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 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.