Okay... What the heck are menstrual cups?!?!?!?!

"A menstrual cup is a type of cup or barrier worn inside the vagina during menstruation to collect menstrual fluid. Unlike tampons and pads, the cup collects menstrual fluid rather than absorbing it."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstrual_c…

Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstrual_c…

Menstrual cups are small flexible bell-shaped cups you wear during your period.

They collect flow rather than absorb and don't encourage bacterial growth so no risk of TSS or infections, cups can also lessen flow and cramps. They're considered a tampon alternative as they're safer and more hygienic, this means fewer precautions thus making them more convenient, also they hold more flow so are better for women with heavier flow.

You insert them into your vagina where the collect flow, to use them you just fold to insert into your vagina and give them a little turn once inserted, they can then be worn for 12 hours, with any flow, overnight, and before menstruation, also they can be worn for swimming with no leaking and nothing showing outside the body. To remove you just squeeze, pull out, clean and reinsert.

Cups are also economical, comfortable, easy to use, better for the environment by reducing waste and harmful manufacturing, companies are ethical, and can help monitor flow and cervical changes. You can also use diaphragms as menstrual cups, and softcups which are a disposable version, these both sit higher up in the vagina than menstrual cups so allow for mess-free sex too.

Different menstrual cup brands are; Divacup, Femmecup, Keeper, Ladycup, Lunette, Miacup, UK Mooncup, US Moon cup, Mpower, Yuuki, Miss Cup, Green Donna, Fleurcup, MeLuna, Alicia, Naturcup, Shecup, Iriscup - all are slightly different in material, shape, size, capacity, colours, and some are even glittery.

What are menstrual cups? - http://www.scarleteen.com/article/body/w…
Lunapads Divacup FAQ - http://www.lunapads.com/productfaq/divac…
Menstrual cup support community - http://www.menstrualcups.org

It's a reusable cup that catches fluid and is emptied and reinserted as opposed to pads or tampons, which absorb fluids and are then disposed of. One of the positives that make it popular is that is does not produce the waste the the disposable options do.