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!

Friday, June 26, 2009

Two years of DivaCup

This is the first year that I didn't host a DivaCup Challenge on my blog. I have gotten the impression that many of you have already heard about it, but for those of you who haven't, the DivaCup is an internally used, reusable menstrual cup. It's made of silicone (there are other brands made of different materials if you have a silicone aversion), cost about $20 and seems to me to be fairly indestructible.

Of all the things I've done in the name of experimentation for this blog, this has to be the one change that I've been most consistent about. In fact, since I embarked on the DivaCup over two years ago, I haven't used anything else. I've written ad nauseum about it before so if you're curious, feel free to read back through previous posts.

One thing I never did revisit (and because some of you have asked) was my complaints about DivaCup changing their return policy as well as the "lifetime" of the product. Previously, it was stated that the DivaCup lasted interminably, but then it was edited to one year. In my mind, this negates the cost and environmental benefit if you feel like you are compelled to replace it every year.

Fairly immediately after that post, the company contacted me to share their side of the story. I didn't have the time to speak to them over the phone at the time and the information they supplied was the same that was sent out to their suppliers. Funny how in all the time I've been promoting their product, doing giveaways, talking it up like it's the bestest thing ever they never felt compelled to contact me. It wasn't until I had a criticism about the company that they immediately jumped to send me an email. I must confess this irked me considerably.

I later contacted them asking them to refute some other claims made in this article but they seemed reluctant to respond in writing, requesting a one-on-one phone conversation. I never got around to setting up the conference call and, frankly, I wasn't exactly expecting any new information than what was already previously stated.

But, for all that, if I could take only one thing to a deserted island with me it would be my DivaCup. Plus it doubles as a tiny drinking cup if I get real desperate - perfect for shots of coconut milk.

What about you? Do you use a reusable menstrual cup? Or are you still avoiding it like the swine flu?

P.S. There are a lot of reusable menstrual cups on the market if the DivaCup isn't working out for you. This is fantastic news since it means they are catching on! They vary in materials and sizes (Diva Cup is one of the largest out there) and some will replace it if you choose the wrong size, like Lady Cup:

DivaCup
The Keeper
Mooncup
Miacup
Lunette
Femme Cup
Lady Cup (also comes in pink!)
Fleurcup (French) comes in 5 colors
Green Donna
M Power (South Africa)
Yuuki Cup (someone in marketing needs to be fired for the naming of this product)

67 comments:

Correne said...

I am an enthusiastic fan of The Keeper. I've been using it for about two years now, along with a few Lunapads for backup. I had a bit of trouble figuring out how to get it out the first time (I had to call my friend who is a doula at 7 in the morning for over-the-phone instructions. It was hilarious, in retrospect.)

I still carry a tampon in my purse, since I never know exactly when my period will start, and I did use tampons on my last camping trip, because I just couldn't wrap my head around changing and washing my keeper in an outhouse.

I guess that makes me a bit of a slacker ;)

Anonymous said...

The yuuki cup really isn't a gag. I was just sure you were pulling my leg.

Garden Pheenix said...

I'm working up the courage to try the divacup. Right now I have investigated lunapads and gone and made all my own washable pads. I love them, but am still leaning towards the divacup for the beginning, heaviest part of my period. My best friend swears by hers and she is slowly convincing me.

Nutmeg said...

LoVe mine! Haven't gotten much use out of it (breastfeeding is actually keeping AF at bay this go round!)

Anonymous said...

Bought a cup years ago that looked similar to Diva. It was awful. I stood up from my chair when I was at work and the blood must have pushed over the edges and it ran down my leg into my shoe. Quickly went to the washroom and washed down with toilet paper, yuk, yuk... Embarassing and severely messy and the cup could not hold what I had to offer, I used it at the tail end of my period too... Would never, ever consider wasting my money ever again...

therese said...

i bought a mooncup a little while ago, but can't seem to get it right. i think it's enourmous, and are having trouble putting it in. and when it did get in, i felt as if my uterus was being sucked down by the vacuum. i panicked and got it out of there fast. i really want to use it, but i actually don't know how!

dixiebelle said...

