I first heard about the Diva Cup a couple of years ago and I immediately judged it. The idea of inserting a bizarre-looking contraption I’d never heard of in my vagina wasn’t very appealing to me, especially since using tampons and pads were the mainstream (and what I thought where the only) options for dealing with your period. I quickly dismissed the menstrual cup, thinking only hippie/granola/environmentally-conscious women were using it.
Eight months ago, at 24 years old, I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer. Since then, I’ve been focusing a lot on my health and embracing a healthier, cleaner, greener lifestyle. I am very conscious of what I put in and on my body, from everyday food to cosmetics which contain chemical ingredients and potential carcinogens. I had been thinking about switching to the menstrual cup because it seemed a more natural way of dealing with my period, but was afraid to do so. I wasn’t sure how it worked, how to insert it and if it would hurt. I kept asking my BFF to try it before me to see if it was worth it or not!
Last week I started my period and went to the pharmacy to buy my “period supplies”, where I saw the Diva Cup among all the tampons and pads. “Enough is enough” I thought to myself, “time to face the “beast” and get this over with”. So I bought a Diva Cup and left my usual supplies behind.