Customer Reviews

Diva Cup Model 1 Pre-Childbirth

5 star:		(298)
4 star:		(43)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

I've been using a Keeper, the rubber original version of this device, for nearly three years. It's changed my life for the better in terms of convenience and comfort. The only reason I bought a Diva Cup is because I lost the Keeper while travelling. Otherwise, I believe it would have lasted for a lifetime as advertised. D'oh.

And losing the Diva Cup or Keeper is really the only problem you'll face after you initially learn to use the product (It's easy, and there is a helpful brochure with diagrams included with the Diva Cup.) Now that I've used the Diva Cup, I can say that I prefer it somewhat to the Keeper for two reasons: 1) the silicone Diva Cup doesn't make squeaking noises when I'm trying to insert it, which is an embarassing tendency of the rubber Keeper, and 2) whatever concern was in my mind about developing a latex/rubber sensitivity is gone because I know silicone to be inert and completely harmless in that regard. It would not surprise me if the Diva Cup actually lasted longer than the Keeper (which was beginning to look a little shopworn after three years, though it worked just fine) given the longevity of the other silicone utensils I've owned.

You'll get your money's worth with either product-- you can swim, dance, do cartwheels, and enjoy non-penetrative sex while you're on your period, and you'll eliminate the expense and hassle of disposable products from your life. I wonder why I went through years of annoyance and irritation before I switched-- I just didn't know any better. I'd reccommend the Diva Cup over the Keeper for anyone who is worried about developing or aggravating a latex/rubber sensitivity, and for anyone who's getting tired of causing "squeak SQUEAK squeak squeak" to ring out in a public washroom. Just don't lose it-- I've never been to a physical store where they sold these, so I'd suggest buying two and keeping one in the bathroom cabinet or something.

I am extremely happy with my purchase of this product. The Diva Cup website and the menstrual_cups community on livejournal are excellent sources of information on the benefits of the cup and how to use it, but I will include here what I found most helpful.

The cup is worn inside the vagina, somewhat like a tampon but much lower. It is very flexible and is folded for insertion (so don't worry about how big it looks at first - I am small-built and I use it easily). Once inside, it may take a little manipulation to unfold, but I got the hang of it very quickly. The cup should unfold all the way, so that the rim creates a gentle suction with the vaginal walls. This ensures that the cup catches and holds menstrual blood. It can be worn up to 12 hours at a time, at which point it should be emptied, washed, and reinserted. It is easy to use with practice, though some women take longer learning to use it than others. Using water or water-based lubricant is helpful for some beginners. It is extremely comfortable; when it is inserted correctly, you should not even feel it.

Using the Diva Cup takes away a lot of my worries during menstruation. It doesn't leak like a pad or tampon sometimes does. It holds an entire ounce, which is 1/3 to 1/4 of the average woman's flow for the entire period, so it does not have to be emptied as often. Most only need to empty it once in the morning and once at night. I don't have to worry about running out of pads or tampons, or remembering them when I go out somewhere or on vacation.

The Cup is made of silicone (the kind used for replacement heart valves and joints, not breast implants!) so it is non-absorbent and does not dry out the body's natural fluids. Therefore it has not been and is not likely to be associated with TSS. Unlike a tampon, it is safe to insert when you are not on your period or when your flow is very light. This fact helped me in two ways: 1) I was able to practice using the cup before my period and 2) I was able to leave the cup in when I expected my period so I didn't have to worry about it happening at an inopportune time. Without the cup, I don't know how I would have dealt with my period starting in the middle of a windsurfing lesson!! Luckily I had the cup in and all was well. It also saw me through a long car trip with few restroom stops with no worries about how long a disposable product could last without leaking.

I also found the cup more discreet than other products - on vacation with a friend's family (including little brothers)I was grateful that I had no need to run between the bedroom and the bathroom with products, no wrappers crinkling, no used products sitting in the trash can.

Many are put off by a reusable menstrual product, but the silicone cup is easy to clean - most simply rinse with warm water and soap for daily use, and the cup can be boiled for five to ten minutes to sterilize before and after your period, if you feel the need. Just make sure you rinse the cup well when you use soap. I am looking forward to never buying disposable products again, never having them in my trash can, never sending them to pile up in the Earth's landfills.

Some also associate the idea of an "alternative" product with a sacrifice of convenience, comfort, price, etc. I have found the cup both more convenient and comfortable than pads or tampons, and it pays for itself with the money you save by no longer buying disposable products. I believe the cup is only considered "alternative" because it is not well-known. I have no idea why more women don't know about this product. My guess is because since the cup is reusable, it does not make the huge types of profits that disposables do. So no large companies have manufactured and advertised it. Menstrual cups have been left up to small, woman-friendly and earth-friendly companies such as the makers of the Diva Cup (in Canada) and the Moon Cup (in the UK).

