Oi Cup
Country of origin: New Zealand
Composition: TPE
Sizes: Small, Medium, Large
Dimensions: S = 35mm diameter, 60mm length. M = 40mm diameter, 70mm length. L = 45mm diameter, 70mm length
Capacity: S = 30mls, M = 30mls, L = 40mls
Stem: Short Thick (hollow?)
Measuring Lines: Unknown
Cost (RRP):
Been around since: 2017?
Unique Design?: Yes
Other Details: Website measurements give the S and M cups 30mls capacity, but I wonder if the Medium size should be 35mls? As the Medium is 10mm longer so should have a larger capacity.
Update — I’ve seen this same cup design also being sold as the Masmi cup.
Fun Cup
Country of origin: Germany
Composition: Silicone
Sizes: A, B
Dimensions: A= 40mm diameter, 53mm long. B = 43mm diameter, 58mm long.
Capacity: A= 20mls, B = 30mls
Stem: None
Measuring Lines: None?
Cost (RRP): €34.90 (for 2)
Been around since: 2017?
Unique Design?: Yes (This cup design appears to have been created by this brand and has not been seen used by other brands)
Other Information: Size A has a firmer silicone. Cups sold as a pair – either 2 of the same size or one of each size. Size A comes in pink and turquoise. Size B comes in grape and Ultramarine. Doesn’t appear to have airholes.
Rainbow Cup
There is no information on the measurements or capacity for these cups on the listing, but since they are a unique design I thought I’d post about them anyway. Available in 2 colours (“Sunshine” – yellow and “Cyclamen” – Pink) and clear
Found here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/RAINBOWCUP-Beautiful-Menstrual-Choose-SUNSHINE/dp/B0747VBK22
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Menstrual-rainbowcup-Beautiful-Silicone-Satisfied/dp/B075ZSV9MJ
Hesta
Country of origin: Made in USA
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes: “Regular” “Large”
Dimensions:
Capacity: Regular = 30mls, Large = 40mls
Stem: Short thick
Measuring Lines: Unknown
Cost (RRP): USD $26.90 [Currency Converter]
Been around since: 2016
Unique Design?: No, there are other cups that have a similar shape.
Other Details: Comes with a silicone storage case. These cups resemble the Green Cup of Maine design and the silicone case is the same (except branding) as the Casco Cup, so I believe these cups are also made by Casco Bay Molding (who also make Casco Cup, Lincup, Life Cup and Green Cup of Maine)
LifeCup
Country of origin: Colombia (Made in USA)
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes: “1” (small) “2” (large)
Dimensions: 1 = 41mm diameter, 56mm long (8mm stem). 2 = 44mm diameter, 56mm long (8mm stem)
Capacity: 1 = 24mls, 2 = 37mls
Stem: Short thick
Measuring Lines: Unknown
Cost (RRP): COP$79,900 [Currency Converter]
Been around since: 2016
Unique Design?: No, there are other cups that have a similar shape.
Other Details: These cups resemble the Green Cup of Maine design. I believe they are made by Casco Bay Molding (who also make Casco Cup, Lincup, Green Cup of Maine)
Miu
https://miu-cup.com [Translated into English]
Country of origin: France
Composition: Unknown
Sizes: 2 sizes, 2 firmnesses
Dimensions: Little Minote (soft) & Little Mariole (firm) = 41.3mm diameter, 44mm long without stem, 65mm long including stem. Grand Minote (soft) & Grand Mariole (firm) = 46mm diameter, 50mm long without stem, 65.6mm long including stem.
Capacity: Little Minot/Mariole = 18mls, Grand Minote/Mariole = 27mls
Stem: Long thick with bump grips
Measuring Lines: Yes (7.5 & 15ml)
Cost (RRP): 24 € [Currency Converter]
Been around since: 2016
Unique Design?: Yes
Other Details: These cups are available in 2 levels of firmness. The pink cups are softer, and they suggest they are used to start with, and the blue cups are firmer and they suggest they are useful for sport.
Merula Cup
http://www.merula-cup.de [Translated into English]
Country of origin: Germany
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes: 1
Dimensions: 40mm diameter at rim, 46mm wide at widest part of the body. 39mm Length without stem. 50mm, 61mm, 72mm length stems.
