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DivaCup Loredana Segota Ever heard of a DivaCup? Despite what you may think, this is not a bedazzled thermos, or a mug that Beyonce drinks from. A DivaCup is a menstrual cup - a hygienic period device, usually made from silicone, which is designed to be inserted into the vagina during a woman’s period to capture blood. The DivaCup, which has been around since 2003, is the most well-known and popular menstrual cup on the North American market right now. Menstrual cups in general have been around for much longer than most people realize. The first versions of menstrual cups were called catamenial sacks, and were formulated in the late 19th century. More modern menstrual cups, similar to the ones we use today, made their way into the market in the late 1930s. Menstrual cups are largely endorsed for their simple use, reusability, financial benefits and overall sustainability, especially compared to disposable pads and tampons. So, where does this fit into adolescent development and health? Periods are still one of the most taboo subjects on planet Earth. The menstrual cycle, which is the catalyst for and origin of all human life, is an extremely stigmatized topic in government, education and society as a whole. In many cultures, menstruation is viewed as something negative, evil and unclean, as opposed to something natural and beautiful that brings new life. These taboos are ancient - some even argue that they are central to the formation of many patriarchal societies around the world. We refer to periods as everything but what they are - Aunt Flo, Mother Nature’s Gift, time of the month, the rag... As Hermione Granger would say - Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself! Period poverty exists as a result of this negative perspective towards menstruation, and thus the inaccessibility of period products to women globally. Many nations have worked to combat this, by removing tax from feminine hygiene products or providing them for free in schools. Though even in today’s schools, genuine and intentional education about periods is largely avoided. This is especially true in Catholic schools, where the attitudes towards reproduction are lined with embarrassment and shame, under the guise that one will “learn” more about this topic through marriage. This leads to a huge gap in knowledge for young adolescents, whether they menstruate or not. Feelings of embarrassment or shame are common in young females who have been taught by the society around them that their period is something to be concealed. There are consequences to young women not being educated on the changes their bodies are undergoing, and the resources and options available to them to support them in taking charge of their bodies and cycles in a way that is safe, accessible and shame-free. We refer to the unequal access to education, resources and acceptance around periods as menstrual inequity. This looks different for women across the world. Menstrual equity and the elimination of period poverty starts with the education of our young people, and changing the narrative around periods. Access to and awareness of various
