Gentlemen… this one is not for you. We’ll be discussing matters you’d rather know nothing about. I can’t even suggest you forward this to your spouse – she might take it the wrong way.
Mother Daughter Team at Diva Cup
Ladies – for the duration of our “childbearing years” with varying degrees of regularity we all have to deal with our monthly cycle and all the joy it encompasses.
This monthly joy typically involves an arsenal of bleached feminine hygiene products. I’ve attempted to do some research on the health implications of using bleached tampons inside of our body and if there is information out there I’ve been unable to find it. Switching to unbleached and recycled tampons is no doubt an improvement.
I recently discovered a product called the Diva Cup and while this solution has it’s drawbacks, in my view it’s benefits are outstanding. The Diva Cup is a small cylindrical silicon cup. It reminds me a little bit of diaphragm’s I’ve seen (never tried one, so can’t speak to that).
Benefits
Safe, medical grade silicon is known to be non toxic to our bodies.
Correctly placed the Diva Cup is more comfortable than tampons.
No need to keep buying tampons or pads.
No need to carry extra supplies when you travel or are out and about.
Nothing gross to wrap or hide in the wastebasket.
Heavier flow just needs to be emptied more often, no additional products!
No “rip cord” dangling around. Nadda… Nothing… Fabulous! How gross is the rip cord. This reason alone will prevent me from ever going back to the old way!
With the caveat below – no bulky pad. Nadda… Nothing… Fabulous.
Less odor. Seriously! Smelled fresher, felt fresher.
Did I mention how comfortable it was.
What You Need To Know
The Diva Cup is not for the faint of heart. If you would not be comfortable inserting a applicator free tampon chances are you won’t be comfortable with this. It’s only a little bit more involved, but let’s just say there is only one way in.
It did take me a little time to learn how to tell if the Diva Cup was correctly situated. Users will quickly learn that if it doesn’t feel right, it’s not in correctly. This is not a matter of leakage, rather it will feel a little uncomfortable if it’s not placed correctly.
You will need be rinsing out your cup, again not for the squeamish.
You MUST rotate the Cup one full circle – it says so in the instructions. When you do, it is leek free, comfortable and a delight. If you don’t – you might have a leek. It’s like screwing a lid on a jar… if you don’t turn it all the way the liquid won’t stay where you need it to stay.
You will want to wash the cup with a non toxic safe soap – The Diva Wash is a plant based, petroleum based option.
Environmentally Speaking
If you are looking for an environmental reason to make the switch consider the fact that in the US alone over 55.9 million women are using feminine hygiene products. These products need to be manufactured, disposed of and purchased over and over again. That’s 55.9 million women every month!
Conclusion
There is a learning curve to using this product. I’d suggest the first few times using a panty liner in the event that you have any leakage. Having said that my obligation to The Diva Cup will end when this giveaway is over and I won’t be going back to my old ways! The Diva Cup is just so much better, so much more comfortable, and you can use it over and over again.
It’s not perfect, but if you took away the environmental benefits and ignored that it’s likely safer than tampons and only judged it as which method was superior – I would pick the Diva Cup.
Move past any squeamishness. Take the time to read the instructions and make the switch!
CLICK HERE to input your zip/postal code to find a retailer near you.
Congratulations to Heather S! You’ve won the Diva Cup and full size Diva Wash!
HOW TO ENTER:
There are a few ways you can enter, leave separate comments for each entry.
Mandatory:
Become an Email Subscriber to PND using the form in the sidebar.
– The subscription must be confirmed. You will receive and email that you must reply to for your entry to be valid.
– Already a confirmed Subscriber. Complete any one of the additional entries options – Leave a comment letting Diva know you’re subscriber name and the entry option you selected.
Additional Entries
1. Go to The Diva Cup and tell PND what size you would be or share something you learned.
2. Stumble, Digg, Kirsty or Technorati favorite this post. Leave a comment with your name and the link.
3. Follow @purenaturaldiva (use link on the sidebar) & Diva Cup on twitter. Leave your twittername in a separate comment.
4. Become a Fan of Pure Natural Diva & Diva Cup on Facebook. Post this giveaway as an update, leave your FB Name or Name with a copy of your update in a separate comment. One entry for each.
5. Tweet this giveaway. Copy and paste “Diva Giveaway: Win The Diva Cup http://bit.ly/8kJga, Ladies this is for you! @purenaturaldiva”. Then come back and leave the direct link to your tweet (go to your twitter account, click on the words when your tweet was sent (ie. 5 seconds ago) and copy and paste that link in comments.
6. Write a post on your blog linking to my blog and to the – Good for two entries. Leave this comment twice so you get both entries!
This giveaway will run through midnight on Feb 13, 2010 PDT. The winner will be announced in the PND newsletter Feb 15, 2010. Winner will be chosen using Random.org from all valid entries. Winner will have 24 hours to contact me before another winner is chosen.
Giveaway is open to residents of the U.S & Canada.
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{ 65 comments… add one }
I’m an email subscriber. I had a Keeper (similar) before I had my kids and loved it, but it never fit very well after childbirth! So I would love to try the Model 2 size DivaCup. : )
Great giveaway, thanks!
