The Diva Cup: Feel Like a Goddess
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 10. 5.08
A search for the Diva Cup in TreeHugger archives reveals that TreeHugger readers rave about this product, most recently in a post on how to make your own pad, but it has not been given fair time with its own review. We have mentioned the Mooncup and The Keeper, two similar products. So to rectify the oversight, please meet the Diva Cup.
The Diva Cup is made from medical grade silicon, which is safe even for allergic people. It avoids the risks of dioxin, which has been found in tampons that are bleached, and which accumulates in the body causing carcinogenic and other toxic effects. And there are no known cases of toxic shock syndrome associated with its use.
The Diva cup can be used even during extreme sports with equal or better security than is offered by tampons. The cup holds 1 liquid ounce, while the average menstruation is between 1 and 1.4 ounces. It must be removed and rinsed or washed at least every twelve hours, so most women find that the cup is never full.
With the Diva Cup, there is no solid waste. Campers can bury the residue in a leave-no-traces hole and nothing unnatural is left behind. Travelers can clean the cup with a dry or damp tissue on occasions when running water is not accessible, as long as it is removed and washed at the next opportunity. And if you have a house pet, you will appreciate that you no longer accumulate wastes of, shall we say, special interest. And the best part: you will never spend money on disposable tampons or pads again.
The Diva Cup is now being distributed throughout Europe as well.
More on Green Menstrual Options
The Diva Cup at Diva International
Mooncup: Landfill is a bloody business!
The Keeper goes Mainstream
Bleed With Pride: Make-It-Yourself Menstrual Pads
Don't Miss How to Go Green on the Topic
How to Go Green: Women's Personal Care
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best thing EVER. no more waste to fill up landfills, and no more fear of dioxins in feminine hygeine products. i got mine 2 years ago and haven't looked back.
highly recommended.
I love my Diva Cup! I hated tampons and never used them - I thought it was because I didn't like the insertion part, but I was wrong, wrong, wrong. I guess I just hated the tampon-awfulness.
It's also siliconE, not silicon.
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Oops. I guess my spellchecker is as schizophrenic as I am after living so many years in Germany, where it is silicon. I have corrected it above so people's eyes won't stumble. Thanks for the hint!
I've considered this every time I go into whole foods, but I'm so worried it will leak and I won't be prepared. I should try it sometime
Diana, some people do have leaks with the diva cup, but I've never had one. Consider the size instructions carefully and invest in a few cloth pantiliners and you'll be set!
Back in the day I seem to remember some women getting toxic shock and dying from these things....... It worries me that it may be one of those.......... if you don't know history you're.......
Fashion & Beauty seems like a weird catagory to put cups under. For anyone who wants more information on menstrual cups though, this is a great place to start:
http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups/
and for information on the different brands in general:
http://menstrualcups.wordpress.com/category/comparisons/
I've been using this for over 4 years now. It has rarely leaked. When it has its because of a heavy flow in a short amount of time. Normal flows, I change it out twice a day at the most and no leaks. I trust this product over any tampon for leaks. Buy it, it's worth the price.
The Diva Cup is the best girlie product ever. Not only do you save A LOT of money by using it, but you keep the landfills free of unnecessary waste.
10 Reasons the Diva Cup Can Change Your Life
it's great. i have had leaks before; you just need to get used to your shape and make sure it expands after you insert it. i hope more women switch to this reusable item.
I've had a Diva Cup for a while now and love it. Only on really heavy flow days so I risk leaking (so I have to empty it three times a day rather than twice). And as far as lack of water goes, just pee in it! Urine is sterile, remember? It cleans it just fine until I can get some water on it (which only happens once a day in the dorms).
Really, it is the best product out there and I never fail to recommend it, especially for those who travel often or are very active.
i just bought it last month and after my first use, I'll have to say that I totally love it! My girlfriend reccomended it to me and now I'm recomending it to as many people as i can!
i actually look forward to myperiod now instead of dreading it
I was a tampon virgin til after college. Now I'm using the Cup and proud of it. Still getting used to taking it out, and sometimes it's not too comfortable, but I think that's more to do with my not cutting the stem down to size. It's pretty convenient- even went camping with it (yes, we had flush toilets)- and am glad to know I'm producing less waste. Give it a try!