Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Ok. Be prepared for TMI. I have tried Instead Disposable cups, Diva Cup and Sckooncup. Insertion/removal: Menstrual cups all require very hands on insertion and removal. If you're freaked out by literally getting your hands dirty- menstrual cups are not for you. To me, being able to wear one for a much longer period of time, being able to wear one overnight and completely eliminating Toxic Shock Syndrome made it all worth the mess. And once you're a regular user, you naturally find ways to minimize the mess anyway. There are videos on YouTube that show various folding methods to insert these things and you'll find it isn't as difficult as it appears once you do it a few times. It all boils down to fold, insert and Kegel that baby right into place. To remove, you use a finger to gently break suction, bear down to push it out a bit and pull on out (sorry, I warned about the TMI). Size: most come in pre and post childbirth sizes. No worries here, ladies. The "large" cups are only a couple centimeters larger. After childbirth your are not considered some gaping maw. The vaginal walls are more flexible now and those couple extra centimeters keep the cup in place better and protect against leaking. If you've had a baby, just get the "large" size and try not to let it bother you. Sanitary: Unless you are using the Instead brand which are disposable, you have to wash these with each use and boil them after the end of each menstrual cycle. You need clean hands before you start, then a way to rinse or wipe these out before reinserting. If you're at home, remove and wrap in a bit of tissue then wash it in the sink. There is a special soap for these or you can use a mild unscented soap. I prefer Castile soap myself. When you are out, wipe out with tissue and reinsert. Usually if you change it at home before you leave, you rarely have to deal with it in public. I can wear one for about 8 hrs on heaviest days which means I almost never have to clean it in a public restroom. On not so heavy days, I can go 12 hours. Type: There are a lot of brands out there, but they all essentially work the same. You need to find the one that you like best. Of the brands I have tried, here's my take. Instead cups are a lot more expensive, but are made to be disposable. One size fits all. I found that they worked very well once you got the hang of getting them in place since they require a different folding technique from the reusable cups. The ring on these are less pliable though and I have found that can mean you feel it. It's not painful, but you may notice pressure or even increased cramps with a less flexible cup. The Diva Cup also works well, but again, it isn't as soft as others and you may have similar results though it softened and became more comfortable over time. My favorite is the Sckooncup. It's soft, flexible and I do not even feel it once it's in place. Because it's soft, it's a bit harder to insert for a novice, but I've found there's no increased cramping, no leaking and no problem....using the toilet for things bedsides urinating (yep. TMI). So far, I've never had any of the cups migrate out of place, but I never even notice the Sckooncup is there, even when exercising. It is hands down the best one I've tried. Good luck, ladies, I hope this helped!