Love my Diva cup! Always keen to get others onto them!

I also have more info. on my blog... read some 'up close & personal' info here, for anyone interested in the nitty gritty:

http://eatatdixiebelles.blogspot.com/2008/08/diva-cups.html

The Essential Baby parenting forum also has alot of info. about them on it (only time I'd recommend that place!! LOL)

Good luck to all Diva newbies. Stick with it, it's worth it!

Heather@TheGreenestDollar said...

I LOVE my Diva. In fact, Love might be an understatement.

I wrote a pretty in-depth product review about my Diva which your readers can see here, if they're interested: http://www.thegreenestdollar.com/2009/04/diva-cup-product-review/

And I heartily agree with you: desert island = Diva Cup. I can't imagine going back to tampons.

Burbanmom said...

I just started my Divacup two months ago (went off the birth control that used to eliminate my periods). LOVE IT!

Word to newbies - it WILL take a couple of insertions before you get it right. But remember when you were a teen and you first tried tampons and they hurt or leaked? Then, once you got it figured out, you loved them? Same thing with the Diva!

Be patient and give yourself some time to figure out how it works, how often you'll have to change it, etc.

For my first period, I only used it when I knew I would be home and kept a big ol' pad on too. After that period though, I pretty much had it figured out.

Hang in there, if you're new to it. You'll feel like an awkward teen at first, but then you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.

The Mom said...

Love my Diva cup! I use that and Sckoon pads. There is definitely a learning curve though. Once you have it figured out, its the best thing ever!

dixiebelle said...

Thought I'd come back and post this tip for insertion & correct positioning:

Then, for getting the right position (and therefore, no leaks) make sure you can get a good squat position (ie. having your pants lower than your knees) and fold the cup as per instructions. It should not go up too high. Once in, make sure you 'turn it' (that can be tricky) but should get it to fully 'open', so no leaks can happen. It will sort off 'pop out' from it’s folded position, into the open position, by turning it.

You can test to see if it is in the right position by gently trying to take it out (but don't) and if there is some resistance, that means you have some vacuum, which means you have a seal. Then just push the cup back up a little and you are good to go!

All of Us said...

I LOVE my Diva Cup!!! I agree about the desert island thing. It would be my top pick too.

I encourage everyone to try it. As soon as my two girls are old enough to require its service, they will each receive a Diva Cup!

Anonymous said...

i bought a diva cup during one of your challenges and after 6 months is stilled leaked. I wonder if my tilted uterus had something to do with it. THen I feel asleep while sterelizing the cup in boiling water and scorched it--ruined. That turned out to be a good thing because a few months later I tried again with the Keeper. It works like a charm. so, for those of you that are frustrated with what you have, a different model may work better for your body!

Adrienne said...

I had read about the diva cups here and then a friend mentioned she uses one... so I tried it. The first two months I wasn't so sure, I thought it felt like it was going to fall out at any moment. Eventually I realized that no, it wasn't going to fall out, and as long as i made sure it opened properly it wasn't going to leak either. i dunno about it being my one thing on a desert island but it's way better than pads or tampons.

Greenpa said...

Of course, there CAN be serious problems with the Diva Cup- which Crunchella wants to cover up...

The Chicken Exposed!

Jen said...

I just can't bring myself to use it. I have switched to organic tampons from Whole Foods.

amandaginn said...

I started using a diva cup about 4 months ago. I do like it quite a bit and have no plans of quitting. But I will admit that it's not enough for me.

They state that the average women's monthly flow totals 3-4 oz, roughly the capacity of the cup. They also talk about how infrequently it needs to be emptied (like 2x a day).

I may be the only exception to the rule, but I have to empty it about every 2-4 hours during my first and second day of menstruating. And I definitely need backup pads. And I reach 3-4 oz total flow in just 1-2 days. (Wow, this is getting icky.)

It seems that the diva cup is not the end-all-be-all for heavy flow girls, and it would be nice if they would share that up front. But I do love not spending $100's every year on products that end up in landfills (ew!).

Billie said...

