GIVEAWAY! The Diva Cup

Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.

Ladies, here’s one just for you! Men, be warned.

If you’ve spent much time here, you know I’m a huge fan of The DivaCup, a reusable silicone menstrual cup that is convenient, cost effective, and fabulous for the environment compared to disposable menstrual products. Now The DivaCup has contacted me to ask if I would sponsor a giveaway of a DivaCup to one lucky reader!

The benefits

In short, here are the benefits of reusable menstrual cups, including The DivaCup. (There are other types and brands. I’ve personally only used this one, and YMMV, but the benefits are comparable.)

Convenience. With a cup, women can insert it once daily and leave it for as long as 12 hours. I can honestly say I’ve NEVER been able to forget about Aunt Flo until I tried a cup.
Flexibility. Leave it overnight. Keep it tucked in your purse just in case. Use it during swimming, skiing, hiking, camping, yoga, whatever — you won’t even know it’s there.
Environmental benefit. The DivaCup company reports that in 1998 alone, U.S. women disposed an estimated 13.5 billion sanitary pads and 6.5 billion tampons. Assuming each pad or tampon weighs .21 ounces (an estimate for an ultrathin pad), that’s about 131,250 TONS of waste per year. If there are 150 million women in the U.S., and one-third are in their menstruating years, and every one switched to a reusable cup weighing 2 ounces, and replaced the cup annually as instructed, the waste would total 3,125 tons. That would be a savings of 98 percent of related waste!Closer to home, picture an empty trash can after your cycle.

Cost savings. Again, DivaCup estimates women save about $150 to $200 per year by using a cup rather than disposable pads or tampons. If you switch to the cup at age 18 and use it till age 50, you could save almost $6,000.

For more detail

If you have questions about the DivaCup, you can get all the information you need from the DivaCup Web site.

Also, I’ve written two posts that get down and dirty about my experience with the menstrual cup. (Men, if you’re still reading, don’t click over to these old posts, for your own good.)

The first one talked about my initial experience. Cup use does have a bit of a learning curve (one or two cycles to master it). That’s why my cup mentor, Crunchy Chicken, encouraged newbies to commit to trying it for 3 months, to give it a fair shake.

The second post noted how I felt about the cup (LOVE!) after using it for a year.

Both posts include lots of comments with readers’ experiences and suggestions. If you’re thinking about making the switch, check them out.

To enter the contest

To enter the drawing, leave a comment about whether you are a current or wannabe menstrual cup user. Drawing ends on Feb. 25, 2010. Only one entry per person will be counted. Winner will be chosen by random selection.

After the contest ends, The DivaCup will ship the winner a size 1 or size 2 DivaCup from their facilities in Canada. The winner will need to provide her model size, contact name, address, e-mail address and phone number.

To get your own cup

If you happen not to win, please consider picking up a cup of your own and giving it a try! Check with local retailers to buy the Diva Cup, or visit Amazon to make a purchase (every purchase you make from that link benefits Cheap Like Me through the Amazon affiliate program).

Disclosure of material connection: I’ve received nothing for this review but the opportunity to give a reader a free DivaCup.

Subscribe to comments Comment | Trackback |

Post Tags: diva cup, giveaway, menstrual cup, reusable

Browse Timeline

Comments ( 50 )

[...] week, I announced a winner of the DivaCup giveaway, but I didn’t hear from her, so I’m doing a second-chance drawing (also chosen via the [...]

NEW DivaCup giveaway winner | Cheap Like Me added these pithy words on Mar 01 10 at 11:25 am

I have not yet used a menstrual cup, but I’m very interested! Winning one would be awesome!

Amanda added these pithy words on Feb 11 10 at 7:12 am

I used to use the INSTEAD disposable menstrual cups and loved them, but can no longer find them in my region. I’ve been making do with, ahem, my diaphragm. This type of product is far less uncomfortable than any other product I’ve tried.

I love the ease of use and the reduction of waste. I’ve been meaning to order a Diva for a while now, but hey–I’d much prefer to win one!!

Heather added these pithy words on Feb 11 10 at 8:08 am

I LOVE the Diva Cup and urge all the women in my life to use one.

Bev added these pithy words on Feb 11 10 at 8:26 am

I have used a cup for probably 7-8 years now and I love the freedom I feel! I also use mine when I run, it keeps me from leaking urine. It seems to put pressure on the right area.

Carol Harlow added these pithy words on Feb 11 10 at 8:30 am

I have never used one, but I am very interested.

