I’m using a Diva cup for the first time ever this week.

First impressions: very convenient. My sister had to cut off the whole stem because of her low cervix so I thought I would need to as well but apparently there’s more room in there than I thought and I don’t need to trim it.

On day 1, putting it in was easier than I’d read about online, taking it out hurt. However I was impressed that there was no blood on the outside of the cup. I put it in in the evening and forgot about it all night.

Day 2 (today as of the time I’m writing this) I slept in and it overflowed. It once again was hard to remove and I spilled blood on the floor and my hands. It went back in no problem. I texted a friend who also uses a cup (not the Diva. A pink one tall on one side and short on the other.) and apparently I was removing it all wrong, not releasing the seal and leaving it fully opened when I pulled it out.

I filled it to the top line (half an ounce I think) 3 times today. I knew I had heavy periods but I didn’t realize to what extent. My friend only has to empty it once a day.

So far I am very impressed with it. It only leaked once when I went too long without changing it and now that I know how to remove it properly it doesn’t hurt.

I really appreciated it during my workout when I didn’t want a bulky pad in my way but tampons don’t last very long for me and leak quickly. I did high intensity cardio today and there was no blood on my shorts, and no noticeable movement from the cup.

So far I prefer to wear it with a light pad for security while I get used to it but may eventually switch to panty liners or go without.

I may be updating this throughout the week, but I’m likely to forget.