I am an email subscriber. This sounds rather similar to Instead cups, which is what I currently use. Big difference is that those are still disposable. I would definitely be interested in trying the Diva Cup! Thanks…this is the first I’ve heard of it!
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
Wow…the Diva Cup only needs to be replaced once a year (though that may vary with use)! Imagine only having to buy ‘feminine protection’ items once a year! This is really a very smart product. Good for you, good for the earth!
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
I follow PND on Twitter as hybroanglid.
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
I’m a PND fan on Facebook!
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
I would need a model 2 size — thanks for the giveaway!! What a new unique product.
I’m a subscriber, and would choose Model 1.
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Mommy23Monkeys Chocomize Giveaway =-.
I follow PureNaturalDiva and Diva Cup on twitter (hunniebee724)
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Mommy23Monkeys Chocomize Giveaway =-.
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/hunniebee724/status/7642359813
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Mommy23Monkeys Chocomize Giveaway =-.
Our little sister uses these (size 1 so she rubbed it in–under 30, no vaginal births) She loves it! There are lots of chemicals in tampons, which is one of the reasons they are linked to TSS (you know if you’ve ever read a tampon box). this is a great way to avoid the risks of formaldehyde, and chlorine.
I Stumbled this giveaway:
http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/pishnook/review/39088798/
Thanks!
melaniesands[at]yahoo[dot]ca
Dugg it, too – as “pishnook” –
http://digg.com/health/The_Diva_Cup_Review_Giveaway_Pure_Natural_Diva/who
melaniesands[at]yahoo[dot]ca
I’m following you both on Twitter, as SaywardBC
melaniesands[at]yahoo[dot]ca
I’m a Facebook fan of PND (Melanie Sands)
melaniesands[at]yahoo[dot]ca
I’m a Facebook fan of The Diva Cup (Melanie Sands)
melaniesands[at]yahoo[dot]ca
Posted on my Facebook page: http://bit.ly/66Yd1V
melaniesands[at]yahoo[dot]ca
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/SaywardBC/status/7646168803
melaniesands[at]yahoo[dot]ca
I bought one of these a while ago and just couldn’t figure it out. Maybe it’s time to revisit and retry! It’s definitely safer than using chlorinated tampons and pads.
Thanks for running the very successful giveaway.
I clicked thru from the newsletter! Yay!
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
I subscribe via email
i am visiting from your newsletter
I would want model 2
I’m an email subscriber already. I would need the Model 2.
fairysolgod @gmail.com
I’m an email subscriber. I have a Diva cup that’s getting a bit older and I absolutely adore it. I would want the size 1 again
Following both of you on twitter @nikki57575757
PS – I’m visiting from your newsletter! ; )
Thanks!
melaniesands[at]yahoo[dot]ca
I am a subscriber. I would need Model 2 given my age.
I follow on twitter as @LisaSVance
I read your newsletter and am claiming my extra entry
Email subscriber as khrysdoll at yahoo dot com.
I would need the size 2.
Following both on twitter @momof3dolls.
FB fan of both as Khrystina D or momof3dolls.
I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/hybroanglid/status/8206307091
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
Just became a subscriber and so excited to read more!
and am following on twitter as @wintor
Checked out the Diva Cup website and would need the size 2.
tweet
http://twitter.com/momof3dolls/status/8404591669
.-= Khrystina´s last blog ..Fluff Friday Week 64 =-.
I clicked through from the newsletter! I think I would need a size 2? Thanks!
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
I tweeted this today!
http://twitter.com/hybroanglid/status/8495761208
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
I subscribe.
I clicked through from the newsletter.
I would like a size 2. Thanks for the chance!
I would need Model 1. Down with the pads n tampons! Love Diva cup.
stumbled by loca
http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/Loca/
Following @purenaturaldiva @Divacup I’m @truthful
http://twitter.com/truthful/status/8579618860
I would like the size 2 model diva.
Thanks!
I follow @purenaturaldiva on twitter
misscrabbypants
I follow Diva Cup on twitter.
misscrabbypants
I am A facebook fan of Pure Natural Diva and DivaCup!
Tan Smith
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/divacup?ref=search&sid=859800025.2269813401..1
Shared on Twitter!
http://twitter.com/Misscrabbypants/statuses/8585146791
Wow- This is great! I had heard of these but never took the plunge. I spent a lot of time on the Diva Cup website and I never knew before that they are made of silicon, not rubber like older ones. Thanks for hosting this and reviewing
Also, didn’t know there was a sizing difference – these seem really well-designed.
I became a subscriber and I’d love to win a size 2
I just subscribed!
I would need a size 1.
I just subscribed. I’d love to try this out. A size 2.
I am a brand-new confirmed e-mail subscriber, thanks!
I would need a size 2. I have been meaning to move to one of these and cloth pads and winning this would be a great push!
I am now an email subscriber to PND.
I would need a model 1 size.
I am already an email subscriber
I guess I would be a size 2.
I follow you both on Twitter as aMothersEarth
Tweet!
http://twitter.com/aMothersEarth/status/9038424665