Left: Lunette Cup, model 2 in color: Selene – Right: Sckoon Cup, size 2 in color: Balance
Ladies, this is a game changer. A life changer. I’m talking about the menstrual cup. These things are Amazing with a capital A! I honestly can’t rave about it enough, except to say that the cup almost makes me look forward to my period and that’s really saying something.
If you thought tampons were great, you’re going to laugh at how horrid they seem after trying the cup.
So what are they? Well, a menstrual cup is a small cup like vesicle that gets inserted into the vagina during menstruation in order to collect the menstrual flow. The vast majority of cups are made from medical grade silicone. Unlike a tampon, which is worn high in the vagina, the cup is worn low in the vagina and is soft and pliable so it creates a seal with your body to ensure no leaks happen. The cup get folded for insertion and then opens up once it is inside the vagina. To remove, simply pinch the bottom to break the seal and remove. After emptying the cup, simply rinse in COLD water and re-insert, you can wash it with a mild soap and some warm water after the initial cold water rinse if desired. Between cycles, you can sanitize your cup by boiling it in some water for a few minutes, giving it a rubbing alcohol bath or washing it thoroughly with warm water and a mild soap.
Now let me just say that there is a bit of a learning curve when it comes to using a menstrual cup, so you should expect to wear a liner or pad in addition to your cup for a cycle or 2 before you master the hang of it.
Even though menstrual cups have been around for a looong time, they are only recently becoming more mainstream. There are many brands of menstrual cups available on the market today. In my experience the ones that are the easiest to access in the United States are: Diva cup, Lunette cup and Sckoon cup. After doing a bunch of research, reading tons of reviews and watching a whole load of youtube videos, I decided to purchase the Lunette cup in model 2, however right after I did so, the Sckoon cup came onto the market and it was just really appealing so I went ahead and got one of those in a size 2 also.
I really wanted to love the Lunette cup, it was so easy to use and the silicone wasn’t too soft, which made inserting it a breeze, the tab wasn’t hollow (a must for me), but it did poke me a bit so I ended up trimming it. However, I kept having leak issues. No matter what I did or how I inserted it, the thing would leak but when I went to remove it there was hardly anything in it. Now, this is not a testament to the cup, because it really is an awesome cup. It just simply didn’t work with my body. During menstruation my cervix drops fairly low and sits inside the cup, leaving little room for the blood to collect. So feeling disappointed but determined I tried the Sckoon cup and voila! Success!! The Sckoon cup in shorter and has a wider base which allows my cervix to sit inside the cup, while still leaving plenty of room for collection. The Sckoon cup is softer than the Lunette, and the tab is really flexible and soft, so I found I didn’t need to trim it at all. The softness of the Sckoon makes it a bit more difficult for me to get it to pop open after insertion, but I’ve figured out a method that works just fine. Basically I use the punch down fold to insert the cup, then I wiggle it around a bunch while pinching the bottom to get to open up, finally I run my finger around the perimeter to ensure that my pesky cervix is actually inside the cup. It’s a bit hard to explain in writing, so I highly recommend the channel, MenstrualCupInfo on youtube to learn more about all the cups out there and to help you get an idea about what may work best for you (but of course I’m always happy to answer any questions you may have as well).
The Pros:
Use of menstrual cups is not associated with Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) (ahem, TAMPONS)
Menstrual cups are reusable and some brands can last 10 years, hellooooo savings!
They are super comfortable, since they don’t absorb your vaginal moisture along with your flow (dammit, TAMPONS)
In some cases they reduce cramps and leave you with a lighter period, score!
They can go 12 hours before needing to be emptied (of course on heavy days they may need to be emptied more frequently)
No gross smell (stupid PADS)
Can be worn swimming, running, sleeping, jumping and generally any other activity you can think of EXCEPT during intercourse.
Won’t leave behind icky cotton fibers in your vagina (die TAMPONS die)
Most come in 2 sizes (before children and after children) to ensure the perfect fit
The Cons:
There is a learning curve – unlike tampons or pads, a cup takes a bit longer to get the hang of and in some cases you may need to try several different brands before you find one that works best for you.
They have more of an upfront cost ranging anywhere from $20-$40 per cup- but since they’re reusable, they actually save you money in the long run. AND many companies will refund your money or send you a different size if one isn’t working for you. So really it’s a risk free investment.
Emptying your cup in a public restroom takes a little forethought, but it’s really not that complicated. All it involves it bringing a water bottle with you or a cleansing wipe, but really since they can be worn for so long, you can usually plan your day accordingly without ever having to empty it in public.
Sckoon – punch down fold
Sckoon – C fold
Top view – L: Lunette – R: Sckoon
Left: Lunette – Right: Sckoon
Lunette side view. You can see the seem if you look closely. Also note the lip and suction hole placement.
