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Alternative Menstrual Products: The Moon Cup, The Keeper Cup, The Diva Cup and Sea Sponge Tampons

FAQ's
The Keeper Cup, The Moon Cup,
The Diva Menstrual Cup

These three products are all very similar and we think they are all great - they all function the same and the main difference is what they are made of and the different lengths of the pull-tabs. Below is some more info to help you decide which to buy.

The Keeper is the direct descendant of Tassette, a menstrual cup manufactured in the 1930's. The Keeper Inc. began manufacturing The Keeper Cup in 1987. It is made in the U.S.A out of natural gum rubber. The cup has a long pull-tab, which allows you to trim it according to your needs. It is not recommended for women with latex allergies.

The Moon Cup is the latest cup manufactured by The Keeper Inc. Wanting to offer the same tried-and-true Keeper solution to women with latex allergies, The Keeper Inc. developed The Moon Cup, which is made from medical grade silicone. It too has the longer, easy to trim pull-tab.

The Diva Cup is manufactured in Canada and has been in production since 2003. The Diva Cup is made of medical grade silicone and has a shorter pull-tab than The Keeper Cup and The Moon Cup.

“ My name is Andrea and I got The Keeper for my 17th birthday from my mom, and I love it. After about a year, my periods became lighter, and I hardly even get cramps anymore. I can't believe more girls don't know about The Keeper. Whenever the subject comes up, I always mention The Keeper; it rocks. I'm 22 years old now, and the money and garbage I've saved in 6 years makes me feel good. Thanx! ”

How To

The Menstrual Cup Experience

Cleaning

Safety

More Usage Tips

Returns/Exchanges

Do you have a question, but did not find it here? Please Ask

How To

How do I insert The Keeper Cup, The Moon Cup or The Diva Menstrual Cup?

First, fold the cup by pressing the sides of the lightweight flexible cup together. Now fold it in half again. Hold the folded Keeper between your thumb and index finger. Then, while sitting on the toilet or in some equally relaxed position, simply insert the folded cup completely into the vagina. (If necessary, lightly moisten the rim with water or water-based lubricant -- NOT petroleum jelly). Release your fingers from the cup so the cup will unfold inside.

Sound easy? That's all there is to it!

These are the basic instructions for inserting The Keeper Cup, The Moon Cup and The Diva Cup, but there are many other helpful usage tips that can help you with insertion and removal as well.

How do I remove the menstrual cup -- is it hard to get out?

While sitting on the toilet, grasp the pull-tab firmly so the tips of your fingers pinch the base of the cup. This action will allow air to enter around the cup, releasing the suction and helping with removal. Ease the cup gently forward and downward, supporting the bottom of the cup with your fingertips to prevent spilling. Empty, rinse or wipe your cup out (you can use toilet tissue), then simply reinsert. It's easy with a little practice.

How often should I empty the menstrual cup?

The Keeper Cup, The Moon Cup and The Diva Cup hold one full ounce. Since most women flow 2 to 4 ounces during their menstrual period, emptying the cup a few times a day is usually adequate. When your flow is heavy, empty the cup frequently to avoid leaking - every 2-4 hours. After a month or two, you'll become familiar with your own menstrual flow pattern.

It is safe to wear menstrual cups at night is safe.

The Menstrual Cup Experience

What is a menstrual cup?

The Keeper Cup, The Moon Cup, and The Diva Cup are reusable internal devices that catch menstrual blood, rather than absorbing as a tampon does.

Why use a menstrual cup?

A menstrual cup is one of he most convenient, economical and environmental forms of menstrual protection around!

There are lots of great reasons to use menstrual cups. Here are just a few of the ones we know about:

1. You will never run out of protection - menstrual cups are reusable on the spot.

2. Cups are great for active sports like bike riding, ultimate Frisbee, dance performances, swimming, running, hiking, etc.

3. When traveling, you won't have to worry about packing lots of products to bring with you or the unavailability of products in foreign countries.

4. They are perfect for backpacking when every inch of space in your pack counts. It's also the ultimate way to "pack it in, pack it out"!

