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After having my second baby, I decided to make the move to reusable feminine products. It made sense for many reasons: I wanted to reduce the amount of waste I generate, and I also was motivated by the health reasons. This Lena Cup review will share my experiences with this switch.
Several years ago, I had heard about menstrual cups (the Diva Cup specifically) and was put off by them at first. It seemed a little too “out there” for me and I wasn’t sure if they would be gross or not.
Well, as time passed and I had a couple kids, “gross” was no longer a consideration. You become pretty comfortable with bodily fluids as a mom. My periods seemed SO much heavier after my second child, and to be honest the super tampons freaked me out because of the link to TSS.
That is when I decided to give a menstrual cup a try. A friend sent me a link to the Put a Cup in It Quiz so I could get some direction about which cup was right for me. It led me to the Lena Cup.
What Is the Lena Cup?
The Lena Cup is a reusable menstrual cup that you insert like a tampon (different process to do that, though). It is designed to collect the blood flow and seal to your body to prevent leaks. It can be worn up to 12 hours without emptying.
The Lena Cup is made from medical grade silicone and is registered with the FDA. It is great for those that love to be active–you can continue regular exercise routines, swim, dance, run, or whatever you like without worry.
Menstrual cups significantly lower the risk of yeast infections, TSS, rashes, and abnormal pap smears caused by pads and tampons. They are low maintenance (once you get the hang of them!) and sanitary.
How Is It Different from Other Cups?
There are several brands out of there of menstrual cups. They are made differently and fit people differently. The menstrual cup you choose to use should make sense with your body, so if you haven’t taken the quiz from Put a Cup in It yet, I highly recommend you do so!
The Lena Cup is a not a super soft cup. I prefer that because I feel it is easier to insert and manipulate that way. It isn’t the firmest cup out there though, either. In my opinion, the cup is just a little firmer than average.
The stem on the Lena cup has some grips on it to make removal easier. Note: You don’t remove a menstrual cup by pulling on the stem (at least not until after you have broken the seal! Breaking the seal is easy and just involves you pinching the cup). That’s important for ultimate comfort and safety.
The Lena Cup is bell-shaped which allows it to fit to the contours of the body better than some other cups that are V-shaped. It also comes with a cute little drawstring bag to keep it in to protect it and keep it clean when not in use.
Pros & Cons
I have been using the Lena Cup for a year and a half now. Here are my pros and cons:
Pros:
- No more spending money on menstrual products!
- Feels much more hygienic than pads or tampons (this is my favorite pro and was not something I expected!).
- Healthier than pads & tampons.
- Very easy to clean and wash.
- Reasonably priced.
- Size options allow you to choose a smaller size on lighter days, and a larger size on bigger days (though I just have the larger size and I wear that all the time).
Cons:
- I wouldn’t say I never have leaks. The leaks are minor and don’t require a pad, but they can stain the underwear. I’m still trying to figure this out!
- I bought a clear Lena Cup and the silicone does start to discolor after awhile. Not a big deal, just something to be aware of. I don’t know that any other brand is immune to this issue on a clear cup.
- Learning how to put it in quickly and easily can take several cycles of experimentation. I almost gave up on it at first because I felt it took me SO long to get it in and open. After experimenting with different insertion methods, I finally found what works for me.
Insertion Methods
Here is a video that can help you figure out different ways to insert your menstrual cup efficiently:
Price & Where To Get
Lena is priced right in line with the other menstrual cups on the market. You can get a single Lena Cup, or you can get a two-pack with the small and large sizes. I only have the large size and wish I had gotten the two-pack. It is cheaper to buy them together than to buy them separately, and now I wish I had the smaller size to use on light days.
There is also a Lena Cup Sensitive (which I believe is the one I have!) if you want to avoid any dyes.
Amazon is the best place to purchase the Lena Cup, especially if you are a prime member. You can get it here.
Have you tried a menstrual cup before? What do you think of them? Let me know in the comments!
While I do not have personal experience with this subject (and that is not a joke in any way), I appreciate you straight forward presentation and see the value in your passion for this subject. Yes, your total content tells your story and is a good indication of the passion that you have for things that are green. Thank you for sharing! Keep it up.
Thanks!
Hi Holly,
I am so glad that I came across your review about Lena cup.
Until I read your article, I had no clue that such a reusable feminine product exists. I am also fascinated to read that ‘Menstrual cups significantly lower the risk of yeast infections, TSS, rashes, and abnormal pap smears caused by pads and tampons. They are low maintenance (once you get the hang of them!) and sanitary.’.
I think I should get some doctors advice and then purchase some to see.
Definitely ask your doctor about them. I have loved using them!