Luna CupMenstrual, 1 Period Cup with 1 Carry Bag (S w/Zipper Case)

I came across menstrual cups by mistake and decided to give it a try since it is cheaper and healthier than using tampons (what I have used for years). One of my friends recently found out she has cervical cancer and that pushed me to use a healthier option.Best thing I did was watch YouTube videos on menstrial cups to learn what to use and what to expect. There are a lot of videos of experiences and advice out there. I believe that helped me to insert the cup correctly the very first time. I didn’t even attempt prior to my period as some suggest. I’m a mom of two young ones so I really didn’t have extra time to experiment. I am thankful I was able to get it to work first period so it wasn’t discouraging!I have only used one cup but here are my impressions. I felt the cup was easy to insert (with some prior basic knowledge) and take out. I found the cup to be comfortable. I tried the cup the first time with the full nub at bottom and then ended up cutting a little more off. I am 5’8” so maybe the little nub doesn’t bother me as much as other women.I have a heavier period so I was only able to wear the cup for 3-4 hours before changes. At the end of my period I could wear it for 12 hours no problem. I am still trying to get a good idea of how much the cup could hold compared to the tampons I normally use. My period just returned after my second child so it has been different each month still. My best guess is that it holds 1.5 of the Tampax Supers I am used to using.My favorite things about this cup so far is that there is no smell (or fragrance). I always hated the period smell during my cycle. Tampons often have a fragrance, that mixed with period smell always made me wonder if others could smell/know I was on my period. Unless my cup was full and starting to leak, I did not notice a smell. Another favorite part of this cup was that it appeared to help with cramps. I wore the cup sometimes and a tampon other times in my last period. I would notice a slight cramp while using tampons that I did not notice with the cup. I have become used to these cramps. It is interesting that the cup has less cramps than the tampon - especially since the cup appears bigger than tampons. I’ve read others had reduced cramps with cups as well. Lastly, it was nice to be on my period and have no period trash in the trash can (unless I used a tampon). That means guests could visit and have no idea I was on my cycle. A small plus but a plus!The hardest part about this cup for me so far is changing in public bathrooms. I actually did not attempt a change in a public bathroom this cycle. I waited until my lunch hour at home or wore a tampon to work on my heaviest days. My goal is to become more comfortable and switch completely to a cup for my cycles. Since my cycles are heavy, it would mean several changes at work. The process of changing and cleaning the cup is fast but it is easiest when you have access to a sink right next to you. I have read there are tricks like a water bottle or using tissue to clean cup and then clean cup better when at home again. #CupGoalsOverall, this cup was a great price point, easy to use, easy to clean, comfortable, easy to hide (with the little zipper pouch), healthier, and better for the environment. I am glad I tried a cup and wish I had done it years ago!

Im traditionally a pad user. Tampons have never felt right for me- I have a heavy flow, the risk of TSS, the smell, the waste, the material used to make tampons... Ive never liked the way they felt. Pads are really not any better, but at least I have a visual of what stage Im in during my period. I switched to organic pads about a year ago, which has been a little better. BUT. I was still bothered by the thought that I was sitting in my own stuff, contributing to waste, still at risk for TSS, and the occasional leaking and general discomfort. Ive been reading and watching a lot about cups lately, about all the risks and benefits, and decided to give it a go.Ive had two (LARGE) children, am not yet 30, so I ordered the large cup. It came with a really cute little case, which I love, and detailed instructions. I was on day two of my cycle, so still in a pretty heavy flow, and it seemed like the perfect time to try this cup out.1. Insertion was easy for me on the first go. I didnt really know how it was supposed to feel, but I felt pretty confident about the seal I got and nothing felt weird.2. At one point, I totally forgot I was wearing it. I had no discomfort, and because I took some extra strength Tylenol, I wasnt feeling the cramps. It felt like a normal day off cycle.3. I worked outside all day at my grandmothers. I was sweaty. And gross. And normally by this point, I would definitely have been smelling myself. And probably chaffing from the edges of the pad. Not one of those things happened. I had no leaking, no discomfort, no smell, no worries. As someone who normally has a hyper awareness about body image and smell, this. is. HUGE.4. When I got home, removing it to be dumped and cleaned was super simple and damn near mess free. I kind of expected it to be a horror movie, but it wasnt bad. I broke the seal by pinching one side in and pulling on the stem and pulled it out slowly. I rinsed it out and put it right back in. Easy peasy.Im going to use this for the whole cycle, even at night, and see how it does. Im really excited to try cups as an eco and bio friendly alternative to pads. If this works the way its supposed to, its a freakin game changer. I could go camping, running, swimming, long car rides, hell, even sleeping could be made more enjoyable during my period because I dont have to worry about pads. And I can definitely see how this could impact women in countries that dont have amenities like we do here (US), as well as the environment, and our wallets.Im definitely going to updated this review later when I have more notes, but so far, Im overjoyed. :)*Update- End of CycleYeah, Im sold on mentrual cups. I wore this all week, even at night, and never had one leak. Dump it twice a day and move on with your life. I cant believe i never tried this before, and I highly encourage any woman reading this to give it a go. Its worth it.**2nd cycle use**This is the first cycle Ive started with the cup. Evidently my first two days are heavier than I thought because Ive had to empty more frequently. I did have a pretty massive leak this morning, but that was my fault because I went over 10 hours on a heavy day. I cant get over how amazing this cup is.

Okay, my nurse daughter had tried to get me to try this for the past 2 years but because I'm 54, I kept thinking I would be done with this nonsense soon. The end is nowhere in siight and my flow is insane (didn't used to be!) making long hikes on my heavy day a nightmare. My daughter can do a 12 hour shift with one luna cup. I have a heavy flow (let's say 9-10 super plus tampons and pads in 24 hours) so I do have to take the cup out and reinsert 2-3x/day but that is WAY better than 9-10! Plus, when it's in you don't even know it's there (except for the FIRST time when you are panicking the whole time about whether you will be able to get it back out again! I did! But thankfully I watched the video instructions beforehand so I knew the tricks. There is definitely a learning curve, but it works well and is totally worth it. I also swim laps, which even with a tampon I can't do on my heavy day but with a luna cup I can. I was a total chicken but I'm glad it took the plunge.