5. No need to carry products around with you all day -- you can just rinse and re-insert.

6. You'll have no surprises if your period comes early -- just keep a menstrual cup in your bag and you'll always be ready. You can even wear it when you expect to start, unlike tampons, which are uncomfortable to wear at the beginning and end of your cycle.

Are menstrual cups comfortable?

Some women don't feel the cup at all and rave about how comfortable it is (see our Keeper fan letters page). Others find that the stem may bother them or at least they are aware of it. Some women trim the end of the stem a bit and find that helps.

Which size should I order?

Keeper or Moon Cup Style A (The Diva Cup Size 2) is for women who have had vaginal childbirth.

Keeper or Moon Cup Style B (The Diva Cup Size 1) is for women who have had a Cesarean Section or who have not had childbirth.

There is not a large difference between the two sizes. Style A is a bit larger in diameter than Style B; they are otherwise the same.

Will it leak?

Some women experience leaking and others do not.

If any leaking does occur it may be due to one of the following conditions:

The cup was not placed in its proper position or pressure against the vaginal wall due to constipation or a full bladder has pushed the cup out of its proper position. It also may be time to empty your cup. On heavy flow days, you will need to empty your cup more frequently. You will become more familiar with when to empty the cup with each use.

A hint to prevent leaking: hold onto the bottom of the cup once it's inside you and give it a full turn (twist). This will help establish a good seal around the top of the rim. We suggest wearing a GladRags or a GladRags Pantyliner as backup protection the first few times you try the menstrual cup.

Menstrual cups do not work for everyone. We are all shaped differently and have different flows. If after trying your cup for 2-3 periods and leaking continues to occur immediately following insertion, a menstrual cup may not be your menstrual product answer. If, however, you find that it works well for the most part, with only minor leaking, you may want to wear a GladRags pad with it as extra protection. Many women find this system works well for them.

What is the difference between The Keeper Cup, The Moon Cup and The Diva Cup?

These three products are all very similar and are we think they are all great. The Keeper is the direct descendant of Tassette, a menstrual cup manufactured in the 1930's. The Keeper Inc. began manufacturing The Keeper Cup in 1987. It is made in the U.S.A out of natural gum rubber. The cup has a long pull-tab, which allows you to trim it according to your needs. The Keeper is not recommended for women with latex allergies. The Keeper has a 3-month return policy.

The Diva Cup is manufactured in Canada and has been in production since 2003. The Diva Cup is made of medical grade silicone and has a shorter pull-tab than The Keeper Cup and The Moon Cup. The Diva Cup has a 1 year return policy.

Can I exercise when using a menstrual cup?

Yea, it's one of the great advantages of a cup.

Cleaning

How should I clean it?

At the end of your period, wash your menstrual cup in hot soapy water -- no need to boil. Dry thoroughly and place in the convenient bag that comes with it. If you wish, you may rinse it in a mild solution of tea tree oil or vinegar and water, then rinse thoroughly with clean water.

Should I boil my menstrual cup?

No, boiling your Keeper Cup is not recommended, as it may damage the rubber. However, you may boil the Moon Cup or the Diva Cup, thought it is not necessary for sanitation.

How do I clean my menstrual cup in a public restroom?

You can simply empty it and reinsert it, or you can wipe it off with toilet paper and reinsert. You might also carry a little bottle of water with you to use to rinse it out over the toilet before you reinsert it. Another option is to take a damp paper towel in the stall with you to use as a wipe.

Safety

Can I get toxic shock syndrome from using The Keeper Cup, The Moon Cup or The Diva Cup?

TSS is caused by normally harmless bacteria found on our skin or in other parts of our body. If the bacteria get into the bloodstream, the toxins released can cause serious and even fatal disease. It is a rare disease and has been associated with tampon use - especially high-absorbency tampons. Couple that with the fact that tampons can dry out the vaginal canal by absorbing not only menstrual blood but also the vagina's natural moisture, creating the opportunity for miniscule tears to occur, increasing the chance of TSS. The Keeper Cup, The Moon Cup and The Diva Cup have decreased risks, however, as they "catch" your flow, rather than absorbing all fluids in the vaginal canal. Menstrual cups have not been linked with TSS.

