Jun27
My Cup Doth Not Runneth Over
When they say motherhood changes everything, they aren’t kidding. They mean business. And today, I’m going to talk about the change in the vagina business. Man, does motherhood change THAT or what?
I remember when I had my first period after having a baby and suddenly my favorite tampon fell out of favor. Perhaps my innards are a lot lower now than before having kids because placement of the tampon was an issue. And the leaks I had. Oh the leaks! Gesh. And the 7+ day periods, what a fun way to spend a week.
Then one day I stumbled upon The Secret that changed my period forever..
Ever since that fateful day 3 years ago, my vuh jay jay has been living the life of a Diva and we have no intentions of singing another tune for quite a while.
Oh dear Diva, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways…
#1 You took me from a 7+ day period to a 3 day period.
#2 I only have to deal with your every 12 hours for those 3 days.
#3 You don’t turn my vuh jay jay into the Sahara desert like those tampons did.
‘Nuff said.
In preparing for this review, I was curious what other’s reaction would be to such a device and needless to say, it wasn’t what I would call positive. There were several “ewws”, a “yuck” or two and even a “wtf”. I hope I can clear up some of the confusion over the Diva Cup, so let’s take a look at a few of the questions I received.
“How Does It Work?”
The Diva Cup operates on the K.I.S.S. philosophy.
Fold cup and insert. Give it a twist so it opens up. Come back 12 hours later. Remove. Dump in toilet. Wash with soap. Repeat.
On to other concerns….
Comfort
“Can you feel it?”
No, I don’t even know it’s there. I sometimes forget I’m on my period.
“What about suction?”
Relax. You won’t experience anything like this.
It’s more of a seal than a suction. It’s a menstrual cup, not a Hoover. The seal prevents the leakage. If need be, gently press on the side to facilitate removal.
“Will it get stuck?”
Let me reassure you that you are flattering yourself and your vuh jay jay that I’ve never had it to get stuck. Come on, I’ve given birth. Nothing will get stuck up there ever again. And even if you haven’t given birth, I highly doubt it could get stuck.
The Mess & Gross Factor
I’ll ease the fears that you may be subjecting yourself to some type of blood bath by using this. The Diva Cup is no messier than a tampon. And while I have gotten some blood on my fingers from time to time, they’ve yet to rot off from contamination. Soap is a marvelous thing.
“Is there spillage?”
I suppose if you’re really clumsy? Do you mean leakage? Every now and then I have leaked a bit but nothing that a panty liner can’t handle. We’re talking spotting instead of leaking. I had a lot more leaks with tampons and I tried all sorts of brands to find one that wouldn’t.
“Is it smelly?”
While I’m not wafting the freshly removed cup beneath my nose to get a true measure of smell, I think I can safely say there is no smell. A period smell usually comes from a pad where the blood has oxidized with the air….or you have an infection on up in there and in that case, you should see your gyno.
“Isn’t it gross because it isn’t disposable?”
There again, soap is a marvelous thing. Didn’t you know that your mouth has more germs and bacteria than your vagina and you certainly don’t think twice about sticking your fingers in your mouth. And speaking of hands, those aren’t exactly disposable either….or sanitary. The butts you wipe with them, the boogers you pick, the gunk that gets under manicured nails. Eww! Soap, I’m telling ya, soap! Besides, the cup is actually more sanitary that tampons. Check out the Diva Cup website and the Q&A section for details.There may be some collective consciousness at work here and we mistakenly think we’re dirty down there. Perhaps that is where the “eww” is coming from. Or perhaps some just have a problem with blood. Either way, if those are mental hang ups you can’t work through then this product isn’t for you.
But, if you’re a more embrace-the-change kind of person then I highly recommend it and why wouldn’t I? It’s easy, hypoallergenic, little to no leaks, comfy, no smell, not to mention the little bit of help we’re giving the environment, and I’ve heard other women say their periods became shorter after using the product too.
I love the Diva Cup!
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Shauna Jun 28th 2007 at 01:04 pm 1
Thanks, Heather! I just got my period back today! I hate pads. I hate tampons. And now I’ve got another option!
Janet a.k.a Wonder Mom Jun 28th 2007 at 01:17 pm 2
I couldn’t wait for this post!
Sounds good.
But, (you know me) I have one more question…How does it shorten your period?
Because lemme tell ya….I’m ALL OVER that!
Great review Heather.
Devan Jun 28th 2007 at 01:23 pm 3
Thanks for this review! I’ve been wondering about this Diva Cup and thinking about trying it when I get my period back.
Any thoughts on exactly how or why it shortens your period?
I’m definitely getting one.
Karen Jun 28th 2007 at 02:06 pm 4
thank you - seen this so many times but never knew if it worked…until now!
karrie Jun 28th 2007 at 04:13 pm 5
Long time Diva fan here. I have to stop myself from accosting random shoppers in the tampon aisle at Target to try and convert them.
Shelly Jun 28th 2007 at 05:05 pm 6
Okay, I just ordered one. I’d heard of them before, but never in this detail from someone I trusted. (You ARE trustworthy, aren’t you??) Pads are gross and I swear I am allergic to tampons. Plus, as you say, after giving birth, tampons just aren’t the same. & you didn’t even touch on on the money you’ll save because tampons are expensive!!! I hope this thing is as easy and great as you say.
