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Menstrual Cups & Sponges: Alternative Menstrual Products Page 1
>>> Go to Menstrual cups information Page 2 For- My teenage daughters review of cups, Instead SoftCup information, & Links to the cup sites, menstrual sponge sites, & links to other alternative menstrual product information!
What is a menstrual cup?
A menstrual cup is a flexible bell shaped cup made from medical grade silicone or gum rubber that is inserted low in the vagina to collect the menstrual flow. Cups generally hold 1 ounce of fluid (the average menstrual cycle produces approximately 2-4 ounces).................Surprisingly, these types of menstrual cups have been around since the 1930's!! (The museum of menstruation has alot of information about the history of menstrual cups)
Why use a menstrual cup?
safe- Cups have not been associated with TSS as tampons have! No harmful dioxins from bleaching processes either! Many cups have been FDA approved! (Keeper, Moon Cup by Keeper, and the Diva Cup have all been FDA approved.....Mooncup UK is awaiting approval.....I am trying to find out about FDA approval on the Lunette.
healthier- Cups don't disrupt the natural vaginal environment! Tampons dry out the vagina while absorbing the menstrual flow and also can leave behind harmful fibers ......cups collect the flow, so that the natural cleansing ability of the vagina is not disrupted.
convenient- No need to carry supplies, all you need is your cup! No running out of supplies!
saves money- With the proper care, menstrual cups last for many years! No need to purchase disposable pads or tampons which get used once then thrown away!
environmentally friendly- Saves our natural resources! No used feminine hygiene products going into the landfills or clogging the plumbing! Just empty the cup, clean, and reuse! No trash to throw away!
JUST TRY ONE! You are online now so please visit the cup sites after you are done here and order one! (links are at the bottom of the next page Menstrual Cups Information Page 2)...again, PLEASE try one! I am so glad that I did! I wish that I would have known about these years ago! They are absolutely wonderful! I have had NO LEAKS! Removal was shockingly CLEAN...(everything stayed in the cup!) Comfortable- once I removed the stems, I couldn't feel the cups after insertion!)....
From Left to Right: (note: all cups have had their stems removed)
Mooncup UK, Keeper, Moon Cup by Keeper, Lunette, Diva Size 2, Diva Size 1
I have all the bell shaped menstrual cups!
I had NEVER heard of menstrual cups until I stumbled upon them while surfing the internet!!
(I am over 30 years old and have had 1 child, my flow is light because I am on the pill.)
Yes I own the following cups: Mooncup UK size A, Diva-both sizes, Lunette, Keeper size A, and Moon Cup by Keeper (U.S.) size A..
Why do I own them all?
When I found out about menstrual cups I was instantly fascinated by them!
The evening I found them, I immediately bought one out of curiosity more than anything else (the Keeper is the one I chose because it had been around the longest and was approved by the FDA)....{I live in the U.S.}. I then started intensely researching the cups and wondered if I should have bought a silicone one instead. I received my keeper in less than a week....popped it in for a 'dry run' and was so impressed that I went ahead and ordered the Moon Cup by Keeper U.S. that evening. I started my period a couple days later...... and received the Moon Cup by Keeper halfway through that cycle. Before my next cycle, I ordered the Lunette, Mooncup UK, and the Diva in both sizes (to see if size really matters. I figured it was my duty to do an official experiment of all the cups and then tell the world!!
I won't hold you in suspense any longer..... The Mooncup UK is my FAVORITE of them all!!!!
Basic instructions on using a cup:
Before use: Clean your new cup by either:
- boiling for several minutes if it is a silicone cup. DON'T BOIL A KEEPER!!!
- wash with mild soap and water & rinse thoroughly
Inserting the cup: Relaxing, and with legs apart, carefully insert the folded cup into the vagina.(see folding techniques below) The cup needs to rest UNDER the cervix, so that all of the flow will be caught inside the cup. (the bottom of my cup with the stem removed sits 1-2 inches from the vaginal opening). Once inside, the cup needs to pop open. Check that the cup is fully open by 'stirring' one finger around the cup checking for dents. If the cup is flat, or dented, try giving the cup a turn, to open it up....or you can stir, stretch the vag walls, kegal, etc. (basically if it doesn't open up all the way, you need to fiddle with it until it does, or you will most likely experience leakage from an improperly inserted cup). After the cup is open, give it a little tug and it should have some resistance caused by suction and this is how you know it is 'sealed'
The cup can be safely worn up to 12 hours, but when first learning to use the cup, check often until you know how heavy your flow is and how often it needs emptied. (on my heaviest day, I can wear my cup the entire 12 hours and it will only be 1/2 full.......BUT on my daughters heaviest day, her cup is FULL in 8 hours.)
