I noticed in my reader survey recently that a couple of you asked for more information on reusable menstrual options. It just so happens I was already planning this review and giveaway. Isn’t that awesome!? ha.
Since Daniel’s birth, I have been using my homemade mama cloth. Which I like better than disposable pads, definitely! But they tend to shift around a bit, which, especially the first couple days, is…messy. So I was looking for a new solution for those days and thought it would be nice to try one of these cups. I contacted the company which makes The Keeper and The Moon cups, and they graciously sent me the Moon cup to try.
Why the Moon cup? The Keeper is made of latex, and the Moon is made of silicone. I don’t personally have a latex allergy, but my mother and grandmother both do, and they both developed this allergy later in life. I didn’t want to risk finding out I was allergic, or becoming allergic because of long exposures, so I chose the Moon. Both are completely safe though, depending on your preference!
Some positive features of this product:
- Two options, so it covers people with and without latex allergies
- Three different sizes for women with different needs (mainly before/after childbirth)
- Reusable, nearly indefinitely! (very green)
- Affordable ($35 each, compared to hundreds you’d spend on disposable products)
I tried it out, and I really wanted to love it….
And I do like it. I have some concerns and cautions but overall I do like it. I think there’s a learning curve (I only used it one month so far) and that may be part of it. I’ll summarize my experience for you, though.
At first I liked it, because suddenly there was no more mess! It was a little weird to insert, but since I practice natural family planning I’m not exactly a stranger to figuring things out down there (ha). I didn’t like that the stem stuck so far out (by the end of the few days, it felt like it was rubbing/irritating me — and yes, it’s supposed to stick out like that). It was great for overnight because I didn’t have to worry about my pad being adjust properly and which way I was lying and still probably waking up to a mess. I knew everything would be fine!
The second day I used it, though, I didn’t quite insert it properly. The cup has to be folded up to insert and it unfolded itself in the wrong place, and ended up pressing on my cervix instead of sitting below it. This caused a lot of pain and cramping, especially when I had to remove it. I went several hours using my cloth after this to recover. I did find that when it was inserted properly that I didn’t have any pain. But as there is a learning curve to inserting this, I’m just warning you.
I had no trouble with the removing/emptying part. I never spilled it, it was never messy. It was easy to rinse or wipe off and re-insert. Actually I think this was less messy than having to change pads and clean up, because the “mess” was all confined to one area.
The positives I experienced:
- Generally comfortable to wear (I didn’t feel the cup once it was in)
- Non-messy
- Easy to empty
- Easy to just “forget about it” in between rinsings
- Nothing extra to carry or remember
- Large fluid capacity (it holds a full ounce, which is as much as most women bleed over their entire period. You ARE supposed to remove and rinse every 8 – 12 hours, but if you forget…no mess)
The negatives:
- Can be tricky to insert — have to find the right angle
- The stem can be a little irritating (I hear you can trim it, but I haven’t tried)
In general I liked it. I preferred it to my pads for the heavier days. I think I prefer pads for the light days, though, where mess isn’t such a big deal. It was really nice not to have to think “Do I have my extra pads, wet bag, etc. with me?” when I went out. I was completely set because I wear the same one the whole time! Because of its fluid capacity I never had to rinse it in public. It went like this: “Can I wait another hour till I get home? …Yeah.” lol.
Now, how would you like the opportunity to try one for yourself? You can!
- (REQUIRED) Visit The Keeper and tell me which cup you’d like to try and why.
- Subscribe to me via RSS or email, or tell me you already do
- Fill out my reader survey, or tell me you already did
- Join my forum and introduce yourself, OR write or respond to another post (if you do BOTH I’ll give you two entries!)
- Follow me on Twitter and tweet this giveaway
- Follow me on Facebook and post something to my wall (I want to hear from my readers!)
There are 6 possible entries! This giveaway will go until September 28th at 8 AM. I will announce the winner by 8 PM that night.
Have you ever used a reusable menstrual cup? If not, would you like to? If so, what was your experience?
Like what you've read? Subscribe so you never miss a post! You can also follow us on Facebook or Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
TESTING!
Thanks for the review…I've been interested in trying this out. I subscribe via google reader. I'd want the mooncup B.
Visited the website – I would like to try the Moon Cup only b/c it looks better than the Keeper ha! I dont have any latex allergies or a history of it in my family so I could use either one of them. The reason I want to try this out is b/c I have been researching and exploring the use of cloth pads and I think this would be a better option for me. I read the stories on the website and it sounds like something I could do!
Already subscribed to your RSS feeds
Already filled out your reader survey
Already joined and introduced myself on the forum
Follow on Twitter and tweeted this giveaway!
Follow/Like on Facebook and commented on your wall!
I always wanted to try these but they are pricey and didn't want to hate it after I bought it. Glad to hear your thoughts on it. I use tampons …I know bit no no but I hate the mess of pads. This would be a nice alternative. I am a subscriber:) thanks
I'd like the Moon in size A. I've always wanted to try this out!