The single, small drawback I had with the Diva was a tiny bit of spotting - probably from blood that was already lower than the rim of the cup when I inserted it. This is easily taken care of with just a pantiliner or a bit of folded toilet paper. I didn't even use those; I just washed the stains off with hydrogen peroxide, which works really well on blood.

Sorry about the length, but I did my research before buying my own, and I think women should know as much as possible about their options - especially this one!

I've been hearing my friends and women on various online groups, message boards, and chat groups rave about these things for the longest time, but was hesitant about ordering one for myself because of the price. After one very long and messy period where I was forced to spend $5 on a tampon at a club, I finally broke down and ordered a Diva Cup. I wish I had done it sooner.

No longer will I have to haul around pads, tampons, and pantyliners. The initial cost of a menstrual cup is far less than what I was spending per year on other products, and the Cup lasts a lifetime. Not to mention that the Cup is much better for the environment and much easier to port around. The Cup comes in a cute little floral cloth pouch that looks similar to a tiny change purse.

Insertion and removal was a bit tricky at first. I searched for the menstrual_cups community on livejournal and found better instructions than the ones that came with the Cup. It took me about 4 or 5 tries to get it to where it was painless and working correctly and it takes some people longer, but it was so worth it.

I can't feel it at all. You can do basically everything but have sex with it in (Get "Insteads" if you want to do that). Running, jumping, cartwheels - nothing has dislodged this baby. How long you leave it in depends on how heavy your flow is. The Cup holds a lot more than a tampon, so you only have to change it 2 to 3 times a day. You can wear it overnight and for very long periods of time without fear of TSS.

I just got mine a week ago and already I am buying a second so I can have one for my purse and one for my bathroom.

The Diva Cup comes with a one year money-back guarantee so you will not regret buying this!!

Edit: Update 2011. Still love it. If you go camping, it makes menstruating out in the middle of the woods very easy.

Menstrual Cups are WONDERFUL! But they are not "one size fits all." Whether small or large, Diva Cups are the longest cups on the market at 57mm and therefore probably won't fit those with short vaginal canals or those whose cervix drops low during their periods.

There are 8 different brands of cups and they are all different sizes and shapes. Research Menstrual Cups to make an educated guess as to which one might fit you best before you buy one so you don't waste your time and money on a cup that is the wrong size. A VERY helpful site is [...]

When I first heard of Diva Cups I thought it was the best thing I've ever discovered. Imagine a product that will last for years, you don't wear outside of your body like a diaper and no fear of TSS. I read post from women online about the Diva cup and even visited the website. I finally decided I HAD to have one. When it arrived I was so happy and decided to give it a test run as I wasn't due for quite a while. After so many tries I began to realize that I made a terrible mistake! I couldn't get it in to save my life! After about 50 tries I managed to slip it in and walk around, I didn't feel anything but the stem, which was annoying. Then I decided to take it out and OMG! I couldn't get it out! After maybe 30 mins I managed to get it out and the suction was so terrible it felt like my insides were being ripped out with it! Not to mention that fact that I cut myself trying to grip it and started bleeding.

The instructions say that panic causes the pain but let me tell you, I believe the pain causes the panic! I never felt that bad taking out a dry tampon!! After that I was scared of my Diva Cup and placed it out of sight and out of mind. Unfortunately I also forgot to buy tampons so when my cycle came I was stuck with the Diva Cup and a few pads. I tried and tried and tried to get the thing in but kept failing and a part of me was glad cause I wasn't prepared for the feeling of ripping my insides out via my vagina. But a huge part of me was angry. The idea of wasting 30 bucks on a silcone cup was not happy!

Finally I did more research and found a menstral cup community. (A reviewer here had already posted it) and I used some of the tricks and ideas and Finally got it in and out no problems! Here are a few tips from a woman who wanted to kill the makers of Diva Cups.

Tip #1: Use lube. Maybe it was the fear but water alone will not do it. I recommend buying some KY or something with your cup.

Tip #2: Make sure you have nothing else to do for the day. trust me! The headache this thing could give you the first time would make you not want to do anything anyway.

Tip #3: Throw away the instructions that come with your cup. Useless!

Tip #4: Wash your hands and run the cup under hot water. It makes the cup soft. Make sure the tiny holes near the rim are clean and open. IMPORTANT!

Tip #5: Prepare to do more postions then a $10 wh**e. Sit down, stand up, lay down, squat. The postion that works for me is laying on my side using pillows and my elbow to prop myself up. It's the ONLY position that works for me. So I won't be taking this thing off at work.

