M writes:
I had read a lot of information online on
the Diva Cup before purchasing it ($40 at London Drugs! But now the UBC
Womyn's Centre sells it for $19). Most of people who reviewed it, loved
it. Naturally, I assumed I would as well.
I
bought Model 1 which the product information states as for "women under
30 who have never delivered vaginally or by caesarean section". I had
watched Youtube videos on the different ways that it can be inserted;
the two main ways are the U fold and the Push-Down fold. The Push-Down
fold is infinitely easier because of the scoop-like shape it creates;
it's much easier to 'slide in'. Unlike a tampon, I couldn't insert it
standing; I had to crouch down. As someone who's always used pads, I
found that an awkward position to be in. I couldn't insert it with the U
fold but the Push-Down method got it in on the second try. You have to
not be squeamish about your blood because it will get on your fingers
during insertion.
"The removal was a bit messy at first -- I still haven't gotten the hang of
it. It's easy enough to pull out and again, your fingers will get bloody
but the cup sort of 'pops'
when you pull it; I ended up spilling some blood on the floor."
Click on Read More for the full story!
Maybe
women who regularly use tampons would find this more comfortable but I
felt a little discomfort. I felt like I could feel it. But I also
attribute some of that discomfort to the fact that I was consciously
aware that there was a cup of silicone inside me. My main problem with
the cup is the stem. I could feel it poking me when I sat down (of
course, you can always trim it with manicure scissors).
I didn't have any problems with leakage. Much better than tampons in my opinion. I always leak with tampons.
The
removal was a bit messy at first-- I still haven't gotten the hang of
it. It's easy enough to pull out and again, your fingers will get bloody
but the cup sort of 'pops' (the suction is what makes it leak-proof)
when you pull it; I ended up spilling some blood on the floor.
I
haven't been using the Diva Cup, mostly out of laziness and a conscious
desire of not wanting to stick things up my vagina. However, I would
recommend it for friends who are tampon-users and are more accustomed to
insertion. For everyone though, the process of insertion and removal
will take getting used to. I haven't given up on mine yet! Will wait for
next month (at least, I've trimmed the stem this time!).
Thank you M for sharing your story! I hope you will have a better experience with the DivaCup! Keep us updated and let us know how it goes.
Do you have a period story to share? First tampon story or maybe a worst period story? You can submit your story here. All submissions are anonymous!
Interesting product. I had not heard of it, until reading this. I think I'll just stick to tampons. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletethanks for reading! come back soon for a giveaway! xoxo
ReplyDeleteM, did you have the cup in for a full 8 hrs or longer, or how long? It sounds awful risky with the removal, as you mentioned in your spill. I would be afraid I would spill all over my pants with as clumsy as I am sometimes, and everything would be so wet...not sure I'm brave enough.
ReplyDeleteHi Cindy! I'm not sure how long our reader left it in for but Divacup recommends you empty the cup at least once every 12 hours. I also hear that you can remove it in the shower so that may help with the spillage!
ReplyDeleteYou can find more info here http://www.divacup.com/en/home/faqs/
xoxo.
I see this is an older blog, but I wanted to add my 2 cents. I have been using a Diva Cup for about 9 months now. I started after the birth of my second daughter. I immediately stopped using tampons and it's so effective that I only use very thin pads mainly when I leave the house or overnight. If the seal is broken before pulling it all the way out it will not spill everywhere. I do not get blood on my hands when removing it, only inserting (that can't be helped). If you get past the whole "eww factor" of inserting something and removing it from your vagina then it is completely worth a try. I find it less gross than when I used NuvaRing birth control. I find it a million times more comfortable than tampons and pads. It's a lot less to bother with and a lot less to worry about. Sometimes I forget I'm even on my period! I love, love, love my Diva Cup.
ReplyDelete...not trying to sound funny, but can you feel it?
ReplyDelete