# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Baglady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Baglady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baglady)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/61 "2000-06-14T06:01:08Z")
Actually the Keeper has its own Web site at [http://www.keeper.com](http://www.keeper.com)!! ---
**Author:** ![Baglady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Baglady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baglady)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/62 "2000-06-14T06:01:13Z")
Actually the Keeper has its own Web site at [http://www.keeper.com](http://www.keeper.com)!! ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/63 "2000-06-14T15:10:09Z")
I have absolutely no comment on this topic… ---
**Author:** ![Falcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/49beb7/32.png) [@Falcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Falcon)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/64 "2000-06-14T16:05:27Z")
Omni, hon - the thread was CLEARLY labelled. Why on earth did you open it??? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Lucretia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@Lucretia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucretia)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/65 "2000-06-14T18:04:51Z")
Zette mentioned way back when that tampons made her cramps worse. I have the same problem, which is why I use pads and have been reluctant to use either Instead or the Keeper, figuring they would have the same effect. Does anyone who has tried either of these find the cramping to be any worse than usual? ---
**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:** [June 14, 2000, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/66 "2000-06-14T18:21:48Z")
I don’t have the problem of cramping, Lucretria, but with the Keeper, there is a, IRC,3 month money back guarantee. If you don’t like it, you can get your money back, less shipping and handling. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/67 "2000-06-14T18:36:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\* > 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. > \*\* I just had to respond to this…When I had sex ed in 5th grade (1975, I think), we weren’t told virgins couldn’t use tampons…what we were told was that only married women could use tampons!!! Boy, how old-fashioned is that? ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/68 "2000-06-14T18:37:10Z")
Not that this is a claim to fame or anything, but I haven’t been disgusted by any of this stuff yet. Maybe that’s due to very liberal parents and exposure to surgery on TLC. Are there any other males who didn’t want to revisit their lunch reading this thread? ---
**Author:** ![Suo\_Na](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@Suo\_Na](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suo_Na)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/69 "2000-06-14T22:56:33Z")
I can’t remember who asked, but you can get both the Keeper and Instead at stores in Canada. The Keeper will be in health food stores, and I’m pretty sure Shoppers carries Instead. I’ve used Instead, and love it. To keep from getting bloody fingers you have to grasp the ring from the bottom (the near side), not the top, and pull forward gently, making sure to seal it against the front wall until you hit air. I’ve never had a problem. But I’m getting a Keeper anyway, for ecological reasons. ---
**Author:** ![Baglady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Baglady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baglady)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/70 "2000-06-15T03:31:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\* > I just had to respond to this…When I had sex ed in 5th grade (1975, I think), we weren’t told virgins couldn’t use tampons…what we were told was that only married women could use tampons!!! > Boy, how old-fashioned is that? > \*\* Anything to protect that fragile proof-of-virginity hymen there!! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2000, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/71 "2000-09-01T14:48:04Z")
So I’m wondering if anyone else has been using these regularly since this thread started, and if so how they like them these many months later? I for one love the Instead cup. I get wicked cramps from tampons and they always leak. They just don’t work right. Pads are so gross on the first day or two I can’t stand it. These things are great! I’ve been using them for about 4 months now, and no leaks, no nothing. I’ve gotten the hang of taking them out properly, too. I can NEVER feel them while they’re in. Talk about a Godsend. Anyone in favor of these rather then tampons? ---
**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 1, 2000, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/72 "2000-09-01T15:49:32Z")
Ain’t this something. One of my most popular threads and its about yucky girl stuff. Suo Na, thanks for the tip about Canada. I just may nip over to Canuckville and see if I can pick up (cue B Movie Music) The Keeper. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2000, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/73 "2000-09-01T16:39:36Z")
I’ve been using the Keeper for quite some time now, and I like it, although it does have some drawbacks for me. I’ve had two vaginal deliveries and, Kegels or no, my cervix rides a LOT lower than it used to. Sometimes I do have problems with the cup edging its way out, but usually it’s because I haven’t put it in properly. I think I’d have less trouble with that if I had a little more wiggle room, so to speak. When it’s in there right, it works pretty well, although on the heaviest days there’s some seepage, so I end up wearing a pantyliner or pad as well. I don’t mind emptying and rinsing it. I ended up having a fair amount of contact with menstrual blood when I was using tampons, too, and quite frankly, now that I’ve given birth a couple of times there’s just not a lot that grosses me out. As for infection, your very own menstrual blood and tissue is not going to cause infection and as long as you wash your Keeper regularly, that shouldn’t introduce any serious bacteria either. Opalcat, your bag has stars and moons on it? I feel cheated; I just got a plain blue one. ---
**Author:** ![Tally-Ho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@Tally-Ho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tally-Ho)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2000, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/74 "2000-09-01T16:46:41Z")
Well, you ladies convinced me… I’m on my period right now and I’m so sick of tampons I could scream. I just ordered the Keeper (it was the three month refund offer that sold me) and I plan on giving it a test run in four weeks. Here’s hoping it’s as good as you say. chrisbar ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2000, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/75 "2000-09-01T17:17:14Z")
