Tampons and menstrual pads are the go-to products for most women. They are what you see sold in traditional stores and what you see advertised in TV commercials and magazine ads. They are far from the only options women have though. Hopefully by now you have also heard of some of the alternatives…cloth pads, natural tampons (sponges), and of course menstrual cups.
Let’s start off by saying that this product was not my first rodeo with menstrual cups. I have been using them for years. I have tried several different brands and have been happy with all them.
A menstrual cup does what a tampon or pad does but rather than absorb the flow it collects it. It IS a cup. If you are not squeamish about inserting a tampon then you should not be squeamish about inserting a cup. It is basically the exact same thing. The only difference is that you pull a tampon out with a string and toss it in the toilet. With a cup you pull it out, empty it into the toilet, and then wash it for re-use. I guess it is slightly more complicated then a pad or tampon but once you get the hang of it, it is no big deal.
I like menstrual cups more than I ever liked tampons. For whatever reason I could always feel tampons, even though they say you shouldn’t. With a cup…I truly cannot feel it. Tampon applicators are also really slippery, which meant many times I had problems with insertion and had to use toilet paper to kind of dry it off and try again. With one brand of menstrual cup I have had some launch failures for the same reason, slippery-ness. With the Sckoon cup there are neato grooves on the bottom (of their otherwise silky smooth and comfortable cup) that give you something to grip and hence no issues with that. See them below…
While on the subject of how it compares to other cups let me also use this same photo to show you how it has that little stem sticking out of the bottom of the cup. The other brands have that too but instead of a solid stem that tapers off they have a little hollow tube. That tube collects menstrual flow and has to be washed out…this is not an issue with some brands. This may seem like a small detail but I really like it.
I also love that the cups come in COLORS!!! My other cup is clear and it has started to look dingy over time. I am not willing to use anything harsher than soap and water to clean it because I want it to last. These colored cups solve that issue because they will stay pretty and not get discolored. I have blue obviously but they also come in other colors.
As with other cups it comes in two sizes. Size 1 is for people who have never given birth vaginally. Size 2 is for those of us who have given birth vaginally. It is made from FDA approved soft medical-grade silicon, so it’s safe, reusable, environmentally friendly.
If you need a crash course in how to use a menstrual cup it is really very easy… Take the cup in hand and fold it using your fingers. Insert pushing up and backwards (towards your back). Your vaginal muscles will grip it and keep it in place and it will open once it is up there too. When you are ready to take it out simply bear down a little bit and the bottom part will come out. Grip it and pull it out carefully so you don’t spill. Dump the contents, wash it with soap and water, and re-insert.
The only time when this becomes a bit tricky is when you are using a public bathroom. I simply dump it out and reinsert it and then remember to wash it as soon as I get home. I also use toilet paper from the bathroom stall to clean my hands off so I don’t leave a public bathroom stall with blood all over them. No need to freak anyone out. I don’t imagine that it is any harder than inserting a tampon in a public place.
I have always wanted to try using a cup but am afraid to spend a lot and not like it. I try not to use tampons because they don’t feel that great. I just keep putting off trying it. but this good review may help remind me!
Have tried soft cups, but not sure if they are really any better for the environment that tampons. This would seem to be the next step..
The Sckoon menstrual cup looks like it might have a nicer fit than other cups due to the wider opening on top. That would ease my mind about possible leaks!
I’m willing to try this.
I am very interested in trying a cup like this. Thanks for offering the giveaway!
Started using a cup a few years ago and I love it! I agree with you about the dinginess and hollow tube on the bottom. It has started to look kinda icky, but I know it’s clean. :) would love to try a different kind. Great idea for a giveaway and to let people know about alternative to tampons!
I’ve been wanting to try one of these for a while!
Entering! I want to try a different cup!
Thanks for addressing the public restroom issue. I have another brand and don’t use it as much as I’d like because I don’t want to be caught washing it out at work. I tinink you can keep it in long enough to have to empty it only once during the work day, so in that respect, easier than a tampon.
I would love to win a new cup! I lost my beloved Lady Cup in a public restroom. It slipped out of my fingers while I tipped it to empty. The toilet automatically flushed when I stood up to fish it out. I wasn’t quick enough, and down the drain it went. I seriously cried.
I would love to try one! This would be great to use when at work! I work in nursing. I can’t go to the bathroom whenever I please as the patient load is high. Constantly on the go! This would be great!
Interesting! I’ve never heard of a menstrual cup before. I would love to give it a try though. Unfortunately, I don’t think I can enter your giveaway because both my boys were born by cesarean (both breech!) so I would need a size 1. Great review though!! Your site is awesome. You’re an inspiration to me. :)
Never heard of this brand, but love cups. Think it is a great alternative!
I love my menstrual cup, and would love to try this brand too!
I use a lunette, but have always wanted to try a sckoon. Thanks for the review.
I have a DIva cup… but I have not been able to wear it for the last 6 months or so. I loved it when I first got it, but not it pushes funny (making me feel like I constantly need to pee)… and leaks. It’s really frustrating. I would love to get/try another brand, as I HATE using pads… but haven’t had the up front $$ to invest. I would LOVE to win this, and try it out!
I’ve loved my Diva cup for a couple of years, now, but have been curious to try other options. Thanks for the great review and opportunity!
I’d LOVE to try the Sckoon cup! They look way more awesome than others I’ve seen!
These look great, Definitely gonna look into this cup!
Great post and thank you!
This is a great post, I hope it helps get the word out about cups, it was still relatively new to me until a couple years ago. Would love to try this on!
I was hoping to buy one a few weeks ago but te money I was expecting got lost in the mail.. So hopefully I can win this instead :) I currently use another brand and aren’t too happy with them, but they are better than pads
I think I started following you on Pinterest, and Instagram.. The crap is confusing tho.. Lol so I’m not sure if I did it right or not. Yes, it’s ok to laugh at me lol
I would love to win a sckooncup. I just started to research the. This one is on the top of the list. Thanks for the chance to win one.
thanks for all of this info, I just bought a sckoon for myself and would love to win one for my sister.
I would love to try this cup! Sounds really good.
I’d love to try a sckoon cup. I’ve heard great things about them.
I have never used a menstrual cup but there must have something better than pads and tampons. It seems no matter how much I try I have blood stains. Hopefully this will help.
Since giving birth to third baby been having pain issues with new “cup not skoon”. Have been researchibg the next one to get. I would love to win and try it out.
I would love to try a menstrual cup. Thanks for the review and giveaway!
I have always been interested in these and now I’m definitely going to try one. Thank you!
I’m too late to win the giveaway, but I’m excited to see that there is another cup on the market and it looks like a good design. I got a Keeper in 1997 and used it until after my first child was born; then it kind of still worked, but I decided it was time to try the Diva Cup in “after” size. I’ve been happy with it, but I am interested in trying other brands, too.
I work outside the home and have heavy flow, so I empty the cup in a public restroom every few hours. I just wipe it with TP and reinsert. It’s really no problem; I’ve never had any infection or any other problem that seemed like it might be caused by doing this. I just make sure to wash it with soap at least once a day.