The Diva Cup.

We've all seen the Diva Cup, but have you ever tried it yourself?

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I might be completely biased because The Diva Cup has been my go to for the last 5 years, BUT, I do love it for multiple things, and hey - this is a review, after all.

The cup was released in 2003 for large markets, however, I think it took a while for it to actually hit the shelves of places people with periods frequent - like the pharmacy (drug store). At least, it did where I live. I didn't even hear about it until about 10 years ago and it scared the living daylight out of me. Why? I couldn't tell you: it just freaked me out. I was so used to tampons that I hadn't thought of switching up my period products. Periods have been so uncomfortable for me since the beginning, so why would I switch the one thing I knew how to use, ya know?

Back to the cup. It's made of medical grade silicone and is extremely flexible, which allows it to be folded and inserted as you prefer. They also have 3 sizes available depending on age and whether or not the person has had a vaginal birth. The smaller one holds up to 4 regular tampons, the middle one holds up to 5, and the largest holds up to 6 regular tampons - which is so insane (in the best way) to me! Another plus is that it comes in the cutest little pouch! You may not think that's a big deal but it was for me 5 years ago and I love the added touch. Now, of course, every brand is doing it for their own products but I needed to mention it, just for me.

Life is so much easier with a cup, and I feel more protected against leaks, and more comfortable in general.

There are grooves on the side that provide suction once inserted. You essentially have to fold the cup, ensuring the opening is towards the sky, and insert it into your vaginal canal. After that, you can let go of your hold on the folds and it will pop open, like a little flower blossom! Personally, I always hold the bottom after it opens up and twist counter clockwise for the suction to work with the grooves on the cup. I usually do 3 twists and I feel it kind of lock into place. Everyone is different, and it's definitely an adjustment if you're transitioning from tampons, but my goodness is the cup worth it, in my opinion. Life is so much easier with a cup, and I feel more protected against leaks, and more comfortable in general.

They recommend to change it if there are tears and it's really starting to wear. I change mine every 12 or so months, out of preference. I also always boil water and add the new cup to a bowl of the boiled water for about 10-15 minutes. They recommend doing this for 5-10 minutes if you put it directly in a pot of boiling water but your girl's ADHD brain often forgets about it and a cup or 2 may have been burnt in the process, allegedly. I also boil it before using it every month. It could be useless, it could be redundant, but I find it necessary to clean something that was previously in me, and then in a pouch for 30 days, before going back inside me. If I'm really on my hot girl shit then I'll even do the bowl of boiling water AFTER my period before putting it in it's little house, but hey, we're all human and I forget sometimes. They also have a fragrance-free cup wash, but I'm so sensitive to everything that I stick with boiling water!

When I speak to people about the cup, about transitioning from tampons to cups, the "ease" of tampons is always the biggest hurdle for them to overcome. Yeah, tampons are long and slender and they come in various sizes and can be so itty bitty that you fit them in your pocket. So what? The cup is much smaller than you think it is. Yes, it might need a little bit more space in your purse or your bag, but the pros certainly outweigh the cons. You'll have to empty your cup every 8-12 hours, depending on your flow and what day of your cycle it is. That means if you go out for dinner or simply leave the house, you can empty it right before leaving and you don't have to think about it for another 12 hours! How amazing is that? We've all left the house and forgotten to pack tampons and had to change them 4 hours later. I have such a heavy flow on the first 2 days of my period that the cup allows me to not spend most of my day changing my tampon.

I've noticed lots of stigma around inserting products yourself, sprinkled with a tiny fear of insertion when I talk to folks who use tampons.

I've noticed lots of stigma around inserting products yourself, sprinkled with a tiny fear of insertion when I talk to folks who use tampons. I was one of them. I always used the extendable applicator tampons because I didn't want to put my hands inside my vagina for a tampon, especially if I wasn't home, because it didn't feel clean and it freaked me out. I didn't realize to what extent I'm a germaphobe until I noticed it was holding me back from switching to a period cup. Inserting the cup into yourself is extremely intimidating, especially for those who have never use a self-inserting period product. Trust me, you get used to it. You also get consumed with the fear that you will die with the cup inside you after using it for the first time that all fear of sticking your hands into your vagina goes out the window. Yes, I speak out of experience and have gathered this fact from my chats with those who've switched to period cups. What happens is that instead of having a string to pull on and remove the cup, like a tampon, you have to go in there and take it out. Yes, you're probably thinking that that is very obvious. But actually doing it is the hard part. So, the cup goes in, is secure with the suction and then starts holding the period blood. But chances are you moved around in those 8-12 hours. I doubt you stayed completely still. So the cup itself moves and it might shift higher. Trying to grab the cup might even lead to a little panic and then the cup might even shift higher. Yes - that's what happened to me. And then after a few breathing reps and reminding myself I wouldn't just die with this inside me, I remembered my awesome pelvic floor muscles and what they can do. So, I pushed. I pushed my cup down and was able to grab it. It might be easier for you to twist in the opposite direction you originally twist in, to release the suction, or as I now know, to pinch the bottom of the cup to release the suction. But it's a whole trial and error situation. What works for you, might not work for me and vice versa. So, I'm a total pro now but it did take some getting used to. Still worth it.

What sticks out to me about The Diva Cup is that it is really an OG. They changed the game for those able to use insertable period products. They reduced waste and risk to toxic shock syndrome while providing a fantastic, safe alternative. I know they're not the first first, but they're one of the brands that made an impact! Technically, Leona Chalmers created the first menstrual cup in1937 with latex rubber but production was ceased due to the latex shortage during World War II. It was also seen as scandalous to use insertable period products at the time. Folks seemed to not be interested is having to empty and clean the cup. Can you imagine how different the period industry would be if bleeders had accepted the cup back then? Almost 100 years ago? I can't imagine how much further along we would be with periods and period product technology.

Today, there are a variety of period cups. I use The Diva Cup because it's what I know. I do plan on trying a period disc and other alternatives to compare them all. However, if you're thinking of switching from tampons to a period cup, I say do it. It's easy to rely on tampons, and I've been in your shoes, but the cup is life changing. It will take some getting used to and you won't be extremely comfortable at first - but you will definitely get used to it! Also important to note, The Diva Cup may not work for you. It's important to try different products if it doesn't - don't give up on a cup or disc right away. There are various sizes, designs, and brands because it's not a one size fits all when it comes to periods. Try something new, and report back!