Diva Cup

This is one of those posts that begins with various euphemisms meant to spare the menfolk squeamish feelings and warn them that they may not wish to proceed further with this post because of the content the aforementioned euphemisms refer to.

Understand, squeamish menfolk?

Good.

Moving on...

The Diva Cup is a menstrual cup and particularly awesome alternative to more mainstream menstrual products like pads and tampons.

Before making the move to France* to go work for my circus, C and I decided that we would switch to Diva Cups. We had both been considering it for a while but were too chicken (or perhaps squeamish) to go for it on our own. But by making a pact to switch over at the same time, we would at least have some kind of warped buddy system to fall back on should we get discouraged.

As it turns out, that was completely unnecessary. The Diva Cup is absolutely amazing, has completely changed my relationship with my menstrual cycle and since switching to the Diva Cup, I have never looked back. Moreover, for a circus artist, it is incredibly convenient and means no more worrying about leaks or visible strings etc... during training or performance.

There are about a billion reasons to switch.

• The Diva Cup will save you a butt load of money and pays itself off very quickly (Mine was about $38 CND).
• By using a Diva Cup, you're eliminating tonnes of waste you would otherwise be sending to a landfill over your lifetime.

“According to waste consultant Franklin Associates, 6.5 billion tampons and 13.5 billion sanitary pads, plus their packaging, ended up in landfills or sewer systems in 1998. And according to the Center for Marine Conservation, over 170,000 tampon applicators were collected along U.S. coastal areas between 1998 and 1999.” - Environment Magazine, Inner Sanctum

• Tampons dry out your vagina and also, most tampons are made with bleached cotton and have other chemicals (like chlorine dioxide, a known carcinogen!) present as well. Why on Earth would you willingly put something like that in your body? The Diva Cup, on the other hand, is made with medical grade silicone.
  
• With the Diva Cup, there is no risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome.
• You never have to travel with a massive supply of 'supplies'.
• You only need to change it every 12 hours, and even then, its no big deal if your late. The main factor, I think, is how heavy your flow is. I've changed it once a day with no problems. If you have a heavier flow, you may need to change it more often.
  
• Amazingly, the use of a Diva Cup can diminish certain unpleasant symptoms of your period like cramps.
• Many women with endometriosis have reported amazing success, and even some relief, thanks to the use of menstrual cups. Chemicals in tampons have been known to worsen the effects of endometriosis.
• If you're athletic or like things like camping, this is the bees knees!
  
• When inserted properly, no leaks. Ever.
• No gross string and no embarrassing string incidents.
  
• Basically, I don't even notice I'm on my period any more.

And that's just what comes to mind right now! I'm sure the website lists many other great reasons to switch over.

So you think you're ready to switch over to the Diva Cup? Go here to locate the store nearest you! If there isn't one, go to your pharmacy and see if they can order you one. They should be able to do this without problem.

I know this sounds like some horrible product placement, but this really is an amazing and life changing product that is better for the environment, your health and your wallet.

Still not convinced? Perhaps this awesome squid shaped menstrual cup holder will change your mind.


Find instructions on making your own here!





* Fun anecdote: right before leaving for France, and the first time using the cup, I sliced off a huge chunk of my thumb with a mandolin. I really don't recommend doing that.