tired of “old fashioned rag” day? why just say no to that pesky monthy visitor. if you are currently using birth control pills, ask your doctor to prescribe them for the full month. there are usually 5 fake pills that cause you to use all these wonderful costly items. without these 5 fake pills you just cruise along and can wear white constantly between memorial day and labour day! it doesn’t cost any extra. women in the space program and elsewhere where this visitor would be extremely unwelcome do it all the time. the idea of the 5 fake pills was as a “nope i’m not pregnant” check when they first came out. that was a major concern then. now i think women are savvy enough about thier health and can do away with the “check set”. think of all the money you will save. ---
**Author:** ![Lucretia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@Lucretia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucretia)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2000, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/76 "2000-09-01T18:38:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zette \* > \*\*So I’m wondering if anyone else has been using these regularly since this thread started, and if so how they like them these many months later? > > \*\* I’ve tried them, and I like them quite a bit. I have to wear a pad with them on heavy days, because when I do any straining at all (like to pee), the front edge tends to slip out, but all I do is just push it back in as I stand up and it’s fine. I also pass some pretty big clots 'round day two or so, and I’ve found that when that happens the cup can leak rather catastrophically, but as long as I’m also wearing a pad it’s no bigger a deal than it was when I was wearing pads alone, and much more comfortable for the rest of the time. Those (really minor) annoyances, (slipping, leaking) could be due to the fact that I’ve had three vaginal deliveries, and someone who hasn’t might not have those problems. That being said, I really love being able to do everything I used to avoid during my period, i.e. swimming, sex, etc. Especially the sex. Anyway, I would defintely recommend them. ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2000, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/77 "2000-09-01T18:49:22Z")
> [@](#): > > tired of “old fashioned rag” day? why just say no to that pesky monthy visitor. I tried that with the Depo Provera shot, and payed dearly for it. It really messed me up, and It’s not worth it (for ME) to try again. I think that it’s very convenient to just not get your period, but I worry too much about what it is actually doing to me that causes me not to get a period. But that’s a whole other thread, isn’t it? This ones about more adventures with menstrual cups. Lucretia, did you find you didn’t get all crampy like you did with tampons? (I know you mentioned above that you had that problem too). Zette ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2000, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/78 "2000-09-01T19:49:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cap’n Crude \* > \*\*I hadn’t heard of the menstrual cup before this thread. I’ve seen what you had to say. Not running. Not screaming. Just feeling sorry that your half of the gene pool has to put up with this annoying biological necessity every month. I know you’re used to it, and it’s part of who you are, but it must really suck anyway. > > It does. > How long have these cups been on the market? There’s been no advertising that I’ve seen or heard in the NY area. Plenty of the old standard commercials about “Hey Mom, do you ever feel – y’know – not so fresh?” Let me know how likely it is that my next girlfriend (whoever she may be) will have these in her medicine cabinet. > > –Da Cap’n \*\* I don’t know how likely it is, considering this is such a subjective thing. Some of us can’t stand the sight of blood, and others could care less. For you, I highly recommend suggesting Depo Provera injections to your next girlfriend: I haven’t menstruated in 5 years! I tell people I’m allergic to PMS and must go get my shot – only 4 x year. Solves this whole messy cup thing if you ask me, which no one did… ---
**Author:** ![BunnyGirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@BunnyGirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BunnyGirl)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2000, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/79 "2000-09-01T19:53:03Z")
Wow! I thought this thread looked familiar! Actually, after reading everyone’s “report” and going through the Keeper’s website, I think I’m gonna try one of these bad boys! I **hate** spending money on tampons - they are so outrageously expensive for what you’re getting and I flow too heavily to only use pads. Thanks for all the feedback, everyone! ---
**Author:** ![Kate\_Hallberg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/45deac/32.png) [@Kate\_Hallberg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kate_Hallberg)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2000, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357/80 "2000-09-01T20:09:27Z")
I can’t believe I’m contributing to this thread- I’m so opinionated. anyway- The Keeper. Love it. Cut the handle off all the way if you need to (that thing really bugged me) and give it a squeeze to break the suction and remove it. Sit on the toilet and have a piece of toilet paper handy to toss it in the sink and wash it off. Or, if you have to do it where there isnt’ a sink, just wipe it off and reinsert. Make sure your dog (or cat) doesnt’ watch this as she might enjoy it too much. 😛 or something. There are two sizes- anyone who hasn’t had a vaginal birth and anyone who has. I had a c-section and then a VBAC so I would have used the first size in between births, had I bought one. I also had 14 mos than 17 mos of LAM (lactational ammenorhea) after my girls were born. "Twas indeed great. Best way of dealing with menstruation. Instead isn’t as good (as the Keeper)- not as leak proof, but lots of people do say they use them more than once, just don’t tell the FDA. I assume you use your diaphragm more than once? I dont’ think they’re as comfortable as the Keeper. There is a Museum of Menstruation online someplace- google search should turn it up. Very interesting. This is all I really meant to say. I wondered about the allergy thing though too- just in general. I assume natural rubber reacts like more processed latex? What happens when you go into a tire shop? random thoughts… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstural-cups/9357.md?page=5)