Diva Cup (men may wish to stay away!)

I own the Diva Cup and used it for about two cycles. I really, really liked it--cleaning it was no grosser than pulling out a tampon (I mean, it's all YOU, so it's not too bad, IMO.) I had some trouble inserting it for awhile, but practice made perfect. After my cycle was over, I would boil it to sterilize it and store it away. And, I felt good about not using tampons. All great things.

My problem is that I must have a weird shaped vagina (sorry if TMI). The stem, even when trimmed, would hang out of me and be very uncomfortable. I tried both sizes ( there are two sizes, one for women who have had children, and one for women who have not), and both were too long (?). I trimmed it as short as I could, and it still sagged. I am sad, because besides this fact, it worked GREAT! No leaks, fairly easy to clean, insert and remove. I wish it would have worked for me.

I know there is an alternate design called "The Keeper", I might try that, but I don't want to fork out $20 or so more dollars for another failure. Hopefully it will work better for Buzby and Sara! Let us know!

Originally Posted by Kiwideus

Sarah - is there any discomfort?

Click to expand...

None whatsoever. I put it in, and it just sat in the right spot straight away I guess. I was freaking out about how big it was, but it's fine.

Originally Posted by sarahp

None whatsoever. I put it in, and it just sat in the right spot straight away I guess. I was freaking out about how big it was, but it's fine.

Click to expand...

I freaked a little at first at how big it is too, haha, made me think of a silicone shot glass... but then I figured, um how can I put this not too graphically, um my most recent ex was definitely bigger and I had no problems (hope that's not TMI)... I have model 1 and didn't trim it or anything and I don't even feel it when it's in... I'm still getting the hang of practicing taking it in and out, so by the time it really needs to do the job, I should be good to go lol

Originally Posted by BuzbyJLC10

I freaked a little at first at how big it is too, haha, made me think of a silicone shot glass... but then I figured, um how can I put this not too graphically, um my most recent ex was definitely bigger and I had no problems

(hope that's not TMI)... I have model 1 and didn't trim it or anything and I don't even feel it when it's in... I'm still getting the hang of practicing taking it in and out, so by the time it really needs to do the job, I should be good to go lol

Click to expand...

looooverly

Haha, yeah I'm not very shy

Taking it out was a lot harder than putting it in, but I finally figured out a technique that worked!

Originally Posted by sarahp

Taking it out was a lot harder than putting it in, but I finally figured out a technique that worked!

Click to expand...

Haha, I noticed that it is a little difficult to get it out (and I'm doin a "dry run"!!) definitely gotta make sure you break the seal or it feels like you're suctioning your insides out!

Just stumbled onto this thread, so I haven't read all the responses yet. I do have a Diva, and I LOVE it!!! I don't consider myself an overly 'crunchy' individual, but I will admit, freeing up all that cupboard space in my bathroom formerly occupied by tampons, pads and liners was incredibly liberating!!!!

I will say it's not for everyone; you do need to have a certain level of comfort dealing w/your nether-regions. I have used OB tampons for some years (non-applicator) so I knew insertion wasn't going to be 'wierd' for me, but it was different.

I have had NO accidents, and my post-partum periods have been heavier than usual. I just insert it as soon as I sense I'll be spotting (you all know what I mean) and I love, love, LOVE that I don't have to think about it for eight hours or more!

I know some women w/heavy periods will have to empty the cup more often, but even so you will reduce your worries once you've gotten the hang of it. I wore pantiliners for my first couple cycles, just in case but never needed them. and Sarah, if you haven't already done so, you should look into Mama cloth if you're really dedicated to reducing landfill waste. PM me and I can hook you up w/some links!

Alright, I use something called 'instead" which is the same thing, only you dont rinse out the cup, you just throw it away! Ive never had a mess, and I think it I couldn't boil the diva cup clean it wouldn't be for me! Ive always used non aplicator style tampons so I knew I wouldn't have much of a problem, plus with instead, there are "other" things you can still do that you can't if you got a tampon! You can wear them for up to 14 hours, and they're just easy! does anyone else think the diva cup looks like a condom?? Or is it just me?? I might have to give it a try... we dont need our landfills over flowing with yucky stuff!

Ok, if anyone else wants more info on my DivaCup experiences, just PM me. I'm sure most people now know more about my bits than they ever wanted to

Originally Posted by glitch

does anyone else think the diva cup looks like a condom?? Or is it just me?? I might have to give it a try... we dont need our landfills over flowing with yucky stuff!

Click to expand...

Haha, the first thing I thought when I saw it was it looked like a silicone shot glass with a tail!

Sarah, I'd be interested in any "updates" you have... so you can include me if you're sending out PMs to people regarding how it's going lol

On the other forums where I brought this up, I have a list of members who want to be kept in the loop via PM

see and this is why i dont like being 17.........
i cant recieve PM's, but can u update me too rix's account?
lol

FWIW - I bought mine on eBay for $19 + $5 shipping. Brand New in a sealed box from a seller that has 100% feedback selling these things.

That's an $8 dollar savings off the Drugstore site linked on the DivaCup page.

... for anyone that's interested

Ok, I'm going to preface this to say that this may get long....

Originally Posted by sarahp

Has anyone else tried it out? Is it all it's cracked up to be? Have you had any "accidents"? Do you think it's worth it?

Click to expand...

I've been a Diva cup user for over 5 years now and I LOVE it! I think it's all its cracked up to me and more. Once you are comfortable with it the worry of accidents goes out the window. I would suggest using a panty liner for the first few cycles but once you've got he hang if it, it is pretty much accident proof. So much so that I don't worry about panty liners anymore when I've got mine in. So, in terms of being better for the environment and long term savings I think it's totally worth it. That said, is take a certain degree of comfort with your own body and it's normal functions to use it. I personally think it's a good thing for a woman to be as familiar with her won body and it's cycle as possible but that's just me.