Capacity: 38ml
Stem: Ring
Measuring Lines: No?
Cost (RRP): EUR 25,50 [Currency Converter]
Been around since: 2016
Unique Design?: Yes
Other Details: Comes with a unique “ladder” stem design, allowing you to trim the stem to whichever ring length you want. Instructions say the cup doesn’t need to fully open to work. The short body and long stem mean this cup design could be suitable for either a low or high cervix. Made from French Silicone (NuSil). Standard colours appear to be green, blue, pink, yellow and clear. A limited edition red and black have also been made.
XO Flo
https://gladrags.com/product/451/XO-Flo.html
Country of origin: USA
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes: 1 size
Dimensions: 45mm diameter, 86mm long including stem, 55mm without stem (31mm stem)
Capacity: 38ml
Stem: Long thin with bump grips
Measuring Lines: Yes (7.5 & 15ml)
Cost (RRP): $35USD [Currency Converter]
Been around since: 2016
Unique Design?: Yes
Other Details: Says it has inner support rings to help it pop open easily. While GladRags is FDA registered for their pads and the Keeper, the XO Flow cup isn’t in their list of registered devices (yet?)
Sileu
This brand appears to be buying in cups from the Chinese manufacturers and selling them as different forms of Sileu Cup (See Rebranding). [Amazon search for “Sileu”]. If you look at the box packaging, they have boxes to tick for the type of cup
The “Sport” design appears to be the narrow flat tab stem design (like “icare” etc.), the “Classic” has the flat wide tab stem, “Soft” is the short stem (“Blossom” etc. design)
The “Tulip” is a hollow tube stem, “Compact” is a collapsable/foldable design and the “Valve” is the “Bassrose” style.
Easy Life (Skynector)
http://www.skynector.com/en/products-look.aspx?id=116
This is a valve stem cup, although I’m unsure exactly how it works. I assume it has a ball inside the stem that blocks off the stem to hold the blood in the cup, and the ball would be slid down into the bulb on the base of the stem to allow the blood to drain through the small holes on the side of the bottom of the stem.
Stonesoup Wings
https://stonesoup.in/pages/stonesoup-wings
Country of origin: India
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes: 3 (Soft, Regular, Tough)
Dimensions:
Capacity:
Stem: Stemless
Measuring Lines: No?
Cost (RRP): Rs. 835.00 [Currency Converter]
Been around since: 2016
Unique Design?: Yes
Other Details: Stemless design. They also offer a “cup for cup” promotion where you can buy 1 cup for yourself and buy one for a charity.
HeaLeanLo
https://healeanlo.en.alibaba.com
They make 3 different designs of cup – 2 are valve stem designs (can be emptied while in place).
(Non-valve design, stem is a mixture of a ball and stick stem)
Small = 65mm long, 42mm diameter.
Large = 67mm long, 45mm diameter,
Capacity = Alibaba listings say 16mls to airholes, 25mls to rim. (unknown which size). AliExpress listing says small = 20mls, Large = 30mls.
(Valve stem with stopper, opening stopper and squeezing the stem opens the valve to let the contents drain out)
Small = 70mm long without stem (23mm stem), 42mm diameter.
Large = 70mm long without stem (23mm stem), 45mm diameter.
Capacity = Alibaba listings say 25mls (unknown which size). AliExpress listing says small = 20mls, Large = 30mls.
Another listing for the same style cup, but calling it an Aneer brand, lists the diameters as 40mm and 45mm with a 20mm stem, and list the capacity as 28mls for the small and 30mls for the large
— Note, the listing says: “New style drain valve menstrual cup, use until the menstrual is over. you don’t need take it out every few hours,until the menstrual is over,it is very safe and easy to use.” I assume they mean by this that you can leave it in through your entire period, just emptying it as needed. THIS IS A VERY BAD IDEA! Menstrual cups should be worn for no more than 12 hours without being removed, emptied, cleaned and reinserted.
(Valve stem – squeezing the stem opens the valve to let the contents drain out)
Small = 79mm long including stem (27mm stem), 42mm diameter
Large = 85mm long including stem (30mm stem), 46mm diameter
Capacity = Alibaba listings say 16mls to airholes, 25ml to rim (unknown which size). AliExpress listing says small = 20mls, Large = 30mls.
