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DivaCup - BPA-Free Reusable Menstrual Cup - Leak-Free Feminine Hygiene - Tampon and Pad Alternative - Up To 12 Hours Of Protection - Model 1
Size | 1 Count (Pack of 1) |
Brand | DivaCup |
Color | Clear |
Material | Silicone |
Item Diameter | 42 Millimeters |
About this item
- Reusable Period Cup: Say goodbye to tampons and pads with comfortable, eco-friendly protection
- Silicone Menstrual Cup: Made of 100% medical grade silicone with no chemicals, plastic or dyes
- Made For You: Ideal for anyone between the ages of 19 and 34, who haven't given birth vaginally
- Recognition: The DivaCup is recognized by the Society for Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada
- Certified B Corp: Our company meets the highest standards of social and environmental performance
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From the manufacturer
Challenge the period status quo.
We’ve been out here revolutionizing the period game for over 15 years. But, don’t just take our word for it, check those reviews.
You'll get the hang of it in no time.
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Why switch to the DivaCup?
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Less waste.300 lbs. 300 bloody pounds – that’s how much waste the average person creates in a lifetime using disposable period products. |
Less cost.Want to save that money? The DivaCup can be used for up to a year, and sometimes longer. So, do the math and switch to the DivaCup. |
More time.Spend less time worrying about leaks and looking for bathrooms. The DivaCup can be worn for up to 12 hours, depending on your menstrual flow. |
Product Description
The DivaCup is a reusable, bell-shaped menstrual cup that is worn internally and sits low in the vaginal canal, collecting rather than absorbing your menstrual flow. Menstrual cups have existed since the 1930s when women were searching for an alternative to the choices of the time. Yet, its breakthrough into the feminine hygiene industry is much more recent.Many women feel uneasy about changing their menstrual care routine. Years of dealing with the sights and odors of disposable tampons and pads cause the familiar reaction: “ick!”. The DivaCup empowers women to connect with their bodies and menstrual cycles like never before. Perfect for all activities (on air, land or sea), its easy care and use make for a better period experience. Wear The DivaCup for up to 12 hours without leaks or worry.
Product details
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
- Product Dimensions : 2 x 5.9 x 3.5 inches; 1.6 ounces
- Item model number : RDC10672343
- Department : women
- Date First Available : January 10, 2004
- Manufacturer : Diva International Inc.
- ASIN : B000FAG6X0
- Best Sellers Rank: #38,274 in Health & Household (See Top 100 in Health & Household)
- #31 in Menstrual Cups
- #3,129 in Sales & Deals
- Customer Reviews:
Compare with similar items
This Item DivaCup - BPA-Free Reusable Menstrual Cup - Leak-Free Feminine Hygiene - Tampon and Pad Alternative - Up To 12 Hours Of Protection - Model 1 | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | ||
Price | — | $44.99$44.99 | $37.99$37.99 | $44.99$44.99 | $37.99$37.99 | $37.99$37.99 |
Price Per Unit | — | $44.99 / Count | $37.99 / Count | $44.99 / Count | $37.99 / Count | $37.99 / Count |
Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | — |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Suction power | 4.5 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 4.9 | 4.4 | 4.8 |
Leak protection | 4.1 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.5 |
Easy to remove | 4.0 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.5 |
Sold By | — | Pattern. | Pattern. | Pattern. | Pattern. | Pattern. |
size | Model 1 (Pack of 1) | 2 Piece Set | 2 Piece Set | 2 Piece Set | 2 Piece Set | 2 Piece Set |
material | Silicone | Silicone | Silicone | Silicone | Silicone | Silicone |
Videos
Videos for this product
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TMI ALERT! *HONEST* & Open Review of Diva Cup!
Julie Slonski
Videos for this product
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Cup Educational 2023
Pattern.
Important information
Directions
Sizing:<BR>Model 1 - For women under 30 years old who have never delivered vaginally or by c-section. <BR>Model 2 - For women over 30 years old and/or for women who have delivered vaginally or by c-section.<BR>Easy-to-use instructions enclosed.<BR>Flatten <BR>Fold <BR>Insert
Legal Disclaimer
Actual product packaging and materials may contain more and different information than what is shown on our website. We recommend that you do not rely solely on the information presented and that you always read labels, warnings, and directions before using or consuming a product. Please see our full disclaimer below.
Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the environmentally friendly aspect of the product. They say it's reusable, making it better for the environment. Customers are also impresseded with the performance, saying it works well and functions perfectly. They are happy with value, and leakage. However, some customers disagree on fit, comfort, ease of use, and cleanliness.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the product very worth the money, affordable, and a good long-term investment. They also say it lasts a year, so they don't have to buy expensive tampons. Customers also say the cup is the best period product ever created and is good for their wallet.
"...The cup eliminates the need to carry pads into the wilderness (yay, weight savings!!!)..." Read more
"...It's very affordable. A one-time cost of about $30 doesn't even come close to the repeated cost of expensive tampons and pads...." Read more
"...This thing is freakishly cheap for someone like me...." Read more
"...Save money, manage your menstrual cycle more easily, be more environmentally responsible, stay active, make life simpler, learn about the wonderful..." Read more
Customers like the leakage of the product. They say it has better leak protection than a tampon, and lasts all day without spills.
"...I know that it has better leak protection and a higher capacity so I can do what I want to do without nearly as much worry as when using..." Read more
"...This sucker stays perfectly in place. It doesn't budge. It doesn't leak. It doesn't wick...." Read more
"...Day 1 - a few hours later - welp, we've got some leaks. I'm disappointed. Is it too small? Should I have gotten the bigger size?..." Read more
"...For me, it didn't last 12 hours on my heavy days. It never leaked, but it felt full and extra crampy after about 6 hours, and when I changed it,..." Read more
Customers like the performance of the product. They say it functions perfectly for the full 12 hours, works well when laying down, and is immediately effective. Some say the cup is great and better to poop with than a tampon.
"...The #1 works perfectly, and that may be because a)..." Read more
"...This suction also provides a fool-proof leak prevention that works amazingly well. You may be thinking, "But that's so gross!..." Read more
"...and it works for me just fine...." Read more
"...All worked perfectly, there were zero leaksDivaCup Size 1 is for prebirth/under 30. Size 2 is postbirth/over 30...." Read more
Customers find the Diva Cup to be environmentally friendly. They mention that it has low environmental impact, zero risk of TSS, and is reusable. Customers also say that it's better for Mother Earth and saves the planet and money.
"...The Diva Cup can be reused for several years, making it super eco-friendly...." Read more
"...Save money, manage your menstrual cycle more easily, be more environmentally responsible, stay active, make life simpler, learn about the wonderful..." Read more
"...So not only is the Diva Cup healthier for you, but it's healthier for the environment as well...." Read more
"...Better for the environment and for you without the additives used in regular menstrual products.Cons:-..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the comfort of the product. Some mention that it leaks less and is more comfortable, while others say that it's just a slight discomfort, has a strange feeling at first, and is difficult to get out.
"...comfy and supposed to be good for ladies with yeast infections, non etsy]..." Read more
"...It doesn't budge. It doesn't leak. It doesn't wick. It doesn't pinch/poke/rub or otherwise cause pain or chafing...." Read more
"...you to do to make sure it's in correctly doesn't work for me; it makes me sore and I can't get a good grip on the thing to tell if the cup is..." Read more
"...dryness whereas the medical-grade silicon of the Diva Cup is very comfortable and smooth (and cannot leave behind any fibers)...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the ease of use of the product. Some mention it's really easy, and there is absolutely no way it could get stuck. They say it'll be much easier to insert. However, others say that inserting was a small learning curve, and required a little bit of digging around.
