Soft cups (diva cup??) vs. organic tampons

[leila1213]

Not much time to post but I've just gotten my period for the first time in 2.5 years (since I got crunchy )... I had read about diva cups but being that it was short notice, I went to Walgreens and found disposible soft cups (brand name "Instead"). Surprisingly, the only options at the HFS were organic tampons and pads. So now I'm confused. Which is preferable? If I go the soft cup route I am assuming I will need to order diva cups. They are reusable, correct? How many will I need? Is there any advantage (health- and/or eco-wise) to going with the organic tampons?

[Maluhia]

You only need on diva cup - I buy their special wash and one jar lasts me a year or more. Some people have two divas if they don't want to reinsert without washing in a public restroom - I've never had a problem reinserting and honestly I have to change it SO rarely (only more than 2x a day ONE day a cycle and I can plan to be home that day).

Organic tampons are still cotton in your body, non renewable, etc.

[beccaroo]

Yep, you only need one diva cup, and I highly recommend it. I got mine at a local co-op. You can check their web site to see if a different HFS or pharmacy near you carries them (you might want to call ahead and make sure they have a size 2 since you're a mom), or order online. I know Lunapads.com carries them. I ordered some of their pads in case of leaks (rarely happens) and for light days. They offer some cup/pad bundles. If you're not in a rush you can sign up for their newsletter and see if they have any specials in the next few months.

It might seem like a big investment up front but is SO worth it! I haven't bought pads or tampons in two years and I'm so much more comfortable during my period. Somehow the Diva even seems to have made them slightly lighter and less crampy! Enjoy!

[iamloved22]

I would definitely go with the Diva Cup, you only need one rather than buying & rebuying tampons (and them ending up in landfills). Plus as previous posters have said you'll be "changing" less often. They aren't that expensive (especially when you can find them trough a co-op)

[littlemizflava]

diva cup 200% you only need one it last years. i dont use their wash just soap and water no problem.

[xekomaya]

Frontier also carries the Diva Cup, so you might be able to get it in a co-op, or if you know of a health food store that stocks from Frontier (ours does) they might also carry it.

[leila1213]

Thanks ladies! I will see if I can order through my co-op!

[nannymom]

I agree with the others. I love my Diva cup. I got through a co-op for $13. It took a little while to get used to putting in correctly so read and save the directions!

[Jojo F.]

Just to add there are some helpful threads on here if you need troubleshooting. There is a bit of a learning curve with the cup but I'm still glad I have mine:

[EnviroBecca]

Diva Cup is much better than tampons or Instead. First of all, in my experience it works better: holds more, leaks less, is more comfortable. Compared to tampons (organic or otherwise), I have less cramping and almost no clots. It's also SO MUCH MORE CONVENIENT than carrying around disposable products and having to remember to restock your purse!

Health-wise, menstrual cups have never been linked to Toxic Shock Syndrome. Tampons are drying and thus can increase the odds of various vaginal infections. Personally, I had a sudden decrease in urinary tract infections when I switched from tampons to a reusable cup; I'm not certain there's a connection, but it seemed that way, esp. because I often got UTIs right after my period. I also had UTIs with Instead because it pressed my bladder so that I couldn't empty it completely without removing the cup. Last I heard, Instead was not disclosing what type of plastic it's made of, so who knows if it's releasing chemicals. Diva is medical-grade silicone, which has a great safety record.

Eco-wise, with the Diva all you throw away is your flow. With tampons or Instead, you've got some trash every few hours, plus the packaging. Instead is made from petroleum and is not biodegradable. You do have to wash the Diva, but that takes a trivial amount of water; it cleans up pretty fast, and washing it once a day is adequate.

You only need one Diva. In a public restroom, just empty it, wipe the outside with toilet paper, and reinsert. The biggest germ worry is not your flow hanging around on the cup but what may be on your hands. Wash your hands BEFORE sticking them into your vagina, as well as after!

[crbyard]

Just to let you know, I saw that iherb.com has the diva cup now for $18. I love that website!

[meco]

I highly recommend the diva cup. It was seriously life changing for me. My cycles became something much more manageable.

I never have to buy disposable menstrual products. I do not have a monthly cost of my period like I used to have. My cup was paid off for in a few months! After that, using it has saved me money. I can reuse my cup over and over again. Mine is a couple of years old, and it still is in great condition. I only have one. I just return it to its place when I am done with it and have cleaned it. I travel a lot. And I am never stuck somewhere without something. It's portable, small and easy to carry around. I could often feel a tampon, I can never feel my cup. I often forget about it.