Removing the cup: When it is time to remove the cup, relax and with legs apart, bear down with your muscles to make the cup easier to grasp. Squeeze the bottom of the cup to break the cups seal, and continue to bear down and carefully wiggle it out. (My daughter collapses the side of her cup (refolding it to break the seal and remove). Dump the contents of the cup into the toilet, clean the cup, and reinsert. (To clean, you can rinse it out under running water, or bottled water, or if you don't have easy access to water, you can wipe it with toilet tissue and then rinse it the next time)
Cleaning- I use mild soap and water- At the end of my period I've also boiled the silicone cups (just like sterilizing baby bottle nipples)..DON'T BOIL A KEEPER!!!!..(The cups are all pretty easy to clean)
For discoloration: After time, a cup will become discolored from use. To remove discoloration on a silicone cup, I simply soak the cup in a solution of 1/2 hydrogen peroxide + 1/2 water for several hours and the cup will look new again!!! (Please note, that I haven't tried this on my KEEPER since it hasn't discolored yet....I have also read that hydrogen peroxide will gum up gum rubber, so I advise AGAINST this for a KEEPER.)
Cup Storage- Each of the cups come with a storage bag. I have also seen special made storage containers (with air holes) for sale on the internet. Basically, the cup needs to have air circulation so that nasties don't grow on it. DO NOT STORE YOUR CUP IN AN AIR-TIGHT BAG OR CONTAINER!!!!!!! Also, store your cup where it won't get smashed. (I have read of girls keeping their cups in a backpack with heavy books and their cups get squashed from the weight, and they have leaked due to not opening properly after that as the cup is distorted.)
Learning to use a menstrual cup-
My first cycle with the Keeper and Moon Cup by Keeper-
---I found that the cups sit much lower in the body than a tampon. The bottom of the cups (with the stems removed) stay 1-2 inches from the vaginal opening.
---Well the stems didn't last long. At first I tried using the stems for removal and found that nearly impossible. (I thought I could pull it out like a tampon by the stem....SURPRISE!!!!..........SUCTION!!!) From reading online, I learned to bear down and grasp the bottom of the cup and wiggle it out for removal, and after feeling secure that I could remove them I cut the stems completely off....(I knew after my first day that I would not be returning them...... and they are SOOOOO much more comfortable without the stems!!!)...
---I was really surprised at how light my flow actually is. I empty my cup every 6 hours but could easily wait 12. Usually the cup is only 1/4 full or less and I didn't expect that........(tampons and pads are very deceiving) Knowing your flow is a great benefit with cup use!
---I had a wonderful first experience with both of these cups..... no leaks.... no problems...... comfortable.... I was hooked!!!
---I also found out there were different folding methods for insertion....I tried them all and the 7 fold is the one I prefer because the cups seem to open up easiest with this fold!.......... The Keeper is shown in the folding method pictures below.
 C Fold 
 Punch down fold 
 7 Fold (my personal favorite)
Pictured below is the instead soft cup folded
 instead softcup folded 
Comparison Time!
My official bell shaped Cup comparisons/ descriptions
Note: I ended up removing the stems on ALL of my cups... then lined them all up in a row for a visual comparison....My comparisons include look, feel, ease of use, etc.
I also filled them all with water to see how much they really held.
When I filled the cups, I filled them to the VERY TOP with water then poured the water into a shot glass that has 1 ounce & 1 1/2 ounce markings. I don't have exact ml, sorry! (also, please note that others may measure to the air holes) The Lunette and larger size Diva are nearly the same capacity showing at the 1 1/2 ounce mark on my shot glass. The Lunette holds the tiniest bit more. The Keeper and Moon Cup by Keeper held approx 1 1/4 ounces according to my shot glass, and the Mooncup UK held approx 1 1/8 ounces.
Special note on the Mooncup UK & Moon Cup by Keeper: I didn't understand that there were 2 Mooncups/ Moon Cups from different companies at first. I originally thought that the same cup was being produced in different countries. I am trying in this post to be clear as to which cups are which to help others.
