Hello friends!
So today I am going to talk about periods, specifically mine. So if blood, girlie parts, or the human body freak you out, feel free to click away, or you can stay and find out that it's not really that gross :) This post is going to be very long and very detailed so that any of you ladies who are on the fence about switching to healthier menstrual products are more informed.
And just before I continue this review, I am not your typical tree hugger, I love animals, I love the environment. I am vegetarian and I love tofu. To be honest though I am not the ultimate tree hugger, I care more about myself than the environment. Okay this is starting to make me sound bad, what I mean is that the Divacup and other reusable menstrual products are not just for tree huggers, they have a lot of other perks other than saving the environment.
You have better things to spend your money on than tampons every month!
Menstrual cups save a ton of money, especially for people like me who can go through 8-10 tampons on my heaviest days, people who want something less drying and more comfortable. And my Diva Cup has already paid for itself because I would usually spend about $20 on pads and tampons for 2 months, so this paid for itself in 4 months and it can last up to 10 years! So lets break this down.:
Lets say you spend and average $20 on pads and/or tampons every 2 months. Some of you may spend more, so many spend less but for me I would buy a box of regular tampons, a box of super tampons and and box of super plus tampons, plus a box of overnight pads. This lasts me about 2 months, sometime the tampons last me 3 months depending. That's not even counting panyliners (which I do still use from natracare for backup)
$20 x 6 = $120 for one year!
$120 x 5 = $600 for 5 years!
$35 = period protection for 5 years or more.
So basically I will save $565 in 5 years, that is a lot of money that I would rather spend on books or beauty products or put it towards a holiday!
Even if you thing this is a little gross ladies you cannot deny that you have better things to spend your money on than your period!
You don't have to worry about having enough supplies for the day!
I was one of those people who would always take twice as many tampons as I needed for the day when I had work or school because I was terrified of being unprepared. And I would also change my tampon way more often than I needed to because I was paranoid about leaks. With the Diva Cup you know you have enough supplies for the day because everything you need is always with you. And if you are like me and get paranoid about leaks you can empty the cup as often as you need without wasting money. Yes most women can wear it for 12 hours without leaks but on my heaviest days (usually day 2 and 3) it usually fills up around the 4-5 hour mark then starts to leak when it gets full. Now that I know my cycle better I just know when I need to empty it before it gets to that point, and it never hurts to empty it a little early if you know that you will fill it in a certain time.
And the other great thing is no matter how full or not full it is, you don't get that dry tugging that you get with half full tampons .
Less trips to the bathroom!
As much as we love mirror time, you have better things to do then running to the bathroom every couple hours to check your pad or tampon! With the Diva Cup, you don't have to!
The size 1 Diva Cup hold 20 mL (I will break down the sizes shortly) a super plus which is the heaviest absorbancy holds 15g (a gram equals a mL)
So lets break this down:
For a light day you would use a light or a regular tampon
Light: 6 grams
Regular: 6 to 9 grams
On a heavier day you would use a super
Super: 9 to 12 grams
And on your heaviest days you might even use a super plus
Super Plus: 12-15 grams
With the Diva Cup, you are covered no matter what kind of flow you have.
No risk of TSS!!
How often do you see those scary warnings on a box of tampons "don't wear for longer than 8 hours" that kind of made me wonder what was so wrong with them that they can't be worn for more than 8 hours? Tampons can actually cause bacteria to form inside your vagina and some of that bacteria can lead to TSS. Now TSS is very rare and isn't something you should freak out about, but fact is tampons absorb your natural fluids that you need as well as your flow and the healthy bacteria in your vagina.
With a cup there is NO risk of TSS and you can wear it for 12 hours (and if you wear it for a little longer it is not the end of the world, just really not recommended.).
Tampons are icky!
Now here is when we get to my period revelation. In my random searches of the internet and my general curiosity, I learned that tampons are full of chemicals, are a made of un-breathable rayon and to me that is just icky! I don't want chemicals and bleached materials and carcinogens not just near but IN my vagina! And to be honest Grade 10 science is the extent of my chemistry knowledge but I do know that I don't want potentially cancer causing chemicals sitting in my lady bits. So this is when my period revelation began. After learning this I switched to Natracare pads and tampons.