My periods are shorter and less heavy. I have less cramping. Way less clots. No leaking. No ruined clothing or sheets. You can use it for up to 12 hours (try that with a tampon). There may be other variables involved, but the diva cup has been great for me. I really love mine. I have touted its benefits to my friends and those who started to use one have been very happy.

There are some sex benefits for me as well. Although you may be able to use your imagination, you can PM me for information as I do not think it's information I can share here.

I highly recommend a reusable cup.

[aweynsayl]

sigh. i know i'm not the only one, but count me an organic cotton tampon gal. i just cant get the diva cup to not be so uncomfortable i just cry. (just thought i'd post that, in case you try and just feel like a miserable failure for not getting it to work. )

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by aweynsayl

sigh. i know i'm not the only one, but count me an organic cotton tampon gal. i just cant get the diva cup to not be so uncomfortable i just cry. (just thought i'd post that, in case you try and just feel like a miserable failure for not getting it to work. )

I love my Mooncup, but my Lunette is pretty darned uncomfortable for me. I also discovered that if I pushed my Mooncup up far enough to hit my cervix, it was really comfortable down below, but it was causing cramping, so I had to learn where I could position it so that it would be comfortable and not cause cramping at the same time.

So it may be that you need to try a different brand, or just different positioning.

[DaMajha]

FYI, iherb.com has a $5 off code, YOW850 for new customers

I just ordered a diva and it was $18 total with shipping and everything.

[leila1213]

Originally Posted by DaMajha

FYI, iherb.com has a $5 off code, YOW850 for new customers

I just ordered a diva and it was $18 total with shipping and everything.

I'm ordering now! Thank you!

ETA: It was <$16 with USPS Priority Mail! I can't wait to try it out!

[leila1213]

Just thought I'd post back for anyone who may be researching this topic...

I haven't used the diva cup yet (no period on day 32?? ), but the fit/insertion is COMPLETELY different than the Instead softcups. I was under the impression that the success/ease of using the softcups meant I wouldn't have a problem with the diva cup. Not that I am anticipating a problem, but I just wanted to point out the differences:

The softcups fit behind the pubic bone, over the cervix.

The Diva Cup, however, sits at the front of the vagina, with a little "tail" towards the opening of the vagina, for removal.

[newlywaaz]

I have a mooncup, it arrived in the mail just a few weeks before I found out I was pregnant, right after my period had ended! I don't expect to see AF for another year since I'll be EBF, but after that I can't wait to try my cup out My SIL and I did a lot of research of the different cups, and decided that on the totem pole, Diva ranked pretty low compared to MooncupUK or Lunette or even the US original, the Keeper and its' newer latex-free version, also called the mooncup. My SIL ended up with a Lunette and has used it for about 8 cycles now and loves it. She said there is a definite learning curve, but that her PMS is significantly less of a problem, and the length of her periods has decreased as well.

ETA: she cut most of her tail off, as do many many cup users. I left mine on (since I never actually got to do more than try it on) but intend to cut as much off as necessary until it's comfortable.

[aris99]

Originally Posted by newlywaaz

I have a mooncup, it arrived in the mail just a few weeks before I found out I was pregnant, right after my period had ended! I don't expect to see AF for another year since I'll be EBF, but after that I can't wait to try my cup out My SIL and I did a lot of research of the different cups, and decided that on the totem pole, Diva ranked pretty low compared to MooncupUK or Lunette or even the US original, the Keeper and its' newer latex-free version, also called the mooncup. My SIL ended up with a Lunette and has used it for about 8 cycles now and loves it. She said there is a definite learning curve, but that her PMS is significantly less of a problem, and the length of her periods has decreased as well.

ETA: she cut most of her tail off, as do many many cup users. I left mine on (since I never actually got to do more than try it on) but intend to cut as much off as necessary until it's comfortable.

I didn't have much success w/Diva and was about to give up on "cups" when I came across a review for mooncups! I tried one out and it worked perfectly! I cut the tail off. I have NEVER had a leak....divas leaked terribly for me and were uncomfortable.

So aweynsayl you are not the only "failure"...cups are NOT one size fits all !!!

[jeca]

My mooncup is kinda uncomfortable plus the suction thing it does coming out hurts sometimes, am I doing something wrong?

Wait I have an older style keeper, so should I upgrade to the newer version?