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Being a college student can really stretch your wallet when some costs just can’t be cut out. You can save by only eating food from the cafe and by staying in with friends, but you are always going to need to buy feminine care products. This can come out to be anywhere from $5-15 a month, which can really add up.
I’ve heard many people discuss menstrual cups before, but I have always been against them. I had never tried them, but I didn’t want to. I was terrified. The thought of putting a cup in me and having to empty it out was really not a satisfying image.
When I was offered to test out the Diva Cup, however, I started researching the use of menstrual cups more in depth and found myself changing my opinion. The Diva Cup is not as scary as it first seemed, and after looking up different videos and allowing myself time to adjust, I’ve found myself satisfied with this method of feminine care.
The Diva Cup is $40 and can easily last you a year with proper care. This can save you $140 just within the first year. It might not seem like a lot when you are spending it in increments of $15 each month, but that $140 could go toward treating yourself instead of taming the Red Dragon.
The first time I used the Diva Cup was not successful. I inserted the cup incorrectly and ended up making a mess. Fortunately I was prepared for a difficult start and had a pad on as well. The second time I tried it out, I looked up different techniques and reviews of the product and found a folding method that was both comfortable and kept the cup in. That day I went out to dinner with my family, went shopping, and out with my friends. I was able to go 8 hours without any worry or discomforts from a tampon or pad. At the end of the night, I washed out the cup and was able to wear it comfortably to bed. I played around with different folding styles until finding one that worked out for me, so don’t be shy and test out some different ones.
A downside to the Diva Cup is the emptying of the cup. Since your period isn’t just blood but the shedding of the uterine lining, it is not completely liquid. There is texture to it, and because of this, you need to wash out your cup to get everything out. If you are in a public bathroom, this isn’t very possible. I found that carrying along some wet wipes to wipe down your cup with is very useful. You could always use toilet paper, but I like to have a fully clean cup for a fresh new start.
I enjoyed testing out the Diva Cup because this was the first time I really wasn’t thinking about the feminine product I was using. Pads are uncomfortable and chafe me and with tampons, I always have to worry about changing them before I slip up and get a sickness from waiting too long. The Diva Cup should not be left in for a full day without emptying, but it can be left in for a significantly longer time than tampons can depending on your flow. I will definitely be using the Diva Cup from now on and will enjoy the comfort while I save money.