Some background: I HATE the 'feminine hygiene' industry. Is hate too strong a word? How about loathe? It offends me to the core that a multibillion dollar industry has cropped up around making 50% of the human race feel shamed and/or disgusted by a natural monthly occurrence. Sure, mysticism has surrounded menstruation for 4, 900 years (give or take), but in this modern age of cancer treatments, MRI's, and electron microscopes, I think it's high time to tell Tampax where they can put their tampons. It was explained to me by a knowledgeable person that the feminine hygiene industry uses the same hooks as Big Tobacco: get 'em while they're young, and young women are way more likely to use the same brand as their moms, and then you've got them for $15 a month for the rest of their lives. Pitch periods as the ultimate estrogenfest, where two fresh faced teens exchange knowing smiles as their friend leaves the party with her jacket around her waist, and discreetly slip her a panty liner (freeze frame, zoom in on logo!). Already tapped the entire female market in the West? How about turning our sights to Africa and playing the heartstrings of Western consumers - get extra money from our current patrons and hook a billion more!

Anyway, moving past that, menstrual cups have actually been around since the turn of the century (the last century, not this one). Then pads were invented and promoted relentlessly through the 60's when all things feminine were turned on their ears and suddenly, whoa-hey, you aren't a proper lady unless you are using glorified diapers in your underwear. I don't agree at all with the ingredients in either pads or tampons. I don't want bleaches and fibers and superabsorbent somethings coming into direct contact with my cooter. TSS, anyone?

I'm not being as eloquent as I'd like to. For further, and more sensical, reading on this perspective, check out this great post.

The DivaCup is made out of 100% medical grade silicone, made here in Canada. It stays installed for up to 12 hours before it needs to be emptied. It creates a suctioned barrier between your insides and the outside.

My review, day one: It cost me $46 from the organics store. It was easy to put in. I don't see the fuss, but ladies who are afraid of their nethers might be a bit uncomfortable getting all up in there, and you DO get all up in there. You fold it up and insert like a tampon, and rotate it a bit so it pops open. I'm not sure if it's in properly because I can kind of feel it, but it might just be because I'm thinking about it. It's certainly not causing any major discomfort. No leakage so far. Plus, I got a cool pin [picture credit here]. I'll keep reviewing it over the next week or so, mostly to help me decide whether I like it or if I'd rather give the less-flexible Keeper a try.