"...it most efficiently, but once you get the hang of it, it's as easy as a tampon...." Read more
"...alone, you can tell that for MOST women, this means no mess, no muss, no fuss except for twice a day. Heh...." Read more
"...Insertion was a small learning curve - at the beginning, I did mess up and get uncomfortable poking of the cup stem into my vaginal walls/outer labia..." Read more
"...Just remove it and try it again. It gets pretty easy with practice.PHYSICAL ACTIVITY..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the cleanliness of the product. Some mention that it's cleaner and better for their vaginal ph, it'll make them feel cleaner, and it'd be easy to clean. However, others say that cleaning during use is pretty gross, they're bewildered by the cleaning instructions, and there are very light, hard to see tiny stains on the white silk pads.
"...It's also easy to clean...." Read more
"...I find a menstrual cup to be less messy than hand washing period underwear in the sink or having a garbage can full of used tampons and pads...." Read more
"...caveat: there are very light, hard to see tiny stains on my white silk pads and white fleece pads using this method - whatevs right?..." Read more
"...to have to worry as much about anything related to periods, to feel so much cleaner, and to not have to deal with the dry cotton of tampons...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the fit of the menstrual cup. Some mention that it fits right to them and is very comfortable, while others say that it was too large and uncomfortable. Sizing can be tough, and some customers like the product but do wish it would fit better.
"...the stem, again, is probably too short for those afflicted with pacman-pockets like mine, it never sticks out and is always way too deep inside...." Read more
"...Also amazing: I swim, bike, and run. This sucker stays perfectly in place. It doesn't budge. It doesn't leak. It doesn't wick...." Read more
"...I'm disappointed. Is it too small? Should I have gotten the bigger size? Will I be one of those people that can't use these?..." Read more
"...that provide a suction to your vaginal walls, which means it conforms to YOUR body type...." Read more
Reviews with images
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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BASIC WONDERS
I was a diehard disposable pad girl until I started enjoying camping and the great outdoors four years ago. Tampons dried me up too much/hurt/smelled and I didn't know anything else existed. The cup eliminates the need to carry pads into the wilderness (yay, weight savings!!!) but most amazingly, it eliminated the smell that pads get after you've been using them for a few hours. Why didn't I know about this sooner!!???!! Diva cup has also been amazing for traveling around the world. No more worrying if I brought enough pads/am carrying enough with me during the day! Just go pee, dump it out, continue on your way. Four years of owning my cup and it is still going strong.
INSERTION TIPS
Insertion was a small learning curve - at the beginning, I did mess up and get uncomfortable poking of the cup stem into my vaginal walls/outer labia. At first, I put the cup super low in my vagina and it hurt (my cervix descends during most periods making the entire vagina short). Turning the cup inside out to make it shorter makes it too wide to be comfortable for me. Over time, my vag canal has become longer on my period - between that and trimming the cup's stem, I no longer get poked. The stem is easily trimmed with regular scissors (only do a little at a time so you don't take too much away!!!). Note there is a way that you can "walk" a low sitting cup up deeper into the vagina to prevent poking. Insert, pop the cup open (run finger around outside rim to be sure it opened correctly and that you cannot feel your cervix [cervix is a bump in the vagina which feels like the tip of your nose. you may feel a small 'hole' which is the entrance to your uterus] - note blood comes out of your cervix so if the cervix is outside the cup, it does you no good), hold stem/cup base with thumb and index finger, push up slowly & gently and while rocking the cup side to side.
I used to be more 'tight' (virgin) and could only do the punch-down fold (any other fold was too big - there are so many folds, please google them to find one good for you!). Since then, I have worked my way up to the C-fold for insertion. Water based lube is your friend if you're worried! Avoid silicone because silicone lubes can change silicone materials like the divacup. The punch-down fold was great when I didn't have an IUD, but since getting one, the C fold is an easier way for me to guarantee not catching the IUD string between the cup and the vag wall. The moment I really "got it" as far as insertion was watching a youtube video where a lady uses a cylindrical vase to represent the vagina (definitely look for that one; author "the cup guru"'s "How To Use A Menstrual Cup").
