I've collected my fair share of cups during the last years and I think it's time to let go the ones that just don't work for me, so, if you are interested in getting a slightly used cup or just want one to add to you collection and never use it (as in "this is the one I keep for demonstration purposes" hehe) this is your chance. I'm just asking US$5.00 for each one to cover shipping and such (I'm willing to send to anywhere in the world), and I would like for each to go to different people...

1 Small Keeper (rubber): I found it very comfortable but needed something with more capacity for my heavy flow. The stem is completely gone, my cervix is too low and I just couldn't stand it. (Used it for about 7 cycles)

1 Small Keeper Moon cup (silicone): I got this because I was curious about the material but in the end I didn't like it , apparently the outer surface got some scratches from my fingernails during the cycle I used it. The stem is also completely gone. (Used it for 2 cycles) TAKEN

1 Small MeLuna (blue, ball stem): after using the Medium MeLuna I realized that the small one would be way too small for me. This cup has NEVER been used. TAKEN

I'm having some problems with LJ private messages, if you are still interested you can contact me here: soapsandcrafts (at) gmail. Thanks!

I took the plunge and put in my Mooncup today for work. I think I had it in for at least 10.5 hours on the second day of my cycle. When I first put it in it hurt a bit so I poked around until it was comfortable and went on my way. While driving to work I got worried about leaks so I decided to go to the grocery store to buy a small box of tampons just in case. They don't sell them(!) and I wasn't about to buy pads because I have a huge cloth stash.

The whole time I was worried about leaks but I didn't see any so I didn't take it out at work. It was filled up to the first ridge so it was a bit full but not to the top so there was no spillage coming out. The down sides are that the stem rubbed me the wrong way all night long and I did notice I had to urinate more often which is kinda hard when you are working in production because they don't want you to leave.

So my conclusion is that I like the Mooncup but the stem has to go. I did grab the base without grabbing the stem so I am kinda confident I don't need it but I'll probably leave a little left since I have a long canal.

Hi I been lurking around this message board for over a month, but this is my first post. I am 30 years old with no children and I have an paraguard IUD. I've had my IUD for two years. I can fit two fingers comfortably in my vagina and I can just barely touch my cervix with my middle finger.

I've known about menstrual cups since 2004, but it wasn't until 3 months ago that I bought one. I only knew of the Keeper brand at that time. I ordered a mooncup by keeper size B before I found this board. I was disappointed to find out about their bad business practices.

Last cycle was the first time I used my mooncup (USA). Since I had been reading this board for a few weeks I felt pretty confident things would go smoothly and they did. I did however use tampons for my heaviest day, as I was going to a party and I didn't want to leak or empty my cup in a strange place. I trimmed half of the stem off of my mooncup (USA) to make it less pokey. I was disappointed that the anti-suctions holes are placed so low on the mooncup (USA). By my measurement the mooncup(USA) size B only holds 10 ml (up to holes).

Because the mooncup's (USA) capacity is too low for my heaviest days and because I wanted a second cup I ordered a miacup model 2 from Feminine Wear. This cycle is my first using the miacup. I had some leaking the second day. I'm pretty sure it was because I inserted it standing in the shower, so I didn't get it situated right.  I've been leak-free as long as I insert it when sitting on the toilet and aiming at my tailbone (Melissa's youtube cervix position video was quite helpful). I can go 10-12 hours on my heaviest days before I empty my miacup. This cycle I also started to use cloth liners as backup.

Both cups fit good and are comfortable. I've been using the punchdown fold for both cups. I'm really glad I wised up and bought menstrual cups and I'm also really glad I found this community.

I did however find some misinformation on the sizing charts. Both sizes of the mooncup (USA) are wider than represented on the chart and the miacup model 2 holds more than the chart says. The mooncup (USA) size B is 1 3/4 inches wide and 2 inches long (not counting stem), that converts to approx. 44 mm wide and 51 mm long. The mooncup (USA) size A is 1 7/8 inches long and 2 inches (not counting stem), that converts to approx. 47.6 mm wide and 51 mm long. The miacup model 2 holds 25 ml (up to holes) of fluid. 

