Diva Cup Review

Reading Time: 8 minutes

Updated: 5/4/2023 | Diva Cup Review

DISCLAIMER: This review won’t be for the faint-hearted or pleasant for our male friends who don’t experience nor want to read about the monthly female ordeal.

I received a Diva Cup to review and it has been a huge game-changer in my life!

I have a pretty normal period that typically lasts 3-4 days long with a heavy day in between.  

Pads and tampons have always not been the best options for me. They’re wasteful and clog up our drains if not disposed of properly. Did you know that you’re not supposed to flush your tampons? Not many people are aware of that. 

I am also an avid yogi and would experience leakage when I am moving throughout practice.

I remember seeing the Diva Cup in my local Walgreens and thought that the product looked awkward and that I could never build enough courage to put that “huge thing” in me. I was about 19 years old at the time and had many reservations about trying new things that weren’t a norm among my girlfriends and me.

Fast forward, 10 years, I am now partnering with Diva Cup and giving this sustainable period product a try in my late 20s.

Update: I am now 38 years old and cannot imagine my life without the Diva Cup.

My reservations included carrying a potentially bio-hazardous cup in my body and possibly spilling it all over the floor in a public restroom. It reminded me of the grocery store period scene from Jenny McCarthy’s movie Dirty Love. If you haven’t watched it, please do. It’s hilarious.

I was tired of wasting money on tampons and period solutions that were bad for our planet. 

Once you take the time to learn about The Diva Cup and actually try it for yourself, you will be surprised at how clean and comfortable it really is.

Plus, unlike tampons and pads, by catching your menstrual flow in its unique bell shape cup, The Diva Cup gives you the opportunity to learn about your monthly flow. It’s very educational and empowering to learn about your body. 

Below, I’ll share my experience and hope it inspired you to switch over to a menstrual cup too.

Diva Cup Review

Day 1: Implantation

It’s the first day of my period. I remove the Model 2 (for women ages 30 + OR having bared children) cup from its box. I shake the box and an instructional booklet and drawstring pouch fall out. I read the booklet to make sure this all goes well.

I remove the cup sitting snugly in its cardboard holder. It’s bigger than I imagined. I fold the cup in half and try to jam the cup up my vagina and It feels weird. It doesn’t go in. Holy moly. Where is this supposed to go again? 

It’s thicker than a tampon and the feeling is just so foreign.

I fold the cup in half again and this time I apply more pressure as I push it into my vagina. It makes its way in. I feel it expands and I hear a suction noise.

The tail is still hanging out from my vagina. I remove the cup and try it again. I push it in deeper this time and now It feels snug and the tail is no longer hanging outside of me.

I throw on my lululemon leggings and head to yoga.

At Yoga Class

At yoga class, I am wearing black leggings just to be safe. I have not experienced any leakage yet. The teacher comes in and I feel this overwhelming flood of warmth rush through my body.  I am anxious to find out if this product works!

A couple of Sun Salutations and standing poses later, I am finally done. I skip the studio showers and rush home to see how the Diva Cup is doing.

8 Hours after Implantation

The Diva Cup must be removed every 12 hours. I became a little anxious and decided that it was time after I returned home from yoga class. I crouched awkwardly in my leggings over my toilet. I felt for the stem at the base of the cup and found it easily. I tried to pull the cup out but it wouldn’t budge. I started having a panic attack because it was stuck.

If I pulled any harder I could’ve splattered the walls. Oh god my boyfriend would kill me (not really). I then remember reading a Dive Cup page about vaginal strengthening and kegel exercises. Well, unbeknownst to all, my kegels are strong and I vaginally pushed the cup out as I was pulling on the stem. The Diva Cup easily slid out into my hand. Yahoo!

The Diva Cup was 1/2 full and did not have an odor. I was surprised! Luckily I was at home because my hands looked like I had just escaped a murder scene (I watch too much Criminal Minds). I cleaned the cup with soap and then placed it back into my vagina and decided I’ll live another day.

Day 2

I slept for 11 hours with my DivaCup in. I notice that I feel very “moist” down there and decide there’s no better time than now to check. I checked and I see no blood on the gusset of my shorts. Yahoo!

I removed the cup and notice it was 3/4 full. I am very impressed at how much this little cup holds. I then clean the cup with soap and re-insert it into my vagina. I notice that the insertion is becoming easier. 

I check the cup 12 hours later and it’s 3/4 full. My pants are still safe and I still have not experienced any problems with the DivaCup yet. I was thoroughly impressed!

Day 3

Same process as the day before, BUT today…I decide to wear grey leggings and pray there is no leakage.

My periods are heavy. The cup is 3/4 to 100% full each time I “dump.” 

I run errands, do yoga, work, and come home to check my cup.

Lo and behold, my pants are OK!!! I have used 5 fewer tampons than I would have by using the DivaCup!

