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, February 19, 2010

Another DivaCup convert

For those of you following along at home, the pilot episode of Mission: Sustainable involved me doing a personal care makeover on a family. To find out all the things I covered in this episode, you can read about it here on the Pilot Companion Guide.

One of the things I covered with the mom of the family (who is in her late 30s) is the environmental impact of menstruation. Why did I go there? Do you expect anything less from me? I wasn't sure how many shows were going to be filmed and I wanted to make sure that I squeezed in the education on menstruation for all to see. The producer and director didn't know that I was going to cover it, I just sprang it on them. But, the segment worked really well.

I found it very interesting that, in some of the test audiences who previewed the pilot, they were very uncomfortable with the topic and it completely turned them off. Same thing at the pilot premiere. One blogger just couldn't get past the fact that I suggested a menstrual cup. What can I say? Difficult subjects still need to be talked about and, since I don't have a problem talking about it, I might as well jump in! [Along that note - the video for my Sex & Sustainability seminar should be up online soon.]

However, Shannon (the mom) was very open to the idea and I spent some time outside of filming going over hints and tips on how to use the DivaCup that I got for her as part of her mission. I've been wondering how she's been faring using it the last few months so I was delighted to get a chance to see her at the pilot premiere.

As I was leaving she pulled me aside to tell me how much she loved it and was surprised that she had never heard of it before because it was so awesome. Needless to say, I was very pleased that she was so happy with it.

One down, a couple hundred million to go.....

33 comments:

Urban Thorn said...

Awesome! I was ranting the other day about how women are presented with so few of the available options i.e. only the ones that put nasty chemicals where nasty chemicals don't belong.
Unfortunately,I can't say that I'm surprised it made people uncomfortable... menstruation (well, the female body in general) is such a weirdly taboo topic.

Glenda said...

I love that you went there & it got left in the pilot episode! I, too, am not surprised it made some people uncomfortable, but there will be people who take that info and do something with that and *that* is fantastic.

Nonie said...

That's great! And you won't have to convert me :) Just last month when I was looking to pick up some new sponge tampons I decided to give the moon cup a try. Used it this cycle. Barely noticed it. After a small trim on it's tail, I'd wager that next cycle I won't feel it at all. Hooray!

I'm looking forward to laying out ALL the options when my daughter reaches menarche :)

Shari said...

I too was shocked to discover menstrual cups. They are so awesome for busy moms. I couldn't believe that I hadn't heard of them before. I will never go back!

Amber F. said...

I'm in the repressed group that hates discussing things like that. However, thanks to persistent women in my life, I did end up hearing about the Diva Cup, and eventually decided to give it a try.

And oh, my gosh - I love my Diva Cup. I can't believe I went so many years using pads. They're just so... squishy.

Now pads skeeg me out. Sooo much happier.

Shannon Machtans said...

I love my diva cup!!!!! love love love!!!I love not throwing away garbage bc I'm a woman!!!

Sadie from allnaturalme.com said...

I'm a pad lover.

I'm sitting in my reusable cloth one right now. Aside from the blood, it's cute - made from a soft cotton flannel with little owls and flowers all over.

Hooray for greener choices!

Sparkless said...

Been using a Keeper for over 10 years now and wouldn't have it any other way. If 51% of the population is female then we really need to get over our issues with mentruation. It happens and it's messy but it's not nasty.

Manda said...

Well she's not your first convert because you made me try it out and now I love my mooncup! I would never go back because mensruation always seemed so gross to me but for some reason my mooncup makes me feel so much more comfortable and less awkward about the whole thing. But everyone else is right, it is a really uncomfortable topic for most people, especially the male viewers!

Burbanmom said...

One down? Are you kidding, Crunchy? I bet you've already converted fifty of us - at least! I LOVE my Diva and pair it with my homemade glad-rags. Makes me wonder why anyone ever would want to pay for (and oh yeah, dispose of) all that cotton and paper waste!

Eco Yogini said...

we need to talk about it more- this issue of secrecy and shame around a natural human experience that 50% of the population between the ages of 11 and 50 experience, is ridiculous.

the more open and matter of fact we are, the healthier (mind and body) we will be.