Originally Posted by BuzbyJLC10

That's the thing I'm curious about.... would totally love to hear about this part if anyone has used one!

I would think, if you were to remove it over the toilet (much like a tampon) most of it could be dumped right into the bowl... ?? maybe ?? Still kind of messy sounding though (and messy is why I prefer tampons over pads lol)

Click to expand...

Again, it takes practice but once you get the hang of it, it's really not messy at all. You just dump it in the toilet, give it a good wash and pop it back in.

Originally Posted by EnzoLeya

It does sound quite messy

I also wonder how it could be sealed well enough not to leak?

Click to expand...

Trust me, if you have it in right it creates a seal around the cervix. So much so that you have to pinch the bottom of the cup when removing it to break the seal.

Originally Posted by Zissou'sMom

I want to try the disposable kind of those. On the pill my cycle is super light, and they recommend you wear a panty liner at least for the first while you use them.

One of the benefits on the site states that you can have sex while using one. I don't believe them, and certainly won't be finding out

I just don't want to have to wash it out in a public restroom. I'm nervous enough about people hearing the wrapper on a tampon.

Click to expand...

The disposable ones are nice because they are soft so you can have sex with them in. It is also a cheaper way to test the water and see if using a menstrual cup is something you can handle.

They hold so much that I have NEVER had to empty mine in a public setting. n fact, even on med/heavy flow days I can empty once in the morning and once in the evening and be ok. So, if you're going to be out you can plan ahead. Plus, after a few cycles you'll know how long you can go before you have to empty it.

Originally Posted by pixietina

I want too add WASH THIS EVERY HOUR OR SO!
i know with tampons you can get toxic shock syndrome!
i cant believe how silly these are!
maybe im missing something but TSS can kill if ignored!
i wouldnt risk it!

Click to expand...

There is NO need to wash it hourly. In fact, part of the benefit of this device is that you can leave it in place for much longer. It is important to wash it when you do remove it though. I also sanitize it in boiling water once a month at the end of my cycle and if I remember right it might even be dishwasher safe but that I've never tried. Don't think DH would appreciate that one too much.

Originally Posted by bad_kitty2001

Ok, this thing sounds kinda weird. I understand that you keep it and reuse it which is a plus when I have to continually buy tampons. At least I go to costco and get it in bulk so I buy like 100 at a time.

Another thought is, what if this thing is full and you are at the mall or in a restaurant and need to wash it out? What are you going to do...? Take it to a public restroom and give it a good rinse?

I don't think I will ever be buying this and will stick to tampons.

Click to expand...

See my above comments. It take a LOT to fill this thing up and unless you plan of spending 12 hours at the mall there's usually not a problem.


When I bought mine I tried it when I wasn't menstruating so that I could get comfortable putting it in and taking it out when mess wasn't an issue. It is rigid but when it's in right you can't even feel it. The tip can be trimmed for a comfortable fit. I had to almost trim mine completely off but like I said, if your comfortable with your body it's a good choice. Just imagine never having to buy tampons of heavy pads again. I still use liners for days when I'm just spotting but if I have the Diva cup in I don't bother.


eta: I just saw the orgami fold... I'm so going to have to try that next time!

Originally Posted by twstychik

When I bought mine I tried it when I wasn't menstruating so that I could get comfortable putting it in and taking it out when mess wasn't an issue. It is rigid but when it's in right you can't even feel it. The tip can be trimmed for a comfortable fit. I had to almost trim mine completely off but like I said, if your comfortable with your body it's a good choice. Just imagine never having to buy tampons of heavy pads again. I still use liners for days when I'm just spotting but if I have the Diva cup in I don't bother.

Click to expand...

That's exactly what I'm doing currently... I've got another 2 weeks until my period, but I bought the Diva Cup at Whole Foods (about $30) the other day and have been "practicing" with it, so I'll be comfortable enough and confident that I'm doing it correctly when the real test comes... I haven't picked a particular insertion method, I guess it's mostly the C or 7 fold, maybe I can get fancier as I get more used to it lol - and same here, once mine's in I dont feel it at all

you guys are all so brave, I just don't know if I could do this - but the disposable ones seem like a neat trial....

:sings:

Viva las Diva!

I ordered mine from eBay (factory sealed) and could hardly wait to try it.

:sings again: Looooove it!!!

I use the origami fold. I love the lack of hassle now!

So trying to talk my oldest daughter into it... but she's still gotta get over the enigma of it.

Woo Hoo! Thanks for this thread! I've been thinking about getting one of these for awhile. Glad I finally took the plunge

PS - I had to trim the tail almost all the way off my Diva (hubby calls it s Dixie Cup) too. Was a little worried the first two dry-run tries, but after I had it trimmed perfect, and got the fold down. Love it! Love it!

Originally Posted by Marianjela

:sings:

Viva las Diva!

I ordered mine from eBay (factory sealed) and could hardly wait to try it.

:sings again: Looooove it!!!

I use the origami fold. I love the lack of hassle now!

So trying to talk my oldest daughter into it... but she's still gotta get over the enigma of it.

Woo Hoo! Thanks for this thread! I've been thinking about getting one of these for awhile. Glad I finally took the plunge

Click to expand...

I soo need to print out the origami fold for future reference.

I forgot to mention, I got the mooncup (UK version of Diva Cup) and wow, it is great!

I am shocked about the amount of blood - I am lighter than I realise and I am VERY light!