What about Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)?
Which model should I use?
The DivaCup™ is available in two
models:
Model 1: for women under 30 years old who have never
had childbirth or c-sections.
Model 1 is 1/4 " (0.6 cm) smaller in diameter than Model 2
Model 2: for women who have had vaginal childbirth or c-sections; and for women who are over 30 years old and never had childbirth.
We recommend Model 2 if you are over 30 years old because as we age, our hips naturally widen and the vaginal muscles lose elasticity. Since it is the vaginal muscles which hold The DivaCup in place, it is important to follow the sizing guidelines.
How do I know when to empty The DivaCup™?
The DivaCup™ holds one ounce (30 ml). The
entire average monthly flow is around
3 to
4 ounces (90-120 ml). By monitoring
the fullness
of the cup, you will quickly learn
how often
to empty it according to your flow.
If you
have fairly regular flows you can even
insert
The DivaCup™ right before your period
ensuring
no messy leaks. The DivaCup™ must be emptied 2-4 times a day
(depending
on your flow) and
can
be worn up to 12 hours overnight.
On the occasion you need to empty it in
a public washroom, use a dry or damp tissue
to clean
the cup, and wash well with hot soapy
water
at the next convenient time.
It should not be used as a birth control
method and does not protect you from
Sexually
Transmitted Diseases. It is not necessary
to remove
it for urination or bowel movements,
however,
The DivaCup™ must be removed prior to
intercourse.
How do I insert The DivaCup™?
(This is a condensed version of the usage
guide. You will receive a full version
with
your purchase of The DivaCup™)
Wash your hands well with warm water
and
soap. While sitting or standing in
a comfortable
position, insert your DivaCup according
to
the following instructions.
Step 1: Fold
Moisten the rim The DivaCup™ with water if needed. Press the sides of the
cup
together and then fold it in half again.
Step 2: Hold
Hold the folded sides firmly between
your
thumb and forefinger. The single curved
edge
should be facing away from your palm.
Step 3: Insert
With the vaginal muscles relaxed, gently
separate the labia with your free hand
and
then push the curved edge of the folded
DivaCup™
into the vaginal opening.
4: Removal
Wash your hands well with warm water
and
soap. Pull gently on the stem until
you can
reach the base of the cup and remove. The
contents
should not spill during removal. Simply
empty
the contents in the toilet, wash it
well
with hot soapy water and reinsert.
Can I use The DivaCup™ with an IUD?
The DivaCup™ is worn low at the base of the vagina and is away from the cervix, it should not interfere with your IUD.
As recommended, always check your IUD cord after inserting and removing your DivaCup™ to make sure that it has not been dislodged. Many of our customers are IUD users as well and have not reported any problems.
Can a young girl or virgin use The DivaCup™?
Physically, The DivaCup is suitable for women of all ages as the vagina is just a flexible muscle designed to give birth. Very young girls seem to be afraid of using internally worn products because they are not
knowledgeable enough about their body and think that internal products can get lost up there or will hurt them. As a parent/guardian, this is an ideal time to review the anatomy with your daughter and answer her questions and to visit our website and read it together.
Since The DivaCup is worn internally, there is a chance that it will break the hymen. If she is already using any internal products such as tampons, the hymen has already been broken.
Many of our customers are as young as 12 years old.
Below is a testimonial from a young DivaCup user:
Dear DivaCup people,
"I just wrote to say thanks and tell you what I think about your product.
I am 14 and have been using your cup since I was 13 (a little over six
months) when I first started my period my mother told me I could use pads
for now and just to tell you I HATED them since I always got my period
when I was planning to go to the beach. So after begging my mother she let
me use tampons and I will admit I loved them but one day my mother got an
e-mail that told the horror of tampons and other diseases besides TSS that
women have been known to get (one of which she had) and made me throw
away all my tampons (which I was happy to do because I did not want to get
sick) and back to pads and back to misery. My mother told me one day about
your cup and to be honest it kind of grossed me out but once I saw your
web page and did some research on other alternatives I thought that this
would be my best choice (my family has been known to go cross country in a
car not fun with a pad) so I ordered it and tried it and it does take some
practice but I LOVE it. I never have to worry about anything leaking? It
rarely leaks and if it does I did something wrong but I got the hang of it
and it never leaks. I only wish I found your cup sooner. I think not only
every women should use your cup but every girl as well and I will try to
spread the word about your wonderful product. Thanks so much." Heather
Idaho
How soon after childbirth can I use The DivaCup™?
After childbirth, you can wear it right away. Since it is the vaginal muscles that hold The DivaCup in place it is important to do Kegel exercises daily, especially after childbirth. Unfortunately, as we age, the vaginal muscles tend to get softer as well. If you find that your Model 2 DivaCup (the larger one) leaks or rides up, Kegels are recommended and will make a big difference to ensure a better seal.
To find your vaginal muscle, sit on the toilet with your legs parted. As you start to urinate, tighten your vaginal muscles if to stop the urine. Hold for a count of three and then relax and then repeat ten times. Since these exercises can be done at any time throughout the day we recommend that you do at least 100 Kegels a day.
Like most muscles in our body, once it gets toned up, you should notice an improvement when wearing your DivaCup.
What about Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)?
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is considered a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by toxin-producing strains of the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium. TSS has been linked to high absorbency and prolonged use of tampons. There are now regulations in labelling for tampon absorbency to decrease the risk of TSS.
Symptoms of TSS often mimic the flu
and can
include sudden high fever, vomiting,
diarrhea,
dizziness, fainting, or a rash that
looks
like a sunburn during your period or
a few
days after. If you experience any of
these
symptoms while using The DivaCup™, remove
it and immediately contact your physician.
Remember that the vagina is continually
self-cleansing
washing away dead cells and bacteria.
The
DivaCup™ is non-absorbent and is only
a receptacle
and does not disturb the natural moisture
level in the vagina. The DivaCup™
has never been associated with TSS.
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Born to Love articles are written by Catherine McDiarmid-Watt
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Last updated - April 5, 2024
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