A menstrual cup is a type of cup or barrier worn by a woman inside her vagina during menstruation to capture the blood. Unlike tampons, which are also worn internally during menstruation, the menstrual cup does not absorb the blood. Blood is contained within the cup until the woman removes the cup, and pours the contents into the lavatory. Although these have been around since the 1930s they did not gain popularity until recent years. Today's woman has the option of buying several reputable and reusable brands including the Keeper (sold since the 1980s), the British Mooncup, the Canadian Diva Cup, or the Finnish Lunette cup. There are also one use versions called Instead.

    
    

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The Keeper is a small, internally worn, reusable soft rubber menstrual cup. It is an innovative feminine hygiene product. Economical, comfortable, environment-friendly, the Keeper is an attractive alternative to sanitary pads and tampons, and -- when cared for properly it has a life expectancy of at least 10 years. Wow what a money saver!

It is made of pure gum rubber, similar to baby bottle nipples and is soft and pliable, yet sturdy enough to do its job.

When first using the Keeper you may be slightly aware of its presence. After you use it for a few periods, you will find - as thousands of other women have found - that you "wouldn't know how to live without it!"

REVIEWS:

"I have tried the Keeper and the Diva Cup and I find them to be quite similar and I am happy with both BUT The Keeper wins out for one reason for sure. I love the rubber and dark color of the Keeper cup. The Keeper washed up and looks like brand new every time and that gives me great piece of mind that it doesn't start looking dingy or discolored like some other cups do. ~ Tiffany

"This product makes your periods fun....well almost!" ~ Karen

"The Keeper is very convenient. You don't have to carry pads or tampons around with you. The only problem is the difficulty of using it when out and about when you may not have access private washing facilities. I will say that if you don't particularly like the intimacy of inserting tampons, the Keeper might be too much for you. You do need to be comfortable with your body to use it." ~ Alice

Back in the 1930's the innovative menstrual cup was invented as a form of internal feminine protection. The DivaCup%u2122 is a modern version of this proven concept. It is made of soft medical grade silicone, which is latex-free, 100% hypo allergenic and odorless.

Not only is it very sanitary and convenient, it holds one full ounce (30 ml). Since the entire cycle is an average of 3-4 ounces (90-120 ml), most women find that the cup is not even half full after 12 hours. This makes the Diva Cup reliable too!

Depending on your flow empty the cup 2-3 times per 24 hour day, wash and reinsert. It can be worn up to 12 hours, even overnight. The DivaCup%u2122 is ideal for all activities including swimming, camping, backpacking, and travelling. It is suitable for all menstruating women of all ages.

There are two different sizes:

Model 1: for women under 30 years old who have never had childbirth or c-sections.

Model 2: for women who have had vaginal childbirth or c-sections; and for women who are over 30 years old and never had childbirth.

It is truly a revolutionary product!

REVIEWS:

"This is my second month using it and words cannot describe how much I love this product! I do not even feel as though I am on my period when my DIVA cup is in, even on my heaviest days. There is absolutely NO leakage whatsoever and I don't even need a panty liner. It is amazing. Even overnight...no leaks, no problems. And I used to have to go to bed with three pads some nights to make sure I woke up with a clean bed. Now I go to bed on my heaviest flow days and wake up and forget I am even on my period. FREEDOM!!" ~ Tiffany

"I love this product! I can't imagine ever using tampons again". - Kathryn

"This is the best feminine hygiene product that I have ever used! I've found it to be very easy to use and a great $$ saver". ~ Anne

"THE absolute best. I was reluctant to try it at first, and gave up easily. However, a friend kept nagging me to try it again, as she was in love with it... I can honestly say that I am now too". ~ Samantha

Menstruation has been considered sacred throughout history. In Sanskrit, the root word "menses" means "ritual" and throughout history there is evidence that many cultures performed rituals during a woman's moon time or menses. In many cultures there were special temples or lodges dedicated to menstruating women to find retreat and relaxation. Women were often highly honored during this time and were given special privileges, such as relief from their chores and duties, and were waited upon by their tribe or family. The moon lodge provided time for these women to relax, meditate, express themselves creatively, share stories and celebrate womanhood.

Today too we can engage in rituals to help us honor our monthly cycles and enter into our moontime with respect and appreciation. These rituals would be a great thing to teach your young women as they begin menstruating to help them appreciate that this process is a sacred rite of passage and not something they should be ashamed of or embarrassed about. By welcoming in your monthly flow with a ritual that you enjoy you are marking the occasion in a positive way.

Monthly Moon Rituals

Evening Relaxation Monthly Moon Ritual

Begin by putting on some relaxing yet powerful music. Enya is a good choice.
Sit the bed or floor and put an eye mask or eye pillow over your eyes.
Light a scented soy candle, set out calming herbs like lavender or chamomile or spray some aromatherapy spritzer in the air. You may also enjoy throwing some flower petals or herbs around you in a circle.
Sip a cup of warm herbal tea and breathe in deeply as you reflect on the amazing process that your body is performing.
After you finish your tea gently massage your limbs with your favorite lotion.
Stretch your limbs, neck, and back thoroughly while breathing in deeply.
When this ritual is finished you should feel refreshed, relaxed, and ready to welcome in the next phase of your cycle.

Cycle Beads  - CycleBeads are an easy way to use a natural family planning method. They make it simple for a woman to track her cycle and clearly identify the days she could become pregnant and the days when pregnancy is most unlikely. Cycle Beads are based on a natural family planning method that is more than 95% effective when used correctly. Simply move the ring one bead each day, in the direction of the arrow. The colors tell you whether you are likely to get pregnant on that day or not. The red bead marks the first day of your period. The Dark Brown bead tells you if your cycle is shorter than 26 days. The Brown beads mark the days when pregnancy is very unlikely. The White beads mark the days when pregnancy is most likely. CycleBeads Are Only appropriate For Women who: Have regular menstrual cycles between 26 and 32 days.