— Note, the listing says: “New style drain valve menstrual cup, use until the menstrual is over. you don’t need take it out every few hours,until the menstrual is over,it is very safe and easy to use.“ I assume they mean by this that you can leave it in through your entire period, just emptying it as needed. THIS IS A VERY BAD IDEA! Menstrual cups should be worn for no more than 12 hours without being removed, emptied, cleaned and reinserted.
Winny Cup
While I said I wasn’t going to individually list rebranded cups any more, I will when one is particularly newsworthy….. and that’s Winny Cup.
While the cup itself is nothing unusual – it appears to be yet another rebranding of the short stemmed cups with lines around the top (eg. Blossom Cup, Dutchess Cup, Charlene, Athena, Lola etc. etc. etc.) – There are some points on their website that are worth mentioning (because, you know… I like being a bit snarky sometimes…. maybe it’s because I’ve got my period [I don’t, but according to the articles on the site I’m totally justified to be crazy and angry if I’m on my period, so hey, why not use it as an excuse!]).
Casco Cup
Country of origin: USA (FDA registered)
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes: “1” (Small) and “2” (Large)
Dimensions: 1 = 42mm diameter, 70mm long including stem. 2 = 46mm diameter, 70mm long including stem.
Capacity: 1 = 30ml , 2 = 40ml
Stem: short/Ball
Measuring Lines: Yes (7.5 & 15ml)
Cost (RRP): $22.99 [Currency Converter]
Been around since: 2016
Unique Design?: Sort of (See below)
Other Details: Comes with a storage container. This cup is sold by the manufacturer (Casco Bay Molding) – who also makes Lincup, Lifecup and Green Cup of Maine).
Casco Cup looks very similar to Lincup, but are different cups.
Tinka Care
https://www.tinkacare.de [Translated into English]
Country: Germany
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes: 1
Dimensions: Unknown
Capacity: Unknown
Stem: Long thick
Measuring Lines: Unknown
Cost (RRP): 29,95 € [Currency Converter]
Been around since: 2016?
Unique design?: Yes (This cup design has not been seen in other brands of cup)
Other Details: 100 days return policy. Very pronounced ridge design.
Uni Cup
https://www.amazon.com/Uni-Menstrual-hygienic-Technology-know-how/dp/B01FYM7O20
Country: Korea
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes: 2 (together in the same pack)
Dimensions: Small = 41mm diameter, 48mm long without stem, 24mm stem. large = 45.5mm diameter, 51mm long without stem, 21mm stem.
Capacity: Small = 20mls. Large = 30mls
Stem: Long thick
Measuring Lines: Yes
Cost (RRP): $27.37 (for 2) [Currency Converter]
Been around since: Fb page started July 2016
Unique design?: Yes (This cup design has not been seen in other brands of cup)
Other Details: The pouch it comes with is made from PUL fabric, so since the cups should be stored in a breathable container, it’s not advisible to store the cups in this pouch.
New Purple LENA
LENA now comes in 3 colours! The original pink, as well as turquoise and now purple!
It’s no secret that purple is my favourite colour, so since I also love the shape of the LENA cup, there now being purple ones makes me very happy! The turquoise is really lovely too.
My camera doesn’t really show the purple it as it appears in real-life, and it’s been horrible and overcast for days, so the lighting isn’t great – so in the photos it does look a bit more blue than purple, but it is a very lovely lavender colour.
The official photos show it accurately
While the colours are pastel shades, they have a very vibrant look – with a lot of colour. They are translucent not opaque, with a lot more depth of colour than some of the other translucent coloured cups.
As with the original, the boxes are 100% recycled and are printed with vegetable-based inks!
Dans Ma Culotte
Country: France
Composition: Unknown (Just says “not toxic (FDA) / Hypoallergenic”)
Sizes: 2
Dimensions: Small = 39mm diameter, 65mm long. large = 46mm diameter, 65mm long
Capacity: Small = 19mls. Large = 30mls
Stem: Long thin
Measuring Lines: (No?)