Last Day

By the 4th day, my flow starts to become very light. I still wear the DivaCup the entire day and during my dump my cup is less full (1/4) full).

Once the blood in the cup starts to brown, I know my period is over. I boil the cup to ensure it is sanitized and place it back into its little drawstring baggie.

I wear a panty liner on my underwear to catch any remnants.

Throughout this process, I noticed my vagina stayed very moist, which is an entirely different and POSITIVE sensation.

I usually feel dried out when using tampons and towards the end of my period the tampon insertion process kind of hurts (which I also think isn’t good for the mucosa membrane and overall vaginal health) due to dryness and friction.

PROS	CONS
The DivaCup can be worn up to a maximum of ten (10) – twelve (12) consecutive hours! That means you are free to do all your activities until you find a convenient time to “dump.” The product should be emptied, washed and rinsed a minimum of two (2) – three (3) times daily. There is a risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) even with using a cup.	Because the cups needs to be cleaned 3 times daily, it’s difficult to do so discreetly and in a public bathroom. I have resorted to cleaning it twice per day – once in the shower and once while I am at home.
The DivaCup conveniently holds one full ounce of menstrual flow (30 ml). The average woman only flows approx. 1 to 2 ounces (30-60 ml) per cycle, The DivaCup is the ideal menstrual solution to care for your cycle. Many women are surprised at the amount of flow and expected that there would be much more!	The cup doesn’t come in different colors. It is only offered in skin tone colored silicone material. At least the cup doesn’t have any dyed chemicals that people can possibly be allergic to.
The DivaCup is made of soft silicone that actually softens with body heat. Because of this, the cup forms to your body.	The cup will get stained with use. I’ve had my cup for well over 5 years now and it’s now a dirty maroon color (I know, yuck).
Menstrual flow only begins to develop an odor when it is exposed to air. The DivaCup is worn internally, your days of worrying about period odor are over. The DivaCup will leave you feeling fresh and confident the entire day!	Does not do well under pressure, literally. Do not wear your DivaCup on the plane if you’re experiencing a heavy flow. The pressure from the plane may cause the cup to collapse and blood will escape and make its way onto the seat. My advice? Get into the plane with a clean and empty cup.
It is not necessary to remove The DivaCup for urination or bowel movement; however, as The Diva Cup sits low in the vaginal canal, it cannot be worn during intercourse.

More Important Information

For those concerned about the hymen ripping during use, please consult your physician before use of any internal feminine hygiene protection. As for all other gynecological concerns, we suggest you consult your physician. This will help you make an informed decision!

Please note the following when using The DivaCup with an internal birth control device such as an IUD or NuvaRing®.

The DivaCup is worn low at the base of the vagina and away from the cervix. This means that it should not interfere with an internal birth control device. However, please use caution when using any internal feminine hygiene product with an IUD as there is the possibility that they can be dislodged.

When using The DivaCup, it is important to carefully follow the directions in our User Guide, paying close attention to inserting The DivaCup low in the vaginal canal and breaking the seal (suction) before removal. Many of our customers use The DivaCup with an IUD or NuvaRing® simultaneously, but we recommend that you become familiar with your birth control device’s risks (such as the body expelling the IUD, etc.).

The DivaCup is not a birth control device and should not be used for this purpose. The DivaCup is regulated by the US FDA, Australian TGA and Health Canada solely for use as feminine hygiene protection.

Silicone is very durable, but we recommend that you inspect your cup regularly for signs of deterioration such as a sticky or powdery film, severe discoloration or odor, etc. If you detect any of these signs or if you experience irritation we recommend you replace your DivaCup with a new one.

Depending on the factors unique to each woman, like vaginal pH, how well and often the cup is cleaned, what cleansing agents are used, etc., the lifespan may vary.

Since The DivaCup is a personal hygienic product, a general guideline is to replace it once a year, but ultimately, it is up to the consumer to decide when it is necessary to replace the cup.

Final Thoughts

At first glance, it may seem that The DivaCup is expensive compared to buying a box of tampons or pads. However, every DivaCup user will attest that it is worth every penny.

Eventually, the DivaCup pays for itself. In just a few months, you’ve already made back what you would’ve spent on single-use tampons and pads.

The suggested retail price of a DivaCup is USD/CAD $39.99. This reflects a savings of $80-120 a year when compared to purchasing disposables and hygiene products.

Related: Sustainable and Zero Waste Alternatives to Single Use Tampons and Pads

Where to Buy a Diva Cup

Can’t wait to get your hands on a Diva Cup? 

Buy the OG DivaCup and use this link to save $5 on your first order.

You can buy the Diva Cup on the following sites:

• Amazon – Amazon sells many brands and honestly they’re all great.
• Target
• Walgreens
• Walmart

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