Heather Jun 28th 2007 at 06:39 pm 7
I wish I knew what magical properties made the visit from Aunt Flo shorter. I only know of testimonial from the message board where I first heard of the Diva Cup and the numerous moms there who said their periods became lighter also. And myself, of course.
Now granted, some of those moms didn’t switch to the Cup but to pads. But all went from tampons to either pads or the Cup. I *think* there are some theories floating around that the dioxin residue left in tampons could possibly be the cause but who really knows.
I don’t chalk it up to coincidence that within the first couple of months of switching to the Diva that the length of my periods cut in half. But I have no scientific proof to back me up.
moosh in indy. Jun 28th 2007 at 07:05 pm 8
I’m trying it just for you girl.
Jen Jun 28th 2007 at 08:31 pm 9
I don’t know, you may have convinced me. Of course now I’m pregnant and I won’t be able to try it out and by the time it’s time I’ll have forgotten. But it’s a convincing review!
Jennie Jun 29th 2007 at 04:29 am 10
OK now I want to try that one- sounds better than the disposable one I have previously used…. but I am really hoping for shorter periods. Of course, I use pads so maybe that won’t happen for me… but here’s hoping!
Jennifer Jun 29th 2007 at 04:48 am 11
Is it weird to say that I’m excited to try it?
Mommy Daisy Jun 29th 2007 at 10:31 am 12
I have used a similar product and LOVED it. I won’t go back either. The one I use is called Instead. It’s disposible and available at Walmart at least. But same concept. I would say my periods are shorter and easier now too. I think my next step is to buy the Diva Cup. I think it will save even more money. I love that you did a review about this. I’m a huge fan of these products!
Sheena Jun 29th 2007 at 10:51 am 13
Wow, I was just thinking about this thing yesterday. I really want to try it. I hate pads, like someone said they are gross so I don’t use them. This could really save some me some money. Thanks for this great review!
Sheena Jun 29th 2007 at 10:53 am 14
Correcting my typo
*This could really save me some money*
meredith Jul 4th 2007 at 07:13 am 15
I own a Diva. Love it. Will never go back. I did find that once I cut down on that little part that hangs down, I was MUCH more comfortable.
I’ve had mine for close to 3 years now. Won’t ever part with it.
Tulip Mom Jul 7th 2007 at 10:08 pm 16
Let me preface this by saying I hope I won’t need this cup for a LONG time.
However you have definitely convinced me to give it a whirl (or a twist) the next time I do. Thanks Heather!
Cate Jul 12th 2007 at 11:43 am 17
Wow! I’ve been tempted to get a Diva Cup for a couple of years, but wasn’t sure…until now. Now that I’ve read a review by someone I “know” and trust(?)…;-)
Thanks Heather!
Christina Jul 12th 2007 at 04:18 pm 18
I totally respect your review. haha
But
I wouldn’t want to try it. Sticking to pads. I don’t even like tampons.
Christina (another one!) Sep 1st 2007 at 06:20 pm 19
Heather, you’re a hoot - I thoroughly enjoyed your essay.
Me - Diva Cup user for 1.5 years now. Backing up with cloth pads. Loving it.
I am totally with you.
Toy Oct 2nd 2007 at 08:49 pm 20
Thanks so much Heather, Love your reviews! I just bought a DivaCup today…but I think I am already too far into this cycle to use it…Ummm, but I was just soooo excited that I went and bought it anyway! I have heard great things, can’t wait to try it…I hope it works out as great for me as it has for the majority!
Estela Nov 6th 2007 at 05:26 am 21
Could you please write “vagina” instead of “vuh jay jay”? I appreciate your review and I want a divacup, but the term “vuh jay jay” irks me, because it makes it sound like some women are embarrassed to use the true word: vagina. Vagina! Vagina! Vagina! (Let’s say it with pride!)
Sarcastic Mom Nov 7th 2007 at 12:32 pm 22
haha @ the above comment!
Maybe as long as we know what we’re talking about, who the hell cares what we call it?
And this diva cup, wow. I had never heard of this before today. I’m totally into this.
My Vuh Jay Jay may well be thanking me soon.
Dee Nov 16th 2007 at 10:14 pm 23
If I’d known about this a couple of years ago, I might have saved myself from a hysterectomy at 43. This could be an alternative for a lot of women - or at least buy them some more child-bearing years before hysterectomy.
Great review! I’d buy one if I had use for it.
weero Nov 3rd 2008 at 10:20 pm 24
I have recently begun using the Diva Cup, and I would like to add that it also, in my experience, reduces cramping (as compared to tampons). In addition I just generally feel that it is cleaner and healthier than tampons. Since I’ve started using it, I actually don’t think of my period as all that gross. Apparently, a large part of the grossness was leftover bits of tampon hanging around.
And obviously, if you’re thinking about switching over from pads it will get a lot less gross, because it will eliminate the unmitigated disaster that is a period set free. And it will grant you all the freedom and range of movement of a tampon.