Comments on: MMM4 Round-Up: Sustainable Feminine Products

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 07:39:21 +0000

I’m late to this convo also but I finally sucked it up and got the Diva Cup (I had tried the instead cup probably about 8 years ago or so..not too bad but obviously I like the reusable aspect of the Diva Cup).

Upfront money cost is such a funny thing, isn’t it? Obviously $23-30 dollars for an entire YEAR (plus!) is wayyyy better the cost of buying pads or tampons for the whole year. But the initial cost was still off-putting to me (illogical but true).

Also, as I had not gotten my period for a few years I kept assuming my period would go away again so I constantly put it off.

WELL…I never thought I would say a feminine product was almost life-changing but…alas..wow! I was never a fan of tampons–my mother was quite anti-tampon and although she let me try them I think the discomfort coupled with her (silent) disapproval made me dislike them. I begrudgingly used them when I was going swimming and used them more and more as I started getting older but honestly hated the way they felt and even though I don’t get heavy periods, I would get leakage quite a bit (ick!).

The Diva Cup is AWESOME! Yeah, the idea of washing it out in a public restroom gives me the heebie jeebies (ha ha!). But, really, if it only needs to be changed every 12 hours I am sure I will almost always find a private bathroom during that time.

BY FAR the most comfortable thing..EVER! I honestly don’t even feel like I am having a period. Sustainable, convenient, inexpensive, and comfort..what more could a girl ask for?

2 thumbs way up..go for it!

By: @tishushu

@tishushu — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 16:38:03 +0000

I know I’m a smidge late but I am a user of the Diva Cup. I bought mine 5 years ago, and I was thinking of replacing it. Also, I recently received a sewing machine and thought of making my own cloth pads. I mean, why not? Sure there are many other ppl to support thru commerce, but I need to support me as well. And, I can choose whatever fabric patterns I like. There are patterns all over the web and in indie/vegan/diy zines and books…

This may be TMI, but I use a dark red washcloth (specifically designated by me for this purpose only) for overnight protection btw DC uses anyways… A cloth pad isn’t that far off from that…

And Sarah, it took me a few trials to really get the hang of the DC and sometimes, its still hit or miss, lol!

Good Luck!

By: Sarah D.

Sarah D. — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 20:53:04 +0000

Yes, a learning curve for sure. I did keep trying & toward the end of my cycle got successful results…for sure the message to others is uncomfortable or is leaking (obviously) then it’s not in right…keep trying! Also plan for the emptying of the cup to take place at home or in a private single stall bathroom. You don’t want to rinse that thing in a multi-sink public restroom. Take a bottle of water in the stall with you if you have no other options so you can rinse over the toilette. Good news is that with it you only do that 2-3 times a day so you shouldn’t be stuck in that situation very often.

By: Sayward

Sayward — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 06:48:26 +0000

@ Sarah D. – Yes! My understanding is there’s definitely a learning curve n the cups. Keep trying! =D

By: Sarah D.

Sarah D. — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 20:43:19 +0000

So I bought the Diva Cup after reading all the wonderful comments about it here. Just used it for the first time & am having some technical difficulties. Hopefully I’ll get the hang of it after a few tries. Today I managed to put it in wrong (vertical not horizontal) & the 2nd attempt, successfully horizontal, ended in leaking. Not sure how in the world they expect you to rotate it to get it to seal. I’m sure I’ll find it easy after a few attempts. :/ I hope anyway…I really want this to work & don’t want to have wasted $40!

By: Sheila

Sheila — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 05:22:19 +0000

Yeah for reusable menstrual products! I’ve been using the Diva Cup for years now, and it has been SUCH a lifesaver. I DO recommend it when you get the chance!

By: Sayward

Sayward — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:23:53 +0000

@ Kenna – Thanks! And thanks for sharing your experience with all of us.

By: Kenna

Kenna — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:48:05 +0000

I’m new to this website but thought I’d share my experience with the Keeper. When I was in college about 9 years ago, I overheard a student in my Women’s Studies class say to another student, “You know about the Keeper, right?” “Oh of course! I don’t know what I’d do without it.” That stuck with me and I finally tried it about 3 years ago when after some health issues, I started getting my period regularly again. HOOKED. I feel bad for all the waste I produced in years prior, but I try to make up for it by making sure my girlfriends know about the Keeper. Just a personal tidbit, I still find it VERY hard to insert, but I have found a way to fold it so that it works for me. Anyway, great website. Keep up the good work and good luck with the new baby.

By: Sayward

Sayward — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:48:02 +0000

@ Leah – Thanks for your comments and sharing your story. I know that people do go through the archives, so hopefully this thread will continue to grow as people add their own experiences.

That’s so interesting that cups no longer work for you. I, too, would be interested in knowing what changed!

By: Leah

Leah — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:26:42 +0000

Boy, I used to be all about the cloth pads and the Keeper (similar to Diva Cup, but latex rubber). Then severe endometriosis struck and I was using the pads all day, every day of the month, and I just couldn’t keep up with the laundry.

During my actual period, I was a religious user of the Keeper, which I loved.

But notice I’m using the past tense here: after I had abdominal surgery for the endo (no fun), the Keeper absolutely stopped working for me. I’m not sure what changed internally, but I couldn’t get it to work properly.

I even bought a Diva cup, thinking my Keeper was too old, but it didn’t work either.

This thread is old, but I wondered if anyone had any thoughts on this problem.