The tampons are made from organic cotton, and come either with applicators or without. I found them at London Drugs and I got a box of super with applicators and a box of super without applicators, I found that I actually liked the ones without applicators more, I had no problems getting them in, and I haven't had a single leak with them. I didn't particularly like the ones with applicators just because I found since I could use the other ones, it was unnecessary to carry something 5x bigger. (Just a quick note, I am going to talk about pads reusable vs disposable later, I just want to focus on the Divacup for this review). I do really like these and will still use them in a pinch, and I always keep a couple in my purse for emergencies whether it be my own or another woman's. And I don't feel guilty about buying these because I know they are better for me. The issue I still had with them was I found I got that horrible dry itchy feeling, not to mention the agony of pulling out a tampon that's not saturated, it's like yanking out your insides! So while I do prefer Natracare tampons, my Diva Cup still beats them in every way.
So lets review!
- You have better things to spend your money on than tampons!
- You don't have to worry about having enough supplies for the day
- Less trips to the bathroom!
- No risk of TSS
- Tampons are icky!
The Diva Wash
So now that I have raved and rambled about the Diva Cup, lets have a quick chat about the Diva Wash, it is the wash that the company and makers of the Diva Cup recommend that you use to wash your cup. I bought some when I bought my cup because it was only $10 and I couldn't think of anything better to wash my cup with. When I brought it home I discovered it had the most lovely smell. It is a sweet citrus that smells clean but not medicinal and is so lovely I even use it as body wash on occasion. It also gets the cup really clean, and I have noticed no skin irritation from using it. Oh and it is not tested on animals if you were wondering.
Using the Diva Cup
So here is where it gets a little tricky, first if you decided to buy the Diva Cup, you have to know what size to get.
Model 1 is for women under 30 who have never had a child vaginally or by cesarian. This is the model I have
Model 2 is for women who are over 30 and/or have had a child
Easy enough right?
Next part is inserting it, there are two main folds, the c (or u) fold and the push down fold. I have added an image showing both at the end of this review. I have always preferred the push down fold because when folded it is really no bigger than a tampon and is very easy to insert. If you have any issues inserting it, try just using a little bit of water on the top to lubricate it. Once you have it in, try inserting your finger and running your finger around the top rim to make sure it is open all the way, if it is not try pushing on the side to open it until you hear a sort of pop. This is the hard part and the part that takes a little bit of practice, it took me a few tries to get this part, but once you do, you're golden.
The next part is taking it out. Figuring out the timing of when to take it out takes a couple months depending on how heavy your flow is. I know on my heaviest days I have to change it every 4 1/2 to 5 hours, and on lighter days I will only change it every 12. If you are worried about leaks, either just wear it at home the first few months, or wear a panty liner or small pad until you are comfortable with the timing.
When it is time to pull it out, bear down on it until you can reach the stem, then pull on the stem until it comes out. If you feel resistance, use your finger around the edge to break the seal. Then simply empty the contents into the toilet, wash it out using the Diva Wash (if you are in a public washroom, wipe it with toilet paper or rinse it with water from a water bottle) then pop it back it.
Once your cycle is over they recommend that you boil the cup. Since it is medical grade silicone, it can be boiled without risk of destroying the cup in order to sanitize it. I bought a special saucepan just to use for the cup, and I simply boil it for 5-10 minutes, pop it back in the little bag (I love that it comes with a little bag, it is really handy) and then throw it in my bathroom. When I am expecting my period I will keep the cup in my purse so I am always prepared, and if I know the exact day I am going to start I will even put it in so I don't have to worry about it at work.
Okay so I think that is it, I may add more to this review as time goes on, please ask me any questions you have, I am happy to answer and any I can't answer I will try to find out for you. Please tell me what you think of menstrual cups, whether they freak you out, or maybe intrigue you.
Click the image at the beginning of the review to go to the Diva Cup website where there is a lot of good information and tells you where you can buy it.
Peace, Love, and Happy Periods!
