Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Review It Wednesday -- Guest reviewer, Wanda, shares her thoughts on the Diva Cup!

Green Grandma has asked me to review the Diva Cup, after learning that I've been using it and loving it for a little while now. About two years ago a friend asked a bunch of ladies if any of us had used the Diva Cup. Having no idea what it was, I searched online and discovered this intriguing “new” idea. (It's actually been around since the early 1900s, in an earlier form.) I purchased a redesigned silicone menstrual cup from our local cloth diaper shop, Peekaboo Bottoms in August 2009 and have been using it for about one and a half years. It took about three months to really get used to it and know how my body worked with it, but now that I've been using it for a while, I love it and would never go back to the waste of tampons.

In my opinion, using tampons is the equivalent of using paper plates. Why continue to spend money and waste resources on paper products when you can purchase one item that will last so much longer? I enjoy being “green,” but beyond that, I thrive on being thrifty. I would guess that the Diva Cup, which cost me about $45, has saved me over $60 in the last 18 months. And there's no end in site! The makers of the Diva Cup recommend that it is replaced after one year, but then they go on to say that if it is cleansed properly, appears to have no defects, and causes no irritation, the consumer can decide when to replace it. I've read of women using the same cup for years without a problem.

The website for the Diva Cup has a great FAQ section, telling you about which of the two sizes you should choose, how the cup is inserted, how and when you remove it, etc. Having read through all of that before I made my purchase, I can tell you that you really do need to just go for it and give it a try. You will learn along the way. You may need to wear a liner for the first couple cycles, just to make sure you don't leak while getting used to the way your body works with the Diva Cup. But once you figure it out, you'll be so glad you did!

Beyond being thrifty and green, it's much easier to be out when you have your period and never worry about running out of “supplies.” It also has a larger capacity than tampons and can safely stay in place for 12 hours, so it is much more convenient. (There are tips in the FAQ section that go into more detail about using the Diva Cup while out and about.)

The rest of my review gets kind of messy. So if you're really not feeling like the Diva Cup is for you, you should probably stop reading now.

Or if you don't want to read about a woman's body or menstruation, well, make the first available U-Turn and get out of here!

If you don't even like the word “tampon”... Please stop now.

This is your last warning. It gets personal after this. And messy.

The Diva Cup does affect your other body functions. The cup sits against the urethra and often slows down the flow when I need to urinate. It also sits against the rectum, and occasionally I will feel the need to have a bowel movement immediately after inserting the Diva Cup.

To make sure the cup is properly in place and to remove the cup, you will get your hands messy. If you are not comfortable putting your fingers on or in your vagina then you will not feel comfortable using the Diva Cup. I went from using o.b. Tampons (less waste than the typical tampon) to the Diva Cup, so I was a great candidate to use it!

When it is properly in place, I cannot feel the cup. If I can feel it, it means that it isn't secure and I'll probably end up leaking. So I go back and fix it. The best way to test it is to put it in and then push as hard as you can, as if you were having a bowel movement. It should be fully ballooned out and stay inside you. If it is not, you'll need to try again. My technique is to fold it into a U-shape, as described on the FAQ page, partially insert it and then let it open and fill with air. I push it the rest of the way in and push on the side of the cup to let a little air out. This way I know that it has properly ballooned out. When pushed by your vaginal muscles, it should stay resting against the lip of your vagina. If it doesn't, just push it in a little further and give it a twirl around. It should settle into its spot nicely.

Now when I see women buying tampons in stores and I feel kind of sorry for them. I can't really just walk up to them and start telling them about the Diva Cup. But I'm so glad to be able to tell you!

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The manufacturer of the Diva Cup has graciously offered to send a Diva Cup to someone in the Green Grandma community who would like to give it a try after reading Wanda's review. I will have a drawing (using Random.org) on Monday, January 24. All you have to do to be entered in the drawing is post a comment below indicating that you would like to give the Diva Cup a try. No hoops to jump through here...just post a comment! Of course, it would be nice if you became a follower of the blog and/or a fan of the Facebook page : )

To read more about Wanda, visit her blog Wanda Whoopie Cushion

85 comments:

  1. I would love to try a Diva Cup! I currently use Meluna & Lady Cup & LOVE them!!! Menstrual cups are definitely the way to go & I cannot quite bragging about them! Thanks for the awesome post! :-)

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  2. I have been looking at these for quite a while and just have not made the jump to get one. I like the idea of less waste!! I would think that since you are not putting the chemicals in the normal pads/tampons in/close to your body your cycle would also "improve" by becoming lighter and shorter. I would be more than happy to use something that makes my cycle easier. Thanks for the opportunity.
    Jenn Price
    pricefamilyx6@yahoo.com

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  3. I would LOVE to try the Diva Cup!! I have been thinking about it for a while, but I just can't convince myself to take the leap and buy one. If I could win one, that would be awesome! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
    glassfishie at gmail

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  4. I've been on the fence about this for a year or so. Would love to give it a try :)

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  5. I got the Diva for Christmas! I can't wait to get to use it. It makes so much more sense for us "green" girls!!