I just want to say thank you to everyone at this community, you have been quite helpful in my quest to properly use menstrual cups.

I bought a keeper mooncup and have been able to insert it. The problem is that it creates such a strong suction that removing it is nearly impossible. Even squeezing the base or trying to put a finger in the top of the cup doesn't seem to work. Is it possible that I am inserting it too far up? I saw a post here that said they only insert the rim and then push the cup the rest of the way up. I have been inserting the whole cup but leaving the stem out. Is that too far?
I am also considering trying another brand, one that would have suction that isn't so strong and I'm open to comparisons. I'm thinking about perhaps a divacup.
But my main question is: am I inserting the cup too far and that is why I'm having removal problems?

Hi everyone!

I just discovered this forum in the last few days—unfortunately after purchasing my first cup, a Keeper Mooncup (did not know about the ethical issues associated with the company at the time)—and have since been fervently reading as much of your advice as possible before trying it for the first time.  A little too fervently, I guess, because despite recommendations for a dry run, before I knew it my period had arrived and I was stuck trying it for the first time a half hour before leaving for work this morning.  (It’s amazing how the thought of putting another tampon inside of you can completely turn you off after merely discovering an alternative…).

So, after all the rambling, my question is:  Have any of you regretted trimming your stem off all the way, especially for reasons other than removal assistance?  Or, did you too experience the same type of sharp, internal poking from the stem at first, but then found it went away?  I just want to make sure I’ve thought of everything before trimming it all off and not being able to get it back.

As a side note, a lot of you talk about how high/low your cervix is, or the size/shape of your vagina.  How do you determine these things?  I feel so out of touch with my own body—I would have no idea how to describe my particular shape/size, with nothing to compare to, let alone choose a cup based on my size without physically trying them.  Is there some kind of measurement you do, or is your knowledge more from trying different cups and knowing their respective dimensions?

I also wanted to add that I, too, think it’s crazy how unheard-of menstrual cups are, at least in the US.  I come from a very eco-conscious and all-natural family, especially my mom (who has never been squeamish about her/our bodies), but I only just found out about menstrual cups from a friend at age 24, and when I told my mom (who has now gone through menopause) about them she said, “Gosh, I wish they had had things like that when I had my period!”, even though they have apparently been around for decades.  I will definitely be spreading the word to my sisters and friends!!

(Sorry for the long post!  And thanks in advance for any advice/insight!!)

 

Hi, everyone,

I bought a size B (the smaller size) Keeper Mooncup a few months ago and have used it for three periods. When I bought it, the only menstrual cups I knew of were the Keeper brand and the Diva cup (I wish I had known of this community sooner to know about all the other possibilities!). I like using a menstrual cup a lot - it makes my period about 100 times better and I wish I had discovered it years ago. However, I still leak quite a bit - especially on my heavy days. I've always had a very heavy flow on my first two days - and on those days, I've been emptying my mooncup every 3 hours and it's always full.

My question is - am I not achieving a "seal" on the cup or do I need a bigger cup? I'm never sure what a "seal" would feel like. The cup always inserts and pops open fine and then I do that thing where you pull it down and rotate it - but I don't think it's ever officially sealed - it seems to move around a bit. I bought the smaller Mooncup a few months ago, but since that time I turned 30 and I think maybe I hit that magic age where your vagina expands or whatever the Keeper people say about it. I want to keep the Mooncup because I like it - so I'm hoping that I'm just not achieving the seal properly?

I posted a while back about the Keeper/Moon Cup contest, and how I got an email message saying that I won… There were several winners, actually, I guess the more people that enter, the more people win. So I was informed that the cups would be shipped out on August 28th. So I’ve been religiously checking my mail… And it came today!

( Review And Pictures Here... )

If you're in Minneapolis and thinking about getting a Keeper or a Keeper Moon Cup, tonight I noticed that there were a few in the clearance bin at Seward Co-Op (also a box of GladRags, but I didn't buy them because they had a print on them I didn't like). I think the cups were marked down to about $23 or $24. The clearance bin is in the corner of the frozen foods area.

(I'm not affiliated with Seward Co-op or the Keeper company and have no more information than I listed here.)