After having extremely heavy flows for my entire life (I would go through a box of supers every period), I am so happy to report that I don't have to use anything now. The only thing that clues me in that I might be having my period is that my underarm is sore (I have some breast tissue that migrated).

The reason why my periods were so heavy and so painful was because of a large fibroid in my uterus. Ever since I got the fibroid removed, my life has changed. For anyone with abnormally heavy/painful flows, you might want to look into whether or not there is an issue. I wish I had of went to the doctor years ago.

Anonymous said...

I bought a Diva Cup around 3 years ago, but I haven't used it for the last 18 months or so because I had another baby and I've been breastfeeding. I did love it and was planning to return to it, but now that I read this I'm not so sure. Would it be OK after sitting in my medicine cabinet for over a year? Probably not, based on the new info. And do I want to buy another one anytime soon? Not so much. :/

Jenn said...

I started using the cup about a year ago, and read about it for a couple of months before taking the plunge.

Why, I wonder, do they not tell girls about this in sex ed class?

It worked great the first time for me - and the only times when it hasn't worked perfectly are:

1. Coming home from a bar or club and dumping it and reinserting it while drunk - it doesn't open, I wake up with a small mess.

2. Cervix position lower than usual and stem rubs - flip it inside out and it works fine (done that about four times).

BONUS: using the Diva Cup has shortened my period by 1 day.

I'm going to be 40 this year - my cycle is usually about 3 weeks (seriously always thought that the whole 28 day thing they kept telling us in sex ed was a myth made up by men).

This year has been varying between 13 and 28 days, averaging around 20. So, I am thinking about getting on COBRA when my insurance runs out this month and seeking a hysterectomy this summer.

My mom had one when she was 42, and I'd like to head off the inevitability - getting my period every 2 weeks for 2 years is not something I look forward to and I'll have to find a new home for my Diva cup.

Farmer's Daughter said...

Tried the Diva Cup for the first time a few months ago. I still haven't got it all figured out, so I'm mostly using it when I'm at home.

But I'm hoping to not have to worry about it soon :)

Sylvia said...

Have a Keeper. Love it love it love it! Never have to spend money on tampons again, less cramps, shorter period. I'm trying to figure out how to buy some for my sister and a couple friends w/o looking totally crazy! Haven't figured that out yet, however, I'm going to stock up on a few maybe for when/if things get more financially tough. In that case, a cup would be an awesome gift, as well as a great environmental choice.

Sam said...

I used reusable pads until last summer, and then before I began my x-country bike trip I switched to using Diva Cup which was/is a godsend. Some days while on the trip when I was menstruating, we didn't have a lot of water, just enough to drink and wash the cup out. The pads would have been a nightmare to deal with.

There have been times where I've had to resort to fisting myself to pull the damn thing out, but all in all it's a fantastic product. I still use a pad to catch any leaks...but there aren't any. I'm just paranoid.

Emily said...

I love my Diva, but with these caveats: yes, I need to empty it every 3-4 hours on my heaviest flow day. If you let it overflow, it's a BIG leak! I am also really happy there are bathrooms at work that are just a room with a locking door, a toilet, and a sink you can reach from the toilet. The whole "wipe it with TP" thing is bogus - though I know someone who used a squirt bottle of water to clean hers.

Luckily, I am usually within these limitations, so I use it every cycle. I find I'm a lot less irritated than with other products, because I'm not scrubbing myself raw with TP or chapping from too much moisture.

Kate said...

I tried the Diva cup for a few periods several years ago, and it always leaked for me. Perhaps I'll try a different brand. I'm a heavy flow gal with cycles that are generally two months long, so I'll give Keeper a go next time around.

Anonymous said...

Love it love it love it!! Absolutely a desert island must have! (though the learning curve is a little steep!)

Even better though is since I started using the Diva Cup 2 years ago I no longer get cramps...

It does make me wonder just what my body was absorbing from tampons that may have caused the cramps...

May said...

I've been reading about cups from you and other green bloggers for a while and finally took the plunge several months ago. Now I'm so in love with it, I never want to use anything else. And it's erased so much of the feel-bad factor that purchasing and using one-time use tampons added to an already emotional time for me. LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

Anonymous said...

