Changes to the Cup listings
It is becoming very difficult and time consuming to list each brand separately on this site, as many of the new ones coming onto the market appear to be the same cup design given a different name (“Rebranding“). This also makes things very confusing in both how I’m going to list them on the site (lots of duplicating info) and for you to find information about the cups.
So from now on I will focus just on just individually listing the “unique” cups (designs not similar to any other existing cups) in separate posts, and all the suspected rebrandings and cups that look the same as other cups already listed, won’t receive individual pages. These will still be linked in the cup list on the side menu.
There is also now a master list – with all cup brands listed by uniqueness and stem type
~Click here for the MASTER CUP BRAND LIST ~
Cups I know about but haven’t listed here on the site yet:
- Freely (might be a rebranding) – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07967R588
- Genial Day – https://genialday.com/menstrual-cup (Looks like the same design as Oi & Masmi)
- Hello Cup – https://thehellocup.com/the-cup/hello-cup (unique design, in pink and blue)
- Keela – https://keelacup.com/ (unique design that indents the cup when you pull on the stem)
- LouLou – https://louloucup.com/
- Masmi – http://www.masminaturalcotton.com/menstrual-cup.html (Looks like the same design as Oi & Genial Day)
- Minni Hölgykehely – https://minniholgykehely.hu/ [translated] – Not unique, also on Alibaba
- My Cup – https://www.mycup.co.nz
- Saalt – https://www.saaltco.com/
- Saforelle/Enna – http://www.saforelle.com/produits/coupe-menstruelle-saforelle-cup-protect/ (Cup with a very long thin stem)
- Violeta – https://www.vaidecopinho.com/7434783-Violeta-Cup-A-Violeta
- Yuminer – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074218VCY (same design as HeaLeanLo)
- Ziggy Cup – https://www.intimina.com/en/ziggy_cup (a reusable cup similar to the insteads softcups)
Cute Chinese Cup spotted on Alibaba
Every now and then I look through Alibaba listings to see what new cup designs are being sold (in bulk) in China. Usually it’s the standard cups you see being rebranded. But this one caught my eye as something very unique I’ve not seen yet.
Before anyone asks where/how to buy one – Alibaba is a trade site dealing in wholesale (For example these have a 500 minimum order), so until someone buys them and offers them retail, they won’t be available to purchase. Interestingly the listing makes no mention of medical grade silicone and just calls it “silicone’.
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A couple of other interesting cup designs on Alibaba… these (from the same manufacturer as the above ones), with a wavy line around the bottom of the “ridge” part of the cup – look to be a mid-length hollow tube stem. Link
.
These valve stem cups with smooth sides (no ridge or thickening of the rim) Link
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and these Short bodied cups. Small size has a body 33mm long, large is 37mm long. Link
US MeLuna Cups Vs MeLuna cups sold elsewhere
MeLuna published an interesting article on their site – http://meluna-usa.com/index.php/blog/14-us-version-cups-vs-rest-of-the-world-cups
“In Europe menstrual cups are considered a hygiene article and therefore do not have to meet medical device standards. In the US however the cups are considered a medical device. This is in large part because they are inserted into the body and have prolonged contact with mucus membranes. MeLuna cups sold in the US have to meet FDA standards which include being made from all medical grade materials.”
“The TPE that is used in the US cups even in the clear version is slightly different to meet FDA standards of ‘medical grade’.
The even more noticable difference though is in the colorants. Colorants for the non-US MeLuna version are food colorants and not medical grade. US colorants are medical grade.We offer different colorants here in the US because the US version is made from medical grade colorants made specifically to fuse permanently and without leaching with the raw material.”
While I assume this article is intended to make the US versions sound safer and better, to me it does raise an interesting point about the safety of the non US versions then…. If they acknowledge that the medical grade colourants don’t leach…. doesn’t that then mean that the food-grade colourants used in the non-US cups might?
Someone posted a comment about the glitter from their cup coming loose as well.
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
Why (I believe) you shouldn’t buy “Chinese Cheapies”
Everyone wants a bargain, not everyone has cash to spare – I’m quite budget conscious myself. I get it. But sometimes paying a bit extra is worth it.
