Naturcup

http://www.naturcup.com

{more info to come later}

More Cup Photos

People asked me to take some comparison photos of the MeLuna, and since I also got the Yuuki cup since taking photos, I figured I’d go on a bit of a photo spree.

see many more pics by clicking –>

Yuuki Cup Pictures

I received the Yuuki Cup today, so here are some pictures

It comes in a tube!

With instruction sheet.  I actually like the tube idea… it’s different and protects the cup from being squashed.  Though the packaging makes me think of a sports supplement or something

The stem is about the same width as the tube stems of other brands of cup, but it is solid.  Because the silicone is softer than that of the Mooncup UK or Diva, the stem is more flexible, but not quite as flexible as the thinner tab stems of the Lunette or Miacup.

(The cup got a bit of fluff on it, so that’s what the speckles are on the rim, I didn’t realise it would show up   I need to take another photo)

The measuring lines and name are on the inside of the cup. Along with a number “1″.    There is another line on the inside, where the ridge on other cups pokes out… not sure what that is for…  The holes are on an angle, like the Diva’s holes

MeLuna – My Thoughts

I found out about this brand in a post on the Menstrual_cups community. I must say, I found the picture of the dolls wearing the cups as hats to be just waaaaaaaaaay too cute to not have a fondness for this company right there! (I love it when a business has a sense of humour and fun about them).

I wrote to them and asked if they could send me some samples, and asking for some more info on the cups, and I got a reply back straight away saying yes, and giving me the info I asked for (and several pictures). Which I was impressed with.

I was excited about this brand not only because of the cup-hat wearing dolls but they are also purple and with a tab stem! I must say though that the plastic composition doesn’t put me at as much ease as it would being silicone, but then that is only because I don’t know much about the type of plastic they use. Apparently the same type of plastic is used in the Instead cups and also in things like baby bottle teats – so I am going to assume it is safe for menstrual cups, as the company says. And to be fair, I was a little wary of silicone when I first started researching cups (hearing stories of killer silicone breast implants [though that is a different type of silicone])… I think sometimes we are always wary of something new, and that doesn’t always mean bad. But I do know that a lot of people (myself included) are a little scared of all plastics, with the things you hear about (chemicals leaching out etc.)

They do however have a “flaw”, which I assume has to do with production, that the silicone cups for some reason don’t have.  It is a round mark on the rim, you can see in the picture below.

The price is certainly good, which is one benefit of using the plastic they do, instead of the silicone.

Testing it out – Firstly, it’s a very stiff material. Much more so than the other cups. It has the same sort of shape and rim as the Lady cup. With the folding tests I did prior to inserting the cup, I was a bit worried about the strength of the “pop” the cup does as you unfold it. But it pops out less violently when doing the “punchdown” method, so I used that.  It is actually nice to have a cup that pops open without problems when I’m inserting it on the toilet – I normally find that position a bit challenging to get the cups to open fully.  Even if once it did pop open too suddenly and give me a bit of a surprise

I first tried the cup with the tab stem. I found it very hard to grasp that stem. The cup has a lot of suction (more than I have experienced with other cups), so I wasn’t even able to pull the cup down a little to better reach the rim, as I am normally able to do. It took a bit to break the seal (especially since the rim is stiffer than other cups), and it was still more difficult than other stems to keep hold of (it was a bit slippery and thin).  Then I tried the ring stem – I was able to grip that better, so I would prefer this stem to the tab one.

Removing the cup is a little more “uncomfortable” (not painful, just not comfortable) than the other cups due to the stiffness.  I think the smoothness of the inside might make it easier to wipe clean than the other cups – it seemed to clean slightly more easily.  I like the  fact there is no writing or markings on the cup at all, so nothing to collect blood.

I noticed that when you fold the cup fully, little crack-like lines appear in the folds, which doesn’t happen in the other cups, so I assume it has to do with the plastic vs silicone thing? (or perhaps the cups they sent me are different in quality to what you would normally buy?) The “cracks” completely disappear when the cup isn’t being held in the fold, so I don’t think it is doing any permanent damage…. and also I didn’t boil the cup, I just poured boiling water over it and used a mild natural soap….. and I tried to fold it while still warm from the water, and it distorted the shape (oval). I folded it the other way to bend it back to round again, and it was then fine, but I don’t know if it would have stayed in that shape if I’d not folded it the other way.

I was trying the large size, and I had no leaking, though so far I haven’t worn it long enough to get anywhere near the holes.

Gear – I don’t know how they are usually packaged, but mine were packaged in a small plastic bag each, and then put in a mailing envelope. I assume customers actually buying these will get instructions – and I don’t know what other packaging they would use.

included with my samples was a pouch. Which is made from a blue suede-like fabric, with a silvery printed design of the woman and a moon. I quite like the pouch

Personal Observations – I’ve been impressed with this company. Not only with the fact they offer a good range of colours, but also a choice of stem types! Which is a great idea!!! When I have contacted them, the response was very quick and in good English (useful for us non-German speaking people)… and they have been more than helpful with providing extra images, and a sample of each of the colours and stem types of the cups!

