I had the extreme misfortune of getting my period heinously early (age nine, guys. NINE), and had plenty of heinously embarrassing experiences because of it. I didn't hate it, I just had no interest in having it or really understanding why it was happening to me and not to everyone else my age. It was kinda cool being the most knowledgeable about sex and bodies and hormones at all the sleepovers (that hasn't really changed), but I didn't really feel too strongly about it. Then it disappeared for several years, thanks to anorexia-induced amenorrhea.
But come college and a lovely Freshman 40 weight gain, and things are going mostly smoothly, menstrually speaking. I'd read about how tampon cotton is bleached and contains dioxins, a possibly carcinogenic substance. That's FUCKED UP that anyone would think it's okay for a corporation to market that and sell it widely and have women inserting it directly inside themselves. But organic tampons, like everything crunchy and organic and intended to make rich white folks feel better about their lives, are expensive (even more overpriced than regular tampons!). So what to do?
Enter the Diva Cup.
According to their website, "The DivaCup is a non-absorbent menstrual cup that simply collects menstrual flow. It is inserted in the vagina and sits at the lower base of the vaginal canal. It is worn internally, yet because it is soft and smooth, it cannot be felt nor will it leak when inserted properly." And honestly, all of that is true. It's fantastic. It's sanitary, it's good for the earth, and it's waaaay cheaper than dropping ten bucks a month on tampons.
But. The learning curve is steep. The insertion process is seriously tricky, and the first time I tried about a year ago, I fucked around for half an hour until I felt raw and gave up and wanted to cry. How hard could it be? Trying again the next day somehow made it click, and it worked. And it was glorious.
Also, you MUST be very comfortable with your own blood/fluids to use it. You can leave it in for up to 12 hours, which is fantastic, but sometimes? It gets a little full. You might get some on your hands (or all over your thighs, as I once did). But I think it's a beautiful thing to be comfortable and in touch your body and its processes. You'll be getting your period for probably another 30-40 years: why not make it easier on yourself, and get to know your body?
It does present some awkward social situations (how do I clean out my cup in a busy rest stop bathroom without scaring small children?), but most of those pale in comparison to the perks (less carcinogens in my body and less trash in landfills, more money in my pocket).
Have you ever considered the Diva Cup or another alternative to commercially available pads/tampons?
Much love,
The Sheriff
I love I love I love my Diva cup!
ReplyDeleteUsing it the first time can definitely be tricky. Both putting it in and taking it out. A little tip for taking it out - pull it straight OUT, instead of DOWN like you would when removing a tampon. If you pull down, you will knock the cup against your cervix (which hurts so much you are likely to paint the bathroom walls with your period blood by inadvertently flinging the diva cup across the room).
Also, for dealing with possible overflow, I make my own menstrual pads! It's super simple - two thin layers of soft fabric, a thicker layer of fleece-y stuff in the middle, and little mini snaps to hold it around yr underwear. This website is awesome and has some printable patterns you can use:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/11/make_your_own_pad.php
ALSO, you can totally save the blood that is collected in your Diva cup and use it to fertilize your plants! It's super high in iron and other minerals. A couple disclaimers: only do this if you are free of blood-born pathogens, as they can be spread to plants (especially if yr fertilizing yr veggie garden). Also, if you share a garden with your roommates, check with them first. Not everyone is as rad as you are! In the words of my former roommate "Um, no offense, but I don't want to eat your blood veggies".
If you use homemade menstrual pads, you can soak them in cold water and then use the water on your plants as well (just make sure you do this part BEFORE cleaning them with soap!)
If you want some more rad info like this, check out the zine called "Pull the Plug (on the feminine hygiene industry". It's the best!
I started using a DivaCup about 3 years ago when I started reacting badly to tampons. It is by far the best purchase I have made for the lower region of my body. I too had some pretty horrible first days with it (trying to put it in/take it out in a campground bathroom with no doors proved to be tricky and very messy) but I got the hang of it and love it.
ReplyDelete"I don't trust anything that bleeds for three days and doesn't die." -South Park
ReplyDeletewell, thank you, south park. in other news, i am also clearly a huge advocate of diva cups!!! i love mine and i talk about it so much it makes my mother (who, by the way, gave me a ceremony in a tent with smudging and poetry when i started my period) feel overwhelmed thinking about it. i'll have to keep working on her... :)
ReplyDeleteYay, homemade pads! For heavier flow, I like to use a layer of corduroy on the bottom, a layer of terrycloth (from an old cut-up washcloth) on top of that, and then flannel or soft cotton around the whole thing. It's super easy to stitch it all together. I've never bled through one, though some people might.
ReplyDeleteI used to be in a Positive/Radical Menstruation group and we made these as a group project one day. We got to swap fabric, help each other sew, and just chat. Fun times.