Lily Cup Compact!

Intimina was nice enough to send me one of their cups for review in the summer.  I have had my eye on the compact cup since it came out!  What a neat cup.  They gave me a choice between their classic cup (anything but- it’s so streamline and also has a nice spill lip.  Hoping to try it out soon!) and their compact cup and size so of course I chose the compact cup.  The cup has been featured by Health, Fox News, Time, Today, The Daily Dot, Refinery 29, Metro, Shape, and Elite Daily.  Like other menstrual cups the Lily Cup is hypoallergenic, causes no irritation, protects balance, leaves no dryness, no fibers, no odors with no strings or padding.  They claim you can forget you’re wearing it, which is true (I have!  Eeek!).  The Lily Cup compact collapses flat into its protective case, which is the size of a lip balm tin.  When I got the cup, I was so impressed with the size and material.  It’s a silicone cup like most, but has the softness of a “peachy” cup yet it’s not quite as pronounced in texture as other “peachy” cups.  The company claims it can be used for many years and gives mild soap and water standard care instructions.

In this review I will be focusing on the compact cups Intimina offers, since that is what I have experienced.  The size A (smaller cup) is a light pink color and the size B (larger) is a more fuchsia color, just like their regular cup. I will post the Lily Cup’s size chart for you below.

Intimina doesn’t claim that the lily cup compact, even in size B is for heavy flow, but rather light to medium flow.  I find this to be particularly true. I don’t have a light or medium flow, especially when my period first starts, so I can only wear the Lily Cup for about 2 hours.  Luckily, in most cases, if I am out and this is the nice small and hygienic cup I have in my purse, it comes in clutch!  I like that I can fold it up and store it in my glove box without any problems.  It wouldn’t be a cup I grabbed for at home but the concept is great.  I do travel frequently and think it’s genius to keep in luggage or what not.  I must say, even though it’s a great idea and they’ve mastered the design, most cups are smaller than a box of tampons or pads and flexible to begin with so I am not sure there is a great need for the compact cup.  The cup is medium firm I would say!  It’s not squishy but it’s not a rock.  One of my concerns for the Lily Cup Compact was that it may not pop open very well, but surprisingly it pops open with much ease!  The stem is a hollow stem but very short.  You could cut it but I wouldn’t see why one would do that.  I may be purchasing a classic cup from them in the future.  I love the material and the company was a breeze to work with.  I think that mostly sums it up, as always ask questions if you have them.

You can find it in some Walmart’s or Target’s and definitely online.  I have a free shipping code for my viewers!  LCJENN

I want to say my thanks for this sponsored review to Intimina!  Great cup and thoughtful design.  I appreciate it being sent to me, and have suggested it to my friends who are frequent travelers!

An Essay on Disposables vs. Menstrual Cups

I had to write for an Environmental Science class and figured feminine hygiene waste was a valid topic.  So here is my essay.

ENVR 1401

4 August 2016

Environmental Impact of Disposable Feminine Hygiene Products

Up until the early to mid 20th century, women were impeded by their menses and given no freedom from the burden that involuntarily happened to them monthly.  In the 1920’s and 1930’s, commercial tampons were introduced (Kowalski).  While these were leaps and bounds for women, commercialized tampons and pads were setbacks to the environment.  The average woman will contribute 11,000-12,000 tampons or pads to landfill waste in her lifetime due to her menstrual cycle and 7 billion tampons are disposed annually in the US alone (Ruby Cup, Collin 23).  It will take thousands of years for the plastics in disposable feminine hygiene products to degrade and also uses our petroleum reserves.  Both disposable and sustainable menstrual products have aided women’s liberation, but only sustainable products will free both women and the earth.

