Diva Cup

This one might not be for the faint of heart.  If money matters more to you than getting your hands dirty, then this is for you.  There are limits but this fell well into my limit of grossness.

What is a Diva Cup?  

 This may be a brand name.  It is also called a menstrual cup and I think there are some other names for it.  So brand name or not, I like to call it a Diva cup as it adds a little to the anonymity of what I’m talking about when in public.  So why use a Diva cup or cup by any other name?

1.        IT SAVES MONEY!!!!  This is the big one.  This is what gets me to get my hands dirty if necessary.  How much money could it possibly save?  Let’s just crunch some numbers.  I will use my own case as the example since that is the one I’m familiar with.  I believe it was 10 years ago I found this product and purchased one.  It cost $20 at the time.  That’s a lot of money!  $20 for one item!  Even now, a decade later you can get one for between $25 and $30.  And that is still a lot of money.  But wait!  Say an average box of tampons costs about $7 for 36.  I would go through an average 3 a day.  My periods usually last 7-9 days (sad but true).  That is a bit longer than average, so we’ll just say the average normal person has a 4 day period.  4 days, 3 tampons, that is 12.  So one box might last 3 months for an average person (I was lucky to get 1 ½ months out of one).  In one year, it would cost you about $28 for tampons (or $56 if you are me).  In one year I saved $36.  Plus $56 x 9 more years is a grand total savings for me of $540, or around $255 for an average person.  Now that to me is worth it.  I have not bought a second one.  The one I bought 10 years ago is still working just fine for me. 

2.       I found that I have way less cramping with the cup.  I normally get a lot of bad cramping.  I have discovered with the cup that I mostly cramp when the cup is full and needs to be emptied. 

3.       One my least favorite things, which didn’t happen often, but even once is TOO MANY TIMES:  The removal of the tampon at the end of the cycle that is mostly dry.  Have you ever removed a dry tampon?  Did it feel like you were literally being turned inside out?  This does not happen with the diva.   

4.       It’s better for the environment.  Think of how many applicators and used tampons and boxes you go through that end up in the landfills.  Every bit you do to help cut down the amount that ends up there, helps in the end. 

5.       The overall comfort and freedom the cup gives is amazing.  Less pain and more moving around not worrying about leakage and such definitely rates with me.  Though I still don’t trust anything enough to like wear white or anything, but so far I have had very little trouble. 

There are some drawbacks to the cup but I think they are minimal compared with the good points.  As I mentioned, it can be a little gross putting the cup in and taking it out to clean it.  But everyone washes their hands when using the bathroom, so it’s not a huge deal.  Also, there can be leakage.  It is not a foolproof system.  You have to be careful when putting it in and get it just so, but a little practice makes perfect.  I do pack a tampon when traveling just because you never know what the public restrooms will be like, but I’ve had the same box of tampons since I bought the diva.  And usually I can go all day without changing it, though on the heavy days I might need to change it a few times.  So travel doesn’t mean absolutely that you have to go back to the tampon, it just depends on timing and situation and if it is an all-day drive or just a few hours. 

So definitely, if you aren’t weak of stomach or faint of heart, try a diva.  Give it a cycle or two.  You will get more comfortable and then reap the benefits!  Again, it’s not for everyone, but for those who do, it’s win-win.