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  6. Well I love Diva cups! It is about time
    I replace mine :)

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  7. I would love to try a diva cup because my flow normally isn't heavy enough to use tampons and i hate pads. you have to sit or sleep just right so it doesn't leak. I have been trying to talk to my husband about getting one but he quickly changes the subject.

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  8. Jenn, from my experience, the Diva Cup has not made my cycle shorter. It is actually longer since I started using it. I don't think that it's because of the Cup, but because I'm getting older. (Ack!) It's still sooo worth it to use it, just don't be too disappointed if it doesn't shorten your cycle.

    And I'd still love to win one, so please throw my name in the hat. A spare would be great to have.

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  9. I would love to try the DivaCup. I am always looking for ways to be more green! This may be it!

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  10. I love it! I can't say I can be by with no pad 2 days during my cycle, but for the beginning and end I have to set reminders to remove and clean. Why worry about having supplies when you can take all you need with your body?

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  11. I have heard wonderful things about these.

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  12. I would love to give the Diva Cup a try! I've heard many good things about it.

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  13. A lot of women at work use the Diva Cup but I don't have the money to buy one and try it out. I would love a Diva Cup! ~Randi~

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  14. I would love to try the diva cup because my flow normally isn't heavy enough to use tampons and i hate pads so much. I try to talk to my husband about trying one but he quickly changes the subject.

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  15. Keep the comments coming! Just remember, I will need to be able to contact you if you win, so if you post anonymously, I won't be able to choose you.

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  16. I'd love to give the Diva Cup a try! Thanks for having this giveaway!

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  17. I want to try. Then I could get my daughter to try it next.

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  18. i LOVE diva, i have one, and would love to win one so i can give it to my sister and share the love!

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  19. I have friends who recommend the diva cup and I've always wanted to try it, but haven't had the money to commit (I'm an art student). Maybe I'll win one :)

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  20. I would love to try one but I just haven't gone and gotten one .. I really like the eco-friendly part of it!

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  21. I LOVE the Diva Cup!!! Would love to win one to be able to share it with a friend

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  22. Would love to try it. With having to keep up with a very active toddler alot of times I forget about changing my pad and I leak! Plus having to run out and buy them is a pain, I always forget until it shows. Thank you for this great opportunity to try the Diva cup!

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  23. It sounds interesting and i woul dlove to give it a try

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  24. I have been researching the DivaCup the last few days because I've been wanting to try it. It's crazy that this giveaway came up in my facebook newsfeed actually :) after having had two children I haven't had much in the way of periods in the last three years. I'd like to keep up the waste-free way of menstruating :)fingers crossed!

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  25. Frenchyloveslarry@yahoo.com
    I would love to try the Diva Cup after 22 months of Nursing that awful gift from mother nature has returned and I need and alternative to tampons! Thanks for the chance Good luck everyone!

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  26. diva cup is on my buy list when i can afford it!
    chadandhillary@gmail.com

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  27. I've been curious to try this as a corn allergy makes most menstrual items nearly unbearable! Most are made with cornstarch or the adhesive is corn-based.

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  28. I keep thinking about how I should start using one, but I am a little nervous I must admit. Thanks for the giveaway

    lexisuby at yahoo dot com

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  29. LOVE LOVE LOVE the Diva Cup and am not afraid to tell everyone I know about the great product. I really could use a new one, but cash is low right now. (crossing my fingers!)

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  30. I would love to try

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  31. I also LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the Diva Cup! I've been using mine for several years and for me, I noticed a change in my cycles. I used to bleed for 2 weeks and now I bleed for 5 days and spot for 2! And my cramps have almost gone away while using it! Sorry if TMI! :)I could really use a new one but money is SUPER tight for our family right now! I hope to win a new one!!

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  32. Thanks for the chance - I LOVE my Diva cup, and have been wanting a back-up/replacement :)

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  33. I always wanted to try the DivaCup so this will be a great chance to win something worth it!

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  34. I'd love to win a Diva cup!

    Here's my email, let me know if I win! judith.anne.barnes AT gee-mail DOT com

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  35. I would love to give it a try. I am the mother of a one year old and need all the time/money savings I can get.

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  36. I have been wanting to try one for quite some time now!

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  37. Hey, I'd give it a go :)
    Have been hearing about it from friends!

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  38. I've been using my Diva cup for a few years now, but would like to replace it soon, so a new one would be awesome!

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  39. Excited for this givaway! I've known about this product for a while, but only recently have had a need for it as pregnancy and bfing have staved off the bleed for a while. Especially after reading that post am excited to try it finally! Thanks for the opportunity!

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  40. I would love to try the diva cup. Hearing so many good stories on the sites really is encouraging; since i currently do not use tampons, but just the regular maxi-pad.

    ahawco@gmail.com

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  41. I would love to have the chance to try the Diva Cup! Thanks so much!

    Kate
    kat_henna@yahoo.com

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  42. I would love to try the Diva Cup. I've been researching and looking at reviews and this would be a perfect chance to just dive in!