Ratings

I’ve rated all the cups I’ve tried. They can be found here: http://menstrualcups.wordpress.com/2008/06/11/my-comparisons-and-ratings

MeLuna Pictures

The very generous people over at MeLuna have sent me some of their cups!  So I thought Id take some photos of them.

This is all the colours of the cups, and the pouch.  The pouch is a sort of suede-like fabric, it feels very smooth and nice.  The black is actually black!  solid colour (not transparent) and very black!  I’m sure there will be lots of gals who will love that.

I don’t know how they will show on your screen, but the green is a lime green, the blue is a quite bright blue, the purple is gorgeous   The “red” is a sort of orangish red.  They are all quite vibrant colours.

Fleurcup – My Thoughts

I only found out about these recently, and I was excited to see new cups available, and in colours!

I e-mailed them to ask for a sample, and unfortunately they refused, saying they are only interested in the European market.  (I asked them to reconsider, as European people do read my website too – but again no).  A shame, since I would have liked to include the Fleurcup with the other cups I have in photographs, be able to tell people more about it  (it’s look, feel and so on) and promote it more.

(They are actually the first cup company to deny my request for a sample)

So all I can comment on is that they look pretty and that their website is a little less professional looking than the other cup brands. Unfortunately there are no immediate plans for an English version apparently (it will come later), but you can use google’s page translator to translate the page from French to English.

Cup pictures from MeLuna

I e-mailed MeLuna and asked if they had any pictures of the coloured cups. They replied back straight away, and sent me several pictures! Including pictures of the cups next to tampons, which is a great visual reference for people who have never seen a cup in real life.  They are also sending me samples, so I will be able to include the MeLuna in some photos with other cups!   So here they are.

This shows the stem types available
(Ring, Classic stem, ball and no stem)

Shows the colours available

Fleurcup

http://fleurcup.com

Country of origin: France
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes: Small & Large
Dimensions: Small = 41mm diameter, 47mm long without stem (23mm stem length) Large = 46mm diameter, 52mm long without stem 18mm stem length)
Capacity: Small = 20mls to holes 25ml to the rim. Large = 29ml to holes and 35ml to rim
Stem: Flat tab
Measuring Lines: No
Cost (RRP): € 26.99 [Currency Converter]
Guarantee: None
Been around since: Unknown (early 2009?)
Other Details: Comes in clear, pink, purple, orange and black. The website has great animated images of the folds

MeLuna

http://www.meluna.eu

Country of origin: Germany
Composition: FDA approved TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) Which is apparently a (BPA-free) plastic that is used to make medical equipment such as catheters, as well as other products such as baby bottle teats and some vibrators. It may also be the same material as Insteads disposable cups are made from.
Sizes: S (small) and L (large) (With an XL coming out shortly)
Dimensions: S = 40mm diameter, 46mm long with ball end, or 55mm long with stem (40mm body and 15mm stem) L = 45mm diameter, 51mm long with ball end, or 62.5mm long with stem (45.5 body and 17mm stem)
Capacity: S = 11mls to holes 16ml to the rim. L = 17ml to holes and 22ml to rim
Stem: Flat tab, ball, ring or no stem
Measuring Lines: No
Cost (RRP): € 12.00 [Currency Converter]
Guarantee: Unknown
Been around since: Early June 2009
Other Details: Colours available: red, pink, blue, green and purple. With the website mentioning glittered and gold and silver options as special editions, and a poll offering options of various colours, including black. First cup manufacturer to offer the additional ball/ring or no stem options

Green Donna

http://www.greendonna.com

http://br.greendonna.com (only retail site currently available – in Brazil)

Country of origin: Unknown
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes: Unknown
Dimensions: Unknown
Capacity: Unknown
Stem: Tube
Measuring Lines: Unknown
Cost (RRP): $60 Brazilian Dollars [Currency Converter]
Guarantee: Unknown
Been around since: Unknown (early 2009?)
Other Details:

New cup pictures

I took some new pictures of the cups I have.

MPower

http://www.mpowercup.co.za

Country of origin: South Africa
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes: 1?
Dimensions: Diameter = 40mm, length (excluding tab) = 50mm
Capacity: 20ml
Stem: Flat Tab
Measuring Lines: No
Cost (RRP): R265
Guarantee: None?
Been around since: October 2008
Other Details: In an e-mail from the company they told me: “I specifically chose a non-coloured silicone for my MPowercup as my pharmaceutical grade manufacturer advised against a colour. Colour silicone is readily available but he would not 100% guarantee it for this particular application. I did not want to take a chance so went with clear as in catheter tubing and ICU tubing etc is also clear.”.  They also are running a program to give the Mpower cups to impoverished women in South Africa.

