Intimina's Lily Cups

I contacted the Lily Cup and wanted to try out their product because I was intrigued by its unique design. I was getting to the point where a cup was a cup was a cup. There were only slight variations between designs and brands. It was refreshing to see this innovative, sleek, clean design! Needless to say, I was pleased with my interaction I had with the company and it's representatives. Along with one of each size of the Lily Cup, I received a few bonus products which I will speak on later. 

I would suggest going to their website and browsing their impressive line of feminine products: http://www.intimina.com/en/ the list is impressive!

As you can see from the photo above, I received a pretty pink package in the mail from Intimina. The products are well made and with very posh material! The pouch that holds the cup is a silky soft fabric that feels so nice in your hand. I really like the pouch.

The cup itself... I went with the Size B because I have had 2 vaginal births and have a heavier-than-most flow. It is a quite long cup but that isn't really a problem for me. I can get almost any cup to fit for me. You can see the exact dimensions HERE. With the lip of the cup, I wanted to make sure I read the directions thoroughly to be sure to give the cup a proper go. I tried both the "Punch Down" and the "Roll Up" methods and realized fairly quickly that the "Punch Down" was by far the easier, more efficient way to go. There are no air holes on the Lily Cup so your method of insertion may be different than it would be for another cup.

The cup in action... When I used the Punch Down method I was able to get the cup to open up and create a good seal within seconds. I used the stem, which is quite sturdy, to push the cup up into place. Since it is a long cup the stem was at my vaginal opening. It wasn't bothersome at all. The shape of the cup as well as the material makes it really comfortable. I wore the cup for a few hours while I performed regular day to day tasks around my home. I climbed stairs, did dishes, laundry, sat on the couch... during which, I didn't feel the cup. When I had to go to the bathroom to go pee [which is frequently], I wiped and noticed that the cup had started to come down when I used the bathroom. I pushed it back up and was on my way. This happened twice. If I'm being honest, which I always am, I would say that that alone would be a "con" on my list. I go pee about 10 times a day, without exaggeration. If I have to push the cup up every time I pee, it would drive me nuts! One thing I noticed during my cycle is that my cervix is super low on the third day. The Lily Cup wouldn't fit on that day...

I would recommend this cup to anyone looking for a cup who has a high cervix. This would even be a great first-timer's cup because of the ease of insertion. The high capacity of this cup, along with the innovative rim, leaking is close to impossible.

If I were to rate this cup, I would give it 6.5 out of 10 stars. I really like this cup and am excited to have it!

Along with my cups, as if that wasn't enough, Intimina sent me some of their other products to sample! I have not had the opportunity to try them out yet but I will return and add to this blog when I have. I received 2 Thermal Relief Patches which helps to relieve cramps, a bottle of their Feminine Wash spray, as well as a Monthly Spa Tablet which can be used to have a soothing bath during your period. Intimina's whole vibe is all about women, women's comfort, and women's pleasure. I would advocate for any woman, or their partners supporting them.

***UPDATE***
I am pleased to announce that I have tried the ThermaRelief Patch, Feminine Wash and Monthly Spa Tablet. These are fantastic products and I will be purchasing these as often and I can. First, lets be honest... when you're on your period you can just feel icky. I was having that day yesterday. I felt icky, dirty, and [TMI] stinky. I took a shower and washed myself with the Feminine Wash and took a bath with the Monthly Spa Tablet right after to relax. I highly recommend these products to everyone. They are gentle yet soothing and I felt SO MUCH better after giving myself a little clean up and relaxation. Today I had the joy of experiencing my most painful cramping day which gave me the perfect opportunity to try out the ThermaRelief Patch. I wore some [generous] cotton stretch yoga pants with the fold down fabric and stuck the patches over the thin fabric of the pants. I promptly went to the couch to lay down for a bit with some tea when the cramps were at their most painful. I was able to feel the heat for several hours through my pants. **The packaging says not to stick the patch on skin** I urge you all to try out these products. This company really has women's comfort in the forefront of their minds and I could tell with every single product. I am really happy with Intimina and the Lily Cup!!

If you have any questions regarding the Lily Cup, feel free to email me or leave a comment on my blog.

Thanks for reading!
xo -S

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Femmecup Description and Review

Inside of the package: A window cling sticker, a paper sticker
to stick on a public toilet, the Femmecup in its pouch,
instructions,as well as a small flyer for Femmewash.

I received a fun package from London this evening! It was quite the fun pack.... I want to THANK the Femmecup company for sending me their product to try out and review. 

I especially appreciated how everything in the mailer was 100% biodegradable. It's nice when a company sells an eco-friendly product and their packaging and mailing material support the same cause. 

