My DivaCup experience

Wing// Personal

So, this post has been a couple months in the making because I really wanted to try out the DivaCup for a few menstrual cycles before writing about my experience. So here it is…

Also, it may be obligatory to note here that I have not been paid or compensated in any way, shape, or form by any of the resources I have listed. I seek only to put forth my honest opinion. 🙂

What is it?

For starters:

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.

The DivaCup is one such menstrual cup available in the market. Other companies, such as Lunette, Mooncup, and Lena, also hold wonderful products that differ slightly in terms of size, elasticity, and more.

Deciding what was right for me

Before investing into anything, I always read professional as well as user-generated reviews in order to understand what I am getting myself into.

Menstrualcupreviews.net’s “10 Best Menstrual Cups” provides a great overview of what is available in the menstrual cup market. I don’t know how they ranked the cups, but the reviews and descriptions do well to acclimatize women who are interested in knowing more. They also review other products, such as period panties and reusable pads. It’s really worth a visit.

Putacupinit.com also has many wonderful resources to help you make the right choice! Their Menstrual Cup Comparison Chart and Visual Tool is really great and will help you visually understand how different some cups can be. Lastly, and most importantly (!!!), their Menstrual Cup Quiz is AMAZING! It’s especially good for those who have no idea what they are doing or looking for. The questionnaire is short and sweet and can help you make your choice much faster and clearer. It directs you to the appropriate websites following your match.

For me, I was matched with the Lunette Size 2 or Lena Large cups. I was really excited to try it out. Unfortunately, when I arrived at my local drug store, I found that they only held the DivaCup! (Why Canada?! Why?!) At that moment, I decided that I should either wait for my next cycle and try to order it through the US Amazon website or just suck it up and buy it.

I bought it. (I use the Diva Cup Model 1)

So, moral of the story. Online research can only get you so far. Furthermore, Canada really needs to start stocking up on more menstrual products! Haha.

About me (and my menstrual cycle)

Before I talk about my experience, I will share a little bit about my menstrual cycle so to give some context about my experience.

My average menstrual cycle occurs every 27 days. I have never missed a cycle. Within my cycle, I am fairly regular in that it lasts 3-4 days.

Day 1: AKA HELL DAY. Like many other women, my cramps are the worse on the first day
of my menstrual cycle. On most occasions, my face is as white as a sheet and if lucky, I try to spend my most agonizing hours (afternoons) in a fetal position in bed. If I must stay at the office, Advil is a must. On these days, I use up a super-size pad by the end of the day (8-10 hours of use).

Day 2: Cramps have subsided on Day 2 for me. However, my flow is quite heavy on this day. I can soak through a Super-size tampon in less than 3 hours. However, by dinner time, my Super-size tampon can last me 4-5 hours. I wear a long Super-sized pad to bed.

Day 3: I don’t know how this happens, and I suppose I’m blessed, but by the morning of Day 3, my pad is left with little blood. I only need to use a Regular sized tampon for 4-5 hours before I switch to a pantiliner for the rest of the day. I keep on a pantiliner overnight to catch any spotting on Day 4.

My First DivaCup Experience

Before I start, I highly recommend reading tips and tricks in online forums before making the transition. The paper manual that comes with the DivaCup is really…bad. Tips that are tried and agreed upon by other users are really valuable in this instance.

“U-fold”

Akin to my first experience with tampons, it took me over 3 hours to successfully wear the DivaCup. I tried it after the very, very bad cramps occurred on day 1.

The DivaCup manual recommends folding the cup in two ways for insertion. The first fold is called the “U-fold”. Users are to press sides of the cup together and then fold it in half again forming a tight “U” shape. Since this was the first recommended fold, I tried this. For 2.5 hours. It did not go in. It was too big. I was frustrated.

I stopped and went online (Reddit…) to see what the problem was. It turns out many users

“C-fold”

actually preferred the second fold called the “C-fold” or “Push down” fold. For this fold, users are to place a finger on the top rim of the cup and press it down into the center of the inside base to form a triangle.

This fold was actually much more preferred by users as the fold was a lot smaller to insert. The same Redditor also recommended first-time users to insert the cup in the shower as the heat relaxes the pelvic muscles and may make insertion easier.

45 minutes later, I emerged from the shower with the cup successfully inserted. I kept it in for the night, with deep anxiety that it would either leak or be stuck in me forever. Honestly, research is sometimes bad for you. Read this article at your own risk.

Fortunately, none of those things happened. I wore the DivaCup again to school the next day, my heavy day. According to the makers, you can keep the DivaCup on for up to 12 hours. By the 6th hour, my pantiliner was already soaked.

I took it out and used tampons and pads for the rest of my cycle.

My current routine

After lots of trial and error, here is how my current routine looks like.

Day 1: I use the DivaCup without any issue and keep it on for 8 hours.