- Lady Literary
PS I do not own the images
So today I am going to talk about periods, specifically mine. So if blood, girlie parts, or the human body freak you out, feel free to click away, or you can stay and find out that it's not really that gross :) This post is going to be very long and very detailed so that any of you ladies who are on the fence about switching to healthier menstrual products are more informed.
And just before I continue this review, I am not your typical tree hugger, I love animals, I love the environment. I am vegetarian and I love tofu. To be honest though I am not the ultimate tree hugger, I care more about myself than the environment. Okay this is starting to make me sound bad, what I mean is that the Divacup and other reusable menstrual products are not just for tree huggers, they have a lot of other perks other than saving the environment.
You have better things to spend your money on than tampons every month!
Menstrual cups save a ton of money, especially for people like me who can go through 8-10 tampons on my heaviest days, people who want something less drying and more comfortable. And my Diva Cup has already paid for itself because I would usually spend about $20 on pads and tampons for 2 months, so this paid for itself in 4 months and it can last up to 10 years! So lets break this down.:
Lets say you spend and average $20 on pads and/or tampons every 2 months. Some of you may spend more, so many spend less but for me I would buy a box of regular tampons, a box of super tampons and and box of super plus tampons, plus a box of overnight pads. This lasts me about 2 months, sometime the tampons last me 3 months depending. That's not even counting panyliners (which I do still use from natracare for backup)
$20 x 6 = $120 for one year!
$120 x 5 = $600 for 5 years!
$35 = period protection for 5 years or more.
So basically I will save $565 in 5 years, that is a lot of money that I would rather spend on books or beauty products or put it towards a holiday!
Even if you thing this is a little gross ladies you cannot deny that you have better things to spend your money on than your period!
You don't have to worry about having enough supplies for the day!
I was one of those people who would always take twice as many tampons as I needed for the day when I had work or school because I was terrified of being unprepared. And I would also change my tampon way more often than I needed to because I was paranoid about leaks. With the Diva Cup you know you have enough supplies for the day because everything you need is always with you. And if you are like me and get paranoid about leaks you can empty the cup as often as you need without wasting money. Yes most women can wear it for 12 hours without leaks but on my heaviest days (usually day 2 and 3) it usually fills up around the 4-5 hour mark then starts to leak when it gets full. Now that I know my cycle better I just know when I need to empty it before it gets to that point, and it never hurts to empty it a little early if you know that you will fill it in a certain time.
And the other great thing is no matter how full or not full it is, you don't get that dry tugging that you get with half full tampons .
Less trips to the bathroom!
As much as we love mirror time, you have better things to do then running to the bathroom every couple hours to check your pad or tampon! With the Diva Cup, you don't have to!
The size 1 Diva Cup hold 20 mL (I will break down the sizes shortly) a super plus which is the heaviest absorbancy holds 15g (a gram equals a mL)
So lets break this down:
For a light day you would use a light or a regular tampon
Light: 6 grams
Regular: 6 to 9 grams
On a heavier day you would use a super
Super: 9 to 12 grams
And on your heaviest days you might even use a super plus
Super Plus: 12-15 grams
With the Diva Cup, you are covered no matter what kind of flow you have.
No risk of TSS!!
How often do you see those scary warnings on a box of tampons "don't wear for longer than 8 hours" that kind of made me wonder what was so wrong with them that they can't be worn for more than 8 hours? Tampons can actually cause bacteria to form inside your vagina and some of that bacteria can lead to TSS. Now TSS is very rare and isn't something you should freak out about, but fact is tampons absorb your natural fluids that you need as well as your flow and the healthy bacteria in your vagina.
With a cup there is NO risk of TSS and you can wear it for 12 hours (and if you wear it for a little longer it is not the end of the world, just really not recommended.).
Tampons are icky!
Now here is when we get to my period revelation. In my random searches of the internet and my general curiosity, I learned that tampons are full of chemicals, are a made of un-breathable rayon and to me that is just icky! I don't want chemicals and bleached materials and carcinogens not just near but IN my vagina! And to be honest Grade 10 science is the extent of my chemistry knowledge but I do know that I don't want potentially cancer causing chemicals sitting in my lady bits. So this is when my period revelation began. After learning this I switched to Natracare pads and tampons.