IUD BIRTH CONTROL
For me, it's been four periods with both the IUD and Diva cup. I left my IUD strings long but you can have them trimmed super short. The first 2 periods, I used the punch down fold. The next two I switched to C-fold. Before insertion, reach up and push the ends of the IUD strings up as high as you can get them, preferably wrapping around cervix; then insert cup low in vagina. Gently and slowly "walk" the cup up into the vagina using steps described above. During removal, go slow. Feel around the rim to make sure the string didn't migrate down to hang outside the cup - that happened to me once when I had the cup low and subconsciously squeezed my pc muscles really hard while squirming around (if that happens, push inwards on the rim at the spot where the string is, push string up into the cup so you don't pull on it during cup removal). Squeeze stem and cup gently to break suction, "walk" cup down the vagina; tilt stem up slightly to make for easier removal (your vaginal canal runs more perpendicular to the length of your body, not straight up and down) I've had no problems with IUD expulsion (*knock on wood*).
REMOVAL
The first time you try a cup removal, try doing it at home with no pants on (and on tile floor/in the tub if you can) to avoid messes. If not on your period, you can practice by filling the cup with a *little* plain water, inserting cup, and removing. It took about 2 periods until I got comfortable with the angle at which to pull. I stand with feet shoulder width apart/wider, knees bent. In public bathrooms, I still usually put a ~1 square foot paper towel/toilet paper on my underpants crotch because I'm clumsy and have dumped an entire ounce of blood on my pants before. As my period goes on, the vag walls become more slick with mucus so both insertion and removal become easier. If it remains difficult for you, try smearing the cup outside with a water-based lubricant first.
CLEANING
I use [clean] toothpicks to clean out the little holes at the top. If you pull the cup really hard (don't break it though), you can stretch the holes a little in the shower and let the spray of water clean out clotted blood from the holes too. During my period, I'll wash the cup with a few drops of divawash once a day. I sterilize mine once a month in a 2.5 Quart Aluminum Cook Pot with Lid Stansport 2.5 Quart Aluminum Cook Pot with Lid : chosen because I didn't want handle(s) sticking out of the side. I'd much prefer enamel (avoid potential chemical leaching), but at the time, there was no enamelware with no protruding handles (now there is: Blue Speckled Enamelware Convex Kettle w/Lid-2 Quart, 4.5H x 6.5D ). The pot can double as a place to soak cloth liners (although I just let the blood air dry on mine; no dark staining on cotton flannel!) or place to hand wash bras. To sterilize, drop cup into pot of boiling water for 10 minutes, drain water, pick cup up carefully with clean paper towel, dry cup off, shove into cloth bag until the next use (don't forget about it as silicone can melt if the pot boils dry).
LEAKS
I always use the cup with a cloth pantyliner because I've been known to forget the cup is in (yes, it is that comfortable) and it overflows. I used to empty it every 8-12 hours. Since getting the paragard copper IUD, I need to empty it every 2-3 hours. Sometimes a public bathroom isn't available and I've leaked through my pants (it's situations like that where a heavy [cloth] pad would have been handy). My cup only leaks when the cup gets too full (this cup is the wrong shape for some womens' bodies so they need another cup brand to avoid leakage - and that's okay!).
STAINS AND ODOR
My cup stains a little towards the middle of the period, but amazingly, the stains disappear after its monthly boiling. An unpleasant odor tends to develops inside the cup (not on the outer sides) half way through my period. That also goes away with boiling. My body chemicals may just make me lucky - no residual effects on the silicone....but if your cup staining and smell doesn't go away, try hydrogen peroxide (lingering odor and staining from healthy individuals can be very normal). I've been thoroughly checked for vaginal diseases by my gynecologist because I freaked out when the cup&midperiod-blood started smelling bad/not metallic (everyone says when the cup is inserted, the blood isn't exposed to air; they said the internal blood would only smell bad if there was some sort of bacterial infection! I'm here to say that is not always true. With the plethora of reviews online today [not as prominent when I started using the cup], you can see that a bit of odor is not unusual, but if you suspect something, keep calm and see a doctor. they can give you peace of mind/treat you for anything). Smell not noticeable from full cup while fully inserted.
