.Fabolous : Disney’s 1946 Educational Video on Menstruation.

Ever since I had my first period I knew there had to be another option besides pads & tampons!

Apparently there’s been another option for quite some time, actually. The first menstrual cup was developed in the 1930’s and distributed by several companies. None of the early cups stayed in production for long though, because of advertising restrictions, social taboos on discussing menstruation, the reluctance of women to use an internal device and the fact these products required washing and reuse (in a time when disposable products were becoming available) all had a role in the products not becoming successful. Then the tampon came along and to deal with the fear of touching of the body for insertion they also came up with its applicator, which made the product much more marketable. They even brought out a new marketing strategy that allowed women to take a box of tampons off the counter themselves (placing the money in a tin beside the display), rather than asking the pharmacist for them. It wasn’t until 1987 that “The Keeper”, a rubber menstrual cup, was manufactured in the USA, the first commercially successful menstrual cup, as it is still in manufacture today.

Nowadays there is a number of brands that specialize in menstrual cups. There is two types available : a bell-shaped 2 inches long (5cm)

menstrual cup with a tab or stem at the bottom,which usually lasts up to 5 years ;and a disposable menstrual cup that looks similar to a contraceptive diaphragm, about 3 inches (7.5 cm) in diameter

I have tried a both types, and the one that has truly changed my life & I go around recommending to any female that will listen is The Diva cup, which falls in the first category.

This is what their website has to say about it:

“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 is the most clean and convenient method of feminine hygiene protection. No need to touch the flow. It is worn low in the vagina, not near the cervix, so it is easy to remove. No mess!

The DivaCup ends hassles with unreliable disposables in endless absorbencies, shapes and styles. It is perfect for all activities “ giving women true freedom without the worry, guessing and unreliability that disposable feminine hygiene products pose.

The DivaCup can be worn for up to 12 hours before emptying, washing and reinserting for use for another 12 hours. It can be used for light or moderate flows and is emptied more often to accommodate heavy flows. Perfect for overnight use.

The DivaCup’s expert, proprietary, patent-pending features make it comfortable and assures ease of use and reliability. Perfect for traveling, running, biking, hiking, dancing, camping, swimming, diving, scuba, yoga, extreme sports and more…”

I have found all of their claims to be true if you learn to place and wear this product correctly. It can take a little bit to get a hang of it, but after some practice, it’s quite easy. The most important thing is to place it in a way that is air tight sealed. If you follow the instructions carefully, it shouldn’t be a problem.

As they mentioned it usually takes up to 12 hours for it to be filled. The cup holds one ounce (30ml). The entire average monthly flow is approximately 1 to 1.4 ounces (30-40ml). By monitoring the fullness of the cup over a couple of periods, you will quickly learn how often to empty it according to your specific needs. If your periods are pretty regular, you can use the Diva Cup before your period begins to avoid “surprises”.Most women, myself included, find that the cup is not even half full after 12 hours. For those with heavier flows, it’s just a matter of emptying it more often. But the cup should always be emptied and washed at least twice a day.

Another thing is that some women find the cup a bit uncomfortable because of the stem or tip, but it has a simple solution : trim it a bit with scissors and it should keep working just fine.

You don’t need to take your Diva Cup out to go to the bathroom, however, you should always take it out before having sex. You should never use it as a birth control method, or as prevention against STD’s.

The Diva Cup is available in two different sizes, a smaller one for women who haven’t had any children or are under 30 years old, and another slightly wider one for women who have gone through labor or are older than 30 years old.

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One of the most interesting things about this process is how out of touch, as women , we are from what really goes on during our periods. In the beginning it was really surprising to me to realize not only how different the blood looked than the one I am more “used” to, but also how little I actually bleed. I realized that while using tampons & pads I had a completely unrealistic view of my period.

All these things make the Diva Cup a whole different way to experience your period. In my opinion, it’s more raw & real & natural and even though the first couple of times I felt sort of uncomfortable or grossed out, soon I developed a completely different relationship with the whole thing than I had previously

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The Diva cup is made by the Canadian company Diva International. Run & founded by two women Francine & Carinne Chambers (mother & daughter) that decided 15 years ago to resurrect the 75 year old menstrual cup concept because they recognized a need to provide an alternative to unreliable and bad for the environment pads & tampons. Francine & Carinne first were involved with a rubber/latex version that they sold for 10 years doing marketing and sales for the company that made them. Finally in 2003 they decided to start Diva International Inc.and develop a modern redesign, made from soft, top-quality silicone, to meet the needs of today’s woman. It brings me great pleasure to support a company like this because as many of you may know, most “female hygiene” products are made by brands led and owned by men! And also because in this day and age making responsible consumer decisions will make a huge difference in the future of our planet and choosing every month to use this more environmentally friendly option can be an easy way to contribute.

“Not every woman can afford a hybrid car nor easily convert their home to solar power. Yet, by choosing to use a menstrual cup instead of disposable tampons and pads, any woman is able to make an environmentally responsible choice each month. This is no small matter. In the U.S. alone, billions of tampons and pads are dumped into landfills and the environment each year.” Carinne Chambers

“With all the state-of-the-art conveniences Western society has developed, it baffles us why outdated feminine products are still being used. We believe that reusable menstrual cups are the next generation of feminine hygiene because they are the most environmentally responsible choice. They are also the most convenient and reliable option available and are not linked to Toxic Shock Syndrome.” Francine Chambers.

You can usually find the Diva Cup at health food stores or alternative medicine shops, you can see if there’s store that carries it near you here and you can also buy it online here .

It is usually more pricey than what we are used to paying for something to deal with our periods, (retail price is usually $30) but it is definitely worth it !

You can do the math and see that in a few months you will have made your money back!

Diva International recommends that the Diva Cup be replaced annually or when the silicone material is compromised in any way . Of coarse, proper care and cleaning of the Diva Cup will assure its best performance, and there’s even a special soap formula they offer The DivaWash to mantain the integrity of the silicone material. It is also very important to carefully follow the cleaning instructions in order to assure that the cup is clean and without soap residue.

I’ve heard from other females that if taken care of properly and washed with The DivaWash it can last up to 5 years, but ultimately, it is a woman’s personal decision as to when to replace her menstrual cup.

I’ve personally gotten all of my girlfriends into it, I even give it to people as christmas and birthday presents!

Extra-cool things about the Diva Cup:

♥It comes with a silky little bag to store it in.

♥The Diva Cup comes with measuring marks if you ever have any issues with your reproductive system, your gynecologist, physician, naturopath or acupuncturist will often ask about your menstrual flow and change of menstrual flow to determine if these problems have to do with your overall health, hormones, fertility issues, ect.