I need to start today’s post with a warning. I’m going to talk about menstrual cups, “Aunt Flow”, and girly parts. So if you’re a dude or sensitive to TMI subjects…you may want to read a different post!
Menstrual cups have actually been around for decades. In fact, the idea itself has existed since at least the 1800s, but the cups just haven’t been popular in North America. There are two basic kinds of menstrual cups- disposable and reusable. The SckoonCup is reusable, which is very cost-effective. As far as how often you have to buy a new one, I had trouble finding that information on their website. I do know that many women use the same menstrual cup for several years before replacing it.
I’ve been using menstrual cups for well over a year now. Other than a couple of hiccups in the process, I’m very happy with my experiences. The first two or three cycles, I had to get into a routine of taking care of the cup, emptying it when not at home, etc. I found it a little messy at first, but now I’m a pro…I think.
Another plus- menstrual cups hold more blood than tampons. On my heaviest days, I have to change a tampon every 30 minutes for a few hours straight. When using a cup, I can go an hour before the cup is full. And there are different sizes of cups too.
Many moms cloth diaper their babies, because they feel that cloth is healthier for their little ones and better for the environment (read more of my thoughts on that HERE). I’ve noticed from browsing blogs and mommy forums, it seems that same train of thought is leading more and more women to using menstrual cups and cloth pads. It is true that unlike tampons, menstrual cups have never been linked to Toxic Shock Syndrome. Additionally, since the cups collect blood instead of absorbing, the cups won’t have a detrimental affect on your natural vaginal moisture.
I’ve found cups to be very convenient when exercising, especially when jogging at the park. When I’m trying to travel light, I really don’t want to carry tampons too.
(^Side note: Okay, I haven’t tried the Sckoon pads yet, but from the cloth pads I’ve actually tried…I have yet to find one that worked well while running. If you’ve tried a cloth pad that doesn’t move around while working out, I’d love to hear about it. Message me, please!)
The brand of cups I had been using is made with natural rubber (latex), so when Sckoon sent me one of their silicone cups, I was very curious to discover the differences, if any. I immediately realized that the silicone cups are much softer and easier both to insert and remove.
Once the cup is properly inserted (see more about that below), it’s comfortable, and I can’t feel it.
I’ve only discovered one downside to the SckoonCup, but fortunately, it’s an issue I can fix and may not be a problem for someone else. Because it’s such a pliable cup, it’s easy for me to insert the cup too far. The way my cervix sits during my cycle, it’s easy for the cup to end up against my cervix, which then causes me painful cramps. I can tell immediately when this happens, and all I have to do is adjust the cup a little lower, and I’m fine. This only happened once with my old rubber cup, when I physically pushed it in too far. It’s happened several times with my SckoonCup, because it naturally seems to just pop up there.
So if you’re new to menstrual cups, just be aware that this can happen to some women. If you start getting unusual, painful cramps, it could be you need to adjust the cup.
If you’ve tried a cup before and had trouble with it leaking, it could be that the cup wasn’t the right size or shape for your body. Or perhaps you need to try different methods of folding and inserting it, to ensure you get a good seal. You can always ask your doctor about your cervix, to get an idea of where it’s exactly located. So don’t give up, if a cup doesn’t work for you right away!
To learn more about SckoonCup, visit them on their social media accounts. You can find details on how to care for a menstrual cup there, as well as sizes and pretty colors to choose from.
Note:  SckoonCup provided a sample of the product mentioned in this post, for review purposes. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of the Green Moms Network, and the content and opinions expressed here are 100 percent my own.
23 Comments
I had never heard of these before….interesting. I think this is a great alternative for ladies that have issue with using manufactured products. I do like the fact that the cup is great for our environment and places no chemicals in our body.
I have heard of these, but haven’t tried them yet. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
That sounds a little too messy for me, so I am going to stick to my pads 🙂
I understand…it’s definitely not for everyone. =D
I love the idea of not using disposable products, and if they really do hold more than ultra tampons and maintain a good seal so they don’t leak, I might be persuaded to give it a shot. Maybe.
I think this is very interesting! I got rid of my period about 2 years ago but if it comes back, I’ll have to try this.
What a great alternative to pads. I have the Mirena IUD so I rarely get a period. But when I have it taken out, I am definitely going to look into this.
I also have a Mirena so rarely get a period, but they sound interesting for sure!
I have heard a lot about these lately. Haven’t tried them myself but they are pretty interesting. I go through a whole box of tampons in like a week and a half. It’s crazy. Ever since I got the IUD my periods are heavier than ever. This may be a better alternative.
I have heard of these but never tried due to the fact Im old fashioned and this kind of thing is a little too weird for me. Im glad you are open to them thats what makes these so popular!!
I have heard of these and I do have one from a different brand but I may try these since I don’t like the one that I have. (I have VERY heavy periods lol)
Interesting information. Informative.
I’ve heard of these before and while they’re more eco-friendly and cost effective, I just couldn’t do it myself. My period is nothing I want to mess with! LOL
I have tried the disposable ones before and maybe need to get more used to it,
I always wondered about these, is it uncomfortable? Definitely sounds like a more green method.
If it’s inserted correctly, you can’t feel it.
My daughter used something similar for quite some time and found it worked beautifully and didn’t leak. I’ll tell her about this brand.
I’ve heard about these but honestly had no idea what they looked like or what to expect. Thanks for sharing. I now have a better understanding of how they work. Thanks for sharing.
Fascinating. I think I’d be a little nervous about using these but appreciate learning about them. Thanks for sharing all this info.
I used ot have a diva cup but as tampons they both were totally un-comfy I wanted to be a little bit more ecological but I guess I’ll have to stick to my pads
I have been thinking about these lately and wondering if my daughter would be able to use them. She is having some personal issues with swimming and periods and tampon scare her to death! lol
Very interesting. Never seen anything like this before
I actually have never heard of this kinda stuff before. Luckily for me though I don’t get a period any longer so I’m good. 🙂