ADVICE ON BACK-UP PANTYLINERS/PADS (recommendations)
Sometimes I forget to insert the cup until I see faint pink on toilet paper after urinating (problem recently fixed with reminders from the android app "period calendar/tracker" from abishkking - recommended free app). That means for at least the first period day, there is a little blood on the lower vaginal walls which continues to flow downwards outside of the cup. To keep underpants clean, disposables are fine but wasteful&polluting. Reusable cloth options are way better and cheaper in the long run. See the big cloth pad companies' websites for a sample cloth liner for the price of shipping (party in my pants, lunapads, gladrags). Lots of etsy sellers sell liners & pads cheap with fabulous cute prints, many fabrics (I love cotton flannel; some come with a bottom layer or PUL [a medical grade plastic to prevent leaks]), and professional stitch quality. Combinations of flannel, quilters cotton, minky, silk, fleece, corduroy, denim, nylon, interiors (bamboo terrycloth, zorb) and more!
SHOPS: google caroline's creations 09 [my personal favorite], pinklemonadeshop [silk liners! comfy and supposed to be good for ladies with yeast infections, non etsy], sew sweet creations, sweet sydney bean, mother moon pad, or fuzzibunz mama cloth [non etsy] as my recommended sellers. Thong liners available in some shops. Amazon also seems to carry a nice reusable selection these days.
Liners & pads ***don't*** have to be soaked in water after use!!!!!!!!!! The only time my cloth developed a smell was during soaking when I forgot to change the water daily. That smell was ****awful**** (and I *know* bad smells after having cleaned men's restrooms)! Get any smell out with multiple applications of Bac out Biokleen Bac-Out Stain and Odor Eliminator-32 fl oz. ; but following these steps below, you won't need to do anything for smells: if liner/pad is blood soaked, rinse with water and let air dry (you don't even technically need to rinse if you get it to dry fast enough). If there are only small to medium spots of blood, just let it air dry. Place dried pads in laundry bag. Toss in with regular clothing in the washing machine [weeks later is okay] (no special soaps, water temperatures, pre-treating, nor fabric color sorting needed. no fabric softener.) - just do what you normally do. The dried blood completely washes out (trust me, my cotton flannel pad tops look like new even though they get blood on them every month from small leaks/my accidents. Your experience with staining may vary of course, but letting the blod just dry doesn't preclude sanitary pads after you send them through a washing machine. [caveat: there are very light, hard to see tiny stains on my white silk pads and white fleece pads using this method - whatevs right? no one else looks at my pads but me and washing machines take care of any blood related ickyness people talk about]. On dark pads, I do have minor bleaching from acidic vaginal secretions so buying dark cloth pads won't necessarily save you from *all* discolorations....)
TAKING LINERS WITH ME ON THE GO
Just in case I need a new liner in the middle of the day (accidental spill/leak), I carry liners around in a planetwise wet/dry bag Planet Wise Travel Wet/Dry Bag, Owl (plus a plastic produce bag or those non-crinkly small plastic bags giftstore purchases come in, to prevent leaks when carrying soiled pads). A ziplock or a Blue Q coin purse (plasticized recycled grain fabric ) Blue Q Peacock Zipper Pouch or a Logan+Lenora Wet/Dry Logan + Lenora Wet + Dry Diaper Clutch - Small Cloth Diaper Wet Bag with Dry Pocket - Carry Wipes, Diapers, Creams, Cloth Pads, Breast Pads, or Toiletries - Made in USA - Waterproof (Downtown Athenian) are other options I alternate between. Items labeled wet-dry bags (like the ones I listed) usually have a water resistant zipper. Keep new liners in the dry pocket, used liners in the wet pocket. Wet bags are sold in many etsy stores in delightful patterns and sizes.
WASHING CUP IN PUBLIC BATHROOMS
Sometimes handicapped stalls include a sink - that's perfect for washing a cup after dumping the contents out. I went as far as to buy a perineal irrigation squeeze bottle DYND70125H - Perineal Irrigation Bottle with my new divacup (for situations when one has no running water); effective but totally unnecessary. I almost always forgot the bottle at home anyways. A wad of toilet paper will get all visible traces of blood off your cup (and almost everything off fingers). I always feel a little self conscious walking out of a stall with bloody fingers after insertion, but then I think: "eh, you'll probably never see the other ladies again/they're probably too embarrassed to say anything to you. Menstrual blood is NATURAL - you're not dying; just move on with your day, wash your hands. The menstrual blood was just inside your uterus, if it had encountered gross bacteria/viruses up in there, here's a hint, those buggers would already all over your body/bloodstream. Probably in your mouth too; what are you going to do, never floss again?" You can wet a paper towel to carry into a stall for a hand wipe too.
