- A better period. Lena is a reusable silicone cup that collects your monthly blood flow. Inserted...
- Active and Comfortable. You can wear Lena for 12 consecutive hours before having to clean it and...
- Made in California. Lena Cup uses USA made medical grade silicone and dyes to ensure complete...
- From first to last period. From your first to your last period, Lena Cup is ideal for most users...
- Zero Waste. With proper care and use, one Lena Period Cup can be reused for many years eliminating...
Table of Contents
Lena Cup Introduction
The Lena Cup has quickly become one of the most reputable brands in the world. Here are a few quick facts:
- Made in the USA from medical grade silicone
- 2 sizes (small and large)
- 2 firmness options (regular + soft)
- The Lena Menstrual Cup is more affordable than some of the older brands
- Easy to insert and remove, and doesn’t leak
- Some excellent ratings and reviews on Amazon from customers
- 3 color options
- Similar to many of the newer, softer menstrual cups on the market today
It can be difficult to find it in stores. You can find it easily online: (Check it out on Amazon). Keep on reading for our full review filled with information to help you decide if it’s right for you.
Lena Cup Review
- A better period. Lena is a reusable silicone cup that collects your monthly blood flow. Inserted...
- Active and Comfortable. You can wear Lena for up to 12 consecutive hours before having to clean it...
- Proudly made in California. Lena Cup uses USA-made medical-grade silicone and dyes to ensure our...
- We've got you covered from the first to the last period. Lena Cup is perfect for most users...
- Zero Waste. With proper care and use, one Lena Period Cup can be reused for many years, eliminating...
The LENA Feminine Hygiene Cup has some excellent user ratings over on Amazon. Not only is it well-loved, but it’s an affordable choice and cheaper than some of the older ones on the market.
The ideal thing about it the this period cup is that it’s made in the USA of the highest quality silicone. It’s easy to insert and remove because it has a nice, medium level stiffness. Most people find that it doesn’t leak.
A few years ago, this period cup wasn’t that well known. That’s not because it’s a bad cup—it just came onto the market a few years ago. It’s quite impressive that it’s so popular, considering how new it is.
In recent years, this period cup has become one of the best-selling cups on the market today. On this website, it’s climbed numerous spots during the past year or two and it’s now one our most often recommended cups.
What’s not to Love About It?
Reasonably priced, hundreds of great reviews on Amazon, widely available on Amazon, a nice design and fit. What’s not to love about it?
For these reasons, this is now our most highly recommended product here at Reusable Menstrual Cups
Purchase this top-quality cup on Amazon.com today. Click the button below to check for the best prices and also to see if this product is eligible for free shipping with a Prime membership:
Lena Menstrual Cup Comparison and Review
Do you want to find out if the Lena Cup is better than the Diva Cup? You can find out all the details you need to know in this short video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkKnM_WEQf0&t=2s
About the Company
Based in California, they make their products with minimal waste and impact on the environment. They use locally sourced and tested materials, and we love that their packaging is chlorine-free and printed with vegetable inks.
What’s not to love? Nothing, as far as we can tell!
Two Sizes of Lena Menstrual Cup
There are small and large versions of this period cup.
Small: for those with a normal flow (25 ml volume). 41 mm diameter, 71 mm long.
Large: for those with a heavy flow (30 ml volume). 46 mm diameter, 70.5 mm long.
In terms of capacity, diameter and length, this period cup is pretty standard in the menstrual cup world. We love that the difference in diameter between the small and the large is a full 5 mm. Some menstrual cup companies have two cups that are in fact not really different from each other.
At 25 ml, the small one is slightly lower than average (30 ml). This means that it might not be suitable if you have a very heavy flow. You might want to consider one of these high-capacity cups instead.
For more details about how this period cup stacks up against the rest including all the sizing information, be sure to check out our menstrual cup comparison chart.
I’ve Given Birth, but by C-Section: What Size Should I Try?
A common question that people have is if they’re given birth by C-Section and what size they should opt for: small, or large. In general, the most important factor for cup sizing is whether or not you’ve given birth vaginally. A C-section doesn’t really factor into this.