Carole added these pithy words on Feb 11 10 at 8:41 am

I would love to try it, never have used one before, but would love to reduce waste by using one.

Natalie added these pithy words on Feb 11 10 at 8:41 am

I lost my menstrual cup in the move, so for the past few months I haven’t been using it. But then I found it! It’s funny how life works sometimes.

SavvyChristine added these pithy words on Feb 11 10 at 9:53 am

I just started using the Diva Cup and LOVE it. I am trying to persuade all my friends to use one.

Tigerlily added these pithy words on Feb 11 10 at 12:29 pm

Have one, love it beyond reason, and thrilled that you’re giving one away. I’ll go spread the word to all and sundry I know because, hey, I haven’t proselytized enough already.

L'an added these pithy words on Feb 11 10 at 4:08 pm

I admit that I’m kinda itimidated when it comes to trying the diva cup. I do have the re-usable pads and liners and love them.

However… we do buy the products my teen cousin uses and she goes through them like a kindergardener through glue sticks! If she’d be open to trying one, I’d get her one in a heartbeat and drive her the hour into town to get one.

Ashley added these pithy words on Feb 11 10 at 6:00 pm

I loved the diva cup, until I lost it somewhere! It was great for swimming, great for a summer of scanty clothing, and great for reducing the amount of things I had to carry around!

Dana C added these pithy words on Feb 11 10 at 6:38 pm

I’ve used Instead cups for years, but don’t like that its still a disposable item. Would love to start using the Diva.

mimi added these pithy words on Feb 11 10 at 10:11 pm

I use it and love it. My sister actually bought one about the same time as me and ended up loving and raving about it as well.

DK added these pithy words on Feb 12 10 at 12:13 am

I am a wanna be. The initial price has kept me away but I’d love to win one.

Stasi added these pithy words on Feb 12 10 at 6:26 am

Sign me up for the drawing as I’m a wannabe DivaCup user!

Julie Costanzo added these pithy words on Feb 12 10 at 10:09 am

I’m a wanna-be Diva Cup user. I keep going back and looking at them but so far I’ve stuck with pads and tampons out of sheer inertia. I have made some of my own reusable liners though.

Kara added these pithy words on Feb 12 10 at 10:26 am

I would love to try the Diva Cup. I am tired of spending all that money each month and hate to spend my bucks on small bits of disposable cotton. As well, I don’t like the chemicals used to make that cotton white. Thanks for the offer.

denise bolin-clark added these pithy words on Feb 12 10 at 12:00 pm

I am a current user and let me tell you, the divacup has changed how I view my period in ways I never expected! I would love to get one for my sister, so she can be revolutionized too!

Kate added these pithy words on Feb 12 10 at 1:40 pm

I’ve used a cup for a little while now and would love to be able to give one to my friend.

lace added these pithy words on Feb 12 10 at 1:41 pm

I would love to try one of these but I haven’t wanted to plunk down the money. If I won one, I would definitely use it. Thanks for sharing!

Erin added these pithy words on Feb 12 10 at 2:53 pm

I’ve been thinking about switching over to the DC after AF returns since I’m pregnant right now. I hate tampons and pads are so bad for the environment (so are tamps!)

always wanted to try one but currently pregnant--hoping to make a switch when AF returns!! added these pithy words on Feb 12 10 at 5:22 pm

I have wanted to try a diva cup since having my daughter and just haven’t buckled down to get one yet. Winning one would be great but if I am not the lucky one to win it, I will be buying one for sure.

Gina added these pithy words on Feb 12 10 at 5:27 pm

I am a menstrual cup user. I love it!

Mrs. Money added these pithy words on Feb 12 10 at 6:07 pm

I would love to try one, but just haven’t had the courage yet.

Stefanie added these pithy words on Feb 12 10 at 6:15 pm

I have not tried the Diva Cup yet, but it sounds like a fantastic product!

Danielle added these pithy words on Feb 12 10 at 9:20 pm

I would love, love, love to be on the diva cup band wagon. I have been thinking about getting one for some time now.

Tia added these pithy words on Feb 12 10 at 10:56 pm

Pick me, pick me! I’m a total wannabe and have been dragging my feet on “just doing it” since you first wrote about it! Crossing my fingers on Feb. 25th!

StradaTostada added these pithy words on Feb 13 10 at 12:27 pm

I am a current user, and LOVE IT!