-Mooncup UK- is shorter than all the other cups and holds least of the 'larger sized cups' the silicone has a 'slight yellow tint' (not as pretty as the Diva's or Lunette's frosted silicone and not as clear/white as the Moon Cup by Keeper) This cup feels 'softer' than the Diva or Lunette. The Mooncup UK opens up easy everytime! It has gripper ridges on the bottom of the cup. There are ridges inside the cup (ridges as measuring lines?.....ridges to keep fluid from sloshing?) This one also seemed more comfortable to remove (probably because it is the softer silicone.) The air holes are smaller than the Lunettes but are larger than the Divas, Keepers, and Moon Cup by Keepers holes. It arrived with a rounded stem that had gripper ridges. It is the most comfortable and I think the main reason is because my body likes that it is shorter than the other cups. UPDATE: I purchased myself a 2nd Mooncup UK (because I loved the 1st one so much) and this 2nd one is new and improved! Instead of having the mystery ridges inside the cup, the NEW cup has 2 marked measuring lines!
-Keeper- This is the only gum rubber cup (not silicone). This cup seems thicker/firmer than the other cups. There is a definate rubber smell to it. The brown color isn't as attractive as the silicone cups. This cup opens up easily upon insertion. (I think it being firmer makes opening easy) It does not have gripper ridges on the bottom of the cup....It is smooth on the bottom.. There are ridges inside the cup (ridges as measuring lines?.....ridges to keep fluid from sloshing?) The air holes in the cup are smaller than the Lunettes and smaller than the Mooncup UK.. It arrived with a long, smooth, rounded stem. (This cup has a 3-month return policy)
-Moon Cup by Keeper- This cup is exactly the same size and design as the Keeper but it is made from silicone. This cup is not as firm as the Keeper, is softer than the Diva and Lunette, and feels most like the Mooncup UK. It does not have gripper ridges on the bottom of the cup....It is smooth on the bottom.. There are ridges inside the cup (ridges as measuring lines?.....ridges to keep fluid from sloshing?) This cup is also one of the more comfortable cups to remove because of the softer silicone. Sometimes this one opens up easily..... other times I have a dent and I may have to 'stir' to get it to unfurl completely. The air holes in the cup are smaller than the Lunettes and Smaller than the Mooncup UK.. It arrived with a long, smooth, rounded stem. (This cup has a 3-month return policy)
-Lunette - This cup holds the most fluid. The BOTTOM of this cup is wider than the other cups which is why it holds more. The very bottom of this cup is also thinner than all of the other cups. To me, this is the 'prettiest' cup. It has the frosted look silicone and is stiffer feeling than the Mooncup UK or the Moon Cup by Keeper....It feels most like the Diva but is just a little bit firmer. It is not as firm as the Keeper. It is smoother than the other cups making it the easiest to clean. It has 2 measuring lines. This cup has larger air holes than all of the other cups which makes breaking the seal easier. This cup opens up easily too (probably due to the larger holes). It arrived with a flat, tab-like, stem that had gripper ridges.
-Diva Cup- (larger size, remember I am over 30 and have had a child) This cup is longer than the other brands of cups. It has the frosted look silicone and is stiffer feeling than the Mooncup UK or the Moon Cup by Keeper. It feels much like the Lunette but the Lunette is a little bit firmer. The bottom of this cup is skinnier than the Lunettes. There are 2 marked measuring lines in this cup. This cup has TURBO SUCTION and I don't know why!!! I have to fight with this cup to open up almost everytime! When it is folded for insertion, it just doesn't want to open up and is sometimes flat and sometimes dented! I stir, I poke, I kegal, I stretch the vag walls, and eventually I get it to unfurl. The air holes in the cup are smaller than the Lunettes and Smaller than the Mooncup UK.. It arrived with a short, rounded stem that had gripper ridges. (This cup has a 1 year return policy)
-DivaCup- (smaller size/ Does size really matter?, remember I am over 30 and have had a child) Please see the above larger size Diva for cup description. Believe it or not, I have even more trouble getting this smaller sized Diva to open than the larger size! (SUPER DUPER TURBO SUCTION!) I have come to the conclusion that the problem is that the Divas are longer cups and my body just doesn't fit them as well. (Although I wear my cups low, my cervix location is an issue.....sits low and the Diva's being longer cups, touch it..the smaller one wants to suck itself onto my cervix)....In the cup instructions, the drawn pictures you see of the cups inserted and the cervix's location being far from where the cups sit is NOT PROPORTIONAL to a typical womans body. The vagina is simply not as lengthy as the drawn pictures would make it appear...That said, Once the cup is open, there really is NOT a noticable difference in using the smaller sized cup..... No leaks, it stays where I put it, etc. ..
