LENAMenstrual Cup - Reusable Period Cup - Tampon and Pad Alternative - Regular Flow - Small - Pink

Experience as a first time cup user:Due to environmental reasons and not wanting to pollute the Earth or myself, I have used reusable cloth pads for over five years. My coworker really talked up the cups which I was on the fence about for ages, so finally bit the bullet. I did quite a bit of research on menstrual cups before choosing the Lena based on several factors like customer service (quite impressive) and the quality and care that went into designing the product. Originally I purchased the small on Amazon and didn't see the option for the two pack until after my order shipped, and contacted the company to see if I could purchase a discounted single large so I had both sizes to experiment with. Their amazing customer service team sent me a complimentary large, was so not expecting that! Just the fact that a real person got back to me in a short amount of time is noteworthy in this day and age.The experiments:March, Month 1: I watched videos of several different folds to prepare myself and eagerly awaited for the blood bath to start for the test drive. The first month I was amazed how much more sanitary it was to use a cup. One would think blood nestled in my woman cave would smell putrid after pooling in a petri dish for hours on end, but it actually smelled clean and my innards weren't robbed of all their natural moisture from cotton tampons. It was a strange feeling to run to the bathroom and keep checking for leaks in my pants (you can "feel" the blood collecting) but it worked wonderfully after some playing around with suction/folds and several times I got a good seal without looking like a murder scene, so thrilling! Never had pain with it going in, a slight feeling that something is inside of you, but for the small not even bladder pain. I used to have Interstitial Cystitis so I have no tolerance for a cup that will cause discomfort in that way but this was great.April, Month 2: Tested out the large Lena cup, ouch! I felt so much pain in my bladder, and had difficulty urinating with it in. Definitely way too big for my innards after all the moving around I did, just could not get it comfortable. Had wanted larger capacity, but just wouldn't work. Went back to small Lena, but somehow it seemed like the magic I had the first month of getting a good seal wasn't there, and I could not for the life of me stop it from mild leaking. It wasn't like pools of blood loss, almost like the natural female juices cleansing my insides and it was a very watery tiny bit of pink/reddish that was coming off when I would wipe after bathroom usage. Try as I might, my fingers do not physically reach in to spelunk inside my body while keeping my cup folded at the same time. The best fit for me is when I put in at night and it naturally is "digested" by my lady bits, then I have no leaks. But I can't reach it, and I too felt the panic for about five minutes of trying to take it out. I bought some THINX pad panties to wear with them while I test out folds to avoid any stains and to compensate for leaks I was still getting. About this time I was thinking I need to find out if my troubles are from internal tilt and discover my cervix height.May, Month 3: Way too much traveling with questionable access and sketchy bathrooms, so I opted for organic cotton tampons. Didn't like using the tampons after my cup experience, but had to make due. Note to self, REMEMBER TO MEASURE CERVIX.June, Month 4: Very determined to make it work, I wore it the entire conference (6 days) that I was traveling out of town. Was not too hard to deal with since handicap bathroom at the site had sink in it. However, I did have some very light leaking (that watery pink/reddish) so I had to wash some of my undergarments to avoid stains in my hotel sink. Still have not gotten around to measuring certix height or figure out how to examine myself to find out any pelvic floor tilting going on. That kind of feedback would even be helpful to manufacturers of cups to make some for ladies with different needs, which I could potentially be one of.All in all, I love this cup, the small feels good when the seal works, and I believe its made by people who genuinely have our health in mind. Going to keep trying the Lena and do more research on my lady privates layout and report back on cervix stats. Might try a different shape cup from another company to rotate with for frame of reference, but this is a solid choice if it works for your body.Edit: I am very sad to see so many low reviews, I feel like people should be leaving higher than one star based on customer service alone as they give full refunds, caring support to everyone who has posted if they need advice, and make a quality product regardless if it fits everyone's unique body.Updated 7/13/16Tip 1- Measure cervix length! There are many how to guides online from cup sites, as well as great Facebook group called Cup Love that is supportive and has a lot of documents for members. In some women like myself who have higher cervix during menstruation, we may need a longer cup to reach properly. (Attempting the Lily Cup in July) Perhaps once there is more data on varying cervix height, that will become the next reiteration in menstrual cups and how companies will market them vs child/no child, and S/L, and it will make it much less of a hit or miss kind of thing.Tip 2- There are also buy sell trade cups groups (you boil cup to sanitize) it helps offset costs as some folks have to go through multiple cups from different brands to find what some in the community call their "goldilox cup". Lena is unusual in that they offer money back guarantee, most do not. <---- major propsTip 3- I want to note that so many users are getting freaked out that it takes a couple of minutes to coax it out using muscles down there. Yes it takes a little getting used to the method and technique for each person and their needs. (For example, I have bladder sensitivities, so wide bulby cups like the Super Jennie would not be good for me as it would press against bladder wall)Tip 4- This will not ever pull out like a tampon in three seconds flat for me, and if you want something like that either use organic cotton tampons or go with a reusable sea sponge if the few extra minutes to remove, potentially clean, and reinsert is a constraint.Tip 5- Cups do take a little more care, and you will get blood on your hands literally, so if you are too sqeamish about such things please don't knock the Lena company and get a product you would never feel comfortable using to begin with. I've heard great things about sea sponges from folks in my circle, so look into that if you want something more tampon-like but still reusable.

