Home » Featured, Product Reviews

A Little Review…Go Green: A Diva Cup for the Ladies

5 November 2009 View Comments

I’ve wanted to review the Diva Cup for awhile but didn’t want to shock any of my male readers. But the time has come and I will start out this product review with a warning:

Attention Men: Move Along Now

Consider that your warning. But also consider that you may find this review helpful for your girlfriend or wife – it’s actually worth a read if you’re not easily embarrassed!

Now, onto the product – I’m writing this reviewDiva Cup Review Photo without any incentive (read: they’re not paying me!) and truly just love this product. A friend recommended the cup to me last summer before heading out on my RTW trip – I was skeptical but her endorsement was incredibly enthusiastic.

It turned out that the Diva Cup is one of the most useful things I took on my trip around the world. The Diva Cup is an eco-friendly “natural feminine hygiene alternative” according to the site.

Basically it’s a medical-grade silicone menstrual cup that effectively replaces tampons and pads.

The Diva Cup site has all of the nitty-gritty details and pictures of the cup.

Here’s why I love it and how it worked on my RTW trip:

It can be worn for 12 hours at a time
Traveling on a budget and in developing countries meant a lot of time on public transportation, with the Diva cup I was safe for the never-ending 10+ hour bus rides. Then onto trekking – the last thing I wanted to do was dig holes and bury tampons during all-day treks – hooray for my Diva Cup! It’s completely safe to have in for up to 12 hours because there’s no risk for TSS like with tampons.

You can wear it before your period
Again, if I knew that I might start my period in the middle of a 10+ hour bus ride I could use my Diva Cup before my period even starts because it’s not drying like a tampon. It saved me from some potentially embarrassing situations on treks and the such.

It’s designed for any activity
The site touts that you can do any of the following: swimming, aerobics, cycling, traveling, dancing, hiking, biking, running, camping. You can. Each and everyone without a worry. It liberated me from trying to plan major outdoor activities on non-period days because I knew I could head out on that six hour bike ride without searching out a clean bathroom and I knew it would give an embarassing leak at precisely the wrong time.

You never have to buy any other product
I read horror stories about the availability of menstrual products before leaving on my round the world trip – some women even resort to bringing a full supply for their travels (hard to do when you’re on the road for a year!). This is literally the only thing I had to bring (well, soap too) and I knew I was never going to find myself hunting for sanitary products in a remote village in Nepal.

Diva Cup It’s green travel and oh-so good for the environment
So many of the countries I visited don’t have effective waste management systems in place; it made me feel good to not contribute to that problem and lighten my eco-footprint just a tad. The cup is reusable for a decade and there is nothing else you have to buy to use with it. Plus the non-BPA medical-grade silicone is far safer for your body than the surfactants, adhesives and additives they use in tampons and pads.

Now, for all that I’m touting the fabulous qualities of the product, I do have to share that there is a learning curve to using the Diva Cup, it took me until my third period using it to have no leaking and messiness…and I cursed it the whole time during my first two months.

But now I’m converted.

A few other Diva Cup tips and thoughts:

  • Try it out before your trip! You’ll be thankful that you’re in your own clean bathroom while you discover the learning curve.
  • Bring a mild soap. I brought a small container of Dr. Bronners Magic eco-friendly soap to wash it with.
  • It’s not for the squeamish. You do have to get a little more “invasive” then you do with tampons if you catch my drift.
  • Buy at your local co-op or natural foods store instead of online – mine sells it for less than online! Either way it’s less than $35 and far less than the close to $200 annually women spend on feminine hygiene products.

I think this product is brilliant and anyone who is comfortable with their body should give it a try. But beyond anyone, I consider it essential for women RTW travelers, truly  :-)

Interestingly, don’t take my word for it – just try to find a bad review of the product. A search on Google for “Diva Cup sucks”  mostly reveals the frustrations of those who are in the middle of the initial “learning curve” that I mentioned.  Better yet though, once you get a Diva Cup, Google for some extra tips from women people who have figured it out, they’re normally right on w/their suggestions and the cup comes with some very explicit tips!  ;-)

Shoot me an email if you have any other questions, or better yet, leave a comment. And if you’ve tried the Diva Cup, share your experience in the comments!

For more tips and travel stories you’ll want to SUBSCRIBE to my RSS feed…it’s free and serves up a weekly helping of travel stories directly to you!

Follow A Little Adrift on FACEBOOK; we can share photos and connect as friends. :-) TWITTER’S cool too if you prefer!

Related Posts with Thumbnails
  • Justine
    Interesting item :)
    I'd love to use it, it would be especially useful during traveling as you say ! But I often travel to under-developed countries, where the tap water is not potable; would that be a problem to clean it ?
    and also, I often go to hostels, so my only opportunity to boil water is in the shared kitchen, and I'm not sure how comfortable I would be putting my divacup there for all to see !
    If you have any advice/tips for traveling to under-developed countries with a divacup, I'd be interested to learn :)
  • ShannonOD
    You can still use it! I used my Diva cup all throughout Laos, Cambodia,
    India, and Nepal.

    The most important point is that you can wipe out the cup with toilet paper
    until you get to potable water. In that way, if you're changing it but have
    no water, just wipe it out w/tp and wash it the next chance you get (bottled
    water in some cases ).

    And I unfortunately did go a couple of months sometimes between boils - but
    I did find the opportunity here and there - there are times when the hostel
    kitchens are empty - or in guest houses, you can request a cup of boiling
    water and they are so accomodating in India and other developing countries
    and I let that suffice :-)

    I loved using it particularly in these countries because it meant less times
    that I had to use the bathrooms and I found it easier than trying to dispose
    of sanitary products.

    Hoped that helped! I traveled around the world with the diva cup and it was
    great the whole time :-)
  • ShannonOD
    You can still use it! I used my Diva cup all throughout Laos, Cambodia,
    India, and Nepal.

    The most important point is that you can wipe out the cup with toilet paper
    until you get to potable water. In that way, if you're changing it but have
    no water, just wipe it out w/tp and wash it the next chance you get (bottled
    water in some cases ).

    And I unfortunately did go a couple of months sometimes between boils - but
    I did find the opportunity here and there - there are times when the hostel
    kitchens are empty - or in guest houses, you can request a cup of boiling
    water and they are so accomodating in India and other developing countries
    and I let that suffice :-)

    I loved using it particularly in these countries because it meant less times
    that I had to use the bathrooms and I found it easier than trying to dispose
    of sanitary products.

    Hoped that helped! I traveled around the world with the diva cup and it was
    great the whole time :-)
  • Justine
    Interesting item :)
    I'd love to use it, it would be especially useful during traveling as you say ! But I often travel to under-developed countries, where the tap water is not potable; would that be a problem to clean it ?
    and also, I often go to hostels, so my only opportunity to boil water is in the shared kitchen, and I'm not sure how comfortable I would be putting my divacup there for all to see !
    If you have any advice/tips for traveling to under-developed countries with a divacup, I'd be interested to learn :)
  • ShannonOD
    So sorry to hear that, I emailed you so I'm hoping we can figure out an alternative for you!
  • Andrea
    I am on my third month and still can't get it right, I've even watched tutorials on youtube. It leaks. I'm about to give up.
  • ShannonOD
    So sorry to hear that, I emailed you so I'm hoping we can figure out an alternative for you!
  • Andrea
    I am on my third month and still can't get it right, I've even watched tutorials on youtube. It leaks. I'm about to give up.
  • ShannonOD
    Thanks for these other great links and resources - I'll actually add them to the bottom of the post so that others know that there are more options out there if the Diva Cup doesn't quite work! I appreciate the thorough feedback!! I can't imagine ever going back to tampons and pads :-)
  • Virago
    I found this post when I Googled "menstrual cup" blog discussions. I know I'm late to the party, but I have to speak up in favor of menstrual cups. I wish I'd known about them much earlier! Not having to have a tampon/pad stash in my purse, at work, in my carry-on for the plane ... not worrying if the dog is going to dig used "sanitary goods" out of the bathroom wastebasket ... not getting the eye-roll from my (then) boyfriend when it turned out that the clog in the toilet was caused by tampons ...