EXERCISE
I love that I can swim with a cup in and not have to get the weird water gush feeling one has with tampons (tampon absorbs water and when you squeeze your pc muscles a little, it's like wringing a sponge).
During ski season, my butt doesn't get cold when the blood in a traditional pad would cool off.
OTHER MENSTRUAL OPTIONS
If you're looking for a travel menstrual cup, look at the Intimina lily cup compact which folds down like those silicone camping cups. It packs away slightly smaller than the diva cup (but isn't as stiff, so removal requires more concentration to avoid spills).
Look into menstrual sponges for period sex (I have a review for them) or the Instead softcup Instead 12 Hour Feminine Protection Cup 24 ea . Natural sea sponges ( Premium Ultra Soft Sea Pearls Reusable Sea Sponges - Multi Size 3 Pack ) or synthetic (gynotex or beppy) - note sponges not FDA approved but that doesn't mean it can't be 'safe enough' for you (see my sponge review for my opinion).
TSS
Cups don't seem to carry the same level of TSS risks as tampons do because they don't absorb the fluid and hold it next to a lot of your internal tissue (however I have heard of two cup-TSS cases where they believed blood in the little holes incubated bacteria and the specific chemistry of the female let the germs bloom. The literature doesn't say how long the cups were in but it could have been longer than 12 hours. That being said, I've left mine in for 24 hours with no ill affects (as have many others posting in online forums); YMMV.
If you're uncertain about whether or not you want to try the Diva Cup, I say just go for it. I didn't know exactly what it would be like, but I'm really glad I tried it. I won't go back to tampons because there's no reason why I should.
Benefits of the Diva Cup:
1) It eliminates waste. After using the Diva Cup - even for just a few months - it seems ridiculous to think about the amount of waste generated by using tampons or pads. The Diva Cup can be reused for several years, making it super eco-friendly. And if you decide to use the DivaWash as well, that's also pretty good for the environment.
2) It's very affordable. A one-time cost of about $30 doesn't even come close to the repeated cost of expensive tampons and pads. Even if you have to buy two or three in your lifetime, you're saving tons of money by using the Diva Cup.
3) Out of sight, out of mind. Because the Diva Cup has such a high capacity compared to a single tampon or pad, you can essentially forget about it once you figure out how often you need to empty the cup based on your flow. It's nice to be able to go places without worrying about leaks or having to get to a bathroom to change your tampon. I've found that I can enjoy myself more on days when I'm having a heavy flow, because the Diva Cup gives me peace of mind. I know that it has better leak protection and a higher capacity so I can do what I want to do without nearly as much worry as when using tampons.
Plus, the higher capacity means I can usually avoid emptying it in public bathrooms, which is nice from a hygienic standpoint. On heavy flow days, I can safely go five hours without emptying the Diva Cup. On lighter days, I can easily go ten to twelve hours. I also no longer have to worry about rushing to the bathroom when waking up in the morning like I did with tampons.
4) It's cleaner. Because it is better at protecting against leaks (the Diva Cup sits lower than a tampon does and the wide rimmed cup easily catches everything), during normal flow I don't even need to use a panty-liner for backup. And because it's safe to insert the Diva Cup the day your period is expected (if you have a very regular cycle), you can avoid the mess of finding out you've started.
5) It's easy to use. It takes a few cycles to get used to the Diva Cup and learn how to insert, remove, and wash it most efficiently, but once you get the hang of it, it's as easy as a tampon. My suggestion is to read the directions a few times, take a little while to practice the first time you're using it, and see which method of folding & inserting works best for you. There are a couple different ways to fold the Diva Cup in order to insert it comfortably (don't be alarmed by how big it seems when you first see it!) and after trying both a few times, it is easy to tell which works best for you.