Disposable pads and tampons may appear undemanding and uncomplicated.  So conventional in fact, that tampons are used by up to 70% of menstruating women (Borowski 16).  In reality, disposable tampons and pads are produced with harsh dioxins and can cause toxic shock syndrome.  Asbestos and dermatological as well as reproductive issues have been linked to commercial tampons, as well as UTI’s and mini-ulcers in the vaginal tissue (FDA, JAMA Dermatology, New England Journal of Medicine, Rochester Instutue of Technology).   If the tampons have such an impact on women’s bodies, it follows they would be bad for the environment.  Plastics from disposable products can be found on beaches around the world and in landfills in your town.  Sure conventional pads and tampons might be less to think about, and just that, conventional.  That does not make conventional pads and tampons any better for the environment or women.

Menstrual cups, one of the sustainable options for women, are not as popular or widespread as disposable tampons or pads.  Being that they are unheard of (because of menstrual taboo) women are fearful of them.  The truth about menstrual cups is that they are safer than tampons, better for the environment, better for women’s health, better for women and girls of the world, and easier on women economically (Lunapads).  One menstrual cup will last up to ten years, meaning a woman will only need four or five in her entire menstruating life.  Menstrual cups are made of 100% silicone or even natural (biodegradable) rubber while tampons are made with agricultural resources such as cotton, thus tampons add to the agricultural strain on the earth (Keeper Cup).  Menstrual cups have no relation to the hormone disruptors such as Bisphenol A that is commonplace in tampons.  Because menstrual cups collect menstrual flow rather than absorbing it, they reduce health complications, resulting in potential protection of the environment (because of less sick women).   

Since there are 85 million menstruating women (in the US), why is the medical field not promoting sustainable period options, such as menstrual cups for the health of women and the earth (Rochester Institute of Technology, Borowski 9)?  Women who use menstrual cups “attribute their preference to comfort, dryness, and less odor.” (OMICS group).  Only 22% of young women have talked about tampons with their healthcare provider, making the amount of young women who talk to their healthcare provider about alternative options even less   (National Center for Biotechnology Information).  The earth and environmental impacts are not being taken into consideration by our medical community because the feminine hygiene issue is a billion dollar industry (Borowski 18).  

It is understandable why women still use disposable tampons and pads.  They are promoted by the industry leaders such as Kimberly Clark and have been used by daughters, mothers, and grandmothers, causing a false reputation (Borowski 18).  The negative impacts on the environment are still rising nonetheless and must be addressed responsibly.  The menstrual cup is a great invention and solution to the environmental and health risks associated with commercial tampons and pads.  

I believe in the menstrual cup because it is a logical answer to the ever growing waste epidemic in our consumer based society.  We as a nation spend so much money on “quick and easy” things when there are usually plenty of other options that are just as efficient, usually more cost efficient, and much better for the earth.  Women have been given limited options for years and have never seen such a variety in their menstrual care, yet still they choose conventional products.  I truly conclude that it is time for a revolution in women’s health.  We need to stop passively allowing other women to fall prey to chemicals hurting their bodies and their world.  Plastics are “never” going to degrade and that is not being responsible for the future generations of women who will also be in this world.  These are the reasons I think it is time for a change in the way women feel about the liberation of their earth and their health.

Works Consulted

Borowski, Ann. "Are American Women Turning to Reusable and Greener Menstrual

Products Due to Health and Environmental Pollution Concerns?  Thesis.

Rochester Institute of Technology, 2011.  RIT Scholar Works (2011): 8-21.  

Rochester Institute of Technology, Fall 2011.  Web.  4 August 2016.

Collin, Robert W.  Trash Talk: An Encyclopedia of Garbage and Recycling around the

World.  ABC-CLIO.  2015.  Web.  4 August 2016.

Nicole, W. (2014).  A Question for Women’s Health: Chemicals in Feminine Hygiene

Products and Personal Lubricants.  Environmental Health Perspectives, vol

122(3).

Tampons and Asbestos, Dioxin, & Toxic Shock Syndrome.  Food and Drug

Administration, 13 May 2015.  Web.  4 August 2016.

Larsen, Walter.  (1979).  Sanitary Napkin Dermatitis due to the Perfume.  The Journal

Of the American Medical Association Dermatology, 115 (3).