First, I'll just get this out of the way: I am a 33 year old virgin who just so happens to be involved with multiple international travels a year. I am often in leadership with young girls, and from time to time I have helped in small ways to educate them about our bodies and that they are a gift to us - not a curse!!!I first discovered handmade (Washable) fabric pads about five years ago, and I haven't looked back. If you haven't felt the softness and comfort of one, go to Etsy and buy one immediately! They're a soft, comfortable and gentle luxury I regretted not having been introduced to when I was having my first panicked blossoming event. My Etsy friend (WeeEssentials) helped to invent and innovate the perfect fabric pads that suited my lifestyle when I served in Thailand as well as when I served in India. In the city where we lived in India, there is no garbage pickup. There are open sewers, and lots of sunshine. I strung a line in my room between the bars on the windows (to keep monkeys out), and took care of Aunty Flo, no problem. Incidentally, every disposable pad I ever purchased and tried in Thailand was terrible. Washables pack lighter than disposables.I found the videos about how to use Menstrual Cups after I'd already taken the plunge and ordered a set of two rather simple cheapies. (You know, the pink and blue set with the little heart at the bottom of the stem?)Those came in plenty of time to have ready when Aunty Flo arrived. Now, we had visitors in our home when Aunty arrived, and the whole reason I was finally willing to try these Cups is a trip that I'm departing for to India in about three days. We will be travelling a great deal by train, and in the evenings at that. So, needless to say - my favorite handmade washable pads just weren't going to cut it. I won't always have the luxury of a place to dry them! There simply isn't always a rubbish bin available, and I will likely have to use some of my drinking water when something as simple as water may not be available - but hey, that's India. I'd tried tampons as a very young and inexperienced child whose mother stood outside the bathroom door and anxiously whispered "can you get it in?!?!" The answer was a very painful, tearful and resounding "NO!" that has haunted me ever since. But, this is about beautiful children I love and want to visit. This is about my cycle getting in the way of my own life and that made me just the right mixture of desperate, angry and determined. Last week, I took the plunge. I dived in with both feet. Yes, I was scared, and I was mostly certain that my new plan wouldn't work - though I was determined to prove myself wrong. Also, watch the videos - push BACK, not UP!!!! Moving on.First semi-uncomfortable session of getting the cup in for the first time... I now realize that the cup was probably too soft, but it was pink and it was cute and it was going to rush in with a cape and save the day. Or night. Whatever.I was in the shower, figuring this thing out when.. it just worked. It also leaked, though I'm quite positive that it never actually opened completely, my best guess is that was because it was too soft - but even with a very small leak, my Aunty was so much more manageable that I barely even remembered she was in town!!! I'm sold. Yes, the first time was a bit uncomfortable to figure out, but look at what it bought me!!! FREEEEEEDOM!!!!I didn't go swimming, but I did work 10 hour days in a coffee shop with minimal breaks to rest or sit. The cup didn't have to come out for restroom breaks, and I would just take care of things when I got home and was in the comfort of my own shower. One side-note: SERIOUSLY, make sure you empty it within the 12 hours prescribed. If you do not, you will not get sick - but there is an unpleasant odor that takes over your cup, even after it is washed. It took substantial cleaning, washing and boiling to eradicate the odor in mine from day 5 when I just kinda forgot. My guess is that there is a freshness window on the fluid that your cup collects, which makes sense. There's a freshness window on carrots, milk, and bread - why