit I just squatted down again and pushed like I was trying to give birth, it took a lot of pushing to get that sucker down far enough to get a grip on it. I couldn’t squeeze the base enough to get the suction to release so I just kept slowing pulling and trying to breathe. I know some say there isn’t supposed to be “suction” but there most certainly is, I heard it when it finally came out and it was not quiet. As the large part was coming out it did pinch but the relief of successfully getting it out took my mind off that right quick. I know it will take a couple more tries to get into the groove of it all so I’m not going to give up! I do feel the stem when it is inserted which is kind of painful sometimes but until I get better at removal I don’t want to cut it down for fear of having to have my husband break out the needle nose pliers to pull it out! (not really but the thought did flash through my head) I think once I get the kinks worked out this product will be amazing and I am very surprised it works as well as it does with my small size. I’ll update with any useful info I learn along the way.
I’ve been using my DC for 5 months now, and only really got the hang of it after 3 cycles. My main problem was leakage at first but now that I can feel the pop sound and feel secure that the cup has fully opened I haven’t had any problems. My way of insertion is the punch down method. I start to rotate as I insert the cup halfway then again once it is inside until i can feel the cup open. I find that it helps to be quiet, even switching off the water tap helps, so i can focus on hearing the pop sensation. For me the best part of the DC is night time. I hate having to sleep straight; i usually look like i’m climbing a ladder when i sleep. I look forward to never having to wear pads again. My only regret is that i didn’t know about this wonderful product before.
I just wanted to say, for help with insertion try a water based lubericant while folding (I use the punch down method). Works like a charm.