There is! Consider a menstrual cup like The DivaCup. Now if you’re like me, you just went “gross” at the thought of inserting a silicone cup in your vagina and starting wondering how nasty it would get to remove it. But stay with me.
The DivaCup: Latex-free, BPA-free, plastic-free; No dyes, colors or additives; Comfortable, reliable; Clean, convenient, easy-to-use; and worn for up to 12 hours at a time."
Consider what life would be like without having to always worry about your tampon leaking or the string showing when you’re swimming...
Consider how you won’t have to make those middle of the night runs to Target to buy new pads and tampons because you ran out...
Consider how much better your might feel if you weren’t shoving a product made with bleach, plastic and God-knows-what-else into your body...
Are you getting over the gross factor?
I have to confess that when a friend told me about the DivaCup five years ago, I thought about it, said that I really should buy one and then didn’t. It sounded disgusting, I wasn’t sure how it would work, and who wants to talk about “girly” issues like that? Let’s talk about the book you just read, or the cute things your kids are doing these days instead. And then I got pregnant and breastfed so I didn’t need to worry about the whole once-a-month hassle. Gosh, that was nice. I started thinking about it again about a year ago ... But I couldn’t bring myself to buy one. And then a months ago, another friend shoved a DivaCup package at me and told me to just try it. My period was expected the next week, and so I took it. Figured it was perfect timing.
That’s not to say I didn’t have ALOT of questions about this oddly shaped silicone cup I was going to shove UP THERE. I read the instructions once, twice and three times. I popped it in and then panicked. I was sure it was stuck. I was going to have to suffer the embarrassment of going to the hospital to get something I’d shoved UP THERE stuck. Oh dear. I wouldn’t be able to look anyone in the face ever again. It was the end of the world.
But it wasn’t. I read the instructions again, specifically the part where it says NOT TO PANIC, and I pushed down as though I was delivering my baby again. The cup popped out. Thank goodness.
The first day was awful, I have to admit. It felt uncomfortable, and I wasn’t sure what I was doing wrong as the instructions promised it shouldn't hurt at all. I was mildly grossed out when I removed it to empty it and clean it out, but hey! I’ve been changing disgusting diapers for a few years now and this is only blood. My blood. The next day was better, and by day three I felt like I might actually stick with it. I have always hated grabbing that dumb string and wondering what had gotten on it; and then I always worry about the odor. Apparently blood only starts to smell when it’s been exposed to air, which is why pads are so nasty. There isn’t that type of problem with the DivaCup.
What I like is that you only have to remove and rinse it twice a day. Not like tampons where I had to check every two to three hours to be sure I wasn’t leaking. Morning and night. That’s it.
I’ve heard that for some woman, their flows lighten with the use of the DivaCup. I don’t think that’s been documented, but it would be a nice perk. Because of all the crap in tampons I can see how it would mess things up in the vaginal canal and lead to more bleeding.
TAMPONS AREN’T THAT HEALTHY FOR US — AND THEY’RE EXPENSIVE
Did you know that you could be experiencing health issues because of your tampons? Yep. As divacup.com points out: “Most tampons and pads contain surfactants, adhesives and additives. In addition, most pads contain polyethylene plastic whose production is a pollutant. Also, dioxin, a known carcinogen, is a by-product of the bleaching process of tampons containing rayon. In landfills, many of these substances can leach into the environment (groundwater, streams and lakes) causing serious pollution and health concerns.”
Tampons are also contributing to our landfill issue, and the applicators are showing up on beaches. An estimated 12 billion sanitary pads and 7 billion tampons are dumped into the North American environment each year (1998). More than 170,000 tampon applicators were collected along U.S. coastal areas between 1998 and 1999. That’s both gross and disturbing.
Most women spend between $150 to $200 on tampons and pads, and we consider that a necessary expense. The DivaCup costs about $40. I know for sure that the Seward Co-op in south Minneapolis carries it. Go to the web site to check other locations. www.divacup.com
ABOUT THE DIVA CUP
The DivaCup is available in two models, one for women under 30 years old who have never delivered vaginally or by caesarean section or another for women over 30 years old and/or for women who have delivered vaginally or by caesarean section.
The menstrual cup was first developed in the 1930s. Early versions were made from rubber latex, which many are allergic to. The DivaCup is made of a soft, top-quality silicone. This silicone is not the same type of material used in breast implants. No chlorine, dyes, colorings or additives of any kind are used.
The DivaCup company is owned by a mother-daughter team, Francine and Carinne Chambers. According to Carinne Chambers, “Not every woman can afford a hybrid car nor easily convert their home to solar power. Yet, by choosing to use a menstrual cup instead of disposable tampons and pads, any woman is able to make an environmentally responsible choice each month. This is no small matter. In the U.S. alone, billions of tampons and pads are dumped into landfills and the environment each year.”
“With all the state-of-the-art conveniences Western society has developed, it baffles us why outdated feminine products are still being used. We believe that reusable menstrual cups are the next generation of feminine hygiene because they are the most environmentally responsible choice. They are also the most convenient and reliable option available and are not linked to Toxic Shock Syndrome,” said Francine Chambers.