not this...You WILL need to use those muscles to bare down and get the cup out. My first time, I kinda panicked - but then I had to teach myself to calm down. Meditate, Pray, be gentle with yourself. This isn't a chore that needs to be rushed, it is proper care for your body.The first night of my period, I had panicked that I bought the wrong cup. I was suddenly sure it was too inexpensive, it wasn't the matte design of silicone, and I was sure I'd wasted my money. Determined, I ordered this Lena cup. The small, in pink. No, it wasn't in the budget, but I figured I could skip a few meals if that actually became an issue. Aunty Flo was not going to boss me around.I went through that entire period with the cheapie set (incidentally, it came with a very un-useful satin carry pouch whose strings cling to the cups). It wasn't perfect, but it worked. It convinced me, and after our guests had gone, I prepared my Lena for Aunty's next visit on foreign soil. The Lena is much more firm, it hurt a little and I did spot (bleed) fresh blood a little when I first inserted it for a dry run. So, again, undeterred, I was almost positive this one would be the proper amount of firmness that would allow the cup to open once inserted. I then had to enter into the realm of choosing a lubricant for the next dry run.I found some organic Aloe lubricant that can be used for various things - this cup being one of them. Multi-purpose, I'm all about that!!!So, the second dry-run with my Lena cup went much better. Yes, it opened. Yes, it was comfortable. Yes, it's a prettier pink, and yes I now feel prepared for Aunty Flo more than ever.That said, I also have been a fan of Dear Kates undies. They're made in NYC, they're comfortable, pretty, annnnnnd they have saved me from Aunty's sometimes messy visits. However, they are also a little expensive. I tried the Anigan first generation period-proof panties, and was left disappointed. Then, last week, I decided to try another brand. The YOYI Fashion panties, while not as sexy, are made well and are quite comfortable. If you're on a budget, they will likely suit you just fine. I purchased the Jacquard ones and am ever so pleased with how pretty they are. They aren't THINX, as they're only for backup - but they are helpful and a cheaper option when you're first getting acquainted with all of the opportunities to cushion Aunty Flo's visits.I feel as if I likely just told you far more than you probably wanted to know about me. You now know what is in my underwear drawer...but if you're scared, or apprehensive of these methods for yourself or your loved one - don't be afraid. Try them, and see which methods work for you!***update a month later***I'm placing my order now for a large size, the small was a life saver on my trip to India. Inserted correctly, I had no issues in villages, over train toilets, or in the home of friends. I did experience a day of heavy bleeding and needed the pad I was wearing for backup. I should have emptied it sooner, but there were no facilties available. However, I wish I knew how to put it into words - just how much angst and worry this small thing took care of. Try one, I am quite sure you won't regret it.

Bought this to try and do my bit for sustainability however, its been amazing for changing how I manage my period!! This product is amazing once you've learnt how to get it to seal but it does take a little bit of getting used to which for me took a couple of days/tries. At the beginning its very scary & you think it's going to be lost forever however just relaxing makes life so easy. It means you can go out, move, swim, dance, whatever you want, without fear and you can do that all day realistically without having to fill your bag with supplies and always be thinking of what time it is. Fantastic product. I've only used it one cycle so far and already think I've mastered it, however from my experience it can be a little messy & you just need to get used to the sight of blood and some on your hands etc. I wouldn't go back to any other product now. Feels amazing - almost like you don't even have your period.

