Tips for Success

Below are a few helpful tips to help you find the right fit and feel of your cup:

• Read your User Guide!
• Remember to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water before insertion and removal.
• To maintain the integrity of The DivaCup clean thoroughly with warm water or use a mild unscented water-based (oil-free) soap.
• Unlike tampons, be sure to insert the cup horizontally (toward the tailbone).
• After insertion, ensure that the cup is fully open by rotating it a full 360 degrees in either direction.
• Practicing Kegel exercises will help keep your vaginal muscles strong and may help The cup stay in place better and prevent leakage.
• Do not insert The DivaCup while lying down as this may result in the cup being positioned improperly, leading to discomfort and possible leaking.
• If The DivaCup does move up in the vaginal canal and you are experiencing difficulty removing it please refer to Section B of the User Guide for assistance. In the rare case that you are still unable to remove The DivaCup after more than twelve (12) hours, seek medical advice.
• If your cup does leak, it has not been inserted properly; it has not been rotated; it is not inserted at the right angle (horizontally); or the muscle tone of your vagina needs to be strengthened with Kegel exercises (usually necessary after multiple vaginal childbirths).

Lifespan

Silicone is very durable, but we recommend that you inspect your cup regularly for signs of deterioration such as a sticky or powdery film, severe discoloration or odor, etc. If you detect any of these signs or if you
experience irritation we recommend you replace your cup with a new one.
Depending on the factors unique to each woman, like vaginal pH, how well and often the cup is cleaned, what cleansing agents are used, etc., the lifespan may vary. Since the cup is a personal hygienic product, a
general guideline is to replace it once a year, but ultimately, it is up to the consumer to decide when it is
necessary to replace the cup.
Care and Cleaning instructions can provide you with some helpful tips for caring for your cup.

Sex, birth control and anatomy

It is not necessary to remove th cup for urination or bowel movement; however, as cup sits
low in the vaginal canal, it cannot be worn during intercourse. The cup is not a birth control device and
should not be used for this purpose. The cup is regulated by the US FDA, Australian TGA and Health
Canada solely for use as feminine hygiene protection.
Please note the following when using cup with an internal birth control device such as an IUD or NuvaRing®.

The cup is worn low at the base of the vagina and away from the cervix. This means that it should not
interfere with an internal birth control device. However, please use caution when using any internal feminine
hygiene product with an IUD as there is the possibility that they can be dislodged. When using cup,
it is important to carefully follow the directions in our User Guide, paying close attention to inserting The
cup low in the vaginal canal and breaking the seal (suction) before removal. Many of our customers use
The cup with an IUD or NuvaRing® simultaneously, but we recommend that you become familiar with
your birth control device’s risks (such as the body expelling the IUD, etc.).
As with any gynecological concerns, please consult your physician prior to using any kind of internal feminine
hygiene product, including a menstrual cup.

Odor

Menstrual flow only begins to develop an odor when it is exposed to air. As The cup is worn internally,
your days of worrying about period odor are over. Menstrual fluid on tampons and pads is exposed to air
which creates odor throughout the day. For the first time, The cup will leave you feeling fresh and
confident the entire day!

Ideal for women of all shapes and sizes

The menstrual cup is suitable for women of all ages, sizes and lifestyles. When most women are first introduced to The cup they are surprised by its size and often ask us “will that even fit?”. Unlike the cylinder shape of tampons, The cup is shaped like a bell. We assure women, whether age 13 or 33, that there is nothing to worry about. The vaginal canal is an elastic, muscular tube only about four (4) – five (5) inches (10.2 – 12.7 cm) long and is designed to stretch and return back to its normal size. We know this to be true because our vaginas do just that during childbirth or intercourse. For those concerned about the hymen, please consult your physician before use of any internal feminine hygiene protection. As for all other gynecological concerns, we suggest you consult your physician. This will help you make an informed decision!

Your flow

Don’t let your imagination get the best of you. Removing The cup is not at all like a scene from a horror
movie. The cup conveniently holds one full ounce of menstrual flow (30 ml). As the average woman only flows approximately 1 to 1.4 ounces (30-40 ml) per cycle, The cup is the ideal menstrual solution to care for your cycle. In fact, many women are surprised at the amount of flow and expected that there would be
much more! The convenient ounces and milliliters measurement feature of each DivaCup allows women to keep track of their flow and report details to their health professional if needed. Tampons and pads are not a reliable or scientific method of determining flow, because they come in many absorbencies, contain surfactants and moisture control agents.

12 hour leak-free protection

According to consumer research, 60 percent of women experience leakage every month when using tampons and pads! Rest assured, with The cup your days of racing to the washroom to survey the leak damage after a sudden “surge” are over. The cup can be worn up to a maximum of ten (10) – twelve (12) consecutive hours and should be emptied, washed and rinsed a minimum of two (2) – three (3) times
daily. The cup is made of soft silicone that actually softens with body heat. Because of this, the cup forms to your body. Our Tips for Success section has lots of information to help ensure you are getting the most out of your cup.