I started menstruating when I was 11. My mom got me the pads with wings, and no matter how often I tried to change them, I would always get a rash. I figured this is just the way it was and what I had to deal with. I was raised in the ‘80s and ‘90s, and in those days, people didn’t talk about periods as freely as they do now, and I was embarrassed to ask anyone else if this happened to them.
I tried everything I could think of — baby powder, Vaseline, lotion. I’d slather that stuff on every month hoping a rash wouldn’t come, but every month it would.
It wasn’t till I was 18 that I tried a tampon. For me, they were excruciatingly hard to get in and I felt like they were either never secure, or in all the way.
I don’t know about you, but pads or tampons never absorbed enough for me. Especially during those first few days. I remember doubling up, wearing a pad and tampon at the same time, just dealing with the discomfort so I wouldn’t leak.
However, I still struggled with leaking.
Every month I would have some type of accident, whether it was at night or in the cafeteria in high school
I took the plunge and got one for myself
I cannot lie to you, it was a bit of a shaky start. However, once you get to know the diva cup and how it will fit into your body, it will change your world. You must fold it into a taco, then insert it. A dive cup is designed to cup your uterus and collect all the blood. I have not had a leak since.
I also love how you never have to worry about running out of anything, and removing it and washing it in the sink isn’t half as bad as I thought it would be.
The most important piece of advice I can give to anyone wanting to try a diva cup is to make sure you squeeze the cup to break the suction before you gently remove it. I didn’t do this and it wasn’t fun.
The diva cup holds so much more liquid than pads or tampons. Another thing I loved about it was the fact that my rashes are gone, because I’m not putting anything with bleach or chemicals near my lady parts.
If you have been thinking about getting a diva cup, you should definitely go for it.
I’m telling you it will change your world
Make sure you give it about a two month grace period. Once you fold it just right and insert it in just the right place, you’ll be on your way.
If you’ve been wanting to try something different during your period because pads and tampons do not work for you, consider this your sign and go get your favorite diva cup.
They are available at a lot of different drugstores, and the upfront cost is worth it because it will save you so much money in the long run. Trust me, you won’t be sorry.
