For Women Only: The Diva Cup

This topic is for women’s eyes only! At least, I’m sure you’ll prefer it that way

Do you  ever get tired of paying for costly feminine products during “that time” of the month? TSK- I sure do! The coupons for those things STINK! And what about the health risks with tampons, “Toxic Shock Syndrome” and all?  Well, I just may have the perfect solution for you-

THE DIVA CUP

The Diva Cup is a menstrual cup that is used *kinda* like a tampon- Except it catches the flow, it doesn’t “absorb” it. You simply pop it in and empty it every few hours. On heavy days, I check it every 3-4 hours or so. On light days, you can leave it in for up to 12 hours- YES- 12 HOURS! That means more uninterrupted errands, running, volleyball, ice skating, yoga- You name it! Best of all, you can use it over and over and over, since it is made of quality silicone and is latex free. No danger of toxic shock syndrome here!

The Diva Cup comes in two sizes. Size 1 is for women under 30 who have not had a child. Size 2 are for women who have had a child or are over 30. Be sure to choose the right size for you.

I have found several sites that are helpful for learning insertion/folding methods: one from livejournal, and one from lunapads. Lunapads also did this neato video.

Here is my Diva Cup story:

I heard about the Diva Cup from my sister. She had discovered it one day while she was looking at a cloth diaper store online. She told me about it and I had a good laugh! How could that work? What a mess! But once I heard about it once it came up EVERYWHERE. The natural living forum on my local area mommies network. A friend of mine’s blog. It was in many online stores that I searched for natural toys and things for my son. So when my period returned after the birth of my son, I purchased my Diva Cup.  Since it was after my son was born, I of course purchased the size 2. It seemed like the perfect purchase for me- I love to save money and waste! And I don’t really like having to unclog the toilet!

So I got home, read the instructions and popped it in! Problem solved, right? No more pads, tampons and worries, right? Wrong! That thing fit funny…and it leaked. It didn’t feel funny, at least. While I certainly knew it was there, it is not nearly as annoying as a tampon. That was the very first thing I liked about it. I was using the “C” fold that the package directions describe.

So I tried it out that whole first time (about a week for me) and it leaked and leaked. Frustrating when you expect it not to, like so many sites say. Yet leak it did. Sometimes a lot. And sometimes, like, not at all. I wondered if I had folded it correctly, if I had it in the right position, if it had opened up all of the way. *Shrug* How could I know? So I just kept using it! It got easier, and it seemed to leak less. The first week I used the Diva Cup I used about 10 pads and no tampons (about one pad for each day and each night). And I have long periods. Not to shabby…

Round two and beyond. I had discovered there are more than one type of fold! Yay! (See, you’re starting out with more knowledge than me already!). I settled on the “punch down” method for my body type. It works wonders. I had a much more confident experience the second time around! I would say for round two I decreased it to about 4 pads (on my heaviest days/nights) and a few pantiliners at the end (just in case).  Since then I have worn it during the night on my heaviest day and not one drop leaked onto the pad. Yippeeee! Now, that is NOT to say I have this thing all figured out. I still deal with a bit of leaking the first three days when it is the heaviest. I have determined that perhaps because of the way Caspian made his entrance into this world, there is no menstrual cup that can stop every bit of leakage for me . But who knows, I’ve still only been using it now for 6 months. There may be more to learn.

The way I figure it, even if it leaks a little the first 2-3 days of my cycle, this thing has still brought all kinds of value and savings to my life. 4 pads for my whole period? A few pantiliners? That means a pack of pads will last me through 4 whole cycles. 4 months! WOW! And no tampons? C’mon. And I think there is much less trash, mess and other unpleasantness involved. I’m sold.

You can read more about the Diva Cup HERE or do a Swagbucks search on it for more information. I have found the best price on the Diva Cup HERE. Now, when purchasing a Diva Cup, it makes sense to purchase it from a reputable buyer…none of this “Never used” stuff on Ebay. What if they’re lying? :-/

Go ahead- Give it a try!

Here’s to living- happier, healthier more FRUGAL lives!

~~FrugalMegan~~