Sckoon side view. Note the diagonal suction holes to allow for maximum capacity.
They come with pretty storage bags!
Sckoon, bottom view. Awww, it has a pretty yet functional flower grip pattern.
Lunette, bottom view. Note the stem has been trimmed.
Left: Sckoon – Right: Lunette. Note the Sckoon had a slightly wider rim.
Sckoon top view
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So there you have it. Try a cup and thank me later.
To purchase:
http://www.sckooncup.com/
http://www.lunette.com/store/index.php
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=menstrual%20cup&sprefix=menstru%2Caps&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Amenstrual%20cup
Thank you for the great review. SckoonCup’s official site is http://www.sckooncup.com. Thanks again!
I love these! I started using them before I went to Ethiopia in 2011, and it was a lifesaver, I tell ya. Definitely Amazing (with the capital ‘a’ and everything) 🙂
Love your “The Pros” list! Makes me laugh. And I agree. On the strength of your recommendation, have just ordered a Schoon. Am excited and hopeful this approach works out for me, too!
Thanks for a great review! I purchased my first cup (Lunette) last year and absolutely loved it.. then decided I needed a backup cup. Is there a circular “seam” in the inside of the Sckoon cup? From your photo, it doesn’t appear that there is. TIA!! 🙂
Hi Brooke!
Nope, no circular seam on the inside of the Sckoon cup. There is a circular ridge on the outside, but apparently the cup is made in a single mold, as one whole piece, so it’s very smooth. I highly recommend it!
I bought a Lunette a couple of years ago, which was about 3 years after I started using cloth pads and about 2 years after I started using sponge tampons. I still cannot believe I waited until my 30s to go au naturel with my menstrual products!! Best decision ever! I have tried to sway other women to do it, had a convert here and there, but not enough are comfortable enough to go all the way in. Which blows my mind because my boyfriend thinks it’s way cool. Anyway, need to replace my Lunette, which has been great, but wondering about the Sckoon? I like that it’s manufactured in the US and would like to support that…thought?
I love the sckoon, but as you can see from my posts it is shaped slightly different from the lunette. The lunette didn’t work for me but the sckoon does, so you should take the into consideration. The sckoon is softer than the lunette and the stem is super flexible which makes it so comfortable, so much so, I didn’t need to trim it. I definitely think it’s worth a try. Are there any specifics that you’re wondering about?
Thanks for such great information and photos!
You said that some manufacturers are willing to refund and/or send a different size, but most (all…?) of the manufacturer websites that I’ve visited seem to indicate otherwise. Do you have experience with this? I’m ready to take the plunge, just a bit nervous to throw that much money at something that seems to be quite a sizing gamble…
Hi Alice!
I don’t have experience with this personally, but I do know that it is possible. Perhaps if the manufacturer won’t accept refunds or exchanges than maybe the store that is selling it will (example: wholefoods or amazon). Either way I’d call the places before you buy to explain your reservations. Anywhere that has good customer service should be willing to help you out. But really most women I know, have found that the first one that they try works great. Check out the YouTube channel: mymenstrualcupinfo to help you get an idea about the differences between all the different brands/styles.
I bought the lunette first and even though it’s an excellently designed cup, it just didn’t work for me, but the sckoon cup does. I didn’t want to be bothered with returned the lunette or getting a refund, so I just ate the cost. But really when you think about it, I’m still saving money, because I won’t have to buy disposable products again over my menstrual life time.
Anyway, I hope this helps. I know it’s a daunting decision but I truely believe it’s one worth making.
First off I would like to say excellent blog! I had a quick question in which I’d like to ask if you don’t mind.
I was interested to find out how you center yourself and clear your mind before writing.
I have had trouble clearing my thoughts in getting my ideas out there.
I do take pleasure in writing but it just seems like
the first 10 to 15 minutes are generally wasted just
trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or tips? Cheers!
Thanks so much for such a great review on these cups! I eventually decided to get a Sckoon. It took me a few days to get the hang of inserting it and finding a fold that works best for me (I use the punch down.) I love all the grippy-ness on the bottom of the cup. It’s actually really easy to remove if you just bear down a little. The crazy thing about it, though, is if I let the cup completely expand, I don’t get a good seal and leak all over the place! I have to make sure the cup stays slightly dented in, while the rim itself is completely expanded, and that will ensure the seal is strong. This is probably NOT how it works for the majority of women, but for those few who have leaks no matter what, this might be the answer. Other than that, it is just so comfy! I love this cup. I am NEVER going back to disposable products.
I pinch the bottom on my sckoon cup once it’s inserted as well! I think doing so removes any air that may be in the cup and thus makes a stronger seal.