You’ll probably want to try out the smaller one if you’ve given birth by C-Section, but not vaginally.
Colors
How Does it Work?
Many people want to know how does a period cup work? If you’re familiar with other menstrual cups like the Lunette Cup, Diva Cup, or Moon Cup, then it works in the exact same way.
If you’re new to them, we’ll give you the quick run down. Here’s how it works:
- You fold and then insert the Lena Menstrual Cup into your vagina. It’s designed to sit pretty low in there, just so that the stem isn’t sticking out.
- It opens when inside you, and seals to your walls.
- The cup then collects the menstrual fluid from coming in by collecting it.
- You take out your cup every 8-12 hours (or sooner when you have a very heavy flow) and dump the contents into the toilet.
- Clean it with a mild soap (or period cup wash) and water. Put it back in.
That’s how the it works! It’s a simple, economical, and green way to have your period.
Trying one out for the first time? Here are the Top 10 things that Nobody Tells you About Using the Lena Cup.
What to Expect when Trying a Period Cup
If you’ve never tried a reusable period cup before, you may be a bit nervous about it and not know what to expect. Don’t worry. That’s normal. We’ll share with you a few of the things that you can expect when using it for the first few times.
It’s Big!
The first thing you might notice about using it is that it’s big, far bigger than the tampons you’re probably used to for dealing with menstruation. This can be a bit intimidating.
Not to worry though. You will get used to it. And yes, it really does fit inside you easily and feel comfortable. Most people don’t even notice that it’s inside them. And, in reality, there are far larger cups out there than this one so it may be a good starting point if you’re a beginner.
Inserting it Can be Difficult
Most people don’t get the hang of inserting a sanitary cup the first time they try it. It takes them a few cycles to really feel confident.
It’ll probably be the same for you, so don’t give up on it too soon. Have some patience and keep on trying. You will get it.
And, you will absolutely get blood on your fingers! Don’t worry though. It’s not as gross as you might think.
You’ll Save a Ton of Money
After a few months, you’ll notice that you’re not burning through money on disposable period products. Love it? We sure do and that’s why we recommend making the switch to the Lena menstrual cup
You Won’t Have to Deal with your Period as Often
You’ll probably notice that your period cup has 2-3x the capacity of the tampons you’re probably using. This means that you’ll have to deal with your period way less. Seriously, it’s so much easier.
You Can Feel Good about Using It
We feel great about not throwing trash into the landfill from our periods each month. You probably will too.
We also feel about not exposing our bodies to toxic chemicals that are in some brands of tampons and pads. Our guess is that you’ll appreciate this as well. Who wouldn’t?
Sounds great, right? It is. You can purchase it for yourself over on Amazon.com:
Can you Feel It When It’s Inside?
Many people who are new to Lena Cups wonder about whether or not they can feel it when it’s inside of them. Because it’s made from soft silicone, most people can’t. It’s usually similar to how you won’t notice a tampon once it’s inserted inside of you.
They’re often so comfortable that it’s easy to forget to take out your cup at the end of your period!
That said, if you get a menstrual cup that is too big, too long, or too stiff and you have a sensitive bladder, then you may experience some discomfort. Don’t give up. Try a smaller, softer, shorter one and you’ll probably have better results.
What about Lena Cups with a Low Cervix?
Don’t know if you have a low, or high cervix? It’s easy to measure. Put your index finger into your vagina.
- Can you touch it easily with the tip of your finger? You have a low cervix.
- If you can reach it with your finger fully extended, then you have a normal cervix height.
- If you can’t reach it, then it’s high.
They range in length from about 50-80 mm. If it’s low, you’ll want a shorter one. If it’s high, you’ll want one that’s 70+ mm because removing your menstrual cup will be easier.
At 71 mm long, this period cup is considered to be an average cup and it’s not ideal if you have a low cervix. You’ll want a cup that is between 50 and 60 mm if you have a short vagina.
Of course, you can make it work by trimming the stem. However, we find that most people have the best results be just starting with a shorter period cup than this one.
Cutting the Stem on a Period Cup
If you want to make a sanitary cup shorter, it’s possible to trim the stem. It isn’t necessary though if you’re happy with the length of the cup and the stem isn’t sticking out of you.