The first thing I noticed about the Femmecup is that it is a one size fits all cup. I, personally, haven't seen any other cups marketed that way. I am a mother of two children who were both delivered vaginally so I have always been in the large or size two category. I am quite curious to see how this one fits me. The difference between sizes for most companies is usually measured in millimeters and milliliters so I imagine it won't make too much of a difference.

Go to their website: http://www.femmecup.com/

I love their marketing material... the window cling sticker says, "I <3 femmecup.com" and the toilet sticker says "Forget Tampons! www.femmecup.com Femmecup is the future of sanitary products". On the back of the sticker (which is actually the side I photographed, above) it says, "Please use this sticker to tell more women about Femmecup. Apply it to the back of a toilet near you. THANK YOU. Always ask the toilet owners permission before applying".I have always wanted a toilet sticker to help spread the word about menstrual cups, so thanks Femmecup!!!

The Femmecup is one of a kind in several ways, starting with its unique design. We'll start from the bottom (stem) up. Femmecup has quite a short stem. As you can see from the photo on the left, the grip lines on this cup come in a spiral design that continues all the way down through the stem. You can't really tell from the photo but the lines are pronounced and efficient enough to grip the cup when it's slippery.

This is a low capacity cup. The top measurement line says 10 ml. and the suction release holes are just above that. I'd say that at max capacity it would hold 12 ml but that would be AT the suction release holes.

One of the most unique things I noticed about this cup is the fact that the rim of it is firm and sturdy and the body is soft and thin.

As you can see from the photo on the right, Femmecup's rim is quite pronounced. This design point makes for easy use. As well as the unique design, I really appreciate the large holes that the cup has. This is a plus for me because along with making cleaning the cup much easier, it also helps the cup pop open and create a suction. The larger holes allow air to get into the cup for it to open up completely. I would say, this is the top two easiest cup for me to insert and get a proper seal in the quickest amount of time. I would have this be an out and about cup for that reason. The few times I have had to do a quick empty, rinse, reinsert I have had cups that need more negotiating and I was in the bathroom for up to 5 minutes. That can get embarrassing because people wonder why you're in the bathroom for so long! Ha!!

When I inserted my new Femmecup, I went with the "7 Fold", I knew it would work out because of the firmness of the rim. I've learned, cups with a more "springy action" can handle the "7 Fold". I would dare to say that this would be the best fold for this cup and let me tell you why. When you try the "C Fold" and hold the base of the cup it opens up  before you have a chance to insert it because the base is so soft. Using the "7" allows you to hold part of the firm rim at the base.

When removing, this cup is a breeze. Again, thanks to the larger suction release holes, and them being  pretty far down, it mostly breaks the seal on its own when you pull it out slowly. You will still want to pinch the cup slightly to make the removal as comfortable as possible but I found this cups removal to be the easiest of all.

As far as I know, most women cut the stem off of their cups so the short stem on the Femmecup should be a perk.

Follow Femmecup on Twitter:
www.twitter.com/femmecup

Overall, I would definitely recommend this cup to women. My opinion is that this cup would be best suited for a first time user, teens, or someone with a lighter flow. This is a petite cup and I found it to be very comfortable!

If I were to rate the Femmecup, I would give it 7 out of 10 stars...

If you have any questions regarding the Femmecup, feel free to email me or leave a comment on my blog.











Thanks for reading!
xo -S

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Changes in my cycle since the switch...

 Since I made the switch from tampons to menstrual cups in June, I have noticed a significant change in my cycle. All my life I have suffered with extremely painful cramps throughout most of my cycle that I would always compare to labor pain, a severely heavy flow that would require me to change my tampon every 50-60 minutes on my worst two days, and a LONG period that would sometimes last 7 or 8 days. This is how it was for my mother, my grandmother who even had a hysterectomy, and my sister so I just dealt with it. 

I always dreaded my period because I knew I would be "out of commission" for almost a week of it. I would get migraines that would put me in bed. One day I would bleed so heavily that all I could do is sit. I was afraid to lift anything because I didn't want to gush blood. During my cycle, it was always less of a "flow" and more clotting and I assume that had something to do with the amount of pain I was in. Also, I had leaks DAILY. At least once a day I would have a gush that would overflow the tampon and cause me to bleed out. I couldn't dedicate my life to standing by the bathroom to make sure I didn't leak. In no exaggeration I contemplated asking my gynecologist if I could get a hysterectomy like my grandmother had but I doubted that "they" still did those unless it was for an extreme reason. 

For me, there was this obligation to just deal with the pain, discomfort, and inconvenience because EVERY woman deals with it. How can I be complaining? 

In an earlier entry I talked about when I started my period, what options were available to me, and how I discovered the menstrual cup... please refer back to those if you feel like I am missing "a middle" in this entry.

So, getting back to my point... I have noticed a significant change in my cycle.

Photo credit: Unknown. If you own this photo, please  email
me so I can give you credit.