I entered that contest where you write a letter explaining your reasons for wanting to try a cup Keeper or Moon Cup US, and if they like your letter best, you win a free cup!  Well, I just checked my email today and-- I won!  YAY! :)

They said they are having another contest, starting on August 15th.  So if you are interested in trying one of those cups, or if you are not doing so good financially, and really want to try your first cup, here is a link to the contest (I had to browse this group to find it):

http://ultimatemoneyblog.com/my-review-of-the-keeper-menstrual-cup

Just sharing the good news, and encouraging others to go for it!  Also, I think its a good idea for anyone else who wins (I've seen one other person here who did) to let everyone here know, and add the link to your post  keep this awesome contest going for everyone!  This is such a great thing they are doing, gives cup users/fans something to strive for.

So, I spent a lot of time reading this site and doing tons of research before I decided which cup I should buy, and I picked the Keeper Moon Cup. I did this with a full understanding of the Keeper company's reputation, because I thought that with what I knew about all of the cups and comparisons between them (thanks mostly to this community!), that the Keeper Moon Cup would be the best fit for me.

( Read more... )

Hi all, I just started using a menstrual cup the other day and I just wanted to say that I've had a very positive experience so far. While doing research beforehand, I got really freaked out by all the horror stories on here of people having painful insertion, or even worse, not being able to get the thing out! It sounded very scary so I was reluctant to try it out at first.( Read more... )

Hey gals!
I first read about menstrual cups (specifically the Keeper) in the book Making Stuff and Doing Things, and then again from a friend who has the Keeper Mooncup. I've been lurking this community for a while. I'd been thinking of either the Keeper Mooncup or the Femmecup, and since my period came yesterday and I couldn't stand to wear another tampon, I drove on down to the health food store and picked up the last size B Keeper Mooncup in stock. I had no problem with the C fold and it popped open right away. It immediately felt so much more comfortable than a tampon since it wasn't hitting my cervix when I sat in certain positions like tampons do. I emptied a few hours later just to see, had a little trouble, and then heard the awesome SLOOSH sound and almost had to stop because I was laughing too hard. Reinsertion was fine too.

I'm absolutely loving this cup; I feel that it fits very well for me and I'm so happy to not have to use tampons again!

I've been using a Keeper Moon Cup for over a year but wanted a cup with bigger holes and perhaps more capacity.  (Plus I loved the colors!)  Today was my first day using my new large Ladycup, and I wanted to share some notes about my experience in the hopes it may help someone else who's looking for information. It was a day of learning!

Insertion: In a couple of dry runs with the LC, I was able to use the punch-down method and get the cup to open with little trouble. On my period, though, the cup wouldn't open once inside me, so I switched to the 7 fold to much greater success. I did have to swirl a finger around the cup several times on one insertion before it undented and fully opened.

Wearing: The LC is comfortable. The stem's flexibility made it more comfortablepre-trim than the Keeper MC stem, which I'd cut 2/3 of the way off to make comfortable. For the LC, I snipped a tiny amount off, then beveled it, and the length is not a bother. The stem helps greatly with removal efforts.

Removal: As other forum members have stated, the LC's slickness can make it difficult to get a grip during removal. I have to break the seal at the rim, fold the cup in half (c-fold), and remove carefully. I kept a death grip on that slippery cup so as not to drop it in the toilet immediately after removal! I did two removals at work today, where the toilets are auto-flush. Yikes!

Cleaning: With my Keeper MC, I could wipe it out with a paper towel and reinsert for changing in public. (At home, I rinse and reinsert.) I could even stretch the silicone slightly and wipe out each hole. With the diagonal holes on the LC, I found that cleaning the holes this way wasn't quite as feasible, and that it took a stretch and a wipe on both sides of the cup holes in order to dislodge gunk.

