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Author: Gina
Rating: 5
Review: Now this may be a premature, and TMI review but when you're looking at a menstrual cup I'm assuming that you're okay with a bit of gross talk. This finally came in the post this morning, and after reading alot of advice that essentially said 'practice makes perfect' I decided I should do a dry run to hasten my getting used to it. Obviously I was aware that my being not on my period could affect the process, so to compensate I used a bit of water and tried decreasing the amount of friction through... Well, stimulation, if you get what I'm saying. (I went for a book, but hey that's me being a geek - and no it wasn't fifty shades of grey) I used an origami fold and it went in perfectly fine (I bought the size 1 - perfect for virgins and women who haven't given birth apparently, by the way I fulfill both of these criteria), I couldn't feel it even when sitting down and walking around, but during the first ten minutes I was very aware that I had something in me. After that, nada, I didn't feel a thing. I read that the stem sometimes makes it uncomfortable, but maybe it's something to do with my having a higher cervix but I had no discomfort from it at all. (Although ladies if you do have a high cervix, aparrently the diva cup works wonders - not so much with people with lower ones) Lunette is one of the more expensive brands, but I would say if you're a virgin/haven't given birth, AND you've never used a menstrual cup before, the lunette is probably for you. I haven't used size 2 so I can't really comment on that unfortunately as apparently the size 1 is more flexible and 'soft.' Just a tip if you're getting one, remember to BREAK THE SEAL before attempting to take it out (oh boy, I forgot about that), you'll save yourself some pain. There are some fabulous guides easily accessible by google, so you'll have a load of advice to draw from. Ultimately, the real test will be during my period, so I'll attempt to update this review then. However just two bits of further advice is to make sure you're getting the right size by visiting lunettes website and checking out their table. Also, please don't get a menstrual cup if you're grossed out by collected blood or exploring your anatomy, you'll be doing it. For now, ciao! UPDATE - After using the cup for one cycle, I can now assuredly say this thing is quite amazing. I was right in tackling the learning curve early, as I didn't really encounter any problems. (At one point it managed to get inverted, which was both quite amusing and heavily uncomfortable, but that was due to my trying to hasten the insertion process) On my heavier days, I had to double up using the cup and a pad because of overflowing, but that was because I wasn't comfortable with taking it out in a public bathroom, so I just left it in for about 6 hours at a time. The reason why I wasn't comfortable was because at one point I accidentally dropped the cup on my bathroom floor, and it genuinely looked like I had murdered someone. I wouldn't want to risk that in public. So until I'm more experienced in taking it out, I'm playing safe. On my lighter days, there was no leaking and I felt fresh! I even wore this on a 12 hour flight and it was brilliant, way more comfortable than wearing a pad. Cleaning it is easy, I just sterilised it as recommended by the guide which came with it, and then before I used it I rinsed it in boiling water. After that just quick rinses with water before each insertion will do I think, as I don't have any non-irritating soaps. I will put it in boiling water before each cycle though. No icky stuff gets caught on anything, so you don't really have to get down and dirty. The suction holes are big enough and can be cleaned with not much effort. My one is purple, so it won't be as easily discoloured as the clear one - although I did order the clear one and a purple one came in the post instead! I was going abroad the next day, so I just used it anyway but it was a bit of a 'meh' moment. And now for what I have noticed: Using this cup has completely eliminated stains. Many a time in the past, and I know this is a problem for many women, I woke up and stared downcast at a bloodied sheet in the morning. Well not with this! (if you double up with a pad on your heavier days). I've said goodbye to stains and feeling uncomfortable throughout the night. In the mornings I feel fresh and we'll rested, something you really need when you're on your period. I've also noticed a lack of odour. I have a bit of a sensitive nose so the smell of oxidised blood was never pleasant to me. Now however, I cannot smell anything! This is fantastic for anyone with a keen sense of smell. To sum up, this is an amazing product and I cannot sing it's praises enough. But please be aware, we all have different body structures so thoroughly research your model before buying a cup. What works for me may not work for you, but due to the lunettes size and softness, perhaps it is the closest thing to a universal cup? Size 1 at least. To conclude, having my period was always an inconvenience. But now, I can soldier through it feeling fresh! You can't really put a price on that. And it will only get better as I get more adept at using it, and I become aware of my own cycle and it's properties. I know I mentioned using pads in this review, which may be a bit counterproductive for those of you concerned with the environment. But that was just because of my inexperience in using the cup, and I'm sure in the future I won't have too. I hope this has been a useful review for you! Lunette - 1 year on. I have some additional information that might prove useful, so I thought I would update this review. I would like to focus on the importance of body type. I have noticed that some women are having problems inserting the size 1, with it being too big and therefore painful - this is the case for some women even if they have given birth! This is why I think it is very important to look at your bone structure/body type before getting a product like this. If, like me, you have a heavy blood flow and broad shoulders, hips and everything in between - despite being a virgin - I would say get a size 2. Retrospectively, that is what I think I should have done; I should have gone against advice and gotten the size 2, despite me not filling some of the criteria. Conversely, if you are petite, small boned and slender, you should probably lean more towards the size 1. I must admit however, I may just be an odd ball, body wise - I've always had very broad shoulders, thick feet and huge thighs even as a child, so I cannot claim that my advise is infallible! But I still think, for all you slender and thick women out there, this is something to keep in mind for sure - don't just go by the criteria, look at your body. Hopefully, this makes sense. Secondly, I would like to talk about smell. I have noticed a smell recently, and while it is not very pleasant it is also not very strong. It smells a bit like cauliflower… It is at its strongest right after I take it out, and the least noticeable after I wash it. I don't worry about it at all, because you can't smell it otherwise. Just something to note. The colour is also starting to fade a bit, but I never really cared about the colour to begin with. If by any chance you have a heavy flow and your cup is full, be warned! If you remove the seal you may get blood pouring down your hand and onto the floor, or on your trousers - both of which I have experienced. This has only happened on my heaviest days, and thankfully when I was at home, but I think if you are in public and your cup seems to be full, remove it with small movements and with caution or try taking it out before it gets full if possible. Now, for cramps, the thing I am most pleased about. My cramps are almost non-existent now! I cannot pin this exactly on the lunette, but it does seem to have helped with it at least a bit. My cramps used to be terrible and debilitating, but now I can carry on as usual. So does my 5 star rating persist after 1 year? You bet it does. I still think this is a life changing product, and I would recommend it to any woman.