The first cycle I used my cup for was so heavy. I had to empty my cup every 3 hours or so, even through the night. I'm not complaining because that was a huge improvement in my opinion! One or two nights while on my period I didn't get good sleep, but I never got good sleep while on my period and often had to shower in the middle of the night because of the inadequacies of tampons. I noticed clotting in my flow still and it was quite heavy. The one major difference I noticed right away during that first cycle with my cup that I had barely any cramps. I think I told my husband and friends that my cramps were diminished by 80% and that was enough of an improvement for me to continue to lose sleep because I wasn't in horrible pain. 

I have had four successful cycles using a menstrual cup and have had only one major leak and it was because I didn't assure that my seal was in place before leaving the bathroom. Again, reading my story, you will know that this is a freaking miracle!

My period has become more and more tolerable. I still have minimal cramps. This cycle, I had about 2 hours of cramping but it was minimal and it was the first night my period started. I don't have the big blood clots any longer. I have only seen one or two over the four months and they were smaller than a grape. My cycle has progressively gotten lighter! This cycle freaked me out because it was LIGHT. I haven't filled up my cup once. I am still paranoid and check my cup frequently to make sure it's not full but it was almost empty each time. I think I will gain more trust as the months go by...

One of the biggest differences I have noticed since using a menstrual cup is the knowledge and familiarity I have of my anatomy and my cycle. For the first time ever I have felt my cervix move throughout my cycle. I know how much I am bleeding and I know the consistency of my blood. I find that empowering. I have always felt like my period ran my life and now I feel in control. 

After several months without using tampons I have realized how much my body hated them. I would suggest that every woman at least try switching to reusable menstrual cups. I'm not saying that every woman will love using a cup, I realize it's not for everyone but I can say with 100% certainty that every woman will gain something by trying. Our bodies aren't meant to be stuffed with cotton and chemicals.

If you have had success using a menstrual cup, please comment on my blog. Include your favorite product, how long you've been using it, and what made you switch.

Thanks for reading!
xo -S

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The Bella Cup

This evening, I received my Bella cup. I was so excited because I had heard so many great things about this particular cup. THANK YOU Bella for sending me your cup to try out and review. 

If you go to the Bella website: http://www.bellacup.co.kr/ you will find a beautiful color scheme and a simple and easy to follow layout. You will also see the benefits of using a Bella cup over disposable tampons and pads. Overall, I think their website is useful and user friendly.

This cup hails all the way from Korea. It traveled a long way to my California home, including a stop at Customs. :) I think their packaging is really pretty. It follows the same color scheme as you find on the website. The small green and peach box includes the brand name, Bella in several colors on the side of the box. They put a seal sticker with the size name on the opening of the box to be sure that the box hasn't been opened after it was boxed. Also, the box is recyclable! That is a bonus since one of the many benefits to women using menstrual cups is lessening the impact we have on the environment. 

When I ordered my Bella cup, I was given the option between small or large & gray pouch or green pouch. Obviously, I chose a large cup and a gray pouch. If you've read my blog, you'll know that the pouch is one of the things I look forward. I'm a girl, what do you expect? I think it's an important accessory to the cup because it is what is going to keep it clean in my purse. Okay, back on track. I ordered the gray pouch, it's light gray. What's interesting about this pouch is it's unconventional material. This pouch is made of a thick, suede material with the word Bella embossed on one side. 

At first glance, I really like the clean, simple presentation of the Bella brand. Even the cup has the same simple, streamlined design. I love that. I think the best word to describe it would be, understated. 

The cup... lets talk about the cup. My favorite thing about the Bella cup is the fact that the inside of it doesn't have any raised writing in it. This is something I particularly love because it makes it easier to keep the cup clean. There is writing (the word bella) inside of the cup but it is embossed, not raised. There are no measurement lines inside but the website states that the large Bella can hold 30 ml of menstrual fluid. That translates to 1 fluid ounce. I would call that a high capacity cup. Which is great for me! 

This is a very soft cup. I love the feel of it it's so squishy and to me, that means it's going to be super comfortable. The only issue is that I have a hard time getting really soft cups to pop open once inserted. Quite honestly, this is one of the hardest cups for me to get to create a seal inside of me. 

It took quite a bit of negotiating and maneuvering before I was able to create a good seal that I was confident about.  Once the cup is in, it is very comfortable! What I've learned about my anatomy is that I can wear any cup. My body isn't super finicky  in that way. So, the determining factor in me choosing a cup, or my favorite cup for that matter is going to be ease of insertion. The only thing that would keep this cup from being my favorite would be how difficult it was for me to get it to pop open. I know several people who prefer a softer cup and I'm sure this would be a non-issue for them. 