It's also easy to clean. I bought the Diva Wash along with my Diva Cup, but I just use a bit of the wash once daily during my period, and rinse thoroughly with hot water the other times. That seems to clean it sufficiently.
Overall, I'm extremely pleased with the Diva Cup, and I'm very glad I decided to try it out. I won't go back and I recommend it to anyone who's tired of the many problems with tampons.
Top reviews from other countries
Yes, the cup makes my work-outs a joyful experience now.
However, objectively, this cup is not for everyone.
The capacity is lower than a number of other cups and the Diva itself is longer whereas many people may require shorter ones. (I've been considering getting a shorter/higher capacity cup for my first two days, then using Diva for the remainder of my cycle when my cervix moves back up. Yes, your cervix moves during your period. This is normal. The Diva is good in that it's less likely to ride up higher if your cervix is higher due to its longer length making it easier to pull out.)
There is also a learning curve people may find irritating. Completely understandable. A cup isn't meant to be shoved into your vagina. You need to fold it first, insert it (aiming toward your behind, not straight up; you need to get it past your pelvic bone), then jiggle it until it "pops" open, ideally still aimed partially toward your behind before you adjust. (Adjust by gently - emphasis on gently - wiggling and pulling to verify that your cup is vacuum-sealed in there.)
For those exhibiting pain such as one of the 1-star reviews I read, you're likely opening your cup too close to the vaginal opening/front of your body and are hitting your urethra. Hitting your urethra hurts, so try not to do it. It'll take practice, but it's worth it. If this isn't the problem, then you may need a smaller cup. Also totally fine and normal. We don't all have cookie-cutter vaginas.
To get the cup out, you don't tug the stem like a barbarian. Doing so may hurt you. You stick your thumb and index finger in, squeeze the bottom in to try and break the suction and wiggle it closer to your vaginal opening, then you move your fingers in higher, curl the cup into something resembling a U shape, and pull it out. Remember to pull down. If you pull forward, you may hit your urethra and if you've read this far, then you know what that means. Ouchie!
The blood can be dumped into the toilet, the cup rinsed/washed, and re-inserted. (It's recommended to carry either a water bottle or a second cup in public places if you anticipate needing to change.) Diva is fun in that it includes millilitres, so you can see how much blood you're losing between changes, though keep in mind that blood isn't the only thing you're losing. Other vaginal fluids will end up in there, too.
One common point of confusion is leakage (which can happen, especially if you're inexperienced and/or leave your cup in too long), then you pull the cup out to find that it's only half-full. Remember, the cup is inside. So is your cervix. Your cervix can (and in my case, sometimes does) lower itself into your cup or end up there during insertion, stealing some of its capacity. This is normal. It just means changing more frequently.
My period is relatively light, so I get away with 3-4 changes in 24 hours, but sometimes, you need more. Again, we're not cookie-cutter vaginas or cookie-cutter bleeders. This will not be true of everyone.
In conclusion, if you are investigating getting a cup for yourself, the most important thing to do is wait for your period, insert a clean finger, and find your cervix. (It feels kind of like pursed lips and no, the cervix is not how far your finger can go into your vagina. Often, your finger can miss your cervix if you're not looking for it/don't know how to find it. Don't fret. It takes practice.) Measure throughout your period where your cervix is and where it moves to figure out what you need in a cup, size-wise. You may wish to own more than one to accommodate your cervix positions through-out. That's totally fine.
The Diva is a very long and relatively firm cup that may not be for everyone.
If you need something shorter (lower cervix), softer (weak pelvic muscles), or with a larger capacity (heavier period flow/less frequent changes), there are other cups available.
However, for myself, this cup is absolutely perfect, and I suggest that you don't write it off, because it may be for you, too.
It's sturdy, proudly boasts a Made in Canada label, and reduces waste. (Both of the garbage and financial variety.)
Whatever your decision, I wish you luck.
Happy cupping!
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