I first learned about menstrual cups when I saw that the period subscription box I was using offered Softcups. I was intrigued by the concept, so I gave them a try...and I loved them! This led me to look into reusable cups. Softcups are shaped and function very differently than reusable cups, so I did quite a bit of research before settling on this Lena cup. The main cup that comes to mind when people mention menstrual cups is the Diva cup; however, I learned that Diva cups are some of the largest menstrual cups available, and that they're not a great fit for everyone. The cup has to be small enough to properly expand and lightly suction to the walls of your vagina. If it's too large, it won't seal and can collapse, which causes leaks and is also uncomfortable. Since I wasn't really sure how to measure myself, I didn't want to risk wasting a good bit of money on a cup that might be too big. So, I spent hours researching for some of the smallest cups I could find. I compared the width of the rim and the length of the body (not including the stem) of so many brands. It was actually a lot harder than I thought it would be since many brands don't list the measurements. It's great that most brands have a large and a small option, but one brand's small can be larger than another brand's large, which is maddening! For example, the small Diva is 43mm wide and 53mm long, while the large Lena cup is smaller at 45mm wide and 50.7mm long. This small Lena is 41mm wide and 46mm long, so it is significantly smaller than the small Diva. I believe the small Lena is a much better size for first-time users, unless you are absolutely certain that your cervix sits high during menstruation and can use a longer cup. Other things to consider when choosing a cup are what it's made of, where it was made, and what safety standards it meets. Lena cups are made of medical grade silicone, are made in the USA, and are FDA-registered, so I was confident that it was safe to use.Now, for what I love about my Lena cup:• No more leaks!!! I've never had a leak during the day or even overnight, and I can actually wear nice underwear with confidence knowing that they won't be ruined. It holds so much more than the tampons I was using. When I first starting using this cup, I emptied it every few hours (like I did with tampons), and it was nowhere close to being full. I can safely go all day without having to empty the cup.• No more dealing with my period in a public restroom! I only have to empty it when I wake up and right before bed, which is the best thing ever! I can't even express how much I love not having to deal with it during the day. Public bathrooms are already not ideal, so not having to worry about changing a tampon is a huge plus! On heavy days (which are rare), I might have to empty it once during the day, but I literally have never needed to empty it in a public restroom in the 15 months that I've been using this cup...compared to changing tampons every few hours. If I do need to empty it in a public restroom, it's nice that I don't need to carry anything with me, and it's no messier than changing a tampon.• Better for my vagina! Tampons don't discriminate when they're absorbing, so they can really dry you out (and anyone who has ever pulled out a dry tampon knows how freaking painful that it is!). That messes with pretty much everything up there, especially the good bacteria and your pH level. They also increase your risk of developing toxic shock syndrome (TSS) because they absorb and trap any bad bacteria. Cups don't mess with any of that. Since they don't absorb anything, your vagina remains unchanged, so there's no bounce-back time after your period where it needs to rebuild the supply of good bacteria and get back to a healthy pH level. Your risk of developing TSS is also much, much lower, so menstrual cups are safer to use over longer periods of time.• Better for the environment and my wallet! I love that there's no trash (wrapper, applicator, the tampon itself) each time I use my cup. When you think about the thousands of tampons you'd use throughout your life, that's a lot of waste that won't end up in a landfill. And for the price of a few boxes of tampons, you'll get years of use out of a cup (as long as you take care of it). I'm saving a ton of money by not buying tampons every month, and I'm reducing the amount of waste I produce, so that's a win-win.I really don't have any negatives for this cup. It has some minor staining after 15 months of use, which is completely normal and will happen with any cup you buy. I'm sure a dilute hydrogen peroxide soak will make it look brand new again. I recently bought some backup Lena cups, so I've included pictures of the new ones (a small pink compared to a large clear). I was curious to try the large, since the small works so well. It did fully open, but it was harder to remove because there was more suction and it was just a bigger cup to remove. I will continue to use my smalls, and I will keep the large for after I have children. I also showed what the rim of the small looks like for two different folds (the C/U fold and the origami fold). There are many different ways to fold a cup, and it's completely up to personal preference.If you've read through this mini-essay of a review, I hope it helped! The condensed version is that I cannot recommend this cup enough! It has truly changed everything about my period experience, and I no longer dread when it arrives. Do your research, look up tips, watch YouTube videos, and give it a try!!