The cup has four holes towards to top of the cup, two one either side of the cup. This allows for maximum capacity. The holes are small so the way I get them clean is to fill the cup with hot water, hold my hand covering the top and squeeze so the water squirts out through the holes. I do this until the holes are clear and clean.

At the bottom of the cup, there are no grip lines. There are only embossed lines with a little bit of texture. This might make removal challenging for someone who cuts the stem completely off but it will not make it impossible. 

The Bella's stem is unlike any other stem I've seen. It has the same embossed  texture as you'll see throughout the cup but it is also bubbly (the best word I can think of). The stem itself looks like a bunch of bubbles stacked on top of each other. IF you kept the stem on, it is quite helpful for removal. The stem also has some stretch to it.  Since the stem is so pliable, even if the stem sticks out a bit it will still be comfortable.

During my trial, I slept all night with the Bella. I was able to sleep 6 hours without getting up to empty. Due to my heavy flow, I normally get up 3 to 4 times a night to empty, rinse, and reinsert. This is a major bonus for the Bella brand. Me being able to sleep for 6 hours made me an automatic fan of the Bella cup even if I know this isn't my soul mate cup. 

I would recommend this cup to anyone who prefers a soft cup with a high capacity. I would not recommend this as someone's first cup, simply because it was a challenge for me to get it to pop open and seal properly and I am more experienced than someone trying a cup for the first time. 

After using the Bella cup, I've learned that for my anatomy and cycle, I really need a firmer cup. That does NOT mean that this isn't a great cup, it just isn't my ideal cup. With that said, I see a LOT of positive things about this cup that would make is a wonderful, comfortable cup for someone. 

Overall, I would give the Bella cup 7 out of 10 stars. My top 3 favorite things about this cup are: the capacity, the stem, and the fact that the writing on the inside of the cup is embossed which makes for easy rinsing and cleaning. 

If you have any questions regarding the Bella cup, please email me at periodbloggy@gmail.com.

Thanks for reading!

xo -S

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I am not sponsored by any of the menstrual cup companies that I write about. 

The Keeper Moon Cup

Along with my Keeper, I received the Keeper Moon Cup. It is made my the same company as the Keeper. A double THANK YOU is in order for this amazing company for sending me both products to review. 

This review will be shorter than the last because I won't double up on the details concerning the company and the conversation I had with the amazing Elizabeth from Keeper. I urge you to read my previous blog to get those details.

One of the things I love and appreciate is that this is an American made product. There are so few products that are manufactured in America and I love that about this company!

Just like the Keeper, I am in love with the pouch the Keeper Moon Cup came with. It's paisley! I love paisley. Again, there is no company markings on the pouch which is very helpful when you're trying to be discrete. 

The Keeper Moon is transparent and unlike the Keeper, it is made of silicone. That's another benefit to the Keeper company, they offer both materials. 

The overall shape, markings, stem, and firmness is almost identical to the Keeper. So basically, if you are choosing between the two it will only come down to your preference in material. Personally, I prefer the gum rubber. Especially after learning how the gum rubber (latex) is harvested. It's pretty fascinating. 

I hate to keep comparing the Keeper with the Keeper Moon Cup but since they are from the same company, they are strikingly similar. Twins.

The inside of the cup has the same stability lines as the Keeper as well as the words "KEEPER MOON CUP" as photographed on the left. On the opposite side of that the words "MADE IN AMERICA". I love seeing that! The outside of this cup is completely smooth for our comfort. 

So... trying it out... again, I used the "7 Fold" which was successful again. I have never been able to insert a cup in under a minute. This is the first time! I instantly felt the seal, and confirmed it, when I used the technique provided in the literature. I twisted it and pulled on the stem a little to assure the seal was perfect.

I love the Keeper Moon Cup! I would highly recommend it to any cup user. This would even make a fantastic first cup.

 I would give it 8.5 out of 10 stars!

Please visit their website to learn more or to order your very own Keeper Moon Cup!

www.keeper.com

Thanks for reading!

xo -S

The Keeper! MY Keeper!

I cannot begin to tell you how excited I was to open the mailbox and see that my Keeper Cup had arrived! I want to genuinely THANK The Keeper company for sending me their cups to sample. I have to say that I haven't spoken to a more passionate, knowledgeable, FRIENDLY, company. I will always be a fan of this company for those reasons.

The Keeper company is one of the (if not THE) pioneer menstrual cup companies. Further, Keeper is an American company. The company's headquarters are in Ohio. Keeper is manufactured in America as well. This is one of the many things I appreciate about the Keeper brand. 

I am in LOVE with their slogan, "Designed by a woman, Manufactured by a woman, Marketed by a women, For women." How empowering!

