Welcome to the world of reusable period products! When it comes to choosing sustainable period products, the route you take is truly all based on preference and personal anatomy — but if you’re not sure what those are or what you like, it’s OK.
“Consider comfort, convenience, flow level, and lifestyle factors when choosing a feminine hygiene product,” A recent article from Moreland OBGYN explains, F”or example, you may prefer a menstrual cup during the start of your period when your flow is heaviest and pads near the end of the cycle when it lightens up."
But if you aren’t sure about a cup vs. disc — and want to know how to choose the period product, it’s important to know the menstrual disc comparison to cups. Don’t worry, we’re here to help.
Choosing the period product for you: DivaCup or Diva Disc?
Choosing the right period product is a personal choice. But luckily, both the DivaCup and Diva Disc are made of 100% medical-grade silicone, which is safe for up to 12 hours of wear. But if you’re coming from pads and tampons, there is a learning curve. Nothing that you can’t handle without a little guidance, though.
While there are many sustainable, toxin-free, and comfortable options for reusable period care — how do you know which one is for you?
What to know about the reusable menstrual cups
What do you need to know about the reusable menstrual cup? First, it sits low in the vaginal canal, collecting period blood. It’s soft and flexible and folds down to the size of a tampon making it easy to insert and remove. Once inside, it is rotated and unfolded, held in place by the vaginal walls.
But why is the DivaCup great in comparison to other menstrual cups out there? It is great for first-time users who feel nervous about the insertion process. Here’s more to know:
- The entire height of the vaginal canal is no more than 4-6″ and once inserted, there is nowhere for it to go.
- The vaginal canal is not connected to the rest of the body.
- Inserting a DivaCup just requires determining which fold you prefer then relaxing and sliding it in.
Should you try a reusable menstrual disc, instead?
If you have a narrower vaginal canal, the cup might not be the best fit for you. Narrow vaginal canals can prevent the cup from staying unfolded and creating a seal. That’s where the disc comes in.
Reusables discs are a great option for menstruators with low cervix heights. The catch basin is shallower than a DivaCup, while still holding a significant amount of menstrual flow. In fact, if you have a heavy period, the disc holds 2 mL more than the largest DivaCup. The Diva Disc has a capacity of 36 mL.
You should also know:
- If the suction seal of a cup makes you nervous, the Diva Disc is instead inserted into the vaginal fornix, a bit higher up, and is propped up behind the pubic bone to sit around the cervix. This also allows for secure protection for people with weaker pelvic floor muscles.
- People with weaker pelvic floor muscles might have a hard time keeping a DivaCup securely in place.
- An additional benefit of the disc is that it can be worn for penetrative intercourse. This means you can now enjoy mess-free period sex!
Feeling flexible?
Ready to see which is the best fit for you? Here at Diva, we always recommend trying out your DivaCup or Diva Disc for a couple cycles to get the hang of it. You might even find that sometimes you use a cup, and other times you use a disc.
Regardless of what you choose, both the DivaCup and Diva Disc are innovative period products and excellent options for reusable period care.
