Wearing White with Confidence Every Month

Today’s post is all about the ladies and their intimate health + care. Do you take extra care in planning your wardrobe once a month? (Raises hand). For years, I’ve made sure that I wear dark-wash or black denim, dress pants and dresses for one week every month. Not to mention having a back-up in case of leaks or spills. Have you ever heard of the DivaCup?

Having to limit my wardrobe to a small number of colors, simply because I’m a woman, made it feel eerily similar to being an unwilling participant in a dystopian novel centered around fertility. I love wearing white, particularly white pants, but having to worry about embarrassing leaks and stains causes needless stress and anxiety.

It’s 2018, so why haven’t there been better options for one of the most mundane health concerns of women? Menstruation isn’t going anywhere, yet modern society hasn’t come very far in embracing alternatives to pads and tampons in a very long time, up until recently.

Did you know?

Did you know that the average cost of menstrual care for the year is $150? Yeah, I didn’t either until recently. Buying pads, tampons and liners every month is expensive. Not to mention the emergency trips to the drugstore adding to that cost.

Disposing of traditional sanitary hygiene products are usually inconvenient both for women and the environment. Many tampons are also mistakenly flushed down the toilet, wreaking havoc with indoor plumbing and with water treatment facilities.

I have been giving a lot of thought to my carbon footprint lately, and the my monthly footprint can definitely be improved with a reusable menstruation cup.

What is the DivaCup?

The DivaCup® is a soft, reusable, and bell-shaped silicone menstrual cup that works great for girls and women of all ages. It is made from 100% healthcare grade silicone for comfort and durability, with no added chemicals, plastic, BPA, latex or dyes.

Offering 12 hours of leak-free protection, the DivaCup is clean, comfortable and convenient, providing a better period care option than tampons and pads. It’s the perfect travel companion since it saves room in your carry-on.

The DivaCup is available at your local CVS, Walmart, Whole Foods, Walgreens, RiteAid, Meijer, Target, and Amazon in two models:

• DivaCup Model 1 is recommended for women under the age of 30 who have never delivered vaginally or by c-section.
• DivaCup Model 2 is recommended for women age 30 and over OR for women who have delivered vaginally or by c-section.

Obviously every one is different and the recommendations are only a guideline. I chose the Model 1 since I’ve never had children.

What are the Benefits of the DivaCup?

First and foremost, the amount of money saved with using the DivaCup per year is worth it alone. It costs $39.99/year versus $150 or more with traditional feminine sanitary products. It is eco-friendly, chemical free, and convenient. If you have a regular cycle, you can insert it the day your period begins.

The DivaCup can be worn for up to 12 hours before you need to empty, wash and re-insert. The average monthly flow is between 1-2 oz. The DivaCup holds 1 oz over the course of 12 hours. (There are measurement markings to help you gauge your flow.) Most women find the cup is not even half full when they go to remove the cup.

How do you use the DivaCup?

Before your first use, it’s recommended you clean the DivaCup by disinfecting in in a pot of boiling water for 5-10 minutes. Empty, wash and reinsert the DivaCup a minimum of two times each day of your cycle (every 10-12 hours). Wash the DivaCup with warm water and unscented, oil- and fragrance-free soap.

There are two particular methods to insert the DivaCup. I recommend reading the user guide before trying the cup to acquaint yourself with the methods on inserting it. I found it to be super helpful!

I look forward to not worrying about not having emergency trips to the drugstore especially when all I want to do is curl up into a ball. I also look forward to being prepared the first day of my cycle, without worrying about having any accidents. But most importantly, I look forward to not having to limit my wardrobe during the time of the month. Freedom!

Have you ever used a menstruation cup?