Girls Only Post

This is it. The post (some of) you have been waiting for.

The one and only product review.

If you know what I'm talking about, keep reading.  If you don't, well either you don't click on links on my blog, or you don't keep up to date, or whatever it might be. In any case, you should note this post is not for the boys. No really. This topic was discussed in front of a guy who can take just about anything that is TMI. But not this - he had to leave and got all weirded out. So if you're a guy. Stop it. Not kidding. Consider yourself warned.

This might be one for extra squeamish girls to quit reading too. But maybe you'll just skim through.

So what is it?

It's a review on this...The Diva Cup (you might wanna take a quick boo at the website to see just what the heck I'm getting into here).

First you need to learn my whys - why a Diva Cup? Why now? Why not just a tampon? Here's a quick run down on some of my thoughts lately (in as brief as someone with verbal diarrhea can possibly make it):

• I have endometriosis (duh). The cause of endometriosis is unknown. One theory is retrograde menstruation as discovered by John A. Sampson.  Closely related to that is the fact that we've shoved tampons up there (perhaps causing retrograde menstruation or something similar). That's a loose theory, but hey. Worth thinking about. 
• Tampons (depending on brand and type) contain the following ingredients: bleached rayon, aluminum, alcohol, and additives. Firstly, rayon is a man-made fiber. There are also other ingredients not approved by the FDA in things like lotions and drugs, and yet not regulated in tampons...that you stick inside of you for hours...that are being absorbed by your body. Awesome. 
• These ingredients (above) cause dioxins. Dioxin is poison on any level, though tampon manufacturers claim different. Toxic shock syndrome is caused 50% of the time by tampon-use as it encourages a breeding ground for Staph aureus.  
• Yes, there are other studies saying that studies with tampons and endo are inconclusive. However, logically those studies don't make sense and 2 that I could find had been run by tampon companies themselves. Can you say conflict of interest? 
• There is some thought that tampons actually make your periods heavier (not good for those with endo), though I haven't done much research...it seems it draws out extra blood and chunks.
• Our world is obsessed with "eating right", living organically, cleaning with products, etc., etc.  And yet without second thought use tampons and even chemically-covered pads on a monthly basis. Hmmm.

Some links: Here, Here, Here, and Here. 

You should also note that I don't think tampons are 100% bad and I acknowledge that there are organic (expensive) alternatives. I don't think pads are as bad as tampons, but ugh. I hate wearing pads...and have never, ever, and never, ever will. Gross. But that's just me.

So the alternative? I found this Diva Cup.  Someone mentioned it a couple years ago to me and it's been on my mind ever since.  So after some prompting from online articles, I dove in and bought one. Honestly, I've never been so excited to get my period.  For all your questions, look on their website FAQ; they honestly answer every question I was going to address on there including manufacturing issues, FDA issues, endo, and beyond. Seriously. My thoughts?

• I was shocked at how big it was, honestly, when I got it. But I simply followed the directions in their cute little book and popped it in. It didn't hurt. It didn't pinch. It didn't feel funny. In fact, I feel it less than I felt a tampon. I was always aware of tampons (and I've used those since I was 12) and hated how near the end of your period, they always felt dry and ucky...but I hated pads too much to use those at the end. It seriously just popped in and I didn't feel it at all. When it's in it kinda pops open and there ya go. Done and done. 
• I emptied more often the first couple days simply because I was curious. I'm a heavy kinda girl and didn't have any leakage whatsoever. Not once. I do note I'll have to empty it more than every 12 hours in the first few days because I am heavy. But it was great overnight (no leakage) and no worries. 
• Pulling it out took a bit of practice. Depending how you sit it'll be higher or lower...so you kinda have to be in touch with yourself.  This might gross some people out because it's more touchy feely than a tampon. Doesn't bother me even slightly, but younger women or not so in touch women might not like this part. However, as I discovered by the end, using your kegel muscles help a LOT. You can kinda push it down more to grasp and pull. You need to do it over the toilet most definitely. 
• If you're particularly squeamish about blood, this is not for you. There's a lot of blood and you dump it in the toilet. Didn't gross me out (and in fact I think it's neat - okay TMI?) and I think it's a good way to monitor the amount of blood loss every day. I am definitely heavier than the average girl. Way heavier. Good to know. 
• And random - I was one of those girls who simply can't pee with a tampon in. It irritates me - I know you "can", but I just couldn't. It felt like it readjusted every time and it bothered me.  So not the case with the Diva Cup. I sometimes had to lean forward to empty all the way, but that's fairly normal with me anyways.

I think those are the big things. I can honestly say I'll never go back.  I will carry a tampon with me yes, because just in case...and I don't think I'd like to carry around the Diva Cup in my purse. That's even weird for me. I'm totally happy with it. I bought the Diva Wash, but it's just a gentle soap. I wash it every time I take it out. If you're in a public washroom, you don't have to wash it every time you take it out - they say that as soon as you are in a position to clean it then do so. I'm surprised how fast I adjusted to it. And I'm glad.

Oh, and as for cost - it was $40 and I ordered online - with shipping, the wash, and the cup. To my door. You can get it in stores, but I wanted it right that second now and knew I wouldn't get out before it came. I was right. It's good for at least a year. Much savings involved.

Questions? Feel free to ask (even anonymously, I don't care).

And that, my friends, is your TMI-overload for the day.
kortney elise xoxo