Diva Cup Review And GIVEAWAY! 3/18

WARNING: This post contains TMI. If you're squeamish or a male, you just might want to click away now. If you're a woman, and you'd like to make your life a whole lot easier, keep on reading.

After I had my youngest child a year ago, I made the (stupid) decision to get my tubes tied following my cesarean. After all, I had 3 healthy kids already, and had just gone through 2 back-to-back pregnancies, both resulting in C-sections. At that moment in time, getting a tubal ligation just made sense.

What I didn't know were the horrid side effects that came along with this procedure. Things like awful cramping, severe PMS, and incredibly heavy monthly bleeding have become my reality. Sounds fun, right? Yeah, not so much. Since my period has returned, I bleed so much that I will soak right through a Super Absorbency tampon in an hour. That's a LOT of tampons every month, which gets expensive quite quickly. My husband has even had to run out and grab another box at 3:00AM on more than one occasion since I was going through them so rapidly. Poor guy! What man wants to head out to pick up feminine care products? Talk about awkward, right?!

Recently, I have been doing a lot of research into ways I can better manage my monthly visitor. While I had heard of the DivaCup before, I had never really considered using it. The whole "ick" factor was a bit too much to swallow. A reusable menstrual cup? What? This just didn't sound at all pleasant to me. However, I have several friends who use these and swear by them. I had tons of questions that they were happy to answer, and I started taking a closer look at this product.

So what IS The DivaCup?

The DivaCup is a non-absorbent menstrual cup that simply collects menstrual flow. It is inserted in the vagina and sits at the lower base of the vaginal canal. It is worn internally, yet because it is soft and smooth, it cannot be felt nor will it leak when inserted properly. The DivaCup comes in 2 sizes. One is for women under 30 who have not had a child, and the other is is for women 30 and older and/or women who have had children. Proper sizing is important, as it will prevent leakage.

This product is made of a strong, non-leaching silicone that is hypo- allergenic. This form of silicone is odorless, latex-free, plastic-free and BPA-free. It has been used safely in healthcare applications for over 50 years.  The FDA has cleared The DivaCup for use by the FDA for use as feminine hygiene protection. It also holds a current Health Canada medical device license.The DivaCup is the most clean and convenient method of feminine hygiene protection.

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Yes, you read that correctly. The DivaCup is just that. A cup that collects menstrual fluids! Yes, you really DO stick it in "there". Before you start getting grossed out, consider this: Tampons get inserted as well, and actually pose health risks, like Toxic Shock Syndrome. Not to mention, tampons can get a funkified odor to them, and even get "lost" in the vagina. Yes, I have really had this happen before! It was terrible! I will spare you the awful details, but let's just say a tampon that gets lost for a few days does not produce pleasant side effects. With the DivaCup, these factors are not an issue.

Take a look at the DivaCup. It even comes with a cute little pouch!

So after considering these facts, I decided to give the DivaCup a try. After all, it's safe, reusable, better for the environment, and will save me from spending tons of money on tampons. Another bonus? My hubby won't have to suffer the humiliation of having to purchase them!

This month, I have been using the DivaCup exclusively. After reading the instructions and getting a "feel" for the material, I mustered up my confidence and went at it. To insert the DivaCup, you fold it over and slide it into the vagina. Once it's in, you rotate it some to make sure the cup is "open". I was actually surprised at how easy insertion was. And guess what? I couldn't even feel a thing! When properly inserted, you should not even feel the cup at all, much like using a tampon. 

Initially, I was a bit worried that it wouldn't hold up when the floodgates opened during heavier flow days.I tend to bleed like a stuck pig! Much to my surprise, I have experienced no leaks, even on my heavy days. I have even used this overnight, and have had no issues.

Removing and cleaning the DivaCup is easy, too! I was a little intimidated about this aspect at first. After all, you're pulling a cup full of blood out of your hoo-hah. I was afraid it would be a very messy process. Much to my amazement, there wasn't any spillage or splatter. The cup came out easily and didn't lose any of its contents. Once the DivaCup is removed, you simply empty it into the toilet and wash it with a mild detergent such as the DivaWash. At the end of the cycle, you can even boil the DivaCup for 5-10 minuted to ensure it remains sanitary. The DivaCup should always be stored in its pouch. NEVER store the DivaCup in a plastic container or bag, as this does not allow for air-flow and will trap bacteria.

Overall, I have to say I am pleasantly surprised at what I thought would be a disgusting and difficult experience. The DivaCup is actually pretty awesome, and has changed the way I look at my period. It is easy to use, easy to clean, and saves so much money. Oh, did I mention it's also comfortable to wear? Really, I cannot find anything negative to say about this product. Once you get past the initial heebie-jeebies over the concept of a reusable menstrual cup, you will definitely be surprised. The DivaCup is my feminine product of choice now, and I am so glad I decided to try it! Of course I use mama cloth with it, just in case, but I have had absolutely no mishaps with the DivaCup at all. Try it! I guarantee you'll love it!

WHERE TO BUY:

You can purchase the DivaCuponline. You can also check out their handy store finder to locate this product near you!

You can also become a fan of the DivaCup on Facebook and on twitter!

WIN IT!

One lucky reader will receive the DivaCup in their choice of size! Trust me, this product is definitely worth trying!

Please use this easy Rafflecopter form to enter.


This giveaway is open to US residents 18+ until 12:00AM on March 18, 2012. No PO Boxes. Winner will be drawn using Rafflecopter's Random Number Generator. All entries will be verified, so play fair! I will notify winner via e-mail and they will have 48 hours to reply before I am forced to redraw winners. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. This contest is not affiliated with Facebook in any way. Thanks for entering, and Good Luck!

***Disclosure: I received a complimentary sample to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.