My conversation with Elizabeth at The Keeper company:

When I emailed the company asking if I might be able to get a sample of their product to write about and review, I got a response right away. It was from Elizabeth at Keeper and she said that it was their practice to speak with people interested in reviewing their product. I called her right away and was so glad I did. I spoke with her for close to an hour and in that time, I learned a lot and gained a lot, as well. I learned that the material they use to make their cups is called gum rubber (latex) and it is harvested similarly to maple syrup... from a tree! Click here to see a photo of that process. Source: Wikipedia. I learned the history of the Keeper Cup company, I learned of their ethics (and completely agree with them), and I learned about the health benefits to using a menstrual cup. I finished that conversation wishing I could be friends with Elizabeth, no joke! She was passionate. She wasn't speaking from a script, she was knowledgeable and I appreciated that.

First Impression and Description:

When I looked at the product, my first impression was extremely positive. My Keeper Cup came in a cute sunflower pouch, which was exciting for me. Most companies have a solid color pouch so this was a fun surprise. The vibrant sunflowers were so fun on top of the green background. The pouch doesn't have the company name on it anywhere so if you pull this out "in public" no one would assume it's a menstrual cup...

I have to admit, any time I have seen photos or videos of The Keeper Cup I have always thought it was stiff and plastic-feeling. I was happily surprised at how soft the texture of the gum rubber was! I love, love, love the feel of the cup! This cup, unlike others, has six suction release holes.

At first, I was a little intimidated by the long, hollow stem, but it is so soft! Not soft in a flimsy way... you'd have to feel it.

The Keeper has raised lines inside, which I learned is part of the design to help the cup be more stable. They are there so the cup will not collapse under the strong vaginal wall muscles. The holes are quite far down from the top but that is fine by me. As well as the raised lines, the words "THE KEEPER" and "MADE IN USA" are also slightly raised on the inside. The outside of the cup are completely smooth, including the stem. The rim of the Keeper is quite pronounced. Overall, I like the shape of the cup. 

Originally, I thought the color of the cup would bother me. I have never been a fan of the color brown. I am more into vibrant colors. But what I realized is, when you have a fantastic product, the color is irrelevant. I love the brown. It feels earthy. 

It also came with instructions. The instructions are very simple, yet descriptive which is pleasing to me. I think some company's instruction packets can be overwhelming. The Keeper company includes really good images in the instruction packet. I read them from start to finish. One part I found interesting is that they don't actually recommend boiling your cup. They give you great tips that will keep your cup clean without compromising the integrity of the material. You can tell that they want you to get the most out of the product. The paperwork says that The Keeper will last at least 10 years!

The Keeper, in action:

I am so happy this arrived when my cycle was in full swing because I immediately sterilized it and tried it out! 

The Keeper Cup went in easier than any other cup I've used. It was a breeze. I used the "7 Fold" which I have never successfully used. I was shocked at how easily it popped open and created a seal. Once inserted, I literally could not feel the cup. 

I can definitely feel the difference from the silicone cups and the latex cup. The latex cup is so comfortable. Since this is made from a natural material, I feel better wearing it, just knowing that.

After using this cup I feel very capable of rating it...

I would give this cup 9 out of 10 stars!! Yes, I love this cup. I would recommend this cup to ANYONE. I even believe this would make a perfect first cup because of it's ease of insertion. 

Go to www.keeper.com to learn more about, and order this cup.

Thanks for reading!

xo -S

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I am not sponsored by any of the cup companies I review. I simply use their product and give my opinions.

Yuuki Menstrual Cup

So, to my surprise, I got my Yuuki Menstrual Cup in the mail today. All the way from Czech! My mailman even had to ring my doorbell and have me sign for it. I love that... Mostly because I never get mail. Ha!

I have to say a huge THANK YOU to the Yuuki company for sending me their cup to test out and review.

After doing some research on their website http://www.yuuki.cz I learned that they have a sanitary room where the cups are made. The room even has a separate entrance, anti-static floors, and even a separate air conditioner! I find that pretty impressive!

One thing I find interesting is that they have a list of disadvantages on their website. Talk about being transparent! I appreciate the information they offer on their website.

FIRST IMPRESSION

When I opened up the package, I was super surprised and excited that they sent me the Infuser as well as a Size 2 cup. I love the bright green infuser cup with the word Yuuki carved out of the lid for ventilation holes.

The infuser cup has simple instructions as well. They are photographic instructions on how to use the infuser cup. Very user friendly. The instructions are for microwave use.

The cup... the cup is the main event, right?
I have to say right off, I am super pleased with the cup. It is somewhat firm. Firmer than I'm used to but I like that. The cup is clear with measurement lines. One of the things I like most about the cup is that the holes are high up. The suction release holes are angled downwards to allow maximum capacity. The measurement lines go up to 15 ml. but the holes are far above that so I think this cup could hold at least 20 ml. That is decent capacity.

The cup is transparent. It has wonderful grip lines at the bottom, towards the stem. Speaking of the stem... I really like this stem! It is hollow and flexible. I have a feeling that I will have to trim the stem a little but not by much.