Doi: 10.1001/archderm.1979.04010030065027.

Learn More.  The Keeper, Inc.,  Web.  4 August 2016.

Kowalski, Sarah.  (1999).  Tampons in American History.  Swathmore University.  

December 1999.  Web.  4 August 2016.

Why Switch?  Lunapads.  Web.  4 August 2016.

Department of Pediatrics.  (1998).  Tampon Use in Young Women.  National Library of

Medicine.  August 1998.  Web.  4 August 2016.

DeVito, Michael & Schecter, Arnold.  (2002).  Exposure Assessment to Dioxins from the

Use of Tampons and Diapers.  Environmental Health Perspectives.  (110)1.

January 2002.  Web.  4 August 2016.

OMICS International.  (2014).  Tampon.  Open Access Articles.  Web. 4 August 2016.

OMICS International.  (2014).  Menstrual Cup.  Open Access Articles.  Web. 4 August

2016.

Shans, Kathryn.  (1980).  Toxic-Shock Syndrome in Menstruating Women —

Association with Tampon Use and Staphylococcus aureus and Clinical Features

in 52 Cases.  The New England Journal of Medicine.  (303)1436.  

Doi: 10.1056/NEJM198012183032502

Your Period Can Save the Planet.  Ruby Cup, Inc., Web.  4 August 2016.

Scialli, Anthony.  (2001). Tampons, Dioxons, and Endometriosis.  Reproductive

Toxicology.  (15)3, 231-238.  

Doi: doi:10.1016/S0890-6238(01)00134-4

BUT IT'S SO BIG!!!

Hi all!  Today I am coming at you with a post about the size of cups!  Now, I want to say that I meant to post a picture of a good size comparison, but got stuck not posting that picture... because... I lost misplaced my Lena cup.  Which I just got this week.  #Jennskills.  ANYWAY!  So, pretty much whenever people (especially virgins, or those a bit unfamiliar with the nether regions) hear about cups for the first time, or when they see one, they ask, "How will it EVER fit?!?  Won't it hurt like hades to put in and take out!?!  BUT IT'S SO BIG!!!" 

The answer is simple.  No.  

It will not hurt.  It may be slightly *uncomfortable* but you will get the hang of it and it will be easy.  

It fits, because as all of us (hopefully!!!) know, the vagina is a muscle and not some other organ.  That is why it miraculously accommodates a baby during birth and can still contract for sex, and generally because no one wants to walk around with a birthing sized vagina! (Amen?!) That is why women practice kegels, and why women with weaker pelvic floors suffer from leaking when sneezing and the like.   This leads me to the idea that besides the "G-spot" the vagina is actually pretty numb (THANKFULLY- wouldn't kids be painful?  Let's all go hug our moms, okay?).  If the vagina itself has low pain receptors, than the cup will not hurt once in (JUST LIKE TAMPONS).  It folds down in many different folds to be small enough to fit easily inside the vagina.  The only part that is initially uncomfortable is learning how to insert and remove, which is even harder if you're nervous.

SO!  My suggestion to you (if size is the only thing holding you back) is:

Take the leap!

Grab your cup, 20 minutes of free time, maybe a bit of water based lube (although I've never had to go this far.  You can also use a minimal amount of coconut oil), and a cup of tea.  Relax relax relax.  Say a prayer or a few "Om's."  Lock the bathroom door.  Watch a few different folding videos.  Do your best.  If it doesn't work on the "dry run" it may actually work on your period, because your anatomy (cervix mostly) changes during your cycle.  

And that concludes what I have to say about the issue of size.  Sure it is slightly bigger than a tampon, but there are far more benefits to using cups than not.  Pictures will be up ASA I find my Lena cup.  (Lena Small is tiny! : )  

Next post: The Learning Curve!

Comment below if you are scared of using cups, what is holding you back?