For more TSS info, please click here.

Are menstrual cups safer than tampons?

Yes. The menstrual cup has a lower risk of TSS and is healthier and more comfortable for your body than tampons. The vaginal canal is one of the most porous parts of our body, which makes the absorption of any residual chemicals found in tampons a possibility.

How long can I leave it in?

You can leave your menstrual cup in for up to 8 hours. On your heavier days, however, you will need to empty it more. Some women need to empty it every 1-2 hours. You will quickly get a feel for the time frame that works best for you. It is safe to use a cup while sleeping.

I'm allergic to latex. Which cup should I use?

The Moon Cup and The Diva Cup are made from medical grade silicone and work for women with latex allergies. The Keeper Cup is made from natural gum rubber, which is a form of latex and should is not recommended for women with latex allergies.

Can I use a menstrual cup if I have an IUD?

Yes, menstrual cups have never been a problem for women using an IUD.

I'm not sexually active (have never had vaginal sex). Can I use a menstrual cup?

Yes, though it is up to you. You will probably break the hymen if it is still intact, and experience some initial discomfort. You might have better luck if you've already used tampons. Some women start with Jade & Pearl Sea Sponge tampons, working their way up to a cup.

Can I wear The Keeper Cup, The Moon Cup or The Diva Cup when I go swimming?

Yes, menstrual cups are great for swimming and other sports too.

Can I trim the pull-tab on my menstrual cup?

Yes, you can trim the pull-tab on your Keeper Cup or Moon Cup up to half its length and still qualify for a return (if it's returned within 90 days of purchase for The Keeper Cup and 1 year for The Moon Cup).

More Usage Tips

I think my menstrual cup has a leak, what should I do?

We have never had a menstrual cup returned to us with a hole or crack in it. In order for blood to actually "leak" out of your cup, the hole would have to be big enough for you to see. Sometimes women are confused because the pull-tab is not solid on The Keeper Cup and The Moon Cup, creating the illusion that blood is leaking out the end. If you examine your cup you will find the base does not have an opening.

I keep getting leaks, what should I do?

First, please note that it takes time to get familiar with your cup. We find it takes 2-3 periods to determine if a menstrual cup is the right product for you.

Second, note when the leaking occurs. If you had it in for 2 hours and then it began leaking, you can conclude that you need to empty it a little sooner. On heavier days, you will need to empty the cup more frequently. While your cup may not be full upon removal, the seal was compromised due to the high moisture content. You may opt to supplement with a GladRags Day Pad or a GladRags Pantyliner on your heavy flow days.

If you are getting leakage shortly after insertion, you can conclude that you did not get a seal. At this point, you should try placing the cup at different depths. Sometimes it's a matter of finding just the right place. Another area to explore is what to do once you have it inserted. Try turning it a bit and giving it a little pull downward. Other women have good luck by clenching their pelvic muscles and pulling the cup down slightly at the same time.

I've tried all the recommended tips and it still leaks, what should I do?

We are all shaped differently and have different flows. Therefore, menstrual cups will not work for everyone. We offer the 90-day (1 year for The Moon Cup) money back guarantee so you can try it over 2-3 periods. If the cup does not work for you send it back to us if you purchased it direct from GladRags or return it to the store where you purchased it for a refund. You may also consider Jade & Pearl Sea Sponge Tampons or GladRags reusable menstrual pads, which also have a money back guarantee.

Returns/Exchanges

I want to return my cup, what should I do?

Please keep in mind that it often takes some trial and error to become comfortable with a menstrual cup. Please read the usage tips above or you can call us with any questions you have at 800.799.4523.

If you are making a Keeper or Moon cup return within 90 days of purchase, simply return it to the store where you purchased it with your receipt for a full refund.

If you purchased the Keeper Cup, Moon Cup from www.gladRags.com, send it back to us within 90 days of your received date along with your invoice or invoice number: