Ever since that fateful morning in sixth grade when my period decided to crash my UN field trip (red jeans and a panty liner were not a winning combo), I’ve been on a quest to make that time of the month as hassle-free as possible. I’ve tried to manage the pain (three Advil at the first sign of trouble) and the exhaustion (bedtime at 10 p.m. sharp on day one). And let’s be honest, I’m still a little grossed out by the whole thing.
Despite my familiarity with my cycle—over 300 visits from Aunt Flo—I often find myself falling back on the convenience of brand-name plastic applicator tampons. I mean, I can’t risk any leaks when dealing with 2.4 tablespoons of “menstrual fluid.” This brings me to my bewilderment about the women who swear by the DivaCup, a reusable menstrual cup that promises a more eco-friendly and cost-effective solution.
So, for all the brave souls who use it, I have a few burning questions:
- How do you avoid a mess when removing it?
It’s a small cup filled with blood and uterine lining. How do you pull it out without creating a bloody disaster? What if you’re in a public bathroom? - What happens when the cup is full?
DivaCup claims to offer 12 hours of leak-free protection, but what’s the deal when it hits the 13th hour? Do I need to be prepared for a “champagne fountain” situation with blood? - What’s the public restroom routine?
After you empty it in the toilet, you have to wash it, right? How do you manage to keep everything sanitary while navigating a crowded bathroom? - What about your fingernails?
After handling a cup of blood, how do your nails fare? Are you constantly worried about germs? - What’s actually in the cup?
I have to know—what’s the ratio of solids to liquids? - Are you washing it in the dishwasher?
Is it safe to run the DivaCup through your dishwasher, or will that contaminate everything else? - Does it smell?
The DivaCup website says menstrual flow doesn’t smell until it’s exposed to air, but what if it spills or overflows? - What if it gets stuck or falls out?
I know these things aren’t supposed to happen, but what’s the backup plan if it does? - Are tampons the gateway drug to the DivaCup?
Did you gradually work your way from pads to the DivaCup, or did you dive right in? - Do you miss buying traditional feminine hygiene products?
I bet you don’t miss the awkwardness of shopping for tampons in public, right? - Do you think I’m a terrible person?
Because I kind of do. I want to embrace my period without shame, but I still can’t shake the squeamishness.
If you’re interested in learning more about home insemination, check out this blog post. And if you’re considering fertility enhancements, Make a Mom has some great resources. For anyone looking for a deeper dive into pregnancy and home insemination, this is an excellent resource.
In summary, while I may not be ready to make the switch to a DivaCup just yet, I applaud those who have embraced it. I’m still working on being more eco-conscious and less squeamish about the whole menstruation process!