Bounciness: After somehow losing grip on my cup while I was cleaning the holes, I had to watch it bounce under the partition into the next bathroom stall. Thank God I was in an empty bathroom at work.
------
Post-period Edit: I got the LadyCup in hopes of escaping the Keeper Moon Cup suction, but I found I disliked how difficult it was for me to reach up to break the LC's suction. This may be something that improves with practice. I also disliked that I felt some strange, uncomfortable sensations when wearing the LC. I wonder if the slightly larger size is causing these sensations somehow. It's definitely puzzling to me. I do like the LC's capacity (I use the Large) for heavy days, and I was satisfied that I experienced no leaks except for when it was full. After trying the LC, though, I find I prefer my Keeper MC, with my at-home hole enlargements. It's easier for me to remove, comfortable to wear, opens more reliably than the LC (which remained dented several times on insertion), and doesn't cause strange sensations during wear.

Hello everyone!

I ordered my Diva from iherb today!! YAY. I can't wait to get it. Unfortunately, I am having my cycle right now with my MCUS, but I'll be able to have a dry run with my Diva and use it with my next cycle anyways. I know a lot of ladies on here have ordered cups from iherb, and I am wondering how long it has taken you all to get your orders in the mail?

Also, just out of curiosity ... does anyone else on here notice themselves reading the community more often during their cycle? I usually check this blog and other menstrual cup sites non stop when I am having my cycle, but during other times of the month, I am pretty hands off.

That's all for now (: 

I've considered a lot of options of a new cup to buy (my Mooncup came for free from Celle) and I think I have decided on the Diva. At first I thought I wanted less suction, but thinking further, I think I would actually like a bit more suction than what Mooncup is giving me to help prevent occasional leakage. Also, I think I'd like something a little bit longer than the Mooncup, and from what I understand, Diva meets both of these goals.

Anyone else out there make the same change from MCUS to Diva? How did it go?

Also, where can I purchase the Diva for the lowest price possible?

Thanks guys (:

I just received my Diva Cup today. (Posted asking about iHerb last week)

I did a dry run and i had to get my fiance to take the damn thing out after i tried for 10 minutes. He even had a problem and i showed him on my Mooncup exactly what to do. I can't pinch the cup at all. I can't get 2 fingers around it. I can indent it with 1 finger but that doesn't release suction and there's no way i can reach the rim to release it.

I'm at a complete loss.

Either my vagina is extremely long or I'm too fat to reach the cup. I think i have too much flesh blocking the way, which is odd because this is the only time it's been a problem when it comes to my genitals.

Heres a link to the problem i was having with the Mooncup. (I added more info in the comments.) I'm thankful I'm able to reach it with a paper towel even though my bathroom might look like i killed someone by the time i get it out.

Has anyone had this problem?

It seems like most of you have to cut the stem to stop it from sticking out. I actually need a long stem or else i can't reach it at all. How can i not get 2 fingers around  the cup?  I am so pissed/fustrated/bummed out. I really wanna use a cup, they seem awesome. I don't want to have to remove it by laying down on a bed. These things are supposed to be used in public and i can't even insert one in a public bathroom.

Argh!
 

I have the Mooncup (US). This is my 2nd month using it. I just feel like if the cup was longer i'd be able to reach it. I keep yanking on the damn stem trying to get it lower. I do stop, take some breathes, and try to reach it while squatting but i still need to try and use the back and forth motion while pulling on the stem. (Probably doesn't help that my stem has none of those grippy rings on it.)

I'm 27 with no kids. I don't plan on having kids and it seems like my vag has a death grip on this damn thing, lol. The only direction it moves is up.

I'm thinking of getting a Divacup. They're about the same length. I think the only real difference is that the Divacup has a longer cup and less stem.

The website says it's only 1/8 inch difference between the 2 sizes. Does it really make that much of a difference? I just don't get how such a small size difference makes any difference at all but then again i don't have children, lol.

Okay, so I just got my Mooncup (Keeper) in the mail today and WTF? The packaging had damaged so the post office sent it along in a plastic bag. To make matters even weirder, the package only had two flyers. One for me, and one for a friend....and it was very unprofessional. I also, for my own comparison purposes, bought  a Divacup. While presentation isn't anything, it does influence a consumer. I was just wondering about thoughts on the subject.