There is also an instruction pamphlet for the cup with detailed instructions in several languages including: Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, German, Polish, and English. It has a diagram of how to do a "C Fold". There a not any diagrams to help with insertion , however, there are written instructions that will help with: what to do before insertion, cup insertion, cup removal, as well as cup cleaning.  Over all I'd say that the instructions are to the point and useful.

Taking it for a spin...

The first thing I did after opening my package was use the infuser cup to sterilize my cup. The infuser cup made it very simple to sterilize my cup. I have heard stories of people burning their cup while boiling it in a pot of boiling water. This product makes it next to impossible for anyone to ruin their cup by burning it. I really love the infuser cup!!

Now that it's sterile, I was ready to insert it. This cup is firmer than I'm used to but I have a feeling that it will help me by making it easier to pop open. The size is similar to what I'm used. I was able to insert it and get it to pop open, and seal with no problem at all. Instantly, I knew that I was going to love this cup. Even though the cup is firm I couldn't feel it inside of me at all. It is so comfortable!

One of the way I will test any cup I get will be to wear it to the gym. This is an important part of my life and I have always had to skip the gym, during my period, in the past. That was before I made the amazing switch to menstrual cups. I am happy to say that I was able to complete my vigorous circuit training routine while wearing my Yuuki Cup. I never felt it move, shift, or (my biggest fear) slip down.

Overall Impression

I have to say, I really really like this cup. Further, I really like this product as a whole. It's comfortable and practical and very user friendly. I also dare to say that as of right now, this is my top 2 favorite cup! Thank you, once again, Yuuki for making an amazing product. I would recommend this cup to other menstrual cup users. Maybe not a first time menstrual cup user, though. It is a lot of cup and it's quite rigid.

I would give this cup 7 out of 10 stars!

Thanks for reading!
xo S

Medium Me Luna Sport in Pretty Purple! [UPDATE]

Hello Me Luna!!

Meet my new friend, Me Luna. I shall call her Luna for short. :)

I got her today in the mail and I quickly realized that she is way to small to use for my entire cycle. She will be a great last-day-of-my-cycle cup. I also usually wear my cup an additional day after my period to be safe. 

I took Luna on a dry run this afternoon and she was so comfortable! I even went to the gym while wearing her!! This has been an issue for me. I've been scared to wear a cup to my gym because I was terrified it'd pop out!! Well, to my disbelief, I literally forgot I had Luna in! I was surprised. Squats & lunges and no issues at all. Woohoo!! 

So, specifically about Luna... Lets start with the packaging. It's very simple. A thick plastic bag with the above photographed items. Very simple instructions, photos of all the different colors Me Luna offers, Luna, and the pouch. I must say that the pouch is my favorite. In fact, My Diva and Luna now live in the pouch. 

I got the Sport variety which is the label which identifies the stiffness. I believe it is stiffer than the Classic. It is so different than my soft Diva... Along with the small size (compared to my size 2 Diva) and the stiffness I was worried it'd be hard to fold but it wasn't! I only have had my Diva this whole time so I feel like I have had my eyes opened to a whole other world!

Let's talk ring grip... I am still unsure about the ring grip. This isn't a complaint about the product, I am simply not used to it. Since the cup is a smaller size, it sits up higher than my long Diva, and the ring grip isn't the easiest for me to fetch. I found myself bearing down to get it as low as possible so I could coax it out with the ring. Please remember, this was during a dry run... things tend to be a lot more pliable during "the big show".

I have to say that my favorite option Me Luna offers is the pretty colors. I know, it seems trivial, but it's important to me! I like pretty things. Especially things that make not-so-pretty-things a little more pretty. We are women. This will be my favorite cup simply because it's purple. LOL!!

Overall, I'd give this cup 6 out of 10 stars. It is not the ideal size for me but that's my fault, not Luna's. 

I am expecting more little gifts to be coming in the mail in the next couple of weeks. I will let y'all know what I think once I open them. I also plan on doing a 6 month review once I get a good feel for the products.

Follow me on Instagram: periodbloggy

Coming soon: Facebook page

[UPDATE]

After using the cup for a couple days I realize that I prefer silicone cups to TPE. I just prefer the overall feel to silicone.

After further use, I would give the MeLuna Sport (M) 5 out of 10 stars. The thing that lowered the score for me was the TPE (material it's made from. I don't really care for it and much prefer silicone and especially latex.

Thanks for reading!

xo S

Pros and Cons: Diva Cup

I'm going to lay it out, plain and simple.