The tampons are made from organic cotton, and come either with applicators or without. I found them at London Drugs and I got a box of super with applicators and a box of super without applicators, I found that I actually liked the ones without applicators more, I had no problems getting them in, and I haven't had a single leak with them. I didn't particularly like the ones with applicators just because I found since I could use the other ones, it was unnecessary to carry something 5x bigger. (Just a quick note, I am going to talk about pads reusable vs disposable later, I just want to focus on the Divacup for this review). I do really like these and will still use them in a pinch, and I always keep a couple in my purse for emergencies whether it be my own or another woman's. And I don't feel guilty about buying these because I know they are better for me. The issue I still had with them was I found I got that horrible dry itchy feeling, not to mention the agony of pulling out a tampon that's not saturated, it's like yanking out your insides! So while I do prefer Natracare tampons, my Diva Cup still beats them in every way.
So lets review!
- You have better things to spend your money on than tampons!
- You don't have to worry about having enough supplies for the day
- Less trips to the bathroom!
- No risk of TSS
- Tampons are icky!
The Diva Wash
So now that I have raved and rambled about the Diva Cup, lets have a quick chat about the Diva Wash, it is the wash that the company and makers of the Diva Cup recommend that you use to wash your cup. I bought some when I bought my cup because it was only $10 and I couldn't think of anything better to wash my cup with. When I brought it home I discovered it had the most lovely smell. It is a sweet citrus that smells clean but not medicinal and is so lovely I even use it as body wash on occasion. It also gets the cup really clean, and I have noticed no skin irritation from using it. Oh and it is not tested on animals if you were wondering.
Using the Diva Cup
So here is where it gets a little tricky, first if you decided to buy the Diva Cup, you have to know what size to get.
Model 1 is for women under 30 who have never had a child vaginally or by cesarian. This is the model I have
Model 2 is for women who are over 30 and/or have had a child
Easy enough right?
Next part is inserting it, there are two main folds, the c (or u) fold and the push down fold. I have added an image showing both at the end of this review. I have always preferred the push down fold because when folded it is really no bigger than a tampon and is very easy to insert. If you have any issues inserting it, try just using a little bit of water on the top to lubricate it. Once you have it in, try inserting your finger and running your finger around the top rim to make sure it is open all the way, if it is not try pushing on the side to open it until you hear a sort of pop. This is the hard part and the part that takes a little bit of practice, it took me a few tries to get this part, but once you do, you're golden.
The next part is taking it out. Figuring out the timing of when to take it out takes a couple months depending on how heavy your flow is. I know on my heaviest days I have to change it every 4 1/2 to 5 hours, and on lighter days I will only change it every 12. If you are worried about leaks, either just wear it at home the first few months, or wear a panty liner or small pad until you are comfortable with the timing.
When it is time to pull it out, bear down on it until you can reach the stem, then pull on the stem until it comes out. If you feel resistance, use your finger around the edge to break the seal. Then simply empty the contents into the toilet, wash it out using the Diva Wash (if you are in a public washroom, wipe it with toilet paper or rinse it with water from a water bottle) then pop it back it.
Once your cycle is over they recommend that you boil the cup. Since it is medical grade silicone, it can be boiled without risk of destroying the cup in order to sanitize it. I bought a special saucepan just to use for the cup, and I simply boil it for 5-10 minutes, pop it back in the little bag (I love that it comes with a little bag, it is really handy) and then throw it in my bathroom. When I am expecting my period I will keep the cup in my purse so I am always prepared, and if I know the exact day I am going to start I will even put it in so I don't have to worry about it at work.
Okay so I think that is it, I may add more to this review as time goes on, please ask me any questions you have, I am happy to answer and any I can't answer I will try to find out for you. Please tell me what you think of menstrual cups, whether they freak you out, or maybe intrigue you.
Click the image at the beginning of the review to go to the Diva Cup website where there is a lot of good information and tells you where you can buy it.
Peace, Love, and Happy Periods!
- Lady Literary
PS I do not own the images