A few months ago, it dawned on me that my tampons may be harmful to my health. I immediately did some searching online and what I learned quickly frightened me. All the while that I have been eating organic food, making my own lotions, juicing and trying to take care of myself, I had completely overlooked tampons. How did it slip my mind for all of these years?! After some researching, I learned that most tampons are made of rayon and cotton. If the tampons are not made from organic cotton (which mine were not), then they are made from genetically modified, pesticide laden cotton! And Rayon! Yuck… The process of making rayon creates Dioxin and Dioxin is: 
So between rayon and cotton, well… there is nothing good to say and I don’t want my uterus to absorb this nonsense into my body any longer! I had never heard of menstrual cups before I researched alternatives to tampons. The only alternative I knew of were pads (not for me, thanks anyway!). After searching for alternatives, I found a menstrual cup with great reviews which was the Lunette cup. Lunette cups are made from medical-grade silicone (resistant to bacteria) and are flexible and reusable (eco-friendly). Because the cups only need to be replaced every few years, they are cost effective too! The cups do not absorb moisture, but catch it and can be worn up to 12 hours. When I first tried the cup out I was actually a little hesitant, but I was pleasantly surprised with my experience! It was incredibly easy to insert, it just folds in half (the directions are very direct) and I felt very secure while wearing it. I don’t know how to quite explain it… but I was absolutely not concerned with leakage as I am sometimes with tampons. You women know what I’m talking about! Imagine yourself running, playing sports or laughing really hard… yeah… you know what I’m talking about! I could partake in a marathon in a Lunette cup and not worry one bit.
Something else that really surprised me is that I didn’t have cramps and I ALWAYS have cramps! Terrible cramps! With the cup, I didn’t have any cramps and I didn’t even know that was something that people report from using a cup until after I used it. It was also very comfortable to wear, it does not even feel like you are wearing anything whatsoever. I was a bit intimidated to try out the cup for the first time, but I will tell you that there is nothing to be intimidated by. It is very easy to use and so much better for your body and the overall environment.
Interesting tid-bit: There have been no reported cases of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) in connection with the use of menstrual cups!
There are two different sizes of cups you can choose from and a variety of colors. One cup is meant for women that have not had children and/or generally have a lighter period and cup two is for women that have had children and/or have a heavier period. I have had one child, yet I still use cup 1 because my periods are not incredibly heavy. Check out the size guide to see which is the best fit for you.
The folks over at Lunette Cup have been so generous to extend a GIVEAWAY of ONE clear Lunette Cup (size 1 or 2) AND a package of wipes to ONE lucky MinnesotaFromScratch reader!
ENTER THE GIVEAWAY WITH THE RAFFLECOPTER LINK BELOW:
———>a Rafflecopter giveaway <———
GOOD LUCK!
Hi, I'm Stephanie. I'm the best selling author of Can It & Ferment It, WECK Small-Batch Preserving and WECK Home Preserving. I'm a certified master food preserver, food preservation instructor, organic gardener, chicken keeper and nature lover. I specialize in creating easy to follow recipes and directions to help other homesteaders meet their goals.
After looking at the sizes, model 1 would probably work best for me.
Thank you for the informative blog post Steph! Looking into menstrual cups is now on my action item list.
Thanks Megan, I’m glad to hear you are going to make the switch to a healthier option!
Good luck!
I had this same experience after reading a blog post about toxic tampons last spring and I use the same thing now (different brand). They are awesome though, it’s surprising more people haven’t heard of them.
I’m happy to hear you are using something safe as well!
Wish I had heard of these when I was younger. Terrible heavy periods with terrible cramps. Hysterectomy at age 28 🙁
This is something my daughter desperately needs as she has the same awful periods as I did.
Oh I’m so sorry to hear about your experience. Yes, it is nice that there are options out there now. Please let your daughter know and send her this way to try to win one! It really helped me with my awful cramps and I hope it helps her as well!
The best size for me would be size 1. Thanks for this opportunity to win a Lunette Cup:)
You are welcome! Good luck!
Really want to try a Lunette!
Good luck!
I’d be a size 2, I’m sure (always had really heavy periods!) I’ve been meaning to try one of these, so it’d be great to win! Thanks!