PROS:

• No more tampons...
• That means: no more cotton up your vaj, drying you out. 
• I realized, after using my Diva, that tampons were actually what was causing my cramps. Any menstrual cup would alleviate my cramps because the evil tampons were causing them. 
• No more leaks! Seriously. No leaks!
• You know that big "gluuuggg" you feel when you know your tampon is about to gush out? No more of that. I mean, you can have leaks if you don't pay attention to your cycle but that is only if you let your cup overflow or you don't attain a proper seal. 
• No more re-stocking. Which translates to: never being without. No more going to the cabinet and having that "oh shit" moment and having to run to the store to get more disposables. 
• I know I have done that a ton of times. Even having to go straight to the bathroom in the store to use tampons I've just purchased. Now I keep my cup in my purse and it is, literally, always with me. I am never caught unprepared. 
• New found knowledge & passion for my period! I don't know about you, but I have been diving into research since my first successful cycle using my cup. I have gained so much knowledge and now I look forward to my period, and pulling out my little friend who has been waiting in my purse for weeks. :) It sounds stupid, and "looking forward to" might be stretching it a little... but you know what I'm trying to say. 
• Comfort! It may look large but the Diva Cup is made of a soft silicone and once inserted, you can't even feel it. When silicone warms with your body, and the seal is in tact, it forms and moves with your body. 
• Part of the club! I feel like I've been let in on a secret. 
• You are eliminating a lot of trash/waste. 'Nuff said.
• You are not pumping unnatural chemicals into your most precious, sensitive parts. :) Do me a favor... just look it up. Look at what those popular disposable menstrual products have in them. It kills me that I never did my research before. 
• It's clean! Contrary to popular (uneducated) opinion, it is very much cleaner than tampons and especially pads. 

Honest truth: All of my pros are not necessarily directly pros for the Diva Cup as a brand. They are menstrual cup specific. I have not tried any other brands so I can't really gauge what is positive exactly about the Diva Cup. Once I try out other brands, hopefully soon, I will do a more brand specific blog.

CONS:

• Their marketing angle. This is Diva Cup specific. I think their packaging, website, and pouch is geared towards little girls. It is so frilly. I don't like that. I mean, I keep my cup in it's pouch and I find it useful but I do not like the design. This is not something that would keep me from buying the product. Just a minor gripe.
• This goddamn pin. Again, am I 12? I will never stop hating the pin. I think it's stupid. Please, someone, give me a useful suggestion as to what the eff to do with this pin. Right now, it sits in a drawer and when I come across it I shake my head. I guess another question is... why haven't I thrown it away or given it away? I don't tend to throw non-garbage things away. I try to find a use for them... Again, this is Diva Cup specific. I don't see any other brands giving a stupid, childish pin as a cracker jack prize.
• It has a major learning curve. This is not brand specific. This is with all cups. It is similar to but very different than inserting a tampon.

Overall, I'd give The Diva Cup 6 out of 10 stars. This might change after trying other brands. 

Thanks for reading! 

xo - S

Every relationship has a downside.

As we all know... every relationship has a downside. You know. The first time you see your lover without makeup. They haven't brushed their teeth. The first time they get angry at you...

Well, I am having that moment with Diva. I am seeing a side to her that I don't really appreciate. Most of it goes back to this stupid pin they give you with your purchase. I don't know why it bugs me so much. A stupid flower pin that says Diva. Who are they marketing to? I know all different types of women use a menstrual cup but why does their marketing have to be so fru fru? <--- not sure that's a word/phrase but it seems fitting. Now that I'm diving into research I feel like Diva Cup is the McDonald's of menstrual cups. That bugs me. I don't regret buying a Diva Cup, I think it's a fabulous product but I am bothered by their corporate approach on marketing.

Another thing... Why are you telling your consumers that the product only lasts one year? The business of menstrual cups isn't highly profitable, I get that, but where is your customer loyalty? Where is your loyalty to the environment? I'm no scientist, but I have a feeling that replacing your cup every year is harmful to the environment. I'm pretty sure that silicone isn't biodegradable. I have no plans of replacing my cup in a year. I think their sole purpose is to have returning customers and I think it stinks. I do not like huge monster corporations. I think those monsters kill the small little companies with great values and customer loyalty.

Let me get this clear.... I'm not breaking up with Diva. I just am past the honeymoon phase and am seeing a side to her that I don't like so much. I wish I had dated more before diving into this serious relationship.

So that's what's coming... I am going to start seeing other people to see if this is the relationship for me. I hope Diva understands. :)

Thanks for reading! 

xo - S

Why I fell in love with my menstrual cup

Seems strange, right? Love for an inanimate object? Well, it's true...

I love my Diva Cup because...