I love my Diva Cup and wouldn't give it up for the world!

steffington said...

I have to say, that although this is a brilliant idea, there are drawbacks. It does not fit into everyone.

I have had one for years, and, at the risk of getting too personal, it does not fit inside me. No matter what I do, it just kind of suction-cups it's way out. (if that makes sense)

And people have just been telling me I bought the wrong one, even though I know I didn't.

I am persistent though, I try again every couple of periods, but to no avail.

Sharlene said...

The thoughtof drinking from a used diva cup on a desert island made me wretch. I think I had a little too imigination on that one.

Sharlene said...

The thoughtof drinking from a used diva cup on a desert island made me wretch. I think I had a little too imigination on that one.

Crunchy Chicken said...

Well, getting used to a cup (of any brand I would imagine) takes a bit of practice and if one isn't working, do some research (there are some great hints on this livejournal site) about which one might work better for you and your anatomy.

Cutting off the stem or turning it inside out are two tricks people seem to have success with.

Beany - You always have such a way with words. Try bearing down for easier removal. Or the Jaws of Life.

Greenpa - You are the only one with the balls (literally!) to keep bringing up these false accusations :)

Sharlene - If you wash it in salt water, you can get a little salt on the rim to go with your shots. Bloody Mary anyone? Sorry, I'll stop now.

EnviRambo said...

Looooooooove my DivaCup!

Wish I had known about it years ago. I agree that reusables should be presented as an option in sex ed.

Toria said...

There's another blog with a heap of information on all of the cups the blog owner can find out about - The Cups. She also has an information site, I think the blog links back to it.

I've used a Lunette for about 6 months now, and have only felt comfortable with in for about 2-3 months. First couple of months I was always getting leaks, it took time for me to figure out how to insert properly, but it was worth persisting with.

Gayle said...

Great article. I'm wearing mine right now! It took about 3 months to get the hang of inserting it right and to trim the stem down to the right length for me. (Oh, that was the most annoying stem EVER!) But otherwise, I love it and don't think I'll ever go back to tampons.

Anonymous said...

I wanted to add to the tips already given for using a diva caup, as it took me several cycles to get it right. It kept leaking, and that was due to incorrect position. In the end I worked out that once in, if I turned the cup that helped it open up fully, and then I could feel with my fingers, that the bottom of the cup was completely round & therefore, open, IYKWIM.


Also, I had it up too high. The stem seems to actually need to sit in the folds of the labia, not really inside the vaginal passage where the rest of the cup sits, and as long as you trim it, it can't be felt. Having it up too high seemed to cause issues with the seal & therefore, vacuum, so then fluid leaked around it.


Sorry for the highly descriptive comments, but I had issues with it each cycle and reverted to tampons, and almost gave on it entirely, but once I got the things above in order, it worked perfectly, everytime!!!!

Anonymous said...

The Diva is the best invention EVER! And by far the best investment I ever made!!

Anonymous said...

i'm still learning to use it properly, but i have to say this particular post (i know deanna already posted a link to the generl LJ site) was amazingly helpful with insertion tips: http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups/453392.html

as far as the divacup lifetime, many have suggested it is more of an issue regarding either liability to the divacup company or increasing return customer shopping rates than it being an issue of the reliability of the cup deteriorating after a mere year.

also, you should know there is some controversy surrounding the keeper/moon cup... http://www.labyrinth.net.au/~obsidian/clothpads/Cups_keepermooncup.html but there are somewhere in the neighborhood of 8 cups on the market so we still have choices.

Joules said...

I got a diva cup several months ago after reading about it here. It took a bit of getting used to, but works just fine now that I have the hang of it.

Green Bean said...

I've not had much success with the Diva Cup. I used it for a year or so. Sometimes, I would get it in just right and it rocked. It was like I wasn't even having my period. About half of the time, though, I couldn't get the damn thing in right. It leaked, inched downwards, was uncomfortable. I finally gave up and went back to 7th generation tampons.

Anonymous said...

unfortunately I have an IUD so the diva cup is not an option.