    Shannon, you're right -- the Diva Cup isn't that big. Go to this link (http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups/profile) and scroll down to see a picture of the Diva (and several other brands of menstrual cup) next to an OB tampon. Menstrual cups aren't any longer than an OB -- and as for the diameter, the cups are very flexible and easy to fold.

    There are lots of different brands of reusable menstrual cups besides the Diva -- the Keeper, the Lunette, the Ladycup (my favorite), the Mooncup, to name just a few. This website -- www.menstrualcups.org -- has all the scoop. When the Diva didn't work for me, I did a little research and found just what I was looking for.

    Anyway, thanks for letting me ramble. I'm glad the Diva Cup worked for you, Shannon -- it's a great accessory for a RTW trip!
  • ShannonOD
    Thanks for these other great links and resources - I'll actually add them to the bottom of the post so that others know that there are more options out there if the Diva Cup doesn't quite work! I appreciate the thorough feedback!! I can't imagine ever going back to tampons and pads :-)
  • Virago
    Sorry for the double post -- I was told that my post had been lost!
  • Virago
    I found this post when I Googled "menstrual cup" blog discussions. I know I'm late to the party, but I have to speak up in favor of menstrual cups. I wish I'd known about them much earlier! Not having to have a tampon/pad stash in my purse, at work, in my carry-on for the plane ... not worrying if the dog is going to dig used "sanitary goods" out of the bathroom wastebasket ... not getting the eye-roll from my (then) boyfriend when it turned out that the clog in the toilet was caused by tampons ...

    Shannon, you're right -- the Diva Cup isn't that big. Go to this link (http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups...) and scroll down to see a picture of the Diva (and several other brands of menstrual cup) next to an OB tampon. Menstrual cups aren't any longer than an OB -- and as for the diameter, the cups are very flexible and easy to fold.

    There are lots of different brands of reusable menstrual cups besides the Diva -- the Keeper, the Lunette, the Ladycup (my favorite), the Mooncup, to name just a few. This website -- www.menstrualcups.org -- has all the scoop. When the Diva didn't work for me, I did a little research and found just what I was looking for.