Cost (RRP): 23 € [Currency Converter]
Been around since: 2016?
Unique design?: Yes (This cup design has not been seen in other brands of cup)
Other Details: Appears to be created to resemble a strawberry, with seed-like raised dots on the body of the cup and feaf-like grips on the base.
Moskito
http://www.lumunu.de/search/moskito?row=0 [Translated into English]
(Please note this company also sells sex toys, so I have linked directly to the cups)
Country: Germany
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes: “A”(Small) “B” (large)
Dimensions: A=40mm diameter. B= 45mm diameter
Capacity: Unknown
Stem: Flat Tab
Measuring Lines: (No?)
Cost (RRP): 13,99 € [Currency Converter]
Been around since: 2016?
Unique design?: Yes (This cup design has not been seen in other brands of cup)
Other Details: Comes with a wooden cleaning brush, lubricant and the (gorgeous!) packaging is made from recycled materials. Available in clear or a pinkish purple. Has flat sides with grip on the base, I assume this would make a good grippy base for those who trim the stems off. The English part of their website doesn’t appear to list the cups, only the German part.
Puramour / Dream Lover / Inticup / V-cups
Puramour/Dream Lover | Inticup | v-cups
Country: (Appears to be made in China)
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes: “S”(Small) “L” (large)
Dimensions: S=39mm diameter, 43mm length without stem, 70mm total length (26mm stem). L= 45mm diameter, 51mm length without stem, 70mm total length (21mm stem)
Capacity: S= 19mls (to airholes?), 23mls (to rim?). L=25mls (to airholes?), 30mls (to rim?)
Stem: Flat Tab
Measuring Lines: (No?)
Cost (RRP): $ ?? [Currency Converter]
Been around since: 2015
Unique design?: No
Other Details: We first discovered this brand called “Puramour” or “Dream Lover”, but is now seen as other brands, often found on AliExpress.
“Dreamlover” | Inticup | V-Cups
Red Herring has an unboxing video that also talks about the silicone and how it turns white when stretched – https://youtu.be/opH1t26x93M?t=5m50s
Lincup
Country of origin: Manufactured in the USA (FDA registered)
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes: 1
Dimensions: 42.2mm diameter, 58mm length without stem, 70mm length including stem.
Capacity: 25.3ml – capacity to airholes, 34ml – capacity to the rim.
Stem: Short thick
Measuring Lines: Yes
Cost (RRP): $30 USD
Been around since: 2016
Unique Design?: Yes, sort of (See below)
Other Details: No measurement information on their website.
The manufacturer for this brand also makes Casco Cup and Green Cup Of Maine.
Green Cup of Maine
http://www.greencupofmaine.com
Country of origin: Manufactured in the US (FDA registered)
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes: 2
Dimensions: Unknown
Capacity: Unknown
Stem: Short Thick
Measuring Lines: Unknown (no?)
Cost (RRP): $44.99 USD
Been around since: 2016
Unique Design?: Yes (The manufacturer for this brand also makes Lincup, which looks similar but not the same)
Other Details: Website claims they are the “World’s Best Menstrual Cup” which is a high claim. No measurement information on their Amazon listing or website. They are using light to regular flow (small cup) and heavier flow (large cup) as the sizing, rather than any birth or age recommendations.
The manufacturer for this brand also makes Casco Cup and Lincup.
Silja
These appear to be officially approved silicone versions of the MeLuna cups (MeLuna cups are made from TPE). Currently only available in a limited range (compared to MeLuna’s large variety). The Ring, Ball, Stick and stemless options, only in clear, and not in the “shorty” length.
Country of origin: Germany
Composition: Medical grade Silicone
Sizes: “1” (small), “2” (medium), “3” (large) and “4” (Extra Large)
Dimensions & Capacity (taken from MeLuna measurements):
1=38mm diameter, 45mm long without stem. 15mls to airholes, 23ml to rim.
2 = 41mm diameter, 48mm long without stem. 20mls to airholes, 28ml to rim.
3 = 44mm diameter, 51mm long without stem. 24mls to airholes, 34ml to rim.
4 = 47mm diameter, 56mm long without stem. 30mls to airholes, 42mls to rim.