I would think people with IUD's can't use most cups because the string would interfere the the seal around the cervix.

I love, love, love, the IUD and it's a great eco-friendly method of birth control. Many women in my family use the non hormone IUD because we react negatively to the pill (even the low dose gives us high blood pressure, nausea, and other nasty symptoms).

Michele said...

I have wanted to try one of these cups but am concerned because I have such a heavy flow, I don't know if they could handle that amount of menstrual blood?

Anonymous said...

OK, some more detailed info. here, so I am going to be anon!!

I have a heavy flow on days 2 & 3, usually changing tampons every 2 to 3 hours, and have not had any trouble with a Diva. In fact, once I got the hang of it, it was better, as it holds alot. The only time I've had a leak from it being overfull was after wearing it all night, but I had a cloth panty liner on.

As for IUD's and Mirena's, I also read that you should not use a cup with them, the reason given you could pull the Mirena out when you are removing the cup. I am not sure how. The cup sits very low in the vagina, and is no where near the cervix. Some other cups might sit up high like that, but not the Diva. Plus, the 'strings' on my Mirena are very short, and seem like thin wire, just poking out of the cervix about 5mm (I know, I checked!). They are not hanging down, or even very 'string' like... I guess when you hear 'strings' you think like those annoying strings on tampons! I am not sure if IUD's are the same though?

Ask your GP or Gynaecologist, I guess!

emily said...

I LOVE my diva cup! I purchased mine about a year ago and haven't looked back! In fact, last weekend I went to the beach during my period and had no worries about leaking or spotting! worry-free!

Eco Yogini said...

I LOVE my DivaCup- but had no idea about the silly "health Canada" issues surrounding it. Replace every year??? WTF? That totally defeats the purpose, I am so with you on this one Crunchy. Lame.

I was wondering how DivaCup planned to make money if their customers only bought their product once... guess they figured that one out too.

I'm also a little confused about availability of other cups... as DivaCup states it's the only company allowed to sell in canada... but can we order them online? ugh.

Marissa said...

I still haven't been able to make this switch. I know I shouldn't be squeamish, but I am. The thought of getting my hands covered in menstrual fluid eeks me out. Someday i hope I can get over this, but for now I just cannot seem to do it.

I also worry that I would do *something* and it would pop off, letting my menstrual fluid pour out of me all over my clothing.

But the main reason is still what I call the *ick* factor. I know that as a feminist I shouldn't feel this way, but as someone with OCD I feel this way about pretty much ALL bodily fluids. Again, someday I hope to get over this.

Anonymous said...

Love, love, love it!! It just seems so much cleaner than tampons, and my period seems shorter; or maybe it just seems shorter because the diva cup is so much cleaner and easier to use.

Anonymous said...

Marissa, I understand that some people think of cups as being more 'icky', but seriously, I have never gotten my hands covered with menstrual fluid whilst using a Diva cup... I find it is no more 'messy' than using tampons! I hope you will consider at least giving it a try...

Anonymous said...

This has been my first cycle that I have used the Diva Cup. I love it. I have a fairly light flow because I have had an IUD for a few years. It's light enough so that I only empty it in the shower at night. I prefer changing it in the shower because it is easier to insert and remove while in a squat and I don't worry about getting it on anything by accident.

It's kind of gross, but interesting at the same time. It makes me feel like I know my body better.

Silicone Pod said...

For first month i was not so comfortable with diva cup. Was causing irritation. But later on i felt comfortable with it. It is very easy to use, cost-effective and convenient, comfortable, it can be used for 2yrs with regular cleaning.

Teri said...

I was just wondering if you'd heard back from the company!

I absolutely LOVE my diva cup and can not imagine every using anything else again.

I have heavy periods and its only leaked once, and I was hemorrhaging. I was able to tell the dr exactly how much blood I was losing and how quickly, so using the cup was beneficial.

When my daughter hits puberty, her choices will be the cup or we'll make pads for her.

Instead of carrying a tampon with me, I just throw my cup into my purse when I know I am close.

violentgreyskies said...