Alissa added these pithy words on Feb 13 10 at 6:31 pm

I love my Divacup, but I’ve been using it for long enough that I think I’ll need a new one soon.

ikkinlala added these pithy words on Feb 13 10 at 11:01 pm

Hi. I would love to be entered–i’ve wanted to try this for some time. thanks so much for everthing!

jen added these pithy words on Feb 15 10 at 7:59 am

i’m a wannabee!
i travel a lot for work to kind of odd places and i would love not to worry about my next potty stop! but getting started is the hard part for me.

betsy added these pithy words on Feb 15 10 at 9:10 am

Wannabe here! Have been hearing about this thing for years and would love to finally try.

Julie added these pithy words on Feb 15 10 at 10:33 am

I would love to become a Diva Cup user and save money and the environment. What a great idea for a product

Melinda added these pithy words on Feb 15 10 at 1:53 pm

I have been interested to try one! I am currently pregnant, but would like to try something new in the future.

Jen added these pithy words on Feb 15 10 at 1:59 pm

I have always wanted to try one!

JennyJo added these pithy words on Feb 16 10 at 10:31 pm

I have heard about the DivaCup and other cups like it, but until I started to seriously consider my ecological impact I hadn’t thought much more of it. Now I would really like to purchase one, but winning one would be even better! Thanks for sharing your experiences and this contest.

Carly added these pithy words on Feb 16 10 at 11:30 pm

I have a close friend who has been encouraging me to try the Diva Cup . . .I figure if I win it’s the cosmos giving me that extra shove to just do it!!

Heidi B. added these pithy words on Feb 17 10 at 7:34 am

Ever since I read that tampons are actually BLEACHED, I wanted to find another solution. The cups haven’t been available in my country until recently, so if I am not the lucky winner of the DC, I will definitely go get one.

Signe added these pithy words on Feb 17 10 at 4:43 pm

I’m close to menopause, so my menstrual waste days are almost done. However, I would love to get my daughter started on something like this. Better for her and the environment.

Valerie R. added these pithy words on Feb 17 10 at 4:54 pm

i am a current user, and really enjoy the simplicity of it. it’s time to get a new one soon.

julia added these pithy words on Feb 18 10 at 5:32 pm

I adore mine. I’m not even sure if I need another since I bought a replacement recently, but I’m toying with the idea of giving it to my sister. Also, having one to keep at work in case of true emergencies might not be a bad idea!

Mrs. Micah added these pithy words on Feb 21 10 at 4:04 pm

I’m a wannabe user! The only reason I’ve hesitated is that I have read that Diva Cup is the longest of the menstrual cups and may be uncomfortable for some women, depending on how they are shaped. Diva is also the most recommended one, so it’s been hard for me. The thing is, if you have a long canal, you can use anything from a short one to a long one, but if you have a short canal, you can only use a short one. So short ones can be used by anyone, so it seems like a newbie would be better off with a shorter one, right? That’s the thing that’s kept me from putting money into it – I don’t want to buy a Diva Cup and have it not fit (not like you can sell it or give it away once you’ve tried to get it up there!), but I haven’t been able to find a shorter one that people recommend. :-/

Stephanie PTY added these pithy words on Feb 21 10 at 4:13 pm

OMG I would LOVE a Diva Cup! I’ve been eyeballing them for quite a while, but I’ve also been out of work for 16 months. “No, I won’t be out of work for long, & I’d feel like I was taking unemployment benefits away from a family that REALLY needs it” So not enough $$ all at once to make the investment *sigh*

Laurinda added these pithy words on Feb 22 10 at 11:17 am

I’ve always been intrigued by this idea. I would love a chance at winning one to give it a try!

Kim added these pithy words on Feb 22 10 at 2:31 pm

Hi! I’ve been a wannabe user since I read your first post on the Diva Cup. I’d love to win one.

Colleen added these pithy words on Feb 23 10 at 12:44 pm

I have heard of this and am very interested! I am doing everything I can to go green (switching to cloth diapers, making my own cleaning products, etc…) and these sound perfect. I hope I win!!

Alexis Hyde added these pithy words on Jan 22 11 at 9:29 pm

I have been curious about the Diva Cup for a while now. I have friends that use it and swear by it. I would love to give it a shot and live a life void of tampons!

Crystal added these pithy words on Jan 25 11 at 7:16 pm

Hey ladies – this giveaway was from last year! But if there’s a lot of interest, maybe they’d like to do another … who knows. When I get a second I’ll check in with Diva Cup.