Blog Update!
For those of you not following me on Facebook, as of the Summer of 2019 I've moved to Central WA, to a tiny mountain town of less than 1,000 people.

I will be covering my exploits here in the Cascades, as I try to further reduce my impact on the environment. With the same attitude, just at a higher altitude!

Thursday, June 14, 2007

DivaCup haiku

DivaCup inside
Has it been one month again?
Super suction time.


Yes, I agree, that DivaCup haiku really sucks. Ha! Anyway, welcome back for another menstrual madness post.

Based on last Sunday's poll, I'd have to assess that ya'll are diggin' the DivaCup. There are a few out there still too squeamish about it, but even less who tried and didn't like it. Of the 77% who have tried it, only 3% didn't like it. So, the failure rate, so to speak, is pretty low! If you're on the fence about it, you might just want to give it a whirl or, rather, twirl.

Speaking of menstruation, which you would think by now it's my favorite topic or something (guys - bear with me here on this one), I am still troubled by the fact that I use plastic-lined pantyliners. I know, TMI, but this has to be said. I think.

Anyway, plastic-lined pantyliners are not exactly good for the environment. And I'm pretty sure they're probably not good for air circulation too. But I like the backup and for just the general everyday usage. But all of that ends up in the landfill.

Oh, I hear you out there! You're thinking, why doesn't she use something like GladRags or LunaPads? They sell cloth pantyliners too that you can wash and reuse! And, you're right, they do.

In fact, I didn't know until I started researching that there were so many options for reusable "mama pads" or whatever you want to call them. In various form factors. Except for thongs. Which I tend to wear more often than not. Again, TMI. But someone has to be Magellan, no?


Bad Ass Flame & Skull PantylinerBut I digress. Anyway, after much searching I found something that might be suitable: HagRags. Not only do they have super cool designs but they carry them in a variety of shapes, thicknesses and configurations to suit your needs. So, I ordered some. If you're interested in cloth pads, definitely check the site out. I had to control myself from buying one in each fabric style because they are so damn cool.

I'll be sure to report back. Oh, you know I will.

15 comments:

Malva said...

Something else you may be interested in, the Lunapanties thong!


http://www.lunapads.com/product.aspx?ProductID=54&deptid=21&PriceCat=2&Lang=EN-US

I've heard good reviews about the Lunapanties but don't have first hand experience yet. When my year of not buying new comes to an end, I'll probably purchase some.

Hannah said...

Yep--for those of us non-tampon folks like me, cloth pads fit the bill. And if you're using liners with the Diva Cup or other times, the cloth sounds right. But honestly, it seems like the menstrual cup is really a preferable option environmentally!

QT said...

I have my Diva Cup - just waiting for the right time, you know?

Those Hag Rags are cracking me up! I love that there are alternatives that are fun and the best environmental choice.

Anonymous said...

I've been using cloth pads for the past few months and LOVE them!! I think I am allergic to disposable pads because if I use them for to long I break out in a rash. (I know TMI!) Cloth is so much more comfortable then disposable pads. I am thinking about buying a Diva Cup, but we are trying to get pregnant so I might wait until after that.

Skulleigh said...

Yeah, I love my cup. The first line of your haiku makes me want to rip off the Intel logo and make me an icon for that! :D

I like my cloth pads too - they are good for the first and last days when I'm really light. Plus you can have such fun fabrics!

Simply Authentic said...

Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your blog and your suggestions! The Diva Cup isn't something I have started as of yet, but am contemplating. However I had just begun wondering about the pantiliner issue also! So thanks for putting in the research! :-) On the topic of female issues, something else I had thought of as late is birth control options. Example the IUD as a more Earth friendly option than pills (less packaging, etc).

Also hope you will have another Low Impact Week Challenge. I started my blog right as it was ending, but did mention you on there. You're doing a great thing! Hope you enjoy a great day!

Michelle said...

I'm glad you're talking about the DivaCup on your blog.

This is something I've been thinking about for a few months now, but I haven't mustered the courage to make the switch.

Your post, however, has empowered me to try the DivaCup. So thanks again for talking so openly about this topic. I really do feel encouraged to try this product.

Also, as a sidenote: I love the fact you gather statistics on a variety of topics. It's fabulous!!

:0)
Michelle
www.conserveplasticbags.blogspot.com

Oldnovice said...

She's gonna hate that I mentioned this (because someone she knows might click on your link in my blogroll and see it), but No. 1 daughter spared no details on her experiences with the Diva Cup I bought for her when she visited yesterday.

Her opinion is that it requires a little "getting used to" and that you could spend a whole day reinserting the thing until you "don't feel a thing in there" and STILL feel something in there. She said it's not uncomfortable AT ALL, but she's as aware as she was of a tampon string.

Overall, though, she was quite pleased, she said. She's worn it to work (after thinking that she'd only wear it on her days off), not experienced any leakage, and really appreciated that she doesn't need to spend money unnecessarily on tampons anymore. She's also inherited the envirowacko gene, so she's pleased to help keep sanitary products out of the landfill.

So, I add my thanks to those chiming in on speaking frankly on this topic.

Fresh and Feisty said...

So, this may sound naive but do you really need to wait until you're 30 for Version 2 or at 26 should I try Version 1?

Crunchy Chicken said...

Sunny - if you have had kids or are very tall, then you can go with version 2, otherwise you should probably stick with #1.

Anonymous said...

Okay, you've won me over (I saw a link to your site from a comment on No Impact Man). I'd heard of the cup about 5 years ago but, frankly, didn't have the nerve. Now my conscience has the better of me. I just ordered GladRags--which, incidentally, is the name of a used-clothing store in my hometown!!--and a Keeper.

Theresa said...

I'm starting my second cycle now using the Diva Cup I won from generous Crunchy C in the Spring. I'm getting quite good at the whole insertion/removal thing and I am even wearing the 'monkey cup' to work these days! It is really nice not to have to worry if you've bought enough tampons or have enough left in your purse to get you through the day.

Oldnovice - the trick to not feeling it seems to be cutting the stem right down to where there's only about a millimetre left - that really worked for me.

Anonymous said...

So I'm sitting at my computer, looking up the Diva Cup, thinking I'm going to make the plunge, but I have a quick question for the board: Should I order the DC from the official website or should I take the risk and order it from a different website that won't take it back, but is $13 cheaper?

Jenn said...

Good haiku - I'll have to modify it for those of us (I'm not the only one, right?) who cycle every 19-21 days. Yup. 3 weeks from first day to first day. Usually only lasts 3 days, so I guess that's better than some girls who have a 7 day period.

Anonymous said...

I am thinking about getting a menstual cup but am not sure if the divacup, keeper, or mooncup would be best. Has anyone used more than one of these brands? Any advice?