Boys and squeamish people, turn back now or be potentially grossed out. Thou hast been warned.

DISCLAIMER:  This post will talk about girly things, specifically periods.  Don't say I didn't warn you.

Anybody tried the Diva Cup?

Anybody have any idea what the hell I'm talking about?

Righto.  We'll start there.  No, I don't work for the company that manufactures the Diva Cup, I just freaking love the thing.  I got it three months ago, I've used it for two cycles now, and I could scream from the rooftops my love of this wonder product.  What it is is a menstrual cup, roughly the size of a shot glass, made of medical-grade silicone (the stuff used in heart valves, not the stuff used in boobs), that you can insert into the vagina before you even get your period.  Try that with a tampon and you get all dry and itchy and bitchy.  It collects the blood (I know, it sounds gross but please bear with me here) and you can safely leave it in for up to 12 hours before you should remove it and clean it.

TWELVE HOURS.  Maybe take it out more frequently if you have a heavier flow, but even so, that's a long time to be able to just literally forget about your period altogether.  And forget about it you do.  I find it so comfortable I don't even know I have it in.  When I first got it I was a little weirded out and thought it was kind of gross, and I've read enough reviews of it to know that a lot of you others out there think it's disgusting.  But look at it this way:

No toxins from bleached tampons or pads.  No wasteful extra packaging.  No smell caused by oxidizing blood, because when the cup is properly inserted it forms a seal that blocks out air and thus prevents the blood from stinking.  No risk of TSS (toxic shock syndrome) because the cup is non-porous and collects rather than absorbs, and you're not sitting on flow.  No diaper feeling.  No limiting yourself to certain sleep positions because of fear of leaks.  No leaks once you learn how to properly insert it!  I get insane back pain on my period and for some reason, once I started using the Diva Cup, my cramping and back pain nearly went unnoticed.

I'm not exaggerating here, ladies.  This innocent-looking little cup seriously changed my life.  I spent about $35+tax on it, which seemed like a bit much at first, and it was the best money I ever spent.  If you take care of it properly, it can last you up to ten years, and it pays for itself in just a few cycles because you're not spending money on pads or tampons.  I use a pantyliner "just in case" on my heavier days and I barely even need that.  I feel like I now have total control over a bodily function that used to have me literally snivelling and white-faced in pain on the bathroom floor, 3 days out of 7, each and every month.  Instead of thinking "aw hell, I have my stupid period" I think "okay, period.  Cool.  No biggie" and just go about my day.  I don't feel like I have to be all sneaky or secretive or embarrassed about it.  Who'd have thunk that one day, women would find a way to not be embarrassed about their periods?

There is a bit of a learning curve, but nothing unlike with pads or tampons.  It's all about getting used to it.  You do have to be comfortable with yourself- there is going to be a lot of touchy-feely that takes some getting used to.  But it's so worth it it's unbelievable.  It's seriously not all that gross, and you don't come across anything that a little soap and water can't take care of.

If you think you need to change it and you're out in public and are worried about cleaning it, don't freak out.  Empty it into the toilet like you would at home, give it a good wipe-out with TP, and you're good to go again. You can even have it in if you go swimming.  And God knows I'd rather put nonporous medical-grade silicone up there than bleached cotton that has tendencies of drying out or breaking off little fibers.  At the end of your cycle, you can wash it with DivaWash or even boil it for a few minutes in a pan of water on the stove.  I've heard some women clean them out with baking soda, and I think even toy cleaner (read: ADULT toy cleaner) would do in a pinch.

I have found the all-elusive "happy period"!