Alicia

http://thealiciainternational.com
Country of origin: India? (Australian representative, may be manufactured in India)
Lifespan:
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes: Extra Small, Small, Medium, Large
Dimensions: Unknown
Capacity: Unknown (Site says 30mls, but doesn’t say which size that is)
Stem: Hollow tube?
Measuring Lines: No?
Cost (RRP): AUD $60 [Currency Converter]
Guarantee: 2 years
Been around since: Unknown
Other Details: Not sure if they are actually in widescale production yet. I found out about them in Jan 2009, they don’t appear to have been around very long before then due to the website not having much detailed information, no online shopping cart system or actual product pictures. Appears not to be aiming for International market.

Purchase from: http://thealiciainternational.com

Coloured Cups

I thought I’d do a post about coloured cups, as I know some women are really enticed by colours. There are some great coloured cups on the market – which shows the cup manufacturers are thinking about their customers needs for visual appeal too.

LadyCup – Offers translucent Pink, Blue, Purple, Orange, Yellow and Green

Miacup – Offers an opaque (non-see through) purply-pink as their standard colour cup.

Lunette - Offers translucent blue “Selene”

MeLuna - offers red, pink, blue, green and purple. With the website mentioning glittered and gold and silver options as special editions, and a poll offering options of various colours, including black.

Fleurcup – offers pink, purple, orange and black

Yuuki Cup

http://www.yuuki.cz

Country of origin: Czech Republic
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes: 1 (small) and 2 (large)
Dimensions: Size 1 = length (including stem) 67mm, diameter 42mm.  Size 2 = length (including stem) 75mm, diameter 47mm
Capacity: Size 1 = 15ml, Size 2 = 20mls to the edge = 25 and 37 ml
Stem: Thick solid stem
Measuring Lines: Yes
Cost (RRP): 15EUR or CZK $399 [Currency Converter]
Guarantee: 2 years
Been around since: 2007
Other Details: The stem is about the same thickness as the tube stems, but is solid (not hollow).

Moon Cup (USA)

http://www.keeper.com
Country of origin: USA
Lifespan:
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes: A & B (A = After childbirth, B = Before childbirth)
Dimensions: (assumed same as Keeper) Size B = 4.5cm wide, 5.4cm long and 2.5cm stem, Size A – Keeper – 4.6cm wide, 5.4cm long (7.9cm including stem) ?
Capacity:
Stem: Hollow tube
Measuring Lines: No
Cost (RRP): Approx US$35 [Currency Converter]
Guarantee: 3 months
Been around since: Company since 1987, this product since (July?) 2006
Other Details: Named the same as (already established) UK Mooncup.

Purchase from: (lots of places)

Google Search
Keeper.com
The Keeper Shop
MyKeeperCup
Menses.co.uk
http://www.keeper.com.au

Mooncup (UK)

http://www.mooncup.co.uk
Country of origin: UK
Lifespan:
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes: A & B (A = After childbirth, B = Before childbirth)
Dimensions: B = 5cm length, 4.3cm width. A = 4.6cm width. 2cm long stem.
Capacity: Size B = 13mls (to under airholes), Size A = 15mls (to airholes)
Stem: Hollow tube
Measuring Lines: Yes (inside), Cup B marks 6mls and 12mls, and Cup A 7.5mls and 15mls
Cost (RRP): GBP$18.99 (including International postage at official site)[Currency Converter]
Guarantee: No (though used to have 3 month, and may accept exchanges in certain case by case situations)
Been around since: 2000
Other Details: Registered with the Vegan Society (Vegan approved). “Original Mooncup” (first cup to be given that name). Pay attention to the look of the product and packaging when buying from online stores to make sure you are buying the Mooncup you intend to (as there is another brand of cup using this name).

Purchase from: (several places)
Mooncup
Boots.com
Google Search

Miacup

http://www.miacup.com
Country of origin: South Africa
Lifespan:
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes:Size 1 – Women under 30/ who have not given birth vaginally. Size 2 – Women over 30/ women who have had a vaginal delivery.
Dimensions: Size 1 – 4.3cm wide, 5.3cm long (7cm with stem), size 2 – 4.6cm wide, 5.3cm long (7cm with stem)
Capacity: Size 1 – 25mls, Size 2 – 30mls (to brim)
Stem: Flat (solid) tab
Measuring Lines:
Cost (RRP): $399.99 South African Rand (approx $50.85 USD).[Currency Converter]
Guarantee: 6 month replacement policy
Been around since: May 2008
Other Details: The only cup available in an opaque pinky-purple colour