I am doing a 100% honest feedback review. I am a person who was willing to try new things out and this was one of the things that I wanted to try. I was really excited when this arrived; I was never really excited that my period came by but this was one of the times. I bought the small Lena in pink. (This is a detailed review so if you don't want to read it, don't.)Okay so here is my information. My cervix can be felt around 2 inches in during my period and I chose this cup because I liked the fact that: 1.It was FDA registered cup with medical grade silicone 2.It offers two sizes 3.The small cup holds quite a lot 4.Cup is known to be on the firm side (I wanted the cup to be on the firmer side because I wanted the cup to open).So I did have a learning curve; I struggled even with a regular tampon when I first tried it. It was new that I had to fold this in a certain way and I left it in there for quite a long time. I decided to give this a little test run before my period began so I tried it for 3 days, getting used to the feeling of how it felt inside me. It was a little strange and I did feel a little pressure on my bladder. The first time I forgot that I had to give it a little squeeze and just pulled it out. Do NOT do that people. I speak from experience. The second time around I remembered to do that and it was a lot more comfortable. I found that I actually had to trim the stem a little bit; it stuck out and was being uncomfortable. It was easy to cut off and I had no problem with the shorter stem. I actually found it easier to not use the stem to pull it out. Also, I found that after sleeping with it in, the next day, the cup would go up higher. But do not panic for those who are using it. Just relax and squeeze those muscles as if you were going to the bathroom and it comes down very easily.So on my actual period day I used the cup and I found out that it was leaking. I wasn't immediately disappointed; I couldn't have gotten it right on my first try anyway so I kept trying to correct it. On that day, the Lena company actually emailed me and asked me how I was doing with the product. I ended up sending them an email back about the leaking problem that I was having and they were sooooo nice. They emailed me back so fast. Literally, within minutes. They gave me all these tips and I ended up emailing them a couple more times. I tried the tips and the leaking problem went away by the end of the period cycle. The problem I was having was the cup wasn't making a proper seal inside, causing the leak. So I got used to inserting the cup and running my finger along the rim to make sure that it was open. I also noticed that in the earlier days I was inserting the cup lower than expected, allowing the cup to be crushed more inside by the pelvic bones. With the use of the cup, I've actually noticed that my cycle ended a little faster than usual and less heavy.I haven't had to use the cup outside but I live with other girls and the bathroom structure is formed so that I would have to open the door and physically go outside to wash the cup in the sink where the other girls can see. So I kind of got the experience. So instead of doing that during my period, I just take the cup out, dump it, wipe the inside and outside with the toilet paper, and insert it back. It's actually really simple. Yes sometimes I do end up getting blood on my hands but hey, I have more toilet paper. I just wipe my hands and wash them when I get out.They gave me an opportunity to try out the bigger cup, which I am trying out right now. I wanted to try the bigger cup because with the smaller cup, even though I got the seal right, I continued to have leaks on my heavy day. I had to constantly dump the cup in 3 hour spans and I really wasn't comfortable with that. The bigger cup is actually softer than the smaller cup. Some people who are trying the cup get scared about the size but really, it isn't such a big deal. I actually found that the bigger cup felt a little easier to insert. Now that might be just because I already tried the other small size Lena cup and is used to it or that might be because the bigger cup is softer, as I had said.Anyways, right now I am trying the bigger cup out. The bigger cup is way softer and it is getting crushed but I'm not getting any leaks. I'm not sure how that's working but it's wonderful. I took out the cup about good at least 9 hours later and only half of it was full (and today is my heavy day). It is the only second cycle of period that I am using this cup but I have a very good feeling. On my first day of my period I get pretty bad cramps that I need Advil for. I didn't need that for this cycle so far. Right now I am pain free. I don't feel very bloated. And as I mentioned earlier, I felt my period lighten after the use of the cup even at the first cycle. Yesterday was my first day of my period and I usually get a normal flow. Yesterday I thought I was just spotting. I only had maybe 6 drops of blood. That is how light my period has gotten so far.So to sum this up, I am very positive about this product. I love this and I am spreading this to my friends! If you are scared about feeling any pain, don't be. There is no pain with this product. It is money well spent product! Don't be afraid to trying this out if you are open minded like me!