If the stem is sticking out of you, then you can trim it. But please don’t do this while you’re wearing it! Start small and trim just a little bit and then test it out. If it doesn’t stick out, then leave it. If it does, take it out and trim a little bit more.
The stem can assist you in removal, so don’t cut more than necessary. Although you should grasp the base of the cup and squeeze in to remove it, you may have to pull down the stem gently until you can reach the base. That’s why it’s prudent to not cut it off entirely.
Also, be aware that your cervix position can change throughout your menstrual cycle. This is another reason why you may want to be cautious about cutting too much off of your Lena menstrual cup.
What people are saying about the Lena Cups:
“I love the Lena CUp. It’s easy to insert and remove, and doesn’t leak, unlike some of the pricier sanitary cups that I’ve tried. It just seems to open easily and sit in place right. I have a heavy period and find that it’s just so much better than tampons in terms of capacity.”
“It has a nice thickness so it’s easy to fold, but still pops open. I just found that it suctioned to my vaginal walls quite nicely. I used the Lunette for years, and still struggled with getting it to open. Not this one though and I’d totally recommend the Lena menstrual cup to just about anyone!”
“The Lenacup is an excellent alternative to the Diva Cup. It feels way more comfortable once it’s inside of me and I can keep it in for 12 hours on most days except when I have a very heavy flow.”
“It has a very attractive design. I love the colour of it and I find it doesn’t get stained and discoloured as easily as the DivaCup does. But, it’s not flashy-it just works! By working, I mean that it doesn’t leak all the time like some of the other sanitary cups that I’ve tried over the years. I’ve found myself recommending it to a ton of my friends.”
–>See More User Reviews on Amazon<—
Lena Menstrual Cup Review
Are they Comfortable?
If you’ve never used a menstrual cup before, you’ll probably want to know whether or not it is comfortable to use. Once it’s inserted, most people can’t feel it, and they don’t even notice it’s there.
However, there are a couple of situations where you might find it uncomfortable.
The first is when the stem is sticking out of you. In this case, try inserting it further into your vagina. If it’s too long, then you can trim the stem on it. Just be sure to do this gradually because some stem is useful for removing it.
The other time you may find a period cup uncomfortable is if it’s too firm for you. Some people are quite sensitive and a firm cup may push too strongly against their walls.
If this is the case for you, try switching to a softer menstrual cup that’s more flexible, like the Lena Sensitive for example. This cup is designed exactly for people like you!
It’s too Big!
Okay, so you’ve tried the small size cup but have found that it’s too big for you. It just never really opened fully because there just wasn’t room in there for everything.
The small size of the Lena menstrual cup is pretty standard and compares to most of the other menstrual cup brands’ small size cup.
The happy news is that there are some smaller menstrual cups out there, including two brands specifically for teens. Try either of the following for a very small period cup:
How to insert a Menstrual Cup
Many people are nervous about how to insert it, including how to fold it. The bad news is that there’s a bit of a learning curve to inserting and removing a sanitary cup. It takes most people a few cycles to really get the hang of it.
The vast majority of people do eventually figure it out! You will too, so don’t give up.
A picture is worth a thousands words in this case, so check out a short video about how to insert it, including how to fold it to get the best results:
Two common problems that people have with inserting it is that it won’t seal, or open. Here are a few tips for dealing with these common period cup insertion difficulties.
My Period Cup Won’t Seal
You’ve followed all the directions and troubleshooting tips for inserting the Lenacup, but it still won’t seal?
Too Big?
The problem is likely related to cup size. If it’s too big for you, no matter what you do, there just isn’t room for the cup to fully expand. This means that it won’t seal due to the folds that remain in it.
Try a smaller menstrual cup. Shop now on Amazon to get the smaller size:
Too Small?
If your cup is too small, then it also won’t seal.
Try a bigger sizer menstrual cup. Shop now on Amazon to get the larger size:
It Won’t Open Easily
Some people find that it won’t reallyopen no matter what they do. This is particularly true with the Lena sensitive, which has a below average firmness to it—most users find that it’s quite flexible.
