My experience using the DivaCup...the pros and cons!

My periods have ALWAYS been extremely heavy on the first and second day. Always! And when I was in my teens and twenties, my periods were horrible...I'd have severe cramping, throwing up, sweating...literally bedridden for a couple of days. It was a nightmare. But I don't have those excruciating episodes anymore. The heavy periods, however, stayed around! Not to mention fibroids. I first found out that I had them in my early 30's. Since then, they've grown and have also contributed to my heavy periods.


In the last year or so, the first and second days of my period have become so dreadful, sometimes I don't want to leave the house! I would have to have on an overnight pad AND a tampon inserted for added protection. And even then, I'd have to change every couple of hours (or I'd have an accident)! Fast forward to a week ago. I was taking a road trip to New York. I was torn though...I knew that my period was due on the day of the trip. I KNOW my flow. I was like "Treena, are you really going to do this to yourself?" But I really wanted to go, y'all. Desperate acts call for desperate measures! I was thinking to myself, "What could I use for added protection??" The green light goes off in my head. Enters the DivaCup!


What in the world is a Diva Cup?
It's just a fancy name for a menstrual cup. You insert this cup into your vagina and it absorbs your menstrual flow.  It works kinda like a tampon (but bigger). It's reusable and can last up to 12 hours without any leaks.  After I did some research, I found out that the menstrual cup has been around since the 1930's! Who knew?? I sure as hell didn't! HA! The DivaCup is made with silicone and it does not contain latex, PVC, acrylic, BPA, phthalate, polyethylene, and is free of colors and dyes. Silicone is known to be compatible with the human body without giving you an adverse reaction, so that was a plus for me!


There are two models of the DivaCup; models 1 and 2. Model 1 is recommended for women under the age of 30 who have never delivered a baby vaginally or by caesarean.  Model 2 is recommended for women aged 30 and over or for women who have delivered vaginally or by caesarean. Since I'm over 30, I chose the model 2.

"You got to know when to hold'em, know when to fold'em..."- Kenny Rogers 😂

Baby, listen!! I went into the bathroom to put this DivaCup "in there!" 😂 I read the instructions and you basically have to fold it in half before you insert it! You have to make sure that you insert it correctly (the stem should be pointed outward toward the lips of the vagina so that you can pull it out when it's time to change). I was STRUGGLING!! 😂 I tried folding that thing several times, but it would NOT go in there! I called my best friend Risa to get some guidance on this because she has used them before. She suggested that I try inserting while in the bathtub (and have one leg propped up on the side). I didn't listen to her. I decided to try a different route. 😂 I decided to insert while sitting on the toilet. BABY!!!! That did NOT work! 😂😂😂

It's a CRIME scene...😂
So it was back in the bathtub. My heart was beating fast, literally having an anxiety attack! "Issa WHOLE hand" in my vagina....MINE!😂 Trying to put that cup in there! Gee whiz!! 😂 BUT- I finally got it in there! But the bathtub looked like a crime scene! LOL! I'm not kidding! My hand....I just...it was a messy scene! Very messy! I didn't feel it in there, so I guess it was working. I didn't trust it at first, so I put on a maxi pad for added protection. So far so good!!


And then there were cramps...
I didn't feel anything for several hours. By the sixth hour (yes, I counted), I started feeling these horrible cramps! I haven't had cramps during my period since my twenties, so I knew it had something to do with the DivaCup! So we stopped by a restaurant, and I went into the bathroom to check! Six hours into it, the cup was completely full! I'm not sure if the cramps came from the cup being completely full, or maybe I didn't have the cup inserted all the way in there correctly. I wasn't convinced that it would last the full 12 hours anyway, but I was impressed by 6 hours! I will say--there was no leakage on the pad. I was surprised! And there was absolutely no smell. I'm guessing because the menstrual flow is collected from the inside instead of on a maxi pad.  I could be on to something! Click here to get more information or to purchase the DivaCup!

The DivaCup

Rinsing and Re-inserting...what an experience!!
Let me back up for a second....when you change it out, you're supposed to rinse it out before re-inserting. You should wash your hands before and after doing so (you will WANT to) to avoid bacterial infections. The shit was MESSY y'all...super messy!!! BUT- it works!! It really does.


You will get the hang of it! Sort of...
Once you continue to use the DivaCup (inserting, taking it out, rinsing it, re-inserting), you will get the hang of it. I've learned that you have to push it in there far enough so that you won't feel it. However, if you push it in there too far, it is HARD to remove. The second time I tried to remove it to empty it, it took me 15 minutes to get that thing out of there! Rule of thumb, make sure you don't push the stem farther than a 1/2 inch into your vagina. Anything farther, you're gonna have a tough time, buddy! 😂😂😂 The DivaCup box also provides a little pouch that you can store your DivaCup in until the next time. You will want to keep it in there for hygiene purposes!

The DivaCup pouch

I would use the DivaCup Again...
Next month, I'm going to try the DivaCup again (especially on my first and second day)!  Although it didn't last the full 12 hours, I didn't have the annoying experience of changing out maxi pads and tampons every other hour. I was impressed that it lasted 6 hours. Overall, it is healthier because it doesn't have any chemicals or dyes that your average tampon or maxi pad has. ALSO- you can use the DivaCup over and over again (so it's more cost effective than buying disposable pads and tampons)! I could do without the mess, though!😂 Have you tried the DivaCup or would like to try it? Leave a comment and let me know what you think! Here's the link to the DivaCup's website for more information.  Well, that's it for me, Treena V is signing off. Until next time! Have a wonderful day!


-The Vegan World Traveler