    Anyway, thanks for letting me ramble. I'm glad the Diva Cup worked for you, Shannon -- it's a great accessory for a RTW trip!
  • ShannonOD
    I think it is definitely worth trying - give it a chance though because you're likely going to hate it the first month! :-)
  • clny
    Thanks for the review! I'm travelling through Asia next year and never really gave much thought to that but it sounds like a great product and I think I'm going to give it a go!
  • ShannonOD
    I think it is definitely worth trying - give it a chance though because you're likely going to hate it the first month! :-)
  • clny
    Thanks for the review! I'm travelling through Asia next year and never really gave much thought to that but it sounds like a great product and I think I'm going to give it a go!
  • ShannonOD
    Call me if you do, I'll give you some tips so that you don't hate it! ;-)
  • ShannonOD
    Call me if you do, I'll give you some tips so that you don't hate it! ;-)
  • ShannonOD
    Call me if you do, I'll give you some tips so that you don't hate it! ;-)
  • ShannonOD
    You're most welcome, it was a tough call to publish this on the blog, so I'm glad it helps :-)
  • ShannonOD
    Thanks Candice, you'll have to let me know if you convert ;-)
  • Wow! I've been contemplating this particulary backpacking problem earlier this week. This sounds like a pretty great solution, definitely going to look into it. Thanks Shannon!
  • ShannonOD
    You're most welcome, it was a tough call to publish this on the blog, so I'm glad it helps :-)
  • CandiceW
    Hah, yeah! I guess it just looks large in comparison to tampons. Totally intrigued though, great review.
  • Wow! I've been contemplating this particulary backpacking problem earlier this week. This sounds like a pretty great solution, definitely going to look into it. Thanks Shannon!
  • I was wondering- interestingly enough- the other day if you ended up liking this product. Good to know. I'd be interested in trying it out. Well done Shannon. :)
  • ShannonOD
    Call me if you do, I'll give you some tips so that you don't hate it! ;-)
  • I was wondering- interestingly enough- the other day if you ended up liking this product. Good to know. I'd be interested in trying it out. Well done Shannon. :)
  • brookevstheworld
    Agree - the reusable cup is a must-have on my travel list. Won't go back.
  • ShannonOD
    Glad to have some backup - I really have yet to meet someone who hasn't converted once they try it! I haven't heard of the Moon Cup but it's good to know they're options out there :-)
  • Now that is a product that looks like it could be very useful. Thanks for being brave and reviewing it. I am going to look into it. Do you have to order it online?
  • ShannonOD
    Oh! And thanks for the brave comment - I was kinda sweatin' it when no one had commented earlier today! ;-)
  • ShannonOD
    You may have to order online - but my local co-op natural foods store carried it. I don't know if you have "Whole Foods" but they DONT have it. They have a store finder on the site: http://www.divacup.com/en/search/

    I seriously think it's worth a try considering your upcoming travels!!
  • ShannonOD
    Oh! And thanks for the brave comment - I was kinda sweatin' it when no one had commented earlier today! ;-)
  • ShannonOD
    Glad to have some backup - I really have yet to meet someone who hasn't converted! I haven't heard of the Moon Cup but it's good to know they're options out there :-)
  • ShannonOD
    You may have to order online - but my local co-op natural foods store carried it. I don't know if you have "Whole Foods" but they DONT have it. They have a store finder on the site: http://www.divacup.com/en/search/

    I seriously think it's worth a try considering your upcoming travels!!
  • ShannonOD
    Try it! I seriously will not ever go back. There is an initial "Eww factor" to using it but you seriously can't feel it - to put it in you fold it, insert it, then it pops open - and let's be real, it's not that big ;-) If it's in correctly you will literally forget you are wearing it.
  • ShannonOD
    I have no doubt ;-) This is one of those things were we likely wish we were male too half the time!
  • CandiceW
    Oh my lord. I'm not sure how I feel about trying it, but after reading all the scary pesticides used in the cotton of tampons, I might just have to convert too...although it looks rather large. You really can't feel it?
  • ShannonOD
    Try it! I seriously will not ever go back. There is an initial "Eww factor" to using it but you seriously can't feel it - to put it in you fold it, insert it, then it pops open - and let's be real, it's not that big ;-) If it's in correctly you will literally forget you are wearing it.
  • CandiceW
    Hah, yeah! I guess it just looks large in comparison to tampons. Totally intrigued though, great review.
  • ShannonOD
    Thanks Candice, you'll have to let me know if you convert ;-)
  • brookevstheworld
    Agree - the reusable cup is a must-have on my travel list. Won't go back.
  • Now that is a product that looks like it could be very useful. Thanks for being brave and reviewing it. I am going to look into it. Do you have to order it online?
  • Somethings make me happy to be male. This is one of them.
  • ShannonOD
    I have no doubt ;-) This is one of those things were we likely wish we were male too half the time!
  • CandiceW
    Oh my lord. I'm not sure how I feel about trying it, but after reading all the scary pesticides used in the cotton of tampons, I might just have to convert too...although it looks rather large. You really can't feel it?
  • Somethings make me happy to be male. This is one of them.
blog comments powered by Disqus