Hi friends-Oh boy, it's been awhile. I am officially on Christmas break and I have a month off school and some free time and I don't know what to do with myself, so here I am blogging.
Several months ago I wrote a blog/review about the LENA menstrual cup. I just wanted to write a brief update and some new tips and tricks I have discovered after using it for almost a year. I hope you enjoy and find this blog helpful 😘 (read my LENA menstrual cup review)
Cutting off the stem
I had mentioned in my first post that I regretted cutting of the stem on my cup because after using it for awhile it was difficult to remove. Well, I recently got a new LENA cup and I kept the stem on. I found the stem to be very irritating to my lady bits. My suggestion is- try the cup with the stem and see how you feel. If it doesn't bother you and it isn't hanging out of you, keep it! (try it for 12 hours and not 12 mins. lol)
How long I leave the cup in
Gross alert!! The box says to change it every 12 hours or so but sometimes I leave it in for way longer than that. The cup is made of medical grade silicone so it cannot harvest bacteria, but unfortunately your blood sitting in the cup can. I have never had any issues with leaving it in for several hours longer than the recommended time. Listen to your body and know your comfortability level.
Panty liners?
I still occasionally get that random spotty type of blood when I wear a cup so I do wear a panty liner occasionally. But, that's one more thing I have to buy so I limit myself. Some days I don't have any issues and some days I do. I notice if I take the cup out and then shower and wash really well down there I don't have that spotty bleeding. I still suggest to buy some organic cotton panty liners to help with this issue. I use NatraCare (see below).
Pain with insertion/removal?
Zip. Zero. None. Never had any issues and it keeps getting easier with time. I still suggest to use the folding method that works best for you (see my previous post). Also, use some coconut oil if you're having issues inserting. The best way to remove it is to try to keep it semi folded at the top. But even if it is not folded, I have never had any issues.
Stains
The LENA does stain. I have a nice rusty colored stain on both of my cups. I don't really mind it so I haven't tried to remove it with anything. I do wash it with soap and warm water every time I take it out.
Public changing issues
Not once have I ever changed my cup in public! If I am gone for a long time I will change it before I leave. And, as I mentioned I tend to keep it in for 12+ hours anyways so there really is no reason to change the cup in public.
Does it matter what cup I get?
I think that generally all menstrual cups work the same, but you have to find one that is comfortable for you body. My mom tried the LENA and found it uncomfortable. She ended up buying the MeLuna shorty cup and seems to like it much better! I was lucky the first cup I tried worked for me. I think the LENA is a very good starter cup. It has a simple shape, not too big, not too small, and it's affordable. Now they have come out with new colors and a sensitive version. I would however, watch the cup you get and what it is made with. Stick to medical grade silicone.
Embarrassing moments
One time I was taking out my cup and I guess it had filled it up. I was not use to having that much blood so I wasn't being that careful and everything in the cup spilled out and splattered all over my moms bathroom floor... It looked like a murder scene. Luckily the rugs were spared, but the walls weren't. I did get it off with cleaning spray! Sorry mom!!!
PS- don't fall for those stupid cleaners! Soap and water is all you need. Also, one cup is all you need. I have two and only use one for my whole cycle.
Find the LENA Cup here. ---- LENA has recently come out with a few new colors and a sensitive version of the cup! Also, check out the different sizes on their website.
Thanks for reading!
-K
❉ All reviews are my honest opinion and are not sponsored ❉