Ugh, I hate, hate, hate the DivaCup... Let me tell you, the DivaCup was not made for small women. Even the size one is huge. It absolutely will not open up 90% of the time, I turn it and turn like it's a merry-go-round. It's not a matter of inserting incorrectly, it's a matter of size. The DivaCup simply was not designed for petite, small framed, 5'3" women. And not only is the insertion a problem, but so is removal. For those of you who've said you've never gotten menstral blood on your hands removing it, I can't even begin to fathom that. The DivaCup is so large, that I literally have to fold it BACK up (assuming I was able to get it to open in the first place, which usually isn't the case) to get it out of me, and even then, it's not exactly 'comfortable', to say the least.

Looking at some of these other cups that were posted, I find it incredibly amusing that the "small" DivaCup is as big, or bigger, than many of the "larges" manufactured by other companies. DivaCup needs to realize that just because the North American population is large and getting larger by the year, it doesn't mean their vaginas are expanding proportionately to their waist lines.

I think I might try the Lady Cup, as their cup actually seems sized to fit ladies.

Crossfit Gal said...

ELEVEN YEARS, LADIES!

That's how long I've been using The Keeper. THE SAME ONE! Yes, I'm shouting, becuase the thing has lasted. I guess the companies want us to buy them yearly - more dinero for the companies, but I'm sure you've already thought of that.

sarah marie said...

I've used my mooncup for a couple of years now and I love it. I keep trying to 'convert' every woman I know, it's that great. I may have an unusually heavy flow, but I find I need to empty it every 3-4 hours on the heaviest day of my period. Still, that's longer than I'd have using super tampons.

I love the convenience factor of not having to worry about how to dispose of period-related garbage, particularly when I'm out or at someone else's house - haven't we all encountered a trashcan with no liner in someone's guest bathroom, and wondered how to discreetly dispose of wrappers etc? Love not having to deal with that anymore.

I'd totally take my mooncup to a desert island with me! Can't even express how much better it has made that pesky 1/4 of my life.

Anonymous said...

To each it's own...Eleven Years? Yuck. Why would you want to stick the same bloody cup up your Lucy month after month year after year for eleven years? Regaurdless if it was boiled. You're still putting the "old" cup back there over and over again.
I think I will stick with Tampons.

Crunchy Chicken said...

That's right, Anonymous, we just stuff that dirty, bloody, crusty ol' thing right back in there month after month.

No matter that it's medical grade silicone that can be easily sterilized. But, why bother, really, when you can enjoy the used patina of an unwashed cup?

I sure hope you don't use that same line with your partner: "Do you expect me to put that dirty thing up my Lucy month after month year after year? You're still putting that 'old' penis back there over and over again."

Or perhaps it could use a good boiling?

Anonymous said...

Actually Cruncy Chicken, I have been celibate for four years. So no, I don't use that type of language with my partner. I think you took it the wrong way...I just wanted to know how clean it really got after it has been boiled.Like I said To each it's own. I like to use scolding hot water when washing my hands before and after removing a tampon. I am just a clean freak like that. I don't have access to a private rest room at work... So before I go into a stall i grab several papertowells,wash my hands throughly, turn off the water with a paper towell, open the bathroom stall door with a paper towell, then dispose the used papertowells in the waste. The unused paper towells I proceed to remove my tampon. Wipe clean and proceed to insert new one. If I were to use a D-cup I would not be able to have such privacy...Maybe people using the cup have massive amounts of privacy. I am not sure, I just find tampons more convenient. By the way...What happens when your cup "runneth over"?

Keep It Old School said...

I have to agree with Anonymous before me...This bloody Diva don't sound safe at all...I will stick to the regular way...old school....lol sounds like Cruchy Chicken was getting a little upset..about this nasty shit!!! Its just not right...Then she compared it to a Penis!!! lol I hope your man Penis is not that small...lol...Hopefully the Penis that all of us women messed with gets checked out like it suppose to!! A penis is not made to sit in our "thank you ma'am" for days at a time catching blood...That's not a good comparison....LoL..Where do you ignorant women come From? I mean really...Damn....What's so wrong with using tampons or pads...Why in the world would someone invent something like this...? So where do women store it when its not being used? In a cubbard? lol And when is it sterilized? Right before its used or right after its used....? If its sterile after its used then put away...ummmm its still collecting germs!!!!!!!!! You women need to really think about this!Another question...do you all boil food in the same pot as the cup...? LoL...This is crazy.... No need to get offended by what other people think.....Its just an opinion.. not a law.....xoxoxox

Anonymous said...

