I've had a pretty rollercoaster-ish ride as a young woman. When I first started getting my periods, they were pretty tame, bearable, and well sure they got on my nerves because of the whole bloody business, but they were not painful -- in fact I didn't get what the deal was with everybody whining about cramps left and right. Pfft, what the hell, it's nothing to complain about...
On September 11th, 2001, I was glued to my TV like everyone else, but the truth of the matter was, I had bigger worries on my mind: I had just finished my period and I was getting cramps the likes of which I'd never ever had before. In fact I saw the catastrophe in New York live, because I missed school and my mom was scheduling me an appointment with the doctor to check things out. Anyhow, all that to say that I had an appendicitis, meaning that my appendix, that useless little bit attached to the colon (big intestine), was on fire. Strangely enough what saved me from most probable death by peritonitis (look it up) was that my appendix was twisted at an odd angle, which kept the pus contained within the wound. But that's not why I'm mentioning this here right now (although it's good to be alive). After the surgery I was prescribed contraceptive pills to keep my reproductive system from kicking my butt come the next few cramp times. They were very welcome, as I'm pretty sure the pain could have knocked me down. You have to understand that the appendix is situated right next to the right hand side ovary...
Needless to say my ovaries never recovered because I've been hit with waves of pain come period time ever since I quit the pill.
About a year ago the skin around my groin area started scaring me. It looked like eczema or, worse, something like lichen simplex chronicus... I've never really been a tampon girl -- I never felt comfortable sitting, for one. So I always used pads, which, well, gave me a rash it looks like. I looked around for different options around then and, BAM.
Advantages:
- Keeps your day fresh. No funky smell.
- Confidence. No leaks, unless you have a heavy flow.
- No "diaper" rash. This was most important to me and my skin problem.
- No TSS danger. Insert. Forget about it. Seriously. You can wear it for up to 12 hours. I've even forgotten it for a whole day.
- Good for wet activities: swimming, snorkeling, etc.
- Packs light. This was one of the things I did not want to forget when I flew over here, because I did not want to have to bring pads on weekend trips or vacations.
- Saves money. I ain't dropping money into an endless abyss here. This thing cost me $30 dollars and I've been using it for more than a year. It can last up to 10 years, maybe more. You do the math. I'm saving tonnes here.
- Green to the last drop. Dump the blood into the toilet and flush. No trash.
- Wear it before your period. It doesn't dry like a tampon so you can save yourself from some embarrassing situations.
So what is it? A Diva Cup, made from medical grade silicone. Meaning it's entirely safe. It was sitting all alone behind a gigantic sign at the local Jean Coutu pharmacy but there it was. I grabbed it and dashed for the cash register with my prize with a big Cheshire cat grin -- I know something you don't~
Aunt Flo in town? Grab Diva Cup, fold, insert, and voilà, you're pretty much set for the day. Aunt Flo retreats? Wash it with a mild soap (I use Aveeno's sensitive skin body wash) after your period, let air dry, and stash in its pouch until Flo's next visit. (You can also boil to further sterilise it)
Diva Cup to the rescue
Go Green: a Diva Cup review
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