There are a LOT of places selling really cheap cups. As in under $2 “cheap”. Other brands can cost $40 or more. For that kind of price, who wouldn’t want to spend just $2 compared to paying 20x that price!
But cheap isn’t always best. There are a few things to consider –
1) Is the cup design a good one for you?
2) Is the material safe?
3) Do you want to support a good brand or support a dodgy one?
The thing is, a menstrual cup is really an investment. A menstrual cup should last around 10 years. So you’re talking about the more expensive menstrual cups costing about $4 PER YEAR or less, tampons would cost you more than that per month. Even the most expensive cup is a MASSIVE saving on using tampons. I don’t know about you, but I consider my vagina is worth more than $4 a year to keep happy and healthy. I don’t want to be shoving anything up there for long periods of time unless I’m fairly confident that there will be no long-term side effects of that. Cervical cancer is something I’d like to avoid and IMHO putting something of unknown and potentially dodgy composition up close to your cervix for 12 hours a day may not be a sensible idea.
At the end of the day, buy what you want – but I want to make sure people are aware of what they are buying and thinking about factors other than the price. If you’re buying to donate to impoverished women, or buying for a friend – consider their vaginal health too.
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.
Korui
www.korui.com.br [Translated into English]
Country of origin: Brazil
Composition: Medical Grade Silicone
Sizes: “Light”, “Normal” and “Intense”
Dimensions: Light = 41mm diameter, 70mm long including stem (47mm without stem). Normal = 43mm diameter, 70mm long including stem (49mm without stem). Intense = 45mm diameter, 70mm long including stem (51mm without stem)
Capacity: (to airholes) light = 25ml, Normal = 29ml, Intense = 34ml
Stem: Flat narrow tab
Measuring Lines: Yes
Cost (RRP): R $82 (Brazilian real) [Currency Converter]
Been around since: 2016
Unique Design?: Sort of (See below)
Other Details: Similar in design to other cups with flat narrow stems, however this cup does have a few design elements different to other cups, such as the rounded tip on the bottom of the stem and the shape of the ridge around the top of the cup. Appears to come in a range of colours (blue, orange, green, purple, yellow and deep red)
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.
Eva
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eva-containing-Ultra-Soft-Menstrual-Sanitizing/dp/B072C36PY1
(Amazon listing for single cup in France)
I have no details on this cup yet, other than it is made in Italy. The stem appears to be a hollow tube with very pronounced grip lines.
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.
Yuuki Rainbow
Yuuki have brought out “Rainbow” cups – these cups are made with 7 colours of silicone to create a rainbow effect. Each cup will have a slightly different pattern of these rainbow stripes, making each one unique.
https://www.yuukicup.com/en/eshop/rainbow-line-menstrual-cup-detail-583
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.
Review – Casco Cup
I am really sorry I haven’t reviewed this sooner. I’ve had a challenging couple of months (lets just say) and haven’t been able to get the review done. Also I wasn’t sure how I felt about it, so I wanted to wear it over 2 periods to test it out more.
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!
TGA and Menstrual Cups in Australia
The Therapeutic Goods Administration – the TGA – is the governing body for Australia that has a similar role to the FDA in the USA. Menstrual cups are regulated by the TGA, and must be registered before they can legally be sold in Australia (the same way cups must be registered with the FDA to be legally sold in or to the USA)
“Menstrual cups are therapeutic devices and need to be included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) before being sold in Australia. The TGA regulates menstrual cups as ‘Other Therapeutic Goods’.”
Cups that are purchased from overseas sources for your own personal use, do not need to be registered with the TGA, as it is legal to import an unregistered item (that is not prohibited) for your own use. However it is not legal to sell a menstrual cup in Australia unless it is registered with the TGA.
As of 13th Sept 2016 – the following are the only menstrual cups that appear under a search for “menstrual cups” on the ARTG:
- Diva Cup (ARTG ID: 173694)
- Juju (ARTG ID: 180153)
- Keeper (ARTG ID: 68249)
- Lunette (ARTG ID: 157084)
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
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 