Tip #6: The U shape crap doesn't work! Read the community site for other methods, some are: 7 shape, C shape, origami shape, pinch method. I tuck one side in creating a smaller tip. I forgot the name for it but the pictures are on the site.

Tip #7: When I get it in slightly I turn it a little but turning it when it's in all the way is impossible. I just make sure it's in past the "hump"(the part sticking out near the bottom when I tuck one side in), tilting it toward my tail bone, when the stem is trying to face up I push it to the back(not further inside) then stand up. I then go to the bathroom to urinate(cause it feels like I have to when I get it in) and when I sit down I loosen up to go. When I stand up I feel the air bubbles inside coming out. This lets me know that it's really sealing shut.

Tip #8: I then wiggle my hips a little and do a hula motion (tip from site) it helps making sure it's sealing up properly. Standing up straight and relaxing completely helps in the sealing too. When the last of the air bubbles are out I know I'm good to go. I wore it overnight and I just finished working out with it in and everything is fine.

Tip #9: While you're still in the bathroom. Wipe yourself with a tissue or you may end up spotting. This is cause some of the flow may have already gotten past while you're putting it in and sealing it.

Removal Tips: Remember when I said "make sure the tiny holes near the rim are clean and open"? Well this is why. When I described the "ripping out the insides" feeling, it was due to those little holes clogging up while I was struggling to put it in. So constantly check those holes while you're putting it in. It almost happened again while I was putting it in but I manged to get it out and I checked the holes and some were clogged. I used a sterilized needle to poke in there and clean them.

Tip #1: I have to sit down to remove it. Thank goodness! I can do this on a toliet.

Tip #2: Wash your hands and prepare to give birth! Cause that's what it is, it's like giving birth to a tinnie tiny baby, not taking a crap. Someone called it "Birthing the cup"

Tip #3: Use your muscles to gently push the cup down, Then grab the stem until you can reach up and pinch the base of the cup. Tilt it in a position toward your tail bone (Do not pull it straight out, it won't work) you have to tilt it.

Tip #4: When you relax and push, you must keep pushing even while you have a hold on it and pulling it out. When I stop pushing it hurts a little so I push the whole way through! When it's out I clean it making sure the tiny holes are cleaned too.

Stem Tip: The Diva is meant to be worn low not high, of course it'll ride up a bit but it never goes far up to where I can't push it out. If it's riding up too far, you might need a bigger one. Anyway the stem is annoying!! No matter if it rides up for not the stem will always poke you. When other women talked about trimming it I wasn't so sure. As I NEED the stem to get it out. But upon further inspection I saw that there is a alot of stem left at the bottom before reaching the first grip and since I never had a problem reaching the first grip I trimmed that open space of the stem off and what a difference!! I have it in now and I can hardly feel anything! So don't be afraid to trim the stem, but don't cut it off! Someone did and has no problems but if you NEED the stem like I do then don't take the chance.

So that's all I have to say. I hope my tips and the tips of others help you out. Don't let my first experience scare you off the Diva Cup. I was going to come on and write a really bad review until I finally found a way that worked for me.

The Diva Cup is one of the best things I have ever bought for myself. I am now free of tampons and pads for the rest of my life which makes it well worth the $32.50, not to mention the benefit to my plumbing and the envirnoment. The cup holds ALOT. I empty it once in the morning when I wake up and once in the evening an hour or so before bed (no need to change it in a public restroom, at least for me). The Diva Cup is more comfortable than tampons because it does not suck up all the moisture and dry you out (I don't know about you, but sometimes towards the end of my period tampons almost hurt to take out because I was so dry).

The cup took a few practice tries to get used to. Now it goes in (and out) just as easy as a tampon. Definitly try it your first few times when you are not on your period, that way you don't have to practice with a bloody mess. Try putting it in at different angles until you find one that works for you--mine is angled as low as I can possibly get it. Also, I ended up cutting off the stem completely--it was just more comfortable for me that way.

Try it, you'll be glad you did!

I was tired of messy pads, and equally as tired of the painful, drying effects of tampons. I began researching alternative menstrual care options when I came across DivaCup. I went to their website and read up on all the specifics as to how it works. I had my doubts, and I was a little intimidated, but what really sold me was the fact that they offered a 1-year, money back guarantee if I wasn't satisfied. So I tried it!

Learning how to insert it correctly (and without pain!) takes some time at first. I also had to trim the stem at the base to the length that was right for me so that it didn't irritate the skin. Once I got the hang of it, however, I couldn't even feel it inside. If it happens to leak, it is always a very miniscule amount (nothing more than a thin pantyliner can't handle), and it goes away when my cycle lightens.

