Here at ChickAdvisor, there's very little we won't talk about. I like to think that we've gotten to the comfortable, 'old shoe' phase in the relationship (where we just slide right in and get cozy with each other). I wouldn't even be grossed out if you farted in front of me. 

With that in mind, we're going to be talking about Lady Business today. More specifically, we're going to be talking about an alternative to your traditional tampons and pads: The Diva Cup. 

If you haven't heard of it before, The Diva Cup is a menstruation cup. Menstruation cup - are you scratching your head yet? Fair warning: Don't freak out when I say this. A menstruation cup sits low in the vaginal canal, collecting rather than absorbing menstrual flow. 
 
And yes, you do "put it up there". 

The great thing about cups and why you would choose to go with one over a tampon, is that they offer 12 hour leak free protection. Once they're there, they are there. You can go about your daily business for hours without changing or feeling anything.  


This is what The Diva Cup looks like. It comes with a handy dandy adorable pouch for carting around! 

The cup is made of healthcare grade silicone. It easily bends and folds to fit and mold to your body. Don't worry, it does fit up there. 

At first, I baulked at the notion of sticking a cup in my delicate area. A friend of mine, who also happens to be a Diva Cup devotee, suggested practising inserting the cup in the shower before hand. It took me about three practice tries before I properly inserted it. Nowadays, I can fold 'er on up and be done in about 15 secs. Throughout the day, if you need to empty your cup, you simply pour the contents and wipe it clean with a moist towel or toilet paper. I assumed (like most of you probably are) that "it" would just get everywhere, doing a wonderful impression of Carrie (TMI?). Well, rest easy, it doesn't. 
  
Taking it out however, I'm not quite up to pro level yet. I found that The Diva Cup works well for women with a heavier flow because the weight pushes the cup down, making it easier to take out. For those with a lighter flow, you may have to do a bit of reaching. You can keep your cool though, it won't get lost in the abyss.

I'll admit that once I incorrectly inserted my cup and it leaked. There's a learning curve to The Diva Cup. It does take some time to fit it and figure out how to best use it. I can totally see how The Diva Cup has garnered such a cult following. Not having to worry about tampons or leaks for 12 hours is such a relief. It's also cost effective. The Cup is US/C$39.99 and lasts a few years. It's difficult to pin point an exact lifespan, since each one will break down differently considering your individual pH balance and factors like cleaning. For detailed cleaning and care instructions, click here. On a personal note, I usually wash mine once a day and I do a thorough cleaning at the end of my cycle. If this is sounding pretty good to you, check out The Diva Cup here. Their FAQ section should answer every burning query you may have!   
 

The Diva Cup fits every woman, there are two sizes: Model 1 and Model 2. They also sell a great pH balanced and fragrance-free wash (US/C$11.99). 

What do you think of the Diva Cup? Would you or do you use it?

Read our members' reviews of the Diva Cup here