# Menstural cups **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 20, 1999, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357 "1999-09-20T14:31:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 1999, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/1 "1999-09-20T14:31:00Z")
This was inspired in the Greatest Person thread and directed towards Opalcat 🙂 I read about Menstural cups (I’m spelling this wrong, does it make me less of a woman?) a couple years back and rarely hear about them. Usually it is in some new age granola eating, hemp wearing,tie yourself in knots Ommmmm magazine, which immediately makes me a skeptic. Opal, since you are the first female I’ve known who uses one, can you answer a couple of questions? 1. Doesn’t it slip out during running/swimming/physical activity? 2)Can you feel it? 3)How do you get it sized? 4)Where did you purchase yours from? Cost? 1. Any feedback from your ob/gyn regarding infections? I always mean to ask my DR. but always forget. ---
**Author:** ![Girl\_Next\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@Girl\_Next\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girl_Next_Door)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 1999, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/2 "1999-09-20T14:37:00Z")
Are you talking about those new ones you can get at the grocery store? The ones that pretty much act like a diaphragm but they’re supposed to keep menses **in** instead of sperm out? If so, I’ve tried them. I have an opinion on them, but I’m not OpalCat. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 1999, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/3 "1999-09-20T14:44:00Z")
GND, I don’t think that is it, although I haven’t seen what you are talking about. A MC is a rubber cup with ( I think) a spring rim to keep it in place. I would like to hear your opinion on what you used, though 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 1999, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/4 "1999-09-20T15:19:00Z")
There are disposable ones that have a spring ring to keep em in, but mine is a rigid rubber cup, about the size of a shot glass, with a stem (like a wine glass) to help you pull it out. It lasts up to 10 years… no it doesn’t fall out…actually the first time I used it I had to grab it with PLIERS to get it OUT! I’ve gotten better at it since then. You can leave it in much longer than tampons and it’s much cleaner… you just dump it out in the potty and rinse it out in the sink and stick it back in… they’re actually very clean. I can’t feel it unless I didn’t put it in right (same as a tampon) They come in 2 sizes (one for those who’ve had vaginal delivery births and one for those who haven’t) and cost $30ish… \ Here is where I bought it: [http://www.eco-logique.com/](http://www.eco-logique.com/) * * * **\>^,^\<** “Cluemobile? You’ve got a pickup…” OpalCat’s site: [http://opalcat.com](http://opalcat.com) The Teeming Millions Homepage: [fathom.org/teemingmillions](http://fathom.org/teemingmillions) ---
**Author:** ![Girl\_Next\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@Girl\_Next\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girl_Next_Door)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 1999, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/5 "1999-09-20T15:21:00Z")
A spring rim! Yeow! For some reason that sounds scary. (Though I guess my diaphragm had one of those, too.) The thing I’m talking about is called “Instead: 12 hr. Feminine Protection Cup” 🙂 (Why does that sound like a female jock-strap) It’s basically a diaphragm that holds in menses. I liked the idea of it (you’re supposed to be able to wear it twice as long as a tampon . . . up to 12 hours on “light flow” days) but in practice it wasn’t so great. It worked and all, and maybe even for twice as long as a tampon, but removing it was messy. These things don’t exactly seal off the blood and dispose of it for you, so when it comes time to remove it you hook a finger under the rim and pull it out, thus causing all the menses to run all over your hand. Particularly awkward if you’re in a public restroom. A lady is left using toilet paper to wipe off her hand lest she emerge from the stall looking like she attempted self-mutilation. - Leslie ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 1999, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/6 "1999-09-20T16:02:00Z")
I have friends who swear by these. They keep trying to get me to get one, but if there’s one thing in the world that I’ll go disposable with it’s tampons. MUCH easier, IMO. The other thing is paper towels to clean up cat puke. No way will I use cloth towels for that then have to wash 'em. ---
**Author:** ![omniscientnot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a5b964/32.png) [@omniscientnot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/omniscientnot)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 1999, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/7 "1999-09-20T16:05:00Z")
Sorry for barging in ladies, but, Opalcat, your description (with the pliers) left me ROFLMAO!!! Your descriptive/narrative talents are to be commended. I’m sure the experience wasn’t pleasant in the slightest, but you’ll have to admit that, for someone who, thankfully, will never have to go through _those_ motions, it definitely has a certain panache 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 1999, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/8 "1999-09-20T16:28:00Z")
Opal, Thanks for the site. I can’t help but get the image of the pliers and a huge suction sound … anyways. I’ve been looking for something for years ( before childbirth) that doesn’t pop out when you sneeze or laugh. This sounds like the ticket. ---
**Author:** ![Prairie\_Rose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Prairie\_Rose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prairie_Rose)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 1999, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/9 "1999-09-20T16:55:00Z")
I usually use those Instead thingies…a friend turned me onto them, and although I’d like to use the cup, I prefer something I don’t have to wash out. They look like little diaphragms. So far they work pretty good for me- I can even have sex with one in, so my dear husband doesn’t get icky. 🙂 PR * * * If you’re not part of the solution you’re just scumming up the bottom of the beaker. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 1999, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/10 "1999-09-21T05:45:00Z")