Heather
I took the reader survey!
Heather
I subscribe to your blog!
Heather
I'd like to try mooncup b. thanks!
I would want to try the moon cup
i'm a subscriber
Filled out your reader survey
I responded to one of your posts on the Forum concerning vaccinations in the Health and Wellness section of the Forum.
Mooncup please:) because II'm a sceptic but am very interestd in trying!
I follow!
I "liked" you!
Filled out the Survey
Already Subscribe via e-mail
I would like to try the moon cup size B. I heard about these years ago, but I didn't know anyone who had tried one and was leery of them. The company is still around and I still think these would be good for my health and the environment.
I tried a similar product – a disposable one. I just could never get the fit right and it felt uncomfortable. I don't think these cups are a good fit for me.
I visited the site, and would probably get the Moon Cup, not because of any history of allergies, but just to be safe from triggering one and so it would be more easily sterilized.
Not sure if you wanted individual comments or combined, but it's stopping me in between comments so here are the rest all at once:
I already subscribe via Google Reader,
I already did your survey
I already have introduced myself on the forum.
I added a comment to a forum post on funny kids' moments as well, though.
I also follow you and tweeted the giveaway!
Hi! I just visited their web site and I think I would like to try the Keeper. Size A, please!
It looks interesting.
I already subscribe via email.
I am already a member on your forum.
I already follow you on Facebook.
And I already did the reader survey.
I don't do Twitter!
Thanks for all that you do!
I used a menstrual cup for the first time this month. I absolutely LOVE it! I had no trouble at all inserting it or removing it. I did cut the stem too, couldn't use it with the whole thing there. You can even cut all of it off if you can remove it without it. Oh and I love so much that I don't have to wake up in the middle of the night to change my tampon anymore. I really hate pads, they're too messy for me. I'm not grossed out by the blood, at first I thought I would be but not at all.
So it's the best thing ever! I'm SO happy I got it, even if I had to pay $65 for it here.
You can trim the stem! At least, the two brands I've used, the latex Keeper and the Diva Cup, said you could. I've been using reusable cups since 1997! Here is my detailed article about cups, cloth pads, and other options. I think a reusable cup is MUCH easier and more comfortable than any disposable product.
I got the similar DivaCup a few years ago and haven't used it much since I've been pregnant twice since then, but really liked it when I used it. It's great to hear about so many others interested in green menstrual products. I felt like a crazy person among my friends when I got the DivaCup. And I know the giveaway is long over, but I just found your blog and wanted to comment.
Hi. I have to say something then i’m going to bed inshallah.
I use the mooncup. My research said it was better (fit better and seemed prefered by more women overall than the keeper). I have found it to be a real blessing mashallah.
first off, the instructions say to trim the longish stem. you have to otherwise it sticks waaaaaay out and one could not wear their undies properly. trim that stem girls and you will enjoy it much more.
second of all, yes there is a learning curve for sure when it comes to inserting. my period lasts about 7 days, with three days heavy and the rest light so my first month i had about 5 days to practice (i dont bother with it those last couple of days as its super light, more spotting). by the third month, i was hooked!
i loved my moon cup before pregnancy and birth and after the baby, i went back to it after my period returned. i didnt wear it after the vaginal birth and bleeding cuz giving birth HURT! i did it naturally, no drugs, no cutting, midwife attended… it was empowering but my oh my…
anyway, back to the cup.
so, after giving birth, i bought the new size (i didnt see a real difference but i still used to new size). i also used it for ttc purposes (insert cup after dh withdraws and before putting hips down… got this tip on one of those ttc forums somewhere, seemed good advice, dont know if it helped, both my kids were conceived this way).
only thing i have to say about these cups not that may be a con/negative is that even after 5 years of use, sometimes i dont insert it properly (it must go in so that the cervix sits center into the cup, if you miss it or its a little sideways, you will have some leakage) so on my heavy days, i usually wear a liner (wemoon pads, great!).
best of all about the cup, its easy to use, no mess, green as can be (should last at least 10 years of use), easy to clean/sterilize after period is over.
ohhhh just remembered, when i lost my one baby in the first trimester, i used the cup and unintentionally caught the tissue of the baby so was able to examine for defects etc (none were there, it died due to high fever from the flu on my part). i thought that was a bonus.
Thanks.
Im a little late to the party, but I hope maybe this might help someone… Both the mooncup/keeper and the diva cup are longer. For those with a shorter vagina, other products like the femmecup are shorter and may end up being a better more comfy fit.
Thanks for the reviews. I would love to try the Moon cup – A. I have used washable feminine cloths for years, and I have always been wanting to try the cup, but have been hesitant.
I would like the “Moon Cup” because I prefer silicone over latex, honestly. However, I would love to have either one. I have been wanting a menstrual cup for a while now. Thanks for the opportunity to possibly receive one!
I am subscribed via e-mail (to all MA sites, actually).
I filled out your reader survey!
I am on your reader forum.
I have replied to several posts on your reader forum.
I “like” MAM on FB.