Yes, if you are pretty heavy then a 2 is likely what you’d need. They are so great! Since I have written this post, several of my friends/family members have told me they also use cups and all of them had great things to say about their experience. I hope you enjoy using one as well. Good luck!
Thanks SO much for the information. I had no idea!!
I’d get a size 1 since I’m entering for my niece.
Good luck!
I have heard of this before. However, I have been to scared to try it.
I know it does sound intimidating Victoria, but I assure you that it is actually very simple to use. It’s comfortable, secure and mess-free. I would not steer you wrong my dear! 🙂
I have heard of these before but never tried them. I think I would need a size 1
i never heard of this product, but looks promising, but it seem like i would need a size 1 aswell
After looking at the sizes, I would need a size 1
Size 2 for me. Thanks for the chance! 🙂
You’re welcome! Good luck!
I have one and LOVE it…Would like to get a second for the future…or even to give to a friend. I would like a size two 🙂
I’m so glad you like yours. I think two is definitely the way to go so you always have one on hand! Good luck!
I think I need a size 2.
Not sure what I would need, but a size 1 would probably suffice with the rounds of hormones and infertility treatments I have going through my body…
I love Lunette, thanks for the giveaway. Hope I win because I lost mine this summer 🙁
Oh no! What a shame.
Good luck!
I’m a size 2. I use a cup now. Love it.
Great review, would love to try a Lunette!!
Size 2 😉
Thank you! Good luck!
I would likely need size 1 🙂
Size 1 for me. May the odds ever be in my favor ; D
Best of luck, Lori!
size 2 for me! this mama will have had 2 babies as of march!
WOW! Congratulations!
Good luck!
A size 2
I just started using a size 2 and feel it is a bit long, especially at the end of my period. I’d love to try a size 1 🙂
I cannot recommend my Lunette enough! So far, I’ve given two to other women who wanted one but could not afford to take the chance on one, and they both LOVE theirs! If I one this, I would use it for the same purpose, since I already have one of my own. I really like being able to share this wonderful product with others! So healthy, so easy, safe and clean! Thanks for doing this giveaway!
I’m glad you enjoy Lunette cups so much! I have loved my experience thus far too and I have been telling all my girlfriends as well! Good luck!
It looks like I’d wear size 1. Now that I know this tampons freak me out! Also some tampons are made with bleached cotton. Bleach! And your body is absorbing bleach! Ahhh!
I know! I had the same reaction! Scary to think about.
It looks likeI’d wear size 1. Now that I know this tampons freak me out! Some tampons are also made with bleached cotton. Bleach! And your body is absorbing that bleach. Ahhh!
great contest! Size 2.
Model 1 for me 🙂 I can’t wait to try out Lunette!
great review!! I recently discovered how toxic tampons are as well and I couldn’t believe I have been using such a gross product for so many years 🙁 I wish I had been more well informed about my options!!
And I would need a size 2 🙂
I found out about these early this year and loved the idea. But unfortunately I’m oddly shaped or something and all 5 different cups I’ve tried haven’t worked for me. I read all the reviews, tips, everything, and gave each one a few months try just to eliminate the learning curve possibility and I still couldn’t get them to work. I hope that out there somewhere there is a cup for me, but until I find one I’ve actually started using sea sponge tampons, like the menstrual cups they are completely chemical free and healthy for you body. I would prefer a cup for it’s capacity but these work for now.
Hi Hannah,
Sorry to hear about your bad luck with cups but it’s great you have found a healthy alternative that does work for you! I wrote to my contact at Lunette and she would love for you to message them. I’m assuming you haven’t tried a Lunette brand yet and hopefully this type does work for you. They were wonderful helping me determine which would be the best fit for me… perhaps they have some additional tips/suggestions for you? E-mail them at: info@lunette.com
Thanks and good luck!
Oops, forgot to leave a size, I’d probably want the size 1. in my experimentation I’ve found the larger the cup, the worse the results.
I think that I would probably want size 1.
Size 2
I had no idea how many chemicals were in pads and tampons! I’m so glad I know now…I will never buy them again! If I win the lunette giveaway I would need size 2. Thank you 🙂
I know! It’s a disturbing realization. Good luck!
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