I tried the “Instead” thingies and didn’t like them for the reason already mentioned, the incredible mess getting them out (you have to hook your finger around the rim where all the fluid is, then sort of half-collapse it so it will fit on the way out.) Other than that they were comfortable and sorta easy to use once you got the hang of them. I think it’s like only $3 or so for a box of six, so you may want to give it a try if you’re curious. It seems like the cup wouldn’t be as messy because it has the handle and is narrower requiring less collapsing, is that the case Opal? ---
**Author:** ![CatInHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@CatInHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatInHat)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 1999, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/11 "1999-09-20T18:18:00Z")
I’ve used the Instead cups on and off for a couple of years now. I really like them, except that I sometimes have trouble getting them to seat correctly (look at the package or at the insertion instructions for a diaphragm if you don’t know what I mean; I’m **not** going to explain it here). They are messy when you remove them, but you can leave them in for a long time. According to the package insert, they aren’t absorbent, so they don’t carry the same risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome that tampons do. I never tried the ones that Opal describes; I’m between OB/GYNs right now. BTW, can anyone recommend a good female one in Pittsburgh? * * * The Cat In The Hat ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 1999, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/12 "1999-09-20T18:23:00Z")
Count me in the “hey, this is horribly messy, I have menstrual blood all over the damn place!” crowd. Who in their right mind thought this was “neat”? it’s neat while it’s in, forget it coming out. Just clal me tampon girl. Hey ladies, so long as we’re on the subject, does anyone else have the problem of uneven flow? I find I put in a tampon, it loads up on one side and leaks, and when i pull it out I find the other side virtually pristine. What gives? ---
**Author:** ![SqrlCub](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SqrlCub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SqrlCub)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 1999, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/13 "1999-09-20T18:26:00Z")
I have one word to say (after this of course), “BLECH!!!” ---
**Author:** ![boli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e99b99/32.png) [@boli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boli)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 1999, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/14 "1999-09-20T18:36:00Z")
Yes ladies, I believe we have found a topic that will cause most men to run screaming. While I’m here, I’ll share my biggest problem with tampons: WET STRINGS. Anyone else encounter this? What do you do? And please don’t suggest changing it every time. I’ve been known to pee a lot. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 1999, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/15 "1999-09-20T18:53:00Z")
I’m not running and screaming away, but I jsut have _absolutly_ nothing that I can contribute to this…kinda informative though [Note: This message has been edited by Eutychus55] ---
**Author:** ![Valerieblaise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@Valerieblaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valerieblaise)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 1999, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/16 "1999-09-20T21:19:00Z")
I tried the Instead cups for the first time last week. I have to say that I didn’t find them particularly messy - the problem I had was that you have to go very sllloooooooowwwwly, both inserting and removing. In that sense it’s more of a hassle than a tampon, but I did like that I could leave it in for 12 hours and also have sex with it in. * * * “You’re going to listen to ME? To something I said? Haven’t I made it abundantly clear over the tenure of our friendship that I don’t know shit?” - Brodie, “Mallrats” ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 1999, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/17 "1999-09-20T23:51:00Z")
Can’t contribute to the discussion (I’m post-menopausal) but I’ve learned enough to share these tips with my younger friends. But I was reminded of my first period – mom was a Tampax user and so that’s what I used. But I’ll never forget what mom’s friend told her: “Better watch that daughter of yours, virgins can’t wear Tampax, you know.” How silly is that? Luckily, mom knew better. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 1999, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/18 "1999-09-21T00:10:00Z")
Stoidela, I have the uneven flow problem too. If only there were a way to turn the damn tampon around so the other half is used. If we could build a better tampon that, fer instance, the string became BLUE ( not red) when it was full, think of all the mula we would save in changing the damn things. If I were elected President, every woman would receive an extra amount of money every month to cover her “feminine hygiene” needs and wardrobe expense money. I’d the the vote then. ---
**Author:** ![Lioness](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85e7bf/32.png) [@Lioness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lioness)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 1999, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/19 "1999-09-21T00:57:00Z")
Thanks for educating me ladies, I really didn’t know about these things. Can you get them in any store, pharmacy or do you have to order them over the net or phone. ? * * * Lioness, I rule the King of the jungle ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 1999, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/20 "1999-09-21T02:51:00Z")
The Keeper isn’t messy at all to take out. You grab the stem and pull it out… it is very rigid (like if you cut a racketball in half… that kind of rigid) and holds the blood inside. Also, the stem comes quite close to the opening, so you don’t have to reach in very far to grab it… actually I had to cut mine shorter to keep it from sticking out. I’ve left it in for 24 hours before and the only difference is that it was fuller than otherwise. As for wet strings, god I hated those. Yet another reason to use the Keeper! * * * **\>^,^\<** “Cluemobile? You’ve got a pickup…” OpalCat’s site: [http://opalcat.com](http://opalcat.com) The Teeming Millions Homepage: [fathom.org/teemingmillions](http://fathom.org/teemingmillions) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357.md?page=2)