I think it's fantastic that you spoke about it!

All of Us said...

Yay! I tell EVERYONE (well everyone female at least) about the Diva Cup. It is one of the best purchases I ever made.

While I started using it for environmental reasons, I now stress to women how much BETTER it works than your standard tampon and how it is much less gross than a pad.

Farmer's Daughter said...

I could understand how a man would be uncomfortable talking about mentruation, but seriously ladies, when you deal with it all the time, why not discuss it! I've found commercials on tv to be more uncomfortable than anything on your blog! Perhaps that because you make it funny.

And add me into the converts.

Farmer's Daughter said...

Oh, and also, in all my eco-mindedness I never heard of any eco-option for menstruation other than unbleached disposables until I read your blog. So you're right to get it out there!!!!!!

Rosa said...

Yeah, the cups and reusable pads are up against, what, 5 decades and many millions of advertising dollars for disposables?

We've got to talk about it where we can!

Anonymous said...

Okay, I've read about how awesome these things are -- especially for "busy moms". What about working professionals? I would try but -- I can't imagine how you can change/wash it in a "public" washroom like those at work. Until I figure that out, it's disposables for me. But I'm willing to be convinced, if anyone has ideas.

Shawna Coronado said...

Awesome Post!
In the right setting I spread the word too..
And am amazed how many women haven't tried it yet!
Keep up the great work spreading the Crunchianity gospel.

thesimplepoppy said...

Anonymous - you are way overthinking the Divacup. You don't need to empty it every few hours. Most women, even with heavy periods, can get away with emptying before they go to work and after. If you feel you HAVE to empty it at work you just dump it in the toilet and wipe it out with some tp, pop it back in. Simple, reusable, easy. It's also vastly more comfortable than pads or tampons (in my opinion.)

mezzaluna said...

i first heard of cups maybe 15 years ago, but thought it was too crunchy for me and stuck with my non-applicator non-bleached organic tampons, well, the years go by and i've become more crunchy than i was then, and now i'll never go back! i found great advice for troubleshooting cup usage at http://menstrual_cups.livejournal.com

@anonymous professional woman - you may find you only need to change the cup twice a day, which you could then do mornings and evenings at home. if you have some days with heavier flow, you can empty in your stall, wipe the cup with toilet paper, and reinsert. then you can wash it out properly in the evening.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous, I'm thirding (depending on how quickly this gets posted) the comments about just dumping out the diva cup in the toilet, then wiping it with TP.
I've "taken" (AKA "worn") mine camping, and skiing to huts with no plumbing in the Colorado backcountry. It makes having my period on adventures as close to a "no muss, no fuss" situation as I can imagine.

Crunchy, I love, love, love the blog! Thanks!

Eco Yogini said...

anonymous professional: i am 'fourthing' the other comments. I'm a professional and only a few times have i had to empty it in public washrooms. in the toilet, some tp and i'm good.
it's also been fantastic for yoga.... i heart my diva cup :)

gina said...

Another convert here from a previous challenge. I love my Diva cup and have continued to spread the word, but I too have noted that it can make people uncomfortable. Too bad that they are missing out on how comfortable the cup makes our monthly cycle!

Anonymous said...

The success of these cups really depends on what kind of period you have. I wouldn't suggest it at all for someone with fibro or pcos that causes clotting or heavy flow. I love the concept but honestly the cup for me fills up in under an hour- often 45 minutes tops. After that it's going to start coming out on it's own and NO ONE wants that. That's an lot of trips to the bathroom for a very, very messy change the first 3 days of my period. Maybe when I'm closer to menopause I'll be able to use it. Love the idea and how it can cut down on landfills, etc but don't care for the "one size fits all" of the concept cause honestly, it doesn't. Without modern tampons and very thick pads I'd be unable to leave my home, drive, or work several days each month.

Oldnovice said...

My daughter who loves the Diva Cup gave birth for the first time 2 weeks ago tomorrow. I said, "I'll go ahead and order you a Diva Cup." She said, "The one I have is still FINE." I said, "You need a different size now." She said, "Oh... they come in SIZES."