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  43. I hear awesome things about the Diva Cup and would LOVE to try it :) I stopped using tampons a while ago because they were uncomfortable, and if there is an option to using less disposable products (I use Lunapads most of the time) I'm there.

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  44. I love using a menstrual cup (once I got used to it). I've been using Instead cups (one per cycle) to decide if I wanted to invest in a Diva. I am ready! :) I tell all the girls about menstrual cups when we talk about periods. Every time the response is "What's a menstrual cup? Never heard of that!"
    We need to get the word out ladies, so much better than the alternatives.

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  45. I have never heard of menstrual cups before. Quite interesting. I'd love to give it a try!

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  46. I've been really curious about the Diva Cup and have been wanting to try it out. It would be great to win one so that I can get started :)

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  47. I remember hearing about this kind of product 30 years ago but could never find any information - no internet - and forgot about it.
    I would love something 'green' as well as not having to worry about leaks and frequent replacements.

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  48. What a fantastic idea! I am very interested!

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  49. I've used the Diva Cup for over 3 years. I've not had to replace it yet. I've taken it with me when I went on vacation to China and around the U.S. I love not having to buy supplies each month or worry about running out of pads.

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  50. I would love to try the diva cup. I'm kind of scared to but would love to try it.

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  51. I am very interested in this concept. What a great idea. No more shopping for tampons!!

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  52. I LOVE my diva cup! Way better than tampons, for me and the earth! I want to gift one to a friend.

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  53. I think this is most bluntly honest review of the Diva Cup I've seen -- no one likes to talk messy with menstruation, as it turns out. :D

    I definitely mean to try one at some point; over the summer I tried the Instead softcup, and it was more or less a disaster.

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  54. I would LOVE to win a diva cup! Been wanting to give this a try for years...

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  55. I would really like to try this product. I just read all about it on your blog and their website and am really intrigued!

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  56. I just added diva cup to my wish list with lunapads. I am very new to these ideas, but having been exclusive to ob, have now moved on to other options. Thanks for this chance and another review to help making the decision to make the leap!

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  57. I LOVE the Diva cup! Have been trying to convince some of my girlfriends to try it, and winning one to give away to one of them would be awesome! Thanks Diva cup, Green Grandma, and Wanda!

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  58. I use it and love it !!! The Diva Cup changed my life... if you are not using it you are missing on a very positive experience! Mothers you should buy one for yourself and give them to your dothers they will thank you! ;0)

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  59. The Diva is awesome and if you're giving one away, I'd love to send it to my little sister. She's 17 and I'd love for her to have a lifetime of freedom with the Diva! Hooray

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  60. I only recently learned about these and am really intrigued to try it! I hate all the waste from pads and tampons.
    tirza57 at gmail dot com

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  61. I'd like to try this, once my cycle returns. (I just had a baby!)

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  62. I would love to try this product! I am working hard to convert my family to a "green" family this year, starting with cloth diapers and nursing pads. Would love to try this product as well to help reduce our household waste. I don't have any of the accounts mentioned top comment as, so I'm using anonymous hoping I can still enter the contest!

    Thanks,
    Pam

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  63. Oops I forgot to leave my contact info in my post: pam_fowler84@hotmail.com

    Thanks,
    Pam

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  64. I am very interested in the product. I have wanted to try it for some time now. I am unsure as to what size to buy. Being a heavy woman I thought I would need the larger one since I use a extra long plus sized underwear liner. then I considered wince I need the liner daily that I would still not be green using the diva cup since I don't have a green solution for the underwear liner yet!

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  65. Thanks for having this give away, i would like to try the diva cup too.

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  66. Dawn --

    Stick around for some more Reveiw It Wednesdays! I'll be posting a review for a solution for you in just a few weeks!

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  67. Dawn, the size has less to do with capacity and more to do with your vaginal muscles. If you are over thirty or have had a baby, go with the larger size. The smalller size will likely end up leaking. If you are under 30 and have not had a baby, stick with the smaller size for now.

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  68. I have been shopping around for one of these. I would love to win one!

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  69. I already use a Diva Cup and LOVE it! I am currently putting together a Lunapads kit for my pre-pubescent daughter and would love to add a Diva Cup to her collection. She will be ready to go when she starts her cycles. Thanks! fulfam@hotmail.com

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  70. I would love to try the Diva cup! I just haven't been able to fit it into the budget yet!
    beadsidemyself at gmail dot com

    New blog follower

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  71. I recently accidentally flushed my Lunette menstrual cup down the toilet. Now I would like to get a replacement cup and I will try my luck at this giveaway!
    Fingers crossed :)

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  72. I have never used the DivaCup but have been so interested since I saw a display at a pharmacy in my city. I'm a student so I don't really have $40 lying around. :)

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  73. I'd love to be able to give a Diva to a friend to try.

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  74. Congratulations to Trinity 899! She is the winner of the Diva Cup. Thank you for everyone who participated!

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  75. Just found your blog. Love it. And love the Diva cup. It took a while to get used to it, but I love the "green-ness" and convenience of it.

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  76. Thank you. And welcome to the community! Be sure to join in the GG community on Facebook!

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