Stem: “Stem” (cross between a flat tab and a rounded thick stem), ball, ring or basic (no stem)
Measuring Lines: No
Cost (RRP): € 21.00 [Currency Converter]
Been around since: 2016?
LuxuryBody
[Amazon Listing Translated to English]
Country of origin: Unknown (Assume China)
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes: “S” (Small) “L” (large)
Dimensions: S = 40mm diameter. 70mm length total, 25mm stem. L = 45mm diameter. 70mm length in total.
Capacity: S=25mls, L=30mls
Stem: Flat Wide Tab
Measuring Lines: Yes
Cost (RRP): EURO 19.90 [Currency Converter]
Been around since: 2015
Unique Design?: No (There are other cups with similar designs available)
Other Details: Looks to be a rebranding of other similar cups
Monicup
[Amazon Listing Translated into English]
Country of origin: Unknown (Suspect China)
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes: S (small) L (large)
Dimensions: S= 45mm diameter, 70mm long. L=47mm diameter, 75mm long.
Capacity: S=20ml, L=25ml
Stem: Flat wide tab
Measuring Lines: Yes
Cost (RRP): EUR 24.99 [Currency Converter]
Been around since: Listed on Amazon April 2016
Unique Design?: No (There are other cups with similar designs available)
Other Details:
Cleo Cup
Country of origin: Australia? (manufactured in China?)
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes: “1” (small), “2” (Large)
Dimensions: 1 = 43mm diameter, 73mm length. 2 = 46mm diameter, 76mm length
Capacity: Unknown
Measuring Lines: Yes
Cost (RRP): $46.39 / $41.95 USD [Currency Converter]
Been around since: 2015
Unique design?: No (There are other cups with similar design available)
Other Details: Website is registered in Australia, although the cups are being sold on Amazon in USD. This brand does not appear to be registered with the TGA or FDA (as of Sept 2016). While the cup design is similar to existing cups, it does not appear to be a rebranding. The cup design is very similar to Lunette, but with extra grip rings on the stem.
The FDA declaration is slightly misleading, as it implies the cup is FDA approved, when it isn’t.
Vintage Cups
This page is to talk about the first Menstrual Cups – the Foldene, Daintette, Tassette and Tassaway.
.
Daintette and Foldene
The first commercially available menstrual cups may have been the Daintette and Foldene cups. Sadly there is little information available on these early cups.
Daintette Information at EasyCup (Translated into English)
Daintette Information at MUM | Foldene information at MUM
The photos of the inside of the Daintette cup from EasyCup website shows the word “FOLDENE” on the side of the Daintette cup. According to “MUM”, the packaging for the Daintette and Foldene cups both listed the Goddard and Hagedorn patents. The bent stem some of these existing cup examples have seems likely to be as a result of being squashed into packaging for a long time. MUM comments that their Foldene cup is slightly smaller than their Daintette, and the box had “Junior size” on it. So it is possible these early cups came in 2 sizes.
Lester Goddard (for the “Cokzene” company) patented the first of the modern-looking cups in 1932 (below left). https://www.google.com/patents/US1891761. In 1933 (published in 1935) Arthur Hagedorn patented a cup design that is almost identical (below right). The only differences I can see with this and the Goddard cup are the addition of channels (#15) in the wall of the cup and a very slight difference in the angles of the walls of the cup in the diagrams (perhaps also a thicker rim) https://www.google.com/patents/US1996242
Both companies offered very similar looking cups for sale, both featured a silhouette of a woman on the packaging (although different artwork), but the companies were not from the same US State, and had different names. According to the patent information, Hagedorn was from Ohio – where the Foldene cup was from. The Goddard patent offers no information on where Goddard was from, but the Daintette cup was from Connecticut. Possibly Goddard was from Connecticut? The fact the Daintette cup bears the Foldene mark seems to suggest the companies were somehow connected.
While they were patented in 1932-1935, there is no date available for when these cups were actually on the market. So while the patents for these predate the Chalmers/Tassette cup – they may have been available at the same time, or even after the Tassette – I don’t know.
.
