This is a review page for the three American menstrual cup companies:
* DivaCup
* Keeper (and Keeper Moon Cup)* Instead Softcup
Below, you will find my detailed reviews for each of these brands, along with videos and photographs.
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DivaCup Review:
I got my Divacup from iherb.com. After receiving my discreet delivery box in the mail, I opened it and removed the DivaCup product box. I ordered model 1, which is for women under 30 years old, and have never given birth.
Delivery
The box was attractive and well designed– pink and purple, with silverfish trim, and a clear window on the front, displaying the cup itself. This I liked, because there was no guess as to what exactly was inside. If I were to see this product on a store shelf, it would be something that would catch my eye, and my curiosity.
A simple photo diagram on the left side clearly depicts how easy the product would be to use, and where it would sit in the body. Written on the back were a few key product features and benefits, as well as a quick description of use.
When I got into the actual DivaCup box, I found a multi-lingual instruction/information pamphlet, a small purple cloth pouch with a matching drawstring bearing the Diva logo (for storing the cup in), and a dainty, tasteful “Diva” blouse pin to be worn in support of the product.
After removing everything and handling the cup a bit, I noticed that its firmness and flexibility reminded me slightly of a baby bottle nipple. Although the texture of the cup’s material was very soft and smooth. At this point, I could definitely see how it could be firm enough to hold its shape, yet flexible enough to be comfortable and gentle on the body, all at the same time.
Use Of The Cup
Before my cycle arrived, I had done a few practice insertions/removals (which I suggest all first time users do), just to get the knack of the techniques. And I must say, it was easier than I expected! My body took to it right away. The first time, I did have to insert a finger about 1/2 an inch, to allow air to open/unfold the cup all the way. It was soft, so it needed some coaxing. But that and twisting/spinning it pretty much did the trick. Also, inserting the C-fold or punch-down fold with the creased part facing sideways or downward, helped a lot.
Now, I am a bit “short” up inside. So Diva does ride a bit low with me, and I could feel the grip rings on the stem of the cup. So I ended up havign to trimt he ENTIRE stem completely off. However, I do not recomend doing that unless you are 100% sure that you can still reach the cup without the stem. I was surprised how comfortable it was, because when I first saw it, it looked big. But there I was, wearing it, and it wasn’t bothering me. The cup was not painful to remove either, however, I tend to to easy out one edge fot he rim from the side, rather than from the front. Its just a lot mroe comfortable for me.
By the time my cycle finally arrived, I was quite eager to give Divacup a go! I admit, I was a bit nervous about the possibility of leaks, as this was my first try. So I wore a panty liner for backup.
After my practice runs, insertion went very well. I rememebr, I kept goign in the bathroom a few times throughout the day, to check for leaks, but… I never did leak. I waited about 3 hours before my first removal and cleaning, as I wasn’t quite sure of my own flow just yet (outside of absorbent products, of course). Surprisingly, it was only 1/4 full! I always thougth I was a heavy bleeder, but it was very educational to see that it was nowhere near what I was thinking. I also found that, with removal, it is best to begin moving the cup into an upright position BEFORE it is completely out, to prevent any spilling.
I am basically very pleased with this product, and I have absolutely no intention of ever using a disposable feminine hygiene product again.
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Keeper and Keeper Moon Cup Review:
I received these cups as free donations. After I got the Keeper and Keeper Moon Cup in the mail, I hooked up my camera, and sat down to study them.
Since I had heard many times that MoonCup UK, Femmecup, and Keeper/Keeper Mooncup were almost identical in size, shape and capacity, I immediately lined it up with the other two and compared them. As far as size/shape goes, they are indeed very close. The biggest difference being that Keeper/Keeper Moon Cup is much smoother on the outside. There are no grips rings at all. This would be good for anyone who is irritated by the feel of grip textures.
Both the brown latex Keeper and the clear silicone Keeper Moon Cup work exactly the same, except the Keeper is a bit stiffer than its silicone twin.
The silicone on the Keeper moon Cup is also about as thick and firm as that of Mooncup UK. Another thing I noticed is that, when I lined this cup up next to all the other brands I had– their stems were by far the longest. Of course, some cups are longer in the body, shorter in the stem. And vise-versa. Making them all come out about equal, when you line them up together. But honestly, placed on a flat table with all the others, Keeper/Keeper Moon Cup’s stem makes them “taller” than all the others, in overall length. So if someone needs a cup that will be more reachable, I would say these could probably help.
I did test them out too, during the tail end of my cycle. Insertion was very comfortable and easy, with the smooth material. No trouble popping open at all. Even with the stems fully intact, I could hardly feel either of them, courtesy of the smooth surface. There was no leaking, they maintained a good seal.
Removal– due to the slick outer surface, I applied the same techniques as I did with the LadyCup: Keep some toiltet tissue in-hand and re-dry the fingers as needed during removal. Dry fingers = better grip. Also, like with MoonCup UK, Femmecup, and LadyCup– rocking this cup from side to side during removal works better to break the seal, than inserting a finger does.
Overall, they are comfortable cups, and it seal great (these two were size small, by the way).
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Instead Softcup Review
Above, I have offered a diagram on the female anatomy, to show you step by step how an Instead menstrual cup works in your body.
My Review:
I did a test run myself of one of the cups. I found it very easy to insert, and remove. The rim is just firm enough to where it is comfortable, but you can still hold the cup upright when removing, to keep from spilling.
During insertion, I found it best to aim sort of down and back, until I got it all the way in to the very end, then move it up to rest behind the cervix (because this cup DOES need to be worn up around the cervix to form a good seal).
Once it was inserted, it was very comfortable. I was slightly aware of it, but no more than I was my normal menstrual cup. I could kneel, squat, sit, lay down, bend over, just about anything. It did not hurt at all, and It was definitely something I would consider doable.
Removal was much like insertion: Move the end that was the furthest inside downward a bit (to get it by the cervix again), and then pull the rest of the way out.
I have done dry runs (while not menstruating) and tried it while actually on my period. I did nto experience any leaks, but one shoudl becareful not to grab the ring from over the top, but rather, from undernieth. Grabbing from over the top can casue spills. These are disposable, and I have heard some helpful suggestions that, when you are removing it, just stuff some bathroom tissue inside the cup, then squeeze it flat again, and wrap some tissue around the outside of it, and throw it away. But some people don’t like the added paper waste.
In short, this is a very user-friendly product, and I would recomend it to anyone who is willing to try it.