Much love,
Jenn

How to Find Your Goldilocks Cup

Finding your “goldilocks cup” or perfect cup can be tricky, especially for beginner cup users.  It can be an expensive task if you want to try different cups and wasteful.  I have put together a few different tips in different categories for those who wish to more easily find their perfect cup.  Keep reading and please share if you found this helpful : )

Cervix height (Vagina length)

How “long” your vagina is isn’t really the right terminology; your anatomy is actually based more on how high your cervix is, although the length of your vagina is often how it is referred to.  If you have a “long” vagina (high cervix) many cups will work fine for you!  A few lengthier cups include Luv Ur Body, Lunette (size 2), Diva cup, Lily Cup and more.  If you have a low cervix, some cups to consider are: FemmyCycle low cervix, MeLuna Shorty cups, Lena and many others.

Firmness

The firmness of lack thereof of the cup of your choice will depend on what you find easy to insert and remove, how strong your pelvic floor muscles are, and how new you are to cups.  If you find it painful to take out a cup, you may want to opt for a softer cup.  If your pelvic floor muscles are very strong, you may want to opt for a softer cup but you should be fine with most cups.  If you have a weak pelvic floor, you will want to look for a firmer cup.  If you are a newbie at menstrual cups, you will want a cup that is not necessarily firmer, but maybe has an easy ability to “pop” open once inserted.  A few firm cups include, MeLuna Sport, Yuuki, Lunette size 2 (my MOST firm cup).  Some softer cups would be Anigan, Diva, MeLuna soft.

Material

Menstrual cups typically come in silicone varieties but some cups, such as MeLuna are made from TPE or Thermoplastic Elastomer.  The keeper cup is made from Rubber.  This choice could be made just out of preference, or medical reasons.  You might be allergic to one material but not the other.  All materials utilized by cup companies are safe to be used for menstruation.

Size – diameter

This will be dependent on comfortability with your vagina, sexual activity, and whether or not you’ve given birth.  Some use larger diameter cups as virgins with no difficulty but it would be better to be careful and simply consider diameter in your choosing of your cup. 

Size – capacity

This will be more dependent on your flow.  If you have heavy flow, ignore the diameter guide and opt for a larger cup.  If you have light flow, you can try to weigh whether using a smaller or larger size cup will be right for you.

Level of Menstrual Cup Experience

If you are new to using a menstrual cup, a cup with more pronounced grip rings, larger suction release holes (easier for cleaning), more pronounced or stretchy stem would be good for you!  If you are an old pro and comfortable with your anatomy then you should have no problem using a cup with lesser pronounced grip ring, etc.  A cup for a beginner with the above features might be Lunette, Fleur, Yuuki, Skoon while a cup for an experienced cupper would maybe be the Bella cup or Femmycycle.

Ethics

This is somewhat one sided, and most cups are made responsibly, but companies such as Ruby cup have a get one give one type thing where you buy your cup and they give a cup to girls in Africa to help girls stay in school.  When buying a cup, if this is important to you, you might want to buy a cup from Ruby cup or look into other ethical cup choices.

Price

There may be a quality discrepancy but you can get a cup from eBay for $3.  You can also purchase a JuJu or Diva cup for around $40.  I don’t suggest starting with the eBay cup but if you’re willing to not be dismayed it could be a great choice for you!  More expensive cups are put through higher standards of quality inspection.  You can make your own judgement call.  If you want to get a cheaper cup, there are also B/S/T (Buy Sell Trade) groups on Facebook for menstrual cups and MC_Sales at LiveJournal if you don’t have a problem boiling or sterilizing a used cup.  You can usually find a cup on these sites for $15.

Color and Texture

This is simply preference based but there are different companies that make different colors available and different cup companies have different textures of silicone.  Search around to see what you think you’ll like : )

I think this wraps it up!  I am always at your beck and call if you need any help picking out a menstrual cup, please just comment below or email me crazyjennjennmenstrual@gmail.com!

Thanks for a visit : )