Tassette & Tassaway
In 1937 Leona Chalmers patented her design (commonly {perhaps mistakenly} called the first modern menstrual cup). https://www.google.com/patents/US2089113. This appears to have been sold as the “Tassette”
(Photo of the Tassette courtesy of MUM)
Interesting knowledge can be gathered from the 1961 prospectus (when it appears the Tassette company were trying to sell shares of the company to fund more advertising to grow the business)
- The cup was in “limited use” from 1937 to 1959. Presumably this started out with cups being in testing phase, but rubber supplies were limited for civilian use during World War II, so it appears that production was suspended until 1951 – after an updated patent had been filed.
- The updated patent design (http://www.google.com/patents/US2534900) changed the stem to be a flat tab with a hole (presumably for a string to be inserted for easier removal), it also allowed the cup to be made thinner, with the addition of thicker zig-zagging portions for stability. The shape was also changed to have one side flatter, which was said to be for better fit. The only photos I can find of the Tassette cup are of the 1937 patent design, not this updated 1951 patent design (below), so I don’t know if cups were produced to this patent.
- In 1951 Chalmers made a contract with Abe R. Oreck where it appears she gave him an exclusive license to manufacture the Tassette for 20 years – including the rights to the name and the patent, as well as the use of her name and image in advertising. While also keeping her on as a consultant.
- After May 1st 1959 the Tassette company was required to pay the “licensor” (Chalmers I assume) 10c per unit sold (and not less than $2,500 per year), or to purchase the patent/name for $50,000. It appears from their financial records they chose to pay per unit.
- Robert Oreck (Abe Oreck’s Son perhaps? Abe died in July 1961) formed Tassette Inc. on May 5th 1959.
- In an effort to boost support for the cup, over 28,000 letters were sent out to Drs, 33,000 letters were sent out to nurses. 1,253 Tassette cups were sent to clinics, hospitals and universities for them to study and use the cup. The company called 434 Drs to discuss the cup – 306 gave approval of the cup, 27 raised objections (and 85 were unavailable when contacted)
- The Tassette was the first menstrual product to be advertised on radio and buses. It was also advertised in newspapers and billboards. It was the first menstrual product to be advertised on a billboard on time’s square. It seems to have been heavily promoted.
- From May 1959 to July 31st 1961 the company had spent $248,241 in advertising, but had only $82,644 in sales. The lack of sales and high advertising costs seemed to be an ongoing problem for the company. It appears to have done many deals to trade shares for advertising and other services.
- From Jan 1st – July 31st 1961, 10,081 cups were sold (including wholesale and retail)!
- On 31st July 1961 the FDA sent Tassette a letter stating that due to the possibility of infection or “mechanical irritation” the cup should be labelled to be sold only by prescription. At the date of the prospectus it seems that Tassette had intended to send more information to the FDA to appeal the decision. I do not know the outcome. This would have severely impacted upon the ability to have menstrual cups available to the public!
- In 1961 the Tassette was being sold for $4.95 each
- In 1961 Tassette acknowledged the cup they were now selling was not to the patented design (as it had undergone design changes), and was thus without patent protection. But felt that building the trading name was of more importance. I do not know what the cup they were selling looked like – if it was the white cup that MUM has, or something else
- On 31st July 1961 the Tassette company had 2 sales managers and a registered nurse (as well as their President, 2 Vice Presidents, Secretary/Treasurer and 6 directors). Shirley Oreck (presumably wife to Robert) was one Vice President, the other (J Thomas Gibbons) had previously been the Vice President of Seamless Rubber Co. (who manufactured the Tassette). One of the other directors had previous worked for Seamless Rubber Co.
- Tassette had shares in the tampax company!
- It offered a 3 month, money back guarantee.
It is believed that the Tassette cup disappeared from sale in 1963.
.
However in 1968 (and revised in 1971) Barbra Waldron patented a design for the Tassette company and in 1970 the “Tassaway” cup was introduced.
https://www.google.com/patents/US3404682 & https://www.google.com/patents/US3626942
Interesting notes made on the patent information for the Tassaway are that they claimed that the Chalmer’s patented design was ineffectual and leaked (presumably this is why this new design has the top rim design it does). Also that the flatter sided design of the updated 1951 Chalmers patent was said to be difficult to fold and uncomfortable.
