Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I don't always write reviews, but when I do, they are for products that deserve recognition. Since I was 15, I have suffered from PCOS. For me, this means that my cramps are the unholy union of a belt-sander and a razor-sharp eggbeater coupled with a giant talon rhythmically squeezing my uterus. Unmedicated, my flow is a bit like that movie with Russel Crow as Noah, but through red glasses. BC pills have helped settle that down to only filling up a super tampon an an overnight pad every three hours, but I was using so many disposables that I decided to find an alternative way of dealing with Shark Week's messy aspects. A few Googles later, I found menstrual cups. As a poor college student, I spent five or six months wanting a cup but deciding to buy food instead. I finally bought the Dutchess cups because of their great reviews and the economical advantage of getting 2 cups for cheaper than 1 DivaCup. Anxiously, I waited for the cups to arrive. When they did, I was pleased with the packaging. They come in a box, with a pink satiny bag big enough to store both cups. The cups are made of a soft yet springy silicone; they are what I would call a medium-firmness cup. If you have super strong pelvic floor muscles or a weight-lifting, Hulk-like vagina, this cup might be a little soft for you. The cups look enormous-- my first thought was of trying to shove a pool noodle through a keyhole, but don't freak out. I highly, highly, highly recommend a water-based lube like KY Jelly, especially if you are a virgin like me. Self-checkouts, people, self-checkouts. . . Also, put the lube on/in yourself, not on the cup. It will get slippery otherwise and things will quickly turn into a sing-along show: "Follow the bouncing cup!" Look up different ways to fold the cup-- there are a ton, and different folds work better for me on different days. If you do a dry run (inserting the cup while not on your period) be aware that your structure down there changes when the floodgates open-- a punchdown fold might work great when you're not on your period, but might not open during your period and vice versa. Personally, I love the origami/tulip fold, but just do your research to find a good fit for you. For me, inserting the cup works best on the toilet. Don't push up towards your stomach when inserting! Try inserting at a slight downward angle, towards the base of your spine. Once the cup is inserted, try different methods of making sure it's open or helping it along. For some, the cup opens on its own. Others have to fiddle with it a little. I do not recommend these cups for those squeamish about touching inside their vaginas. Try giving the cup a little twist to help it open, and don't worry if it is not completely circular once it's in. My cup is always a tiny bit flat on the upper wall of my vagina, but it is sealed well. One way to tell if you have suction is to tug lightly at the stem of your cup. If it feels like a tug but stays put, you're good to go. If the cup starts to slide out like you're King Arthur pulling the sword from the stone, you need to remove it and try again. When it does come time to take the cup out, pinch the base of it (not the stem!) and pull it out, keeping it upright. Then, dump in the toilet, wash in the sink, and plunge into the depths anew. It's pretty simple. The cups themselves are great. I love that there are 2: I keep one in my purse and one in my cupboard in the bathroom. I have had no leaks at all, and was comfortable enough to not even wear a pad or liner by the end of my period. I even slept with it in and had no leaks at all for 10 plus hours on a weekend! These things are great! I felt like my cramps were less severe with the cup than they are with pads or tampons, although there is the occasional twinge when I first put the cup in. All in all, the Dutchess cups are the best purchase I can remember making in a long, long time. I spent about $12 a month on pads and tampons before-- that's almost $150 a year that went to glorified adult lady-diapers and bleached bits of cotton to shove up my hoohah. For me, these cups will pay for themselves in just over 2 cycles. These cups have worked great for me, and are well-made. In 5 years or so when I need new ones, I know I'll probably come right back here to Amazon to buy the Dutchess cups again. **EDIT: 1 YEAR LATER** Still making me a happy camper even during the monthly mudslide in crotch canyon. I even went off birth control for a while, and so far, my cup has not runneth over. The satiny bag is no longer with us (it frayed apart), but it was easy to find a replacement menstrual cup bag on Etsy.