Lunette and Selene

http://www.lunettecup.com
Country of origin: Finland
Lifespan: Claims will last up to 10 years
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes: 1 & 2 (1= under 20, not had sexual intercourse. 2 = over 20/had sexual intercourse)
Dimensions: Size 1 = 4.1cm wide, 4.7cm Long, with 2.5cm stem. Size 2 = 4.6cm wide, 5.2cm long and 2cm stem
Capacity: Official capacity – Size 1 = 25mls, Size 2 = 30mls. My Test – Size 2 = 26ml to airholes, 34mls to level with rim
Stem: Flat (solid) tab
Measuring Lines: Yes (on outside) marks (though it doesn’t show what they are) 7mls and 15mls
Cost (RRP): $29.50 Euros (about $27.10 Euros at leastore/kuukuppi) [Currency Converter]
Guarantee: None (prefer to try and worth through problems than just refund)
Been around since: “Autumn” 2005

Purchase From:
http://www.lunettecup.com
http://www.kuukuppi.com / http://www.leastore.com
http://www.mylunette.com (AUS)

Limited edition blue version called the “Selene” brought out in late 2008

LadyCup (PinkCup & LadyCup Coloured)

http://www.ladycup.eu
Country of origin: Czech Republic
Lifespan: Claims will last up to 15 years
Composition:Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes:S & L (S = Women under 25/not given birth, L = Women over 25/have given birth)
Dimensions: S= “Small” – 4cm wide, 4.6cm long, 1.9cm stem. L=Large – 4.6cm wide, 5.3cm long, 1.3cm stem.
Capacity:S = 15.5ml, L = 26ml
Stem: Hollow tube
Measuring Lines: No
Cost (RRP):$24.99 Euros[Currency Converter]
Guarantee: Exchange for wrong size, 2 year on materials.
Been around since: January 2008
Other Details:Available in translucent coloured versions too. First cup company to bring in coloured cups.

Keeper

http://www.keeper.com
Country of origin: USA
Lifespan: Claims will last up to 10 years
Composition: Gum Rubber (Latex – so can cause problems for those with allergies)
Sizes: A & B (A = After childbirth, B = Before childbirth)
Dimensions:Size B = 4.5cm wide, 5.4cm long and 2.5cm stem, Size A – Keeper – 4.6cm wide, 5.4cm long (7.9cm including stem) ?
Capacity: (My Test – Size B = (approx) 12mls to under airholes, 20mls to level with rim)
Stem: Hollow tube
Measuring Lines: No
Cost (RRP): Approx US$35 [Currency Converter]
Guarantee: 3 months
Been around since: 1987
Other Details: Suspected to be not Vegan friendly (due to Casein, derived from milk, being used in the manufacture of Latex).  Concerns about ethical trading due to use of the name “Mooncup” for their silicone product.

Purchase from: (lots of places)

Google Search
Keeper.com
The Keeper Shop
MyKeeperCup
Menses.co.uk
http://www.keeper.com.au

Femmecup

http://www.femmecup.com
Country of origin: UK
Lifespan: Claims will last up to 10 years
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone (Different than that used in breast implants)
Sizes: One Size (large size)
Dimensions: Approx 4.5cm wide, 7.3cm long including stem, 5cm long to base of cup.
Capacity: Official capacity 30ml to brim My test= 15mls to airholes
Stem: Hollow tube
Measuring Lines: Yes (inside), 7.5mls and 15mls
Cost (RRP): GBP$14.99 [Currency Converter]
Guarantee: None?
Been around since: Late 2007?

Diva Cup

http://www.divacup.com
Country of origin: Canada
Lifespan: Claims silicone will last indefinitely, but cannot make claim as to how long the product will last. They suggest replacement every few years, but is probably more to do with repeat sales than because the cups will wear out in this time.
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone (Different than that used in breast implants)
Sizes: Size 1 – Women under 30 who have not had a baby (Vaginal or C-Section deliveries). Size 2 – Women over 30 or women who have had a vaginal or C-Section delivery.
Dimensions: Size 1 = 4.1cm wide 5.7cm long (7cm including stem). Size 2 = 4.5cm wide, 5.7cm long.
Capacity: Size 1 = 20ml (to airholes), Size 2 = 25ml
Stem: Hollow tube
Measuring Lines: Yes (on inside) marks 7.5mls and 15mls and 1/4oz and 1/2oz
Cost (RRP): Approx. US$34.99 (Frequently about USD$20 in stores) [Currency Converter]
Guarantee: None (12 month guarantee has now been revoked, and is up to the resellers to grant or not)
Been around since: 2004
Other Details: Appears to have been “revamped” with the newer version having slightly larger holes and a less protruding (less ridged) rim area {see http://www.christirose.com/lj/entries/2008/080220_0049.jpg}

Purchase From: (Lots of stores sell them)
Divacup
Happy Nursery
Google Search