The DivaCup!

Warning: This post is about menstruation.  Do not continue reading if the subject will make you uncomfortable.

What is the DivaCup?  The DivaCup is a budget and eco-friendly menstrual alternative to pads and tampons.  It is made of medical grade silicone that can be reused for the duration of roughly a year.

Why the Diva Cup?  I first heard of 'menstrual cups' from my college roommate.  She was a veteran with this product and explained the whole spiel to me.  I thought ,'Oh, that's neat' but dismissed it thinking I was getting by fine with my routine.  But honestly, my routine sucked.  With my heavy flow, I needed tampons AND pads for the first 2-3 days of my cycle.  Any girl can easily calculate how much money I was spending. =(

Hit the jump for more.

Image from divacup.com

So my frustration finally got to me last month and I ordered the DivaCup from Amazon.com.  I waited around for my period to put this baby to use.
The instructions give you two options on insertion.

 or 

(Images from Divacup.com)

The second option worked best for me.  My hooha was having none of option 1!  Once you get the cup inserted, pinch the end and rotate it as you push it in further.  This creates an airtight seal that keep the cup in place and prevents leaks.  Just for my own security, I pulled on the stem to get a tugging sensation that let me know that seal had formed.  The cup doesn't go up as far as a tampon does.  You should be able to find the little stem with your fingertips.

To take it out, pull the stem until you can pinch the bottom of the cup to break the air seal.  I recommend hovering over the toilet for this part so you can immediately empty the cup.  I was a little nervous about dropping the cup!  xD  Rinse the cup with water and reinsert.

So how well did the DivaCup control my flow?  I spotted only once on my first day, most likely because I hadn't perfected getting the seal. Even with Super Plus tampons, I always spotted which was why I had to wear pads at the same time.  When I checked my cup to empty it (every 8-10 hours), it wasn't even full!  

Any cons?  I did get some minor chafing so I will have to find a solution for that next month.

To care for my cup, I also ordered the DivaWash only because it was a guaranteed formula that was safe for the cup and me.  The website does say any odorless mild soap will do.  Also, the cup should be sterilized in boiling water every so often as well.  The cup comes with a cloth bag to keep it in.  Apparently, the silicone needs to breath so plastic bags are not ideal.

I spend about $40 on the DivaCup and DivaWash which is a great deal considering it is good for a year instead of buying tampons and pads for a year.  When disposing of the cup, the website says to cut it up into little pieces and the silicone will degrade over time.

I think I may have converted.  I wonder if I can get anyone else to try it?