Here is my personal rating of the cups: this is how I personally feel about each.....Ease of use and comfort are the most important factors for me. (Please note, that after more use, I have changed my mind on my personal cup ratings, and I have moved the Lunette from #3 to #2 because I 'trust' this cup for its ease of opening !!! I find myself using the Mooncup the majority of the time, because it is the most comfortable... If I want MORE protection, for when I go swimming, etc. then I tend to choose the Lunette.....the other cups are rarely used now that I know which ones I like best..... These rarely used cups are mostly for emergencys now...I keep one in my car, one at work, one in my rarely used spare bathroom, etc.)
1. Mooncup UK- 1st, My Favorite, best fitting because it is shorter. Comfy because of the softer silicone. Opens easily!
Mooncup® UK (made in the United Kingdom) - http://www.mooncup.co.uk/
2. Lunette- 2nd, because I like the larger air holes for ease of opening...easiest to clean because it is smoother. 'pretty' cup
3. Moon Cup by Keeper- 3rd, because I like the softer silicone.
4. Keeper- 4th, because it opens easily... It would have ranked higher, but I don't like the rubber smell.
5. Diva cup Larger size- 5th, because it is more difficult to get to unfurl than the other brands since it is longer. (great packaging... seems to be the most popular cup for others)
6. Diva cup smaller size- 6th, More difficult to get to unfurl than the other brands since it is longer and more difficult to open than the larger Diva. (great packaging....seems to be the most popular cup for others)
I do want to let everyone know that ALL of these cups get my recommendation. I am able to use all of them successfully without any leaks or discomfort. (I empty every 6 hours but could easily go 12 with no problems.) My main issue is obviously with getting them to unfurl... (I was able to unfurl all of them, just some cups are easier than others..
Packaging:
All of the cups were ordered online and arrived quickly ( within a week )....
All were shipped discretely in plain outer envelopes or wrapped in plain brown paper. NO mention of the word 'menstrual', NO pictures, NO advertising on the outer packaging, the company names from where they were ordered were only listed in the return address.
Inner product packaging varied......all arrived with a storage bag and instructions.....all arrived safe and sound....
Diva- was the most attractively packaged in its shaped box with a window to allow buyers to see the product and it was sent in a discrete envelope. (I ordered from a U.S. company and they were shipped from California U.S. even though they are made in Canada.)
Mooncup UK- was packaged professionally in its nice box (no window to see the product) and was wrapped and sent in discrete brown paper. (I ordered from a portuguese distributor and it was shipped from Portugal even though they are made in the UK)
Lunette- Most practical product packaging. Was in clear plastic packaging with the cardboard hanger for stores....(nice packaging because it allows buyers to 'feel' the product without removing it from the packaging) and it was sent in a discrete envelope. (Shipped from Finland, made in Finland)
Keeper- was packaged in a clear plastic bag- with photo copied instructions......was sent in a discrete envelope- (unattractive, unprofessional packaging) (Shipped from U.S. Made in U.S.)
Moon Cup by Keeper- was packaged in a clear plastic bag- with photo copied instructions....$5 reward coupons (also photo copied) were also included to refer others (you have a friend order one, the friend sends the coupon, Keeper company sends you a $5 reward)......was sent in a discrete envelope- (unattractive, unprofessional packaging) (Shipped from U.S. Made in U.S.
Costs- My costs varied between $20 - $38 U.S. dollars for each cup (in 2006). I am not listing the actual costs that I paid for each one as the costs differ depending on where it is purchased from, if it is on sale, or if you are lucky enough to have a coupon. Because the cups are supposed to last for years, even the most expensive cups are well worth the money spent on them. I would highly recommend not using price as a factor when deciding on a cup and instead focus on the specific qualities that you are looking for in a cup.
I had to add a 2nd page since there was so much information!
>>> Go to Menstrual Cups information Page 2 For: My teenage daughters review of cups, Instead SoftCup information, & Links to the cup sites, menstrual sponge sites, & links to other alternative menstrual product information!
If you have any questions, please contact us by email at sewinlove@doll-garden.com
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