I have a friend, let’s call her “The Diva Cup Pusher,” who was trying to talk me into this world of the reusable period cup. She warned me every month I was putting bleach and toxic chemicals into my vagina, and it was extremely harmful. I knew she was right, but the thought of this cup filled with blood just hanging out inside of me, left me feeling uneasy. I didn’t trust it as far as I could insert it.
“What if it gets lost in there?”
“It won’t,” she promised. “But if it does, just bear down like you are having a contraction or are constipated. It will ease out.”
She went on to explain how you fold it like a taco, slide it in, and spin it like a top, which creates the necessary suction to hold it in place.
I can’t tell you how many times I stood in the natural food store and debated buying the Diva Cup and taking it home with me. But I would always talk myself out of it. I just couldn’t picture The Diva and me getting along. I would leave empty-handed every time (and by that, I mean I would spend the money on organic wine instead).
I went ahead and did my research before I committed to purchasing this blood collector. These vases for your vagina come in two sizes: Model 1 (if you have never birthed a child) or a super-size version (aka Model 2 — for if you are over 30, have had a child, and have dried up and been put out to pasture).
I opted for the super-size, and I am not trying to brag here, but I totally could’ve gone for the smaller one (and I have three kids, so there).
I still couldn’t picture myself making friends with a shot glass for my hoo-ha even after I brought it home and read the instructions five times over. I kept trying to fold it into the taco shape my Diva Cup Pusher friend had described, only to have it spring out of my hand like a jack-in-the-box.
On top of trying to glide this thing in with the proper origami folds and the right amount of turning — not to mention removing of the slippery plastic cup — you need to get yourself some Diva wash or put it in a pot of boiling water every now and again to keep it sanitized.
But I pushed (and turned) ahead, and when my next crimson wave hit, my Diva Cup handled the rough seas like a freaking pro. And I was elated. I am not going to make it sound more wonderful than it really was — it took a few tries. But after I got the hang of it, my periods improved more than I ever thought possible. Here’s why:
1. No more leaks.
I am a runner. Sometimes I head out and run for over two hours, and that cup stays in place the entire time. No leaks.
2. Once you get the hang of it, you are good all day.
I am able to wear it all day, only changing it in the morning and at night before I go to bed. That means no more changing pads or tampons in public restrooms!
3. It pays for itself in a few months.
It is a little alarming to see the price on the box ($25-ish), but when you realize you don’t have to throw money down every month for tampons and pads and that you can spend your saved money on lattes instead, it becomes a no-brainer.
4. My cramps have almost disappeared.
This is the biggest perk for me. I noticed a few months into my relationship with The Diva, my cramps were almost nonexistent. I used to have to take six Advil a day during the first two to three days of my period, but the last few months, I haven’t needed any. I am not saying this will be true for all women, but I have talked to quite a few friends who said they noticed their cramping lessened after they switched to the Diva Cup too.
While the Diva Cup isn’t for everyone, I am glad I finally made the switch. It is different, and a lot of women aren’t sure if they can trust it to keep them safe and dry all day. Really, I get it — it took me a few years to get onboard.
But what I am trying to say here is that I love my Diva Cup. I love the money I save, not having to deal with leaks, not buying/wearing tampons or pads every month, and how I can get through Aunt Flo without popping pain pills every few hours.
So needless to say, I highly recommend it, and remember, don’t worry about it getting stuck in your cave of wonders, just bear down and make primal noises a few times, and you can ease that sucker right out.
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