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!

Monday, July 23, 2007

DivaCup wrap-up

Well, folks, we are nearing the end of the DivaCup Challenge and I wanted to check in with the peeps that originally signed up to see if they are still going strong three months later.

The drawing for the prizes will be at the end of the month and I need to know who is still sticking with it. I'd also like to get your impressions even if you quit using it. I'll be doing a poll next Sunday, too.

I think I've posted enough about my feelings about the DivaCup, but for those of you who didn't see them or don't want to read the back postings, here it is: I love it. Every time I use it I fall in love with it again - I can't believe how much easier it has made my life. Granted, getting it in and out can require a bit of circus antics, but I only change it twice a day so it's not a big deal.

And, lastly, I wanted to thank everyone that has joined in the Challenge as well as the tons of people who have also written in about their experiences with The Cup.

19 comments:

Theresa said...

Thanks to your raffle all those months ago, I was able to try out the Diva Cup. I was a bit daunted after the first cycle of using it, but after the second I had really gotten the hang of how to accomplish those circus antics and now I am a definite Diva Cup convert! My next step is to try and get my two sisters to try it!

Unknown said...

I, also, love the Diva Cup. It is a bit of a hassle at times to insert properly and remove, but you have to do it so infrequently. I'm only on my second cycle, so I look forward to that getting easier. As I learned all the terrible health issues regarding tampons, I only wish I had heard about the Diva Cup sooner, not to mention all the waste I could have averted.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, still with it and love it more and more every time I use it.

Jess said...

I love, love, love my Diva Cup. I've used it now for the full three cycles and couldn't be happier. I have had no problem and really haven't had any from the beginning. After reading all the talk of problems w/ insertion I was a tad bit nervous but it was no problem. The worst part was learning how to remove it without making a complete mess. Anyway, I'll continue using it and hopefully someday my 13 y.o. will move past the ick factor and give it a shot.

Anonymous said...

I have used mine for two cycles now and, um, I'm not absolutely in love with it. I want to be. I really do. But those ridged circles towards the stem...they are irritating and sometimes painful. I have it on my long list of things to do to call the company and ask advice. Maybe someone here can tell me. It's not the stem that's poking me; it's the ridges that are annoying. Other than that, no problems. :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Crunchy:

I've been lurking on your blog (as well as some other "environmental" blogs) for some time, and this is my first attempt at posting. I was inspired to try the Diva Cup because of some of the comments here. I'm on my second cycle using it, and although I haven't found it to be perfect (some insertion issues, some leakage on the heaviest days), it sure beats all of the other, more conventional products I've used in the ~30 years I've been menstruating. I can't get over how little waste there is (I'm still using panty liners as backup, and am currently investigating more environmentally friendly options) compared to my tampon days, how little storage space my "period supplies" take up (all my old stuff will soon go to the local food bank -- poor women need that stuff too, although I wish all could afford to go purchase a Diva Cup outright). I also physically feel better. Less cramping, less drying, less feeling "unclean." Thanks for the tip. Keep up the good work. If we all keep doing the little things, it WILL make a difference.
CW

Theresa said...

Chile - I'm wondering if inserting it a little higher would help?

Anonymous said...

Thanks to this site for providing alternative ideas to disposables and public awareness! I had NO clue there was something other than tampons available and that the chemicals in tampons may be a health risk. Now I am aware and feel so much better when I use my Diva Cup and do not have to make sure I get to the bathroom every 4 hours!

Olive said...

i LOVE the diva cup. im not wild about the name though. i dislike anything that envokes that sort of feminine bitchy princess attitude though - that's just how i roll. but back to the real point of all of this, the diva rocks and i'd never go back to anything else.

disposables are teh evil!

shabadeux said...

I use a Mooncup, but either way it's amazingly better. Never thought I'd use something like this, but I love it! Comfortable, easy, better for the earth. Perfect.

Anonymous said...

I wasn't a part of the challenge, but I love my Diva cup. :) I've actually got a poem written to my Diva Cup. LOL I'll have to post it next cycle.

Skulleigh said...

Yay! More converts! :)

Caroline said...

I have used mine for three cycles now. I have become fairly accomplished at inserting and removing, but still face some leakage issues the first two days because of heavy flow.

My next step is to make some homemade pads for backup (check out http://www.tinybirdsorganics.com/organiccotton/clothpads.html
for one) and to share with my 15 yr old daughter (who is mortified at her parents' environmental and political beliefs anyway).

Debby Brown said...

I stumbled upon your blog after the beginning of the challenge so I'm not official, but the whole diva cup thing intrigued me. After two cycles, I AM IN LOVE!!!! I only wish I found out about it sooner.

I made my own cloth pads last year and they rock, as well. I love the simple storage, the lack of disposables, and my girly bits are happier without all the chemical-laden paper products on and in them.

Simply Authentic said...

NOT in love i must say. i was so excited to purchase one but insertion was so painful and such an ordeal even when following instructions to a T that i have returned to tampons, even with how bad they are for my health. which is unfortunate because the concept is wonderful....

Anonymous said...

Crunch,

I love my Diva. I intend to use it. However, on my 2nd cycle of using it (TMI Alert) I got a yeast infection. I haven't had one of those in 20 years! I am going to set aside my suspicions and redouble my efforts at scrupulous hand washing...and even though the instructions say you don't have to boil it -- I'm gonna zap that sucker under some boiling water!

I do love it so I hope my TMI issue was just an anomoly. It is so comfortable and easy.

Thanks for the continuous encouragement.

Trina said...

Not sure if we have to be using the Diva Cup, or just reusable products. I have a stash of cloth pads (Gladrags, Luna, and Polar Babies). The Gladrags are certainly my favorite. I haven't used a single disposable product in the past 3 months.

C said...

I found you while searching out other Diva addicts. I am in love with mine. Although, I'm not surrounded by crunchies, so some of my friends now think I'm absolutely disgusting.

That's okay. They used to think I was nuts. What's a new label among friends?? ha! ha!

Anonymous said...

Well, I missed the timeline for this challenge (because I didn't know about it at the time), but I purchased a DivaCup around the same time that this challenge began, and I haven't been able to use it. For a while, practicing how to use it until I felt comfortable was on my daily "to-do" list, but after a few really painful tries I gave up. I tried again and again - and every time I found that I felt "scraped"...even without getting it properly inserted. Believe it or not, the last time I tried it I drew blood! (and not the kind it's designed for, either) I haven't given up hope, but I'm seriously discouraged. Anyone have any suggestions???