For me, this product means freedom from bulky, disgusting pads and painful tampons.I would recommend this to absolutely anyone. I won't ever go back to pads or tampons ever again.

I've been an avid tampon user since my first period. However, I always worried about TSS and leakage. When I heard about the Diva Cup 4 months ago, I was immediately sold. Sure it was something I wasn't used to, and many of my friends (as well as my mother), were completely grossed out. But I couldn't get past the fact that it was healthy not just for myself, but for the environment.

I'm a virgin and thought I'd have a hard time getting the cup in. I had visited a community on LiveJournal and many girls had been complaining about how hard it was for them to get it in and settled. I was amazed that I had litle to no problems whatsoever. I made sure to do a dry run before I had my period, just to get used to putting the cup in and I admit that I was a tiny bit sore after, but when the time came for my period, it was easy to get in. And girls, if you're worried about it being too large, don't. It folds up to abou the size of a super tampon (including the applicator).

It may be an expensive purchase, especially if you're really short on cash like me. Really though, it has already paid for itself in more ways than one. Today I was in school from 9:00 am-9:00 pm...I had a ton of projects to do and little to no time to stop at the bathroom. I didn't have to worry about changing my cup ALL day!! It was so great.

Invest in one! You won't be sorry!

I bought my DivaCup about eight months ago, and I have been loving it ever since. I had always been frustrated with tampons and pads: too bulky, too dry, too much trash generated each month, too much trouble to carry around a big stash in purse, lots of leaks, and a never-ending expense. Why should I have to pay a tax for being female, right? So I'd been looking into tampon alternatives (I used and recommend OB for anyone out there still using tampons: they're small and have no applicator, so I found them much easier to use, easier to carry discretely, and they produced much less waste). I came across the Divacup and after reading hundreds of positive reviews I thought I'd give it a shot. Well, let me tell you, I've packed up my dozens of leftover tampons and pads into a big ziplock bag that I keep under the bathroom sink for the benefit of female party guests- I sure don't need them anymore. I have been so pleased with the performance of my divacup - although there is a learning curve, it's not difficult to learn how to use it. If you're like me and not too squeamish, you'll find as I did that it's extremely empowering to take charge of your reproductive health. And since it has little markings inside of it like a rain guage, you can even track how much fluid you've expelled so far - I told my boyfriend that it was like having a science project going on inside my body.

The best thing about the Divacup is that it's so passive, I often forget I'm on my period when I have it in. And if I do forget, it's no big deal - there's no risk of TSS from leaving the Divacup in overnight (which makes it great to sleep in) or for long periods of time, and since it holds more liquid than a tampon can, I can go for much longer between bathroom breaks. You know how with tampons you have to strategically plan your bathroom trips throughout the day? Not so with the Divacup. I usually used heavy-flow tampons for the first 1-3 days of my period, changing them every couple of hours, but even so, I may only empty my Divacup 2 or 3 times a day. Really amazing for a heavy-flow girl like me. I'm free to do stuff - like hiking - again, because I don't have to worry constantly about the next time I'll be near a bathroom.

Financially it makes a lot of sense - spend 80+ bucks a year on bleached cotton that goes into the landfill, or spend 20 bucks on something you can use the rest of your life? The choice is pretty clear to me. If you're not afraid of your body, I recommend the Diva Cup to you with no reservations.

The Diva Cup is awesome!! Normally, on the 1st day of my period, I go through a super tampon in about 4 hours. And what's frustrating is I get leaks and the tampon isn't even fully used yet! Uggh! I used my cup on day 1 and it was only like a 1/4 full when I got home from work (after 7 1/2 hours)! Ladies, it holds about a third of all the blood we pass our ENTIRE periods! It does take a bit of practice to get it inserted and angled right. But, don't worry girls, you'll have it down pat in no time. I love the fact that I don't have to fill up my purse (or luggage when I travel) with loads of supplies. All I do is grab my Diva Cup and go! In addition, you can keep it in for up to 12 hours, so I only have to empty it when I wake up and when I go to bed. And it comes with a pretty carrying pouch, so it doesn't bring attention. Also, I love the fact that I'm helping out the environment by not contributing to the sewer and landfill buildup and that I'm not risking my health by using tampons and pads that are filled with harmful chemicals and toxins. And I don't have to make the dreaded monthly trip to the drugstore. Even after 16 years, I hate it! But, not anymore! Now, don't get discouraged by the price. In 6 months, it pays for itself and it lasts for years. So, actually tampons and pads are much more expensive. And for those of you who think it's gross, try the Diva Cup for the 1st few days of your period. You'll think tampons are the grossest things on the planet! I did and I was a 14-year tampon user. Diva Cup is the best and every woman owes it to herself to try it!