I'm a 42 year old woman with two vaginal births (to big babies!) and have been using the Moon Cup US large for the past 2 or 3 years. It worked fine but was never really amazingly comfortable - sometimes I had issues getting it inserted correctly and once in a while it would pinch or cause a lot of pressure. Nothing so awful that I had to stop using it though, and it was way better than tampons or anything else.

Well after reading this community for a couple of months I went and bought myself a LadyCup large (regular color) and let me just say it is Amazing!!!! I'm on my second full day of use with it and I am in love with it! It inserts so easily, first time, every time - no problems, it is really comfortable and easy to remove as well. There is no pressure like with the Moon Cup US, and no pinching or poking stem. The difference in how it feels is really considerable and I wouldn't have expected it to be so noticeably better!

Thanks to everyone who is repsonsible for making this community and everyone who has posted so many helpful informational posts - it has had a really positive effect in my life!!

Also - I took the "what cup is right for you" poll and the LadyCup came in at number 2 and the Moon Cup US was all the way down at 12 or something, so I think the poll (for me at least) is really accurate.

A question - what to do with old cups that you would probably never use again? Are the recyclable? Is it too gross to sell or give someone a (clean, sterilized) used cup?

Well, kinda.  This is my 3rd or fourth month with the mooncup US large that I got from C'elle.  It is a lot better than the Diva cup.  It feels like it holds more, it doesn't leak as much, I can pee in it without removing, falling out/moving, and it doesn't seem to discolor.  As much as I hate the bad rap that Keeper company has for the mooncup name tiff, the Mooncup US might be the cup for me. Although, I will still try a lunette when/if I have extra cash.

Now, yesterday was amazing for me.  I put in my mooncup and no leaks at all on my medium/heavy day.  None.  i wasn't even wearing a panty liner.  Of course, it helped that I was at home the entire day.  During the night and day, I had a pad on but the leaking was minimal compared to previous months/Diva cup usage and most due to sleeping.  Today I was at work and I don't even know if I had leaks at all.  It was comfortable.  The only time I felt uncomfortable was a few minutes of sitting down after peeing.  This is a heavy day for me and if there was leaking, it wasn't noticible.  Even when I did pee, there was no "spotting" that tends to happen with cups.  Yay.  I had to share my amazing last two period days.  

What I love about the cups is the last year my period has decided to start and stop near the 3rd/4th day.  It was horrible with pads.  By that time, I was itchy, chaffy, red and sick of my period.  Now, I can wear my cup even when my period has "stopped."  No more "OMG WHY ARE YOU HERE AGAIN!  YOU STOPPED 5 HOURS AGO!"  I don't even have to worry about it till the 5th day to take it out for good. ^_^

Overall, I LOVE  CUPS!

Now, my questions:
Now, this is also my 3rd period of being broke.  With all my leak worries, I can't go no pads at all and I've had to search my apartment/car for leftovers from my pad days.  I finally got comfortable with the idea of reusable cloth pads.  Does anyone have links for cheap cloth pads or are practicing and willing to sell cheap?  I mainly want to use them to replace disposable panty liners. What to look for in pantyliners? Are they waterproof?

Also another question, to anyone who has long finger nails, how do you not pinch your insides?  I love having long nails and I've also had to use latex gloves so I don't pinch myself.  I've started to hate this and it was just as bothersome as having to have pads everywhere!  These last two months, I've happened to have short nails during my period at least for the thumb and pointer that goes in there.  I've been able to go sans gloves but I don't want to always trim my nails for my period.

Hey ladies. Final update on my discussions with the Keeper company, and it's not much of an update. If you don't know what I'm talking about, click here.

I had some sources from the legal battle and info about the boycott forwarded to Ms. Crawford and, surprise surprise, she never called me back.

I sent another email a couple days ago letting her know that I was leaving the country on the 25th and can no longer be reached on my US phone after that date (which is true), so if she had any intent of speaking with me she needed to call me back soon.

I would have called her, but she called me on a private number. Again - surprise surprise.

So, it is now 15 minutes into March 24th, and still no call. I suspect I won't be getting one before I leave, so I guess this is the end of our discussion.

To recap, it was basically me citing all the things I've read and researched, and her fervently denying it ever happened as though I should take the word of the president of an unethical company over public legal records.