Tell it like it is, Francine! I’m always wondering why we’re using such annoying and old-fashion practices. Like The Pill. Don’t get me started on The Pill. (I’ll save that for another post.)
Got questions? I’m sure you do, so here are a few answers from DivaCup.com.
Is The DivaCup messy?
Almost every woman's initial reaction to The DivaCup is, "Ewww! That's gross!” When tampons were first introduced it took quite a while before the concept caught on. Once you take the time to learn about The DivaCup, and actually try it for yourself, you will be pleasantly surprised about how clean and NOT messy it really is.
The cup sits low in the vaginal canal and you can avoid reaching inside the vagina by pushing the cup out slightly. Simply bear down on the muscles for removal. Most women find that once they start using The DivaCup that every other method is messy and gross!
Just imagine a product that actually lives up to its expectations: no leaking, no odor, convenient, comfortable, clean AND helps to save the planet! It's hard to believe that all this could be a reality, but try it for yourself and you will see that it is true.
Is there odor with The DivaCup?
No, there is no odor when using The DivaCup. Menstrual flow only begins to develop an odor when it begins to oxidize and break down from being exposed to air. Menstrual fluid on pads is exposed to air, so it does create an after odor. Tampons are not as bad since they are worn internally, but they can still create odor.
Can The DivaCup be used for light and heavy flows?
The DivaCup works very well for women with light or heavy flows. The DivaCup holds one full ounce and the average women only flows about three to four ounces in her entire cycle. For most women, the cup is not even half full after 12 hours.
We always recommend you empty the cup, wash, rinse it, and reinsert it at least every 12 hours (2 times a day) even if your flow is light.
Women with heavy flows will simply need to empty the cup more often. The convenient ounces and milliliters measurement feature allows women to actually keep track of flow and accurately report flow details to their health professional.
Can I sleep while wearing The DivaCup?
Yes! You can wear The DivaCup for 12 hours at a time, so you have the convenience of not having to think about your period all night long!
What do I do in a public restroom?
Most women find that they do not have to remove The DivaCup more often than every 12 hours, and that taking it out in a public restroom does not occur very often. However, for women with heavier flows, or on the occasion you need to empty it in a public restroom, simply remove the cup, empty the contents and use a dry or damp tissue to clean the cup and reinsert. Make sure your hands are clean before going into the stall. Wash your DivaCup well with warm, soapy water at the next convenient time.
Is The DivaCup sanitary?
Yes, when used as directed, The DivaCup is more sanitary than tampons or pads.
The DivaCup is made from top quality, healthcare grade silicone, which is 100% latex-free, plastic-free, BPA-free and odorless. It is non-absorbent and does not disrupt one’s natural vaginal environment.
The vagina is self-cleansing and continually producing fluid that “flushes” the vagina. Tampons (rayon and cotton) absorb this protective fluid and can disrupt the normal acidic vaginal environment.
Remember to wash and rinse your hands before inserting and removing your DivaCup. Wash your DivaCup well with The DivaWash or a low or balanced pH, unscented soap and warm water at least twice a day. The best cleaning agent to use is The DivaWash. We have formulated it to be pH balanced at 5.5, which is best for the cup and you, as it does not leave residue. Also, it should be boiled for five to ten (5 -10) minutes at the end of each cycle. Please review the Cleaning and Caring category in the FAQs for boiling instructions.
Can you wear The DivaCup during intercourse?
No, The DivaCup is bell-shaped and worn low near the vaginal opening. It should be removed before intercourse. The DivaCup is not a birth control device and should not be used for this purpose. The DivaCup is regulated by the FDA and Health Canada solely for use only as feminine hygiene protection.
Can The DivaCup become stuck? If it happens, what do I do?
It is highly unlikely that The DivaCup will become “stuck”, because the vagina is only approximately 4 or 5 inches long! If The DivaCup moves up and becomes harder to reach, simply push down (or bear down) with your stomach muscles (similar to having a bowel movement). Reach inside the vagina and pull on the stem until you can reach the base of the cup. Squeeze the base.
Make sure that you are relaxed while doing this so that your vaginal muscles do not become tense. Once you have squeezed the base to release the air, pull the cup out at a sideways angle. This allows more air to enter the vagina, and it will then be able to be removed easily. If you still cannot reach The DivaCup, squat on the floor. This will automatically lower the cup because this position shortens the vagina.
The important thing to remember is not to panic as this will make the vaginal muscles very tense and can cause the cup to be harder to remove. If the stem feels “slippery”, wait a bit, relax, and try again by bearing down on the muscles. This will push the cup down to the lower part of the vagina, then you will be able to pinch the base and remove.
Why shouldn't I store The DivaCup in a plastic Ziploc bag or other plastic container?
The DivaCup should not be stored in a plastic “Ziploc type” bag or other plastic container. It’s impossible for moisture to evaporate when using plastic storage. It’s best that The DivaCup be stored completely dry in a cotton bag to allow air flow. Bacteria thrives in moisture.
Good for you for trying it out!!
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