My other daughter could never get used to it and threw it away. I think she only menstruates twice/year or something, so it just wasn't as important to her.

Is there any way to view the show online?

MaddyG said...

You converted me a few months ago. I feel like a...well, like a DIVA with my Diva Cup! Thanks, Crunchy!

mezzaluna said...

I'd like to add that most people here are mentioning one brand, but there are many brands of menstrual cups now available. Diva Cups are not the best fit for every woman. There a longer and shorter ones, wider and narrower... and there are two different materials options (other than glass, lol!) There is at least one brand that is made of latex, which has the advantage of being a natural material and biodegradable, but has the risk of latex allergy. The others I know of are silicone, which you can boil to sterilize if you wish, and supposedly last longer than the latex ones, but aren't exactly biodegradable.

Gypsy said...

I LOVE my Diva cup! I started with the Moon cup and the tail bothered me even after I trimmed it. I liked the Diva cup because the "tail" has little grippers on it so it's easier to pull out. I've had it for three years now. I'm pretty heavy the first two days So I have to empty it about 3-4 times a day but after that- I forget it's even in there and I'm on my period! And I (fifthes?) everyone else. I'm I'm in a public restroom a little dab and pop it back in. (My sis has a wet wipe for that occasion). It did take me a few months to get used to how to properly insert it. Not it's easy as pie and anything else seems gross and difficult to me. LOVE IT!

swiggett said...

Woo hoo!! I love my DivaCup, and happily tell people about it.

Anonymous said...

I LOVE My divacup - started using it about 5 yrs ago? time sure flys, but each month I am happy to have the option of my divacup.

Jodi said...

I have heard that the diva cups, etc. cause more frequent yeast infections???? This reason has kept me from trying it. Have any of you also had this side effect?

Lacie said...

I had actually heard about the DivaCup briefly a few months back but was honestly afraid to try it as I had never heard any feedback. However, thanks to your site and your wonderful commentators here, I just ordered one today! So I'll let you know how it goes. Is it sick that I'm so excited for a feminine product?

Cheap Like Me said...

Just catching up on blogs - this is great! If anyone wants to enter a giveaway for a DivaCup, I'm hosting one at my blog - winner to be picked tomorrow. http://www.cheaplikemeblog.com.

http://www.adesiretogetcreative.com said...

I heard about the DivaCup in passing on the new ubykotex.com site, where I was looking into the new products. I looked it up on Google and found the DivaCup website and read everything I found there. Then I wanted a real person's review, and ended up on your blog. I read every DivaCup post, and I was convinced to try it. Here's my own review, which I'm emailing to the DivaCup ladies...

Thursday morning: "Um... this DivaCup looks kinda big... is this really going to fit inside me?" It took me 5-10 minutes, but wow, it fit!
Thursday afternoon: "Wow, I could almost forget I'm wearing this DivaCup. Maybe it's just the stem that's bothering me..."
Thursday night: "Crap, now how do I get it out?" This took longer, but I eventually figured it out. I trimmed the stem to 1/4 inch, and it took less time to reinsert it. "That definitely feels better."

Friday morning: Taking the DivaCup out a second time is definitely easier, but still took a few minutes. Inserting it is getting easier, but I can't twist it around inside me. "And I love the DivaWash, it smells great and is going to last a long time because it's concentrated."
Friday midmorning: "Wait, I forgot... aren't I on my period?"
Friday afternoon: "I sure feel clean!"
Friday evening: "No tampon leaks (and no strings). No chafing from a pad. No garbage. Only have to change it (and think about it) twice a day... I could definitely get used to this."
Friday night: "Wow, did I just take the DivaCup out in under 30 seconds? Did I just insert it in under a minute? Yes and YES!"

So in a day and a half, I am a convert. I will keep the pads and tampons I have in the bathroom for female guests, but I don't think I will ever go back myself. I love that I can make my period a way to "go green," and I love the way the DivaCup keeps me cleaner, thus it makes me feel better about my period -- I'm already looking forward to using my DivaCup next month, and I haven't even finished my first period with it!