That is so funny! I needed a laugh this morning!

When you have a pap smear (even celibate women should have them!) and the doctor uses a speculum, where do you think that has been before? Sure, they sterilised them in between, but then, they are being used between many, many, many different Lady Gardens!!! (If your Gynae is using disposable speculums, time to find a new doctor, I say!)

And you know what, even for those irked by a non disposable feminine product, or those 'clean-freaks'... time to get over it for the sake of reduced landfill, ladies! If you have OCD, get treatment, and if you can't stand the sight of your own body fluids, time to 'man it up'!!!! LOL

steffington said...

I must agree with the last comment.

I'm not exactly a fan of my body fluids getting all over my hands, but that's why they made soap.

Crunchy Chicken said...

Oh, dear, I fear a few people lack a sense of humor, imagination and a basic grasp of biology.

Anyhoo, I'm not going to go through all the arguments for using a cup because I've already made them time and again.

As for where I store my DivaCup - I keep it in the refrigerator in the plastic egg carton that came with the fridge, tip down. I like to store leftover egg yolks in it when I'm making meringue.

Anonymous said...

Cruncy Chicken,
Eww! In the fridge? Then people wonder why I don't eat at potlucks.
I don't have OCD, nor do I cringe at the sight of my bodily fluids... I wrap up my tampon don't I? No one has yet to answer my question. STill, you guys are being on the defensive...It's like you're not really reading the whole comment I post....I ask how does one wash their cup at work if they don't have a private restroom?
I am willing to do my part in going "green". My electric bill in my apartment was only $38-$40 monthly. Very conservative on energy.I am just nnot willing to go this far.
Seriously ladies, Chill!!!It's o.k. I don't get upset when diva divers knock tampons. You should do the same! Sometimes it's just different strokes for different folks.

Crunchy Chicken said...

Good grief, anonymous, I am kidding. I store it in a drawer in the bathroom and wash it before use in hot, soapy water.

I don't change it at work because I only need to change it twice a day. Once in the morning when I get up and once in the evening. I've never had to change it in public. If I know I'm going out and won't be able to do it then, I'll change it before I leave.

It's really not very complicated. I've never had my cup runneth over, but then again, some women probably need to change it more frequently than I.

Sam said...

My cup always runneth over, so changing at work at least once is a necessity. Thankfully we have individual bathrooms at work, so I can wash the cup at work in the sink. When that option is not available, I rape a tree by using lots of TP to wipe the cup clean.

dixiebelle said...

Hi there, Interesting thoughts!

Keeping it in the fridge doesn't sound like a bad idea, really, except for the chill as you put it in! If you give the diva cup a good boil in between uses, you could always boil a little container at the same time to store it in (dry, of course).

As for cleaning when out and about, I have never had to do it either. You could always keep a bottle of water with you for such purposes, or some neutral wet wipe type things? The instructions for cleaning say mild detergent and hot water... just make sure you use scalding hot water, to kill any bugs!

And Anon, good on you for doing your bit in other ways, everyone has to find their own way to help! Are you using organic tampons? That way you'd be reducing the chemicals used on the earth, and to your 'Lucy'! Good luck...

Nina said...

I use a Diva Cup but now I am a bit worried because if they want the life expectancy to be a year who is to say they won't introduce a new ingredient in the mix that makes it unusable after a year? I got mine in April and have loved it ever since, but now I'm not sure if I have the 10 year/indefinite version or the 1 year version. I hate to be paranoid about something like this :-(

Libby said...

I am so frustrated! I've been happily using my cup for at lest two years, and then last month, and now this one too... it leaks like mad! I had gastric bypass surgery last month, but I cannot imagine that would affect my cooter contours. I've checked it thoroughly, and it looks to be in fine shape... any ideas?