When it comes to eco-friendly periods, DivaCup is arguably the industry leader. Here’s why we’ve loved the DivaCup for more than two decades!
DivaCup Menstrual Cup [Staff tested]
Highlights: Made of medical-grade silicone. Can be used for up to 12 hours with leak-free protection for most. Good for up to a decade if properly cared for!
DivaCup Menstrual Cup at a glance:
| Country of Origin: | Canada |
| Materials: | Medical-grade silicone |
| Certifications: | ISO 13485:2003 Certification – required by Health Canada for all medical device manufacturers worldwide, Approved by FDA, Health Canada, Australian TGA and COFEPRIS, Certified B Corporation |
Table of Contents
Overview of the Diva Cup
DivaCup is available in at least 21 countries and has won countless awards and accolades. The OG of reusable menstrual cups has been around since 2003, which is when I first got my hands on one. I’ve been using DivaCup ever since, meaning it’s thoroughly tried and tested for menstrual management!
Made of medical-grade silicone, and available in two sizes, DivaCup is likely to work for most people who have periods and can dramatically reduce or totally eliminate the need for disposable menstrual management products.
DivaCup can be used for up to 12 hours and offers leak-free protection for most people, even on heavy flow days. Because it collects fluid rather than absorbing it, DivaCup does not have a drying effect and minimizes odor and irritation.
As with all menstrual cups, DivaCup can be used while swimming, but needs to be removed before engaging in penetrative sex. When the right size and shape are used and inserted correctly, you shouldn’t be able to feel your menstrual cup.
If you’re having trouble using a menstrual cup, do not use silicone-based lubricant to try to make things easier. This will damage the cup (just as you shouldn’t use this type of lube for silicone-based sex toys). Water-based lubricants or just water itself can make things easier if you’re struggling.
My experience with Diva Cups
I’ve used Diva Cups since I was 20 or so (meaning nearly 20 years of savings – financial and environmental – on tampons and pads!). In my experience, these cups work great once you get the hang of them. It can take a bit of practice to figure out how to insert the cup to get a good seal. That means I had a few leaks when first starting out.
My advice: get to know your personal terrain. Not every body has the same angles as the leaflet provided with the Diva Cup and other menstrual cups. Working out how to insert the cup to fit your vagina is key.
My other top tip: relax. Hard to do when pushing something into your body, but it makes the whole process easier and means you’ll get a tighter seal. If this means you have to sit to insert the cup, or stick a leg up in the air, or adopt some other odd position, do it. Your body will thank you for it.
There are now three models of DivaCup:
Model 0 – for menstruators under the age of 18
Model 1 – for people under the age of 30 or who haven’t birthed a baby (either vaginally or by C-section)
Model 2 – for folks older than 30 and/or who have birthed a baby.
DivaCup is typically a little less firm than other menstrual cups, which can be good for those who find firmer cups uncomfortable. However, this softer cup may also make it harder for some to get the cup positioned properly with a good seal, meaning more leak potential.
Sustainability
DivaCup is very eco-friendly because it can be used for up to a decade or so, if you take proper care of it. I’ve now had two Diva Cups and both have lasted around 10 years. The only reason I’ll be replacing the second is because of my age and postpartum body.
Diva Cup’s new packaging is more eco-friendly than before, with no plastic parts and all recyclable cardboard. It’s also a tad more discreet and less colorful.
To keep your cup in good condition, wipe it and then rinse it in warm soapy water every time you empty it.
At the end of each period, boil the cup for five minutes, then let it air dry. Store your cup in the breathable cotton pouch until next time.
Why choose Diva Cup over other menstrual cups?
DivaCup was the original menstrual cup, but there is now a plethora of shapes, sizes, and designs for these products.
The good news is that if the original DivaCup didn’t work for you, one of the others might. That said, many of these newer companies do not have the track record of DivaCup, and their products are not necessarily certified to the same degree of made under Good Manufacturing Practices.
Unlike DivaCup, which does not use any dyes or other additives, many of the newer cups are colored, so be sure to check that these dyes are safe for use internally.
DivaCup is also a certified B Corp and is the most widely available reusable menstrual cup allowed for sale around the world.
DivaCup vs. Moon Cup, Lena, and The Keeper
DivaCup has been leading the field since 2003 and offers a high quality product that is reliable and easy to use. This cup is a little less firm than some other cups, meaning that it doesn’t ‘pop’ into shape and create a seal as easily. It also has a hollow stem that increases the likelihood of discoloration (mine discolored after about three months).
The Diva Cup shape is also longer and thinner, tapering to a point, which may not work for those with a lower cervix.
Lunette, Moon Cup, Lena, and The Keeper may be better for folks with a lower cervix. But if you want to keep track of your flow, DivaCup is one of the few cups that has measurements on the sides of the cup (5 mL, 10 mL etc.).
DivaCup Menstrual Cup [Staff tested]
Highlights: Made of medical-grade silicone. Can be used for up to 12 hours with leak-free protection for most. Good for up to a decade if properly cared for!