*sigh*

I tried.

Love,
Cassie

Hey ladies. The president of the Keeper company DID call me (her name is Ms. Crawford).

If you don't know what I'm talking about, click this.

Unfortunately she did so while I was out, so we had a limited discussion about the MoonCup fiasco, and she told me she would call back Saturday or Sunday... which so far she has not.

But this was the gist of the conversation we DID have.

She almost acted like this was the first she'd heard of it. Which is impossible, because I have public legal records of disputes they've had in court. She kept saying things like "it must have had to do with them not being FDA approved," and I kept saying "no, they have been prevented from shipping because of copyright issues WHICH YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR."

I've read up on this. I am quite sure it has nothing to do with the FDA, otherwise the Lunette, FemmeCup, etc, would all be banned as well.

She kept saying they've used the trade name for years, which is just flat out untrue. The Keeper MoonCup wasn't released until several months ago. MoonCup UK has been around for years upon years. I don't know if she was implying that since the Keeper company is older than MoonCup, they can just take whatever name they want? I don't get it.

I felt like the conversation just went in circles and she used a different straw man every time. She asked me for some sourcing, so I sent her the link to the legal dispute, the boycott post from this community, and the letter one of the members of this community got from MoonCup UK in regards to this issue.

Somehow I don't think she's going to call me back.

Any hope I had of having a real discussion about this has kind of gone out the window.

So, I'll let you know if I get a call back, or anything interesting happens. But as it stands... pretty much what I expected.

Love,
Cassie

I wrote an email to the Keeper company expressing my disappointment with the whole MoonCup shenanigans. I also said that as a result of it I wouldn't be buying their products, and would be sure to inform others in the market for a menstrual cup of their actions as well.

And this was the very interesting and unexpected response I got back a few days later:

"Thank you for your email and the information. The president of The Keeper Inc. would like to speak with you. Would it be possible to reach you via phone? If so, may we please have your contact information."

Wow. Wasn't expecting that. I wrote back that I would be more than happy to talk with them. I'll let you ladies know how it goes.

Love,
Cassie

EDIT ( My first letter - a bit long-ish. )

EDIT: Well, seems that I've been bumped to the front of the email line since my first letter. Took them 3 days to respond to the first one (which really isn't that bad, and I'd not expected any reply at all), but they've just sent me another saying that my number has been passed to the president of Keeper Inc. whose name is Ms. Crawford. Not sure if I should expect a call today or not, but my phone is turned on. :)

I bought a Size A Mooncup(US) a few months back, and while I'd already decided I was going to have to try out a different one evenutally, I was relatively pleased with it.  BUT I LOST IT!! Waahhhhh!  We've looked everywhere and I'm convinced my husband threw it away, although he won't admit it.. Perhaps its in my childrens toy chest, all I know is wherever it is I'm glad I thoroughly cleaned it after I last used it! haha

Anyway I'm in the market for a new one, I'm currently ON my period, using Nasty pads, I HATE them! I'd never realized what an attachment I'd made to my cup! I've had it since November.  And I'm very uncomfortable sitting here typing without it in!

Here's what I really need,  The mooncup was a little rigid, I'd posted earlier about having an urge to pee, but not being able too, So I need something a little softer, more flexible maybe? And I was a little disappointed with the amount of time I'd have to clean it out, At work in an 8 hour shift I'd take it out once or twice because it would start to leak,  Are there any a little larger?  I remember LadyCUp being suggested to me once, would that fit the bill for both these things?

ALSO, They sell them pretty cheaply on Ebay, would you buy your cup off ebay?

Hi! I've been reading posts like crazy and got very valuable tips from the community; I still have a couple of questions...

( My past experiences... )

The Mooncup (UK) seems like a good choice but since it has ridges at the base I'm not sure, I think I might feel them just like with the Diva. I'm also a heavy bleeder (chronic anemia heavy, already in treatment), so I think I might need one with higher capacity, maybe just the large size? I'm not sure. This made me think about the Moon Cup (US), since it is smooth as the Keeper, but we're back at "I might be more comfortable with a shorter cup"...

Any advice? :D