*I was not paid for this review.
I recently decided to try out the Diva Cup because I thought it might be good to bring backpacking. I hit up the company and asked them to donate one to me, which they so kindly did. I actually ended up liking it a lot, and I’ll probably use it monthly, not just when I’m backpacking.
I must admit, since it’s February in Colorado, I didn’t actually get to try this out while backpacking. I did wear it everyday while working, running errands, and doing yoga. I’ll be sure to update all of you this summer when I actually do get a chance to take my Diva Cup with me to the mountains.
Why do I think a Diva Cup would be beneficial for long-distance hiking?
- The first one is a no brainer: No trash! You don’t have to deal with used tampons. You just empty the cup, wash it out, and put it back in.
- You don’t have to change it as often as you would tampons. I find myself changing tampons four or five times a day. The Diva Cup only needs to be changed every 12 hours. I was worried that it would fill up with too much blood and leak, but the cup holds an ounce of liquid and I do not bleed anywhere near that much in half of a day.
- You can avoid the whole not having tampons when you need them thing. It’s bad enough to start your period at home and realize you don’t have tampons, then have to go to the store to pick some up. Imagine forgetting to resupply on tampons in town, then starting your period in the woods and not being able to get to a store for two days. Good luck with that.
- Save money. The Diva Cup will last for years if you take care of it, whereas you have to buy a new box of tampons or pads every month. Check out these links to Buy It Now or use the Store Finder.
What did I think about using it?
- OK, the first time I used it was tricky. I really had no idea what I was doing. It got a little easier each time I changed it, and by the last day of my period, I was fairly confident in my ability to insert it.
- Master that 360 turn. I found out that not spinning the Diva Cup 360 degrees means that it might not seal. One day I wasn’t sure if I did the turn correctly or not, and when I pulled it out at the end of the day, the whole cup was covering in blood. Not cool. If it’s sealed correctly, then the outside of the cup will stay clean and I can avoid getting blood on my hands all together!
- I for one like not having to worry about changing tampons while I’m busy during the day. I like not having to pull out a tampon that’s too dry. Now that I think about it, shoving a bleach covered wad of cotton into my hoohah probably isn’t very good for my health either.
- There are multiple techniques for inserting the Diva Cup, which are illustrated in the instructions. You can also stand, sit, or squat while putting it in. I would recommend trying out every different way possible to see what you like best and what feels the most comfortable.
- Also, it’s probably a good idea to buy the Diva Cup ahead of time and try it out for at least one cycle before you take it backpacking with you.
Are you convinced? Great, time for the giveaway!
There are two different sizes, which you can read about in full here. Basically, Model 1 is for women under 30 who have never had a baby. Model 2 is for women who are either over 30 or have had a baby.
Sorry to my international readers, but this giveaway is only open to readers in the U.S. and Canada.
Click here to enter my Diva Cup Giveaway!
Don’t forget to like Diva Cup on Facebook and Twitter.
*A few Canadians have told me they had trouble entering. If this is a problem for you, just enter your email in the comments and I will enter your name at the end of the contest and email you for your info if your name is selected.
**The Diva Cup giveaway is closed.
Diva Cups are awesome! I love mine. I’ve been using mine for three plus years…still going strong.
Thanks for entering me this way Megan. My email is divemedic72@yahoo.com.
Charis
Diva cups are amazing. I’ve used one exclusively for a year and frankly there are no better options. Great review Hashbrown!
I live in Canada and I tried to enter your contest but I couldn’t see how to put in my province and postal code.
Enter your email in the comments and I’ll put your name in at the end of the contest.
Thanks my email address is lisakharms@hotmail.com
Great article- totally makes sense to use the Diva Cup for this kind of adventure!
I’m wondering how Canadians can enter… The state is required but no Canadian provinces are included from the link I could see 🙁
Enter your email in the comments and I’ll put your name in.
Thanks! My email address is miss.underhill@hotmail.com
So, you say this is open to Canadian residents, but it won’t let me choose my province or enter my full postal code. It’s there another way I can enter?
OK, someone else had trouble with it too. Just enter your email in the comments then, and I’ll manually enter it in with everyone else at the end of the contest.
Vanessa Charles
GoddessVMC@Gmail.com
Saskatchewan Canada S0J0G0
Thank you so much for entering my name! I appreciate it. It wouldn’t give me the option to select “country” or “province for some reason.
I’ve been dying to get my hands on a diva cup. And your article just convinces me even more!
My name is Tricia Robinson and my email is tricia_nosnibor@hotmail.com
I’m Canada and can’t enter using the link. Thanks
I can’t enter online either, my email address is september151@hotmail.com
ajnrdjth8@gmail.com
I cant seem to enter the giveaway. Would love to try this!
Canadian with a hard time entering
earthmoma@gmail.com
Canadian and cannot enter the giveaway. Love the idea of the Diva Cup!
Canadian trying to enter: amw5@sfu.ca
i’m a Canadian trying to enter
tooliecat(at)hotmail(dot)com
follow on twitter: @tooliecat
Excellent review. Interested in entering contest and as others note no Canadian provinces available on entry form.
malickas(at)hotmail(dot)com
Another Canadian looking to enter! Thanks for entering me this way 🙂 authenticlily (at) gmail (dot) com
I would love to enter for this contest as well. From Canada so the form didn’t work for me…
Email address is: jessheupel (at) hotmail (dot) com
Hey ,
From
Canada and can’t enter 🙂
So
My name is karine
Email is karinedanis@live.com
Thank you 🙂
Hey,
From canada so can’t enter :$
Here is my name: karine
And email: karinedanis@live.com
Thank you 🙂
I want to participate to the give away and i am Canadian !
I would love to educate my 15 yr old daughter and enter the contest to win a cup for her but my address is in canada so it did not work
I am Canadian and would love to enter… my email address is alisonsarah@live.com
Canadian 🙂 myr.94@outlook.com
I am Canadian and I woukd like to enter 🙂 my email is katzkreationz7@gmail.com thanks so much!
The DivaCup saved my life I’ve always struggle with heavy bleeding. When I joined the military(cf) I had to find something that will protect me longer than disposable. After some research I found the Diva, I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical since I was only 17 years old but it was fine, my bleeding is now smaller and shorter which is awesome and I can leave it for a longer time without fearing a toxic shock and I don’t have to manage my way with use disposable while on the field. I used that cup for the past 4 years. I simply love it