1. No leaks!!! Seriously! No leaks. I have had at least one leak a day while using tampons because I have a heavy flow. Often times I have to use super plus tampons AND pads! Ugh! No leaks with my magic cup!
2. Comfort! Once it's in, you can't really feel it. Since the product is made of silicone, once it warms up it molds itself to the shape of your body. It's pretty amazing.
3. Always prepared! I keep my Diva Cup in it's cute little pouch, in my purse. It is, literally, always with me. If my period surprises me I am never unprepared. 
4. No re-stocking! No more going to the store to purchase the Super Plus tampons for my "super big vagina". Or at least that's what I think people think when I buy the Super Plus tampons. :) 
5. No more cramps! No joke. I used to be bed-ridden because of my painful cramps. At least one day during my period I used to be quite literally in bed. Cannot lift anything, cannot vacuum, cannot work. All because I would bleed so heavily and have painful cramps! Not a great way to live. So, no cramps should be listed more than once.
6. I'm in on the secret! This highly protected secret... a menstrual cup! How did they keep it a secret for all these years? Did the tampon and pad companies pay to have it buried? I feel so sad that I've had 14 years of periods without a menstrual cup!

Here's the thing. I am in love with my Diva Cup. I hope everyone at least gives a menstrual cup a shot <-- no pun intended. Ew! LOL But, really. Give it a try because aside from my reasons I love my menstrual cup there are significant health benefits to using a cup instead of tampons or pads. I wish I had daughters to share the info with!

Thanks for reading! 

xo - S

Hi Diva Cup. Be kind.

My first entry left you with a cliff hanger. I went to the store and purchased my Diva Cup (& Wash).... Let's start from there.

I was in my small town grocery store. Completely confused and unsure. It seemed like a pretty steep purchase ($29.99 + $9.99 for the Wash) with a zero return policy. I live on a very tight budget and just felt like I was about to take a major plunge... and plunge, I did!

With my Diva Cup in my brown paper bag, I smuggle it upstairs so my husband doesn't see it. Why? Because he would NEVER get it! I didn't want to have that conversation when I didn't even know the happs. 
I opened the package. What am I getting myself into?! Can I do this?
I read the instructions. Ummm okay. I think I can do this...
I looked at the pin. Really? A freakin' pin? This is lame.
I looked at the cute little pouch. I love the pouch!
I picked up the cup. Squishy! The circumference is a little daunting. Thankfully it's so bendy. I can't wait to give this a go. I mean, it better work since I paid $40.00 for this experiment! 

I had to give it a go, even though it wasn't that time of the month. So, in the bathroom I go... what was that fold again? Oh! The "C Fold" that one was easy to remember! Here's the thing. It is quite tricky to get the thing to pop open once it's in. It took some adjusting and readjusting to get it right. Once it was in correctly I felt like dancing. I felt like I had accomplished something. I left it in an hour and had a little discomfort. 

I was so excited to start my period!!! I want to try my new toy for real. I'm cracked.

Thanks for reading! 

xo - S

Secret Cult Society. Should We Have a Secret Handshake?

You period. My period. Every woman's period. We all go through it and we've been going through it for hundreds of years. It shouldn't be considered gross. We shouldn't be so hushed about it!

When you're a young girl and you start your period, your mother gives you two choices. Pads. Tampons. Which, actually for me, tampons were not an offered choice... 
for all the reasons that are untrue: it is an immodest choice, you will no longer be a virgin, etc. Tampons were not even something found in my house. I should mention that when I started my period I was completely alone. My mother and grandmother were not the greatest communicators. It was most definitely a hushed subject. Shameful and gross.

I am hoping to make this blog an open line of conversation... I am so hopeful to see the amount of young women opening up these lines of communication. It seems so different than when I was young(er).

Thanks for reading! 

xo - S

Hello. Get to know me and my mission for this blog...

Hello Internet World...

I am new to this. Opening up to "the world". 
I have something I want to discuss... my, your, our PERIOD! My journey.

Well, I started my period later than most. I was 16 and a half! I distinctly remember feeling left out of the woman club. It was odd. Anyway, I digress. 

I (and my sister, mother, grandmother etc.) have always had a very painful period. A very heavy flow, terrible cramps, and nasty headaches. I started using pads in the very beginning because when I tried tampons for the first time it hurt like HELL. Eventually, I switched to tampons when I was 17 or 18 and that's what I have been using since then. Of course I had brief hiatuses when I had my babies... whatta relief! 

My whole mission for this blog is to share the newest revelation I had in June. I was watching Mtv (I'm not too old, trust me!) and on Girl Code they mentioned a Diva Cup. I was all, WTF is a Diva Cup??? Google! I was disgusted and intrigued at the same time and started researching... I was elbow deep in several websites and became more intrigued than disgusted. I watched YouTube videos, read blogs, reviews... you get the picture. 

While on the Diva Cup website I found out that the grocery store five seconds from my house sold it. Bonus for me because I'm still not sold on purchasing things off the internet. Don't judge! Well, I drove that day and bought it and that's when the obsession started...

Thanks for reading! 

xo - S