TMI – The Diva Cup

Okay, here we go with the first TMI post! I thought this space would be perfect for talking about things that don’t always get talked about. I tend to overshare, so just know these topics won’t be PG. In this post I talk about periods, tampons, and all things lady-related, so fellas, there’s your warning. 

The first topic I want to cover is The Diva Cup. Anyone heard of it? Use it? For anyone who doesn’t know what The Diva Cup is, it’s an “easy to use menstrual cup”. To be honest, when I first heard about this, I thought it was some weird hippie thing. What’s wrong with just using tampons? Buuut, a girlfriend talked me into trying one. Ladies, it’s a game changer.

Here’s what they look like. There are three different models – you choose the model based on your age and whether or not you have given birth vaginally. Since I’m 30, I went with the Model 2 – that’s the age guideline when you’re looking at the different models. For new readers, I do not have any kiddos, so I’ve never given birth. 

I was on my period last week, so it was the perfect time to try this out for the first time. Keep in mind, I have only used this for one cycle, so I’m no expert by any means, but I am already sold on this. Let’s rewind- I started my period when I was in 5th grade. I was on swim team, so I had to start wearing tampons right away. UGH. It was awful. I have never loved tampons. I mean, they’re a billion times better than pads, but they’re annoying. Every month, I get more and more annoyed with tampons – the string is awful, they can be painful to insert AND remove, and they create a ton of trash. Don’t even get me started on cardboard tampons…I accidentally bought a jumbo pack of cardboard tampons…they’re miserable. But there’s no way I’d ever wear pads. They feel like a diaper to me. So, enter the Diva Cup!

I ordered mine off Amazon – it was $31.87. Before using the Diva Cup, you’re supposed to boil it! You just boil it for 5-10 minutes. Make sure you watch the pot – you don’t want the cup to burn and get ruined. The directions that come with the product are super helpful – just read them before you do anything (hint hint). The first few times using The Diva Cup were a little awkward for me. I’m the worst about reading directions, so I HIGHLY recommend doing so before using this device. Once the cup is inserted, you are supposed to turn it 180 degrees in order to create suction. Kind of intimidating, right? It’s actually way easier than it sounds! But this is something that takes times to learn how to do. You can tell if it’s not completely suctioned because it’ll leak a little, nothing crazy, but you can just tell.  When it’s suctioned, you can’t even tell that you have it in AND you don’t even know that you’re on your period, other than having damn cramps. Just that alone made me fall in love.

There are two different ways to fold the cup in order to insert it. One of the ways is to fold it in half, which is what I tried first (Option 1). It works, but it was hard for me to get the cup to suction that way. It didn’t turn easily, so it wasn’t suctioning. The other way to fold it is to hold one side of the cup down while inserting (Option 2). This worked WAY better for me and seemed to suction better. When I started doing this, I had zero issues with the cup leaking. 

You can leave the Diva Cup in for up to 12 hours. 12 hours! That’s awesome. You can go to the bathroom with it in like you normally do – pee and poop – although, I will say, I felt like I had a hard time completely emptying my bladder with it in. 

I even ran with the Diva Cup in and had ZERO issues. That was huge for me. I couldn’t even feel it! I am definitely sold. Ladies, if you’re hesitant, just know that I was, too. But now I am SO glad I tried this out. I am in no way associated with this company – I just love this product. It made my period a better experience. And trust me – that’s hard to do…periods are the WORST. Thank you, Diva Cup! 

I’d love to hear your period horror stories or if you’re using the Diva Cup/have thought of using it!