Day 2: I use the DivaCup throughout the day and try to schedule my time at school accordingly. I either spend up to 6 hours at school before going home to change. Or, I go to school, dump out the contents of my DivaCup, and switch to tampons. The first option means that I spend a limited time at school. The second option means that I have to discretely clean my bloodied cup in the public washroom sink. I try to play my cards correctly when I can. Also, I don’t know why, but I’ve never been completely leak-proof on this day. A pantiliner is a must.

Day 3: I keep it in for 10-12  hours at a time with no problem and no spotting. I keep only a pantiliner on overnight to catch any spotting on Day 4.

Overall, I think…

A menstrual cup is a really good investment for those who are looking to make the switch away from pads and tampons. However, the Diva Cup may not be for everyone. (Do your research!) Overall, my experience with the DivaCup is quite good, save for a few things.

Pros

(Relatively) environmentally-friendly: My initial reason for buying a menstrual cup was because tampons and pads simply produced so much waste. There was no way to recycle any of the material and the plastics used to create them is really harmful to the environment. Though I still use liners, I find myself creating less waste on a daily basis.

No chemicals: The best thing about menstrual cups is that it is chemical free! This means that you can keep it inside for an extended period of time without fear of contacting Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). Furthermore, I’ve heard that tampons are heavily doused with chemicals that can place harm onto the body.

No smells: The worst thing about using a tampon or a pad is the smell of coagulated blood. After several months of using a menstrual cup, I can really say that there are no strange smells associated with its use. I don’t know why.

Less changing: As a menstrual cup can hold more fluid, users will find themselves changing their menstrual products less.

Saves money: The initial cost of a menstrual cup may be expensive ($45 CAD), but it lasts for a very long time and pays itself off in the end. With proper care, one could use a menstrual cup for many years.

Cons

It’s very messy: Changing the menstrual cup can get very messy.  Especially for first-time users who do not know how to form a seal, leaks will occur.

Will take time: It takes a while (maybe ever a few cycles) for users to fully understand how to insert a menstrual cup properly and ward off leakages. Patience is key.

It’s clunky!: I’m speaking especially to the DivaCup. I was excited to use either the Lena or the Lunette because I knew both companies had more flexible versions for first-timers to use. Users are able to double fold for easier insertion with the aforementioned cups. With the DivaCup, it is next to impossible because the silicone is relatively thick and rigid.

It’s inconvenient: It is definitely an easier job when you have free-reign over a washroom where you can freely waddle around with your pants down to your ankles. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to one, especially when travelling or sharing a co-ed washroom in a dorm. Further, it may be difficult to use for those who do not have access to good water quality or amenities.

Tips and Tricks

If you find that you are really interested in investing in a menstrual cup, I’d like to offer some tips.

Insertion: As said by the instructions, I find that I am able to avoid leaks when I insert the DivaCup directly horizontal to my tailbone. I don’t know how it works exactly, but I always imagine drawing a straight line between the tail of my DivaCup and the wall. If the line is completely level with the wall, I know I am inserting it correctly.

Creating the suction: This kind of changed for me throughout and I’m not exactly sure what happened. The producers of the DivaCup recommends turning the cup 180 degrees to create a seal. The seal will prevent any leakages. At first, it was too painful for me to put my fingers inside. I went online and saw some others felt the same. One reader suggested alternatively to contract the pelvic muscles whilst pull the tail of the cup to create the seal. It has worked for me. Another reader suggested to pinch the bottom of the cup (as if taking it out) and turn it to create the seal. It has also worked for me. By trying this method, I’ve been able to go inside and turn it the normal way today.  Whatever you do, creating the suction is perhaps the most integral step to preventing leakages, so it’s highly recommended!

Taking out the cup: Some users have complained about a painful experience with removal. I haven’t had that experience, but it may be because users forget to “break the seal” and yank it out forcefully. Users should grip the bottom and listen for the seal to be broken before pulling the cup out. It will sound like a can of pop being opened.

Final Thoughts

Looking back at my past experiences, I think part of the reason for why I’ve always had trouble inserting things into myself was because I didn’t know myself and my body parts very well! The first day I tried inserting the DivaCup was also the first time I looked at my private parts in the mirror! I am also a virgin, and I don’t masturbate, so I really didn’t understand how the cup could’ve possibly fitted.

Though I did not know it was going to be through using a menstrual cup, I’m really glad that I did have this experience. I did learn a lot about myself by seeing myself and physically feeling things out. I was also able to dispell some stigmas that I didn’t know I held about a woman’s sexual organs.

I’m not an expert and in so many ways, I am still learning about myself and my body. However, I think no woman should find it shameful or disgusting to learn about and appreciate themselves and their bodies. God has made everyone so wonderfully and beautifully. I think we should really embrace who we are and tell ourselves on a regular basis that we are so beautiful in our own ways.

So. Bottom line. The DivaCup is not for everyone, but I think I made it work for me and I’ve gotten a lot out of it along the way.