This was a new design and made to be disposable. This was thought to solve 2 major problems with a reusable menstrual cup – the need for washing and reusing (which some women didn’t like), and the fact customers would need to purchase more of them (better for the company).
The Tassaway was designed to be flushed down the toilet and according to the patent information was to be made from a “synthetic resin, such as any one of the well-known polyvinyl alcohols” – not rubber like the previous cups. It also had a “controlled degree of water solubility” – meaning that they designed the material to be able to last long enough to be used once, but it would start to distort and break down if it was washed and reused – thus ensuring it could not be reused (and presumably meaning it would break down in the sewers, since it was flushable). The patent also references an “inserting element” tool – so that the women would not need to use their fingers to insert the cup, as this was another issue that some ladies had with the use of the cups.
However money problems still seemed to plague Tassette. On suspicion of fraudulently inflating the prices of shares (the number of units sold didn’t seem to justify the share prices), in 1972 there was a court hearing after Tassette were allegedly violating the registration provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, the anti-fraud provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
The Tassaway doesn’t seem to have been available after about 1973.
Another photo of a Tassaway with packaging – from Flickr (see another here):
Tassaway from an ebay listing (which I’d had in my watch list and forgot about! SOOOOOOOOOO mad at myself *sob*)
Mina
Country of origin: South Africa
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes: 1
Dimensions: 31mm diameter, stem length 17mm
Capacity: 16mls
Stem: Flat Tab
Measuring Lines:
Cost (RRP): [Currency Converter]
Around Since: Officially launch date 27th May.
Unique Design: no (There are other cups with similar designs available)
Other Details: 60 shore silicone. 2 Airholes. Currently available for donating only. Later in the year (August?) there are plans to launch a commercial version and a larger size.
Gea
http://www.rossolimone.com [Translated into English]
Country: Italy
Composition: TPE
Sizes: 1 (Small) & 2 (Large)
Dimensions: 1= 41mm long in front, 49mm long at back. 2 = 45mm long in front, 53mm long in back.
Capacity: 1=20mls to holes. 2 = 25mls to holes
Measuring Lines: Yes
Cost (RRP): € 25.00 [Currency Converter]
Been around since: ?
Unique Design: Yes
Other Details: This cup has an angled top rim (like the Lilycup), which is said to make it better fit the shape of the vagina. As of writing this, there is no online shop you have to contact them to purchase one. Measurement information taken from http://www.ecomestruazioni.it/coppetta-mestruale-gea-recensione
Klivee
Country of origin: Italy
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes: B (small) A (large)
Dimensions: B=42mm diameter, 50mm length without stem, 20mm stem (70mm in total). A=45mm diameter, 59mm length without stem, 20mm stem (79mm in total).
Capacity: B= 23mls to holes, 30mls to rim. A= 30mls to holes, 40mls to rim.
Stem: Long thick (cylindrical)
Measuring Lines: Yes (15mls & 7.5mls)
Cost (RRP): € 21.80 [Currency Converter]
Unique Design: no (There are other cups with similar designs available)
Other Details: Comes in clear, purple, pink and aquamarine. Says that it has FDA certification, however the certification it has is to do with rubber items in contact with food (info here). Not for medical use.
About
A menstrual cup is form of reusable menstrual protection. It is inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual fluids. Once in place it forms a seal, preventing blood flowing out of the vagina by collecting it in its “cup” shaped reservoir. Unlike a tampon which absorbs the blood along with the vagina’s natural secretions, a menstrual cup simply holds the fluids until you remove it – so they do not dry out the vagina and do not hold the TSS risk that tampons do.
They hold around 20-30ml, which is for most women will cope with a full day without emptying, and at most perhaps you would need to empty it a few times a day for a very heavy flow. A menstrual cup will last (with proper care) for around 10 years, perhaps longer, so while the initial outlay is high, it pays for itself with savings pretty quick.
This is a sister site to www.clothpads.org. For information on cloth pads, please check that website.
This blog is a place to find information about the different cup brands I know about. All the brands I am aware of, are listed in the menu – Clicking on these brand-name links will take you to a page of information I have about them.
Menstrual Cups 