One of the reasons why a menstrual cup might not just pop open is because it’s too big for you. It’ll start to open but them find that there isn’t a big enough space for it to expand fully.
Another reason that it might not open is because you’ve inserting it incorrectly and it’s not directly under the cervix, but in front of, or behind it. Push it back towards your tailbone, not up towards the sky and that should work for you.
How to Remove the a Menstrual Cup
Okay, so you’ve figured out how to insert the Lenacup, but how do you remove it? Here are a few simple steps that you can follow.
- Remember that you can keep your Lena Menstrual Cup in for up to 12 hours
- Wash hands with soap and water.
- Grasp the bottom of the Lena with two fingers. Squeeze in to break the suction seal.
- Pull it out gently, trying not to spill any of the fluid in it.
- If you can’t grasp it, pull down gently on the stem until you can. If you can’t reach the stem, you’ll have to use your pelvic muscles to push down on it.
- Dump out the menstrual fluid into the toilet or sink, and then wash it well before reinserting.
I Can’t Get it Out!
Okay, so you’ve tried the above steps for removing it. But, you still can’t get it out of there. Is it stuck or lost? No!
The hole between your vagina and uterus is tiny and nothing as big as a sanitary cup can get through, with the exception of when you’re giving birth. So, the Lenacup can’t get lost.
You may find that you can’t get it out. This is most common in the morning because they can travel further up while you sleep. In this case, try again in an hour or two. You can keep it in for up to 12 hours so don’t worry too much about this.
If you still can’t do it, try reaching for the stem while pushing down strongly with the muscles in your pelvis. Beyond that, you can get a trusted partner to help you out. Finally, a doctor should be able to remove it in seconds if you really can’t do it.
Our Top-Rated Period Cup
Does the Lena Menstrual Cup sound the one for you? It’s our top-rated cup here at this website and we LOVE this thing.
In fact, the author of most of the articles on this website personally uses this one most of the time! It’s comfortable, easy to insert and doesn’t leak.
You can easily purchase one for yourself on Amazon today. It’s just so much better than pads and tampons. Try out the Lena Menstrual Cup for yourself to see the difference.
Are Menstrual Cups Safe to Use?
You’ll wear one inside of you for up to a week each month, so it’s an important factor to consider.
In short, it’s perfectly safe to use. It’s one of the few menstrual cups registered with the FDA. The cup itself is made from top-quality materials. The silicone is free of BPA, latex, and it won’t leach toxins or chemicals into your bloodstream.
Compare this to disposable products like pads and tampons which contain all sorts of chemicals and pesticides from the cotton in them, as well as the manufacturing process. Although they are only there in trace amounts, exposure to these things can add up over time, resulting in some serious side effects.
Here are the details about safety:
- The silicone + dyes are all made in California, and the cup is produced there as well
- The Lena Cup and the manufacturing facility are registered with the FDA
LENA’s silicone and dyes, cup production, printing and assembly are all based in California.
Find out more details about the materials here: 10 Facts about this Menstrual Cup.
Should I Make the Switch from Tampons?
Okay, so you’re currently using pads and tampons, but are wondering whether or not you should make the switch to it.
There are a few things to consider:
Money
A period cup does cost more up-front. It’s certainly one of the big negatives. However, in just a few months, you’ll recoup your costs and then you’ll have years of savings ahead of you.
The Environment
The average person uses 10,000+ tampons during a lifetime. Compare this a handful of cups made from silicone that can last for around 5 years.
It makes a huge difference!
Exposure to Toxic Chemicals
Some tampons contain trace amounts of toxic chemicals in them. Consider making the switch to a menstrual cup made from medical-grade silicone to reduce your exposure because it can add up over time.
Risk of TSS
Both things come with a risk. However, the risk from a menstrual cup such as the Lena is lower than with a tampon.
Higher Capacity
Tampons can hold 5-10 ml, while the Lena has room for around 25. It can make a huge difference if you have a heavy period. Try it out for yourself to see the difference.
Ready to make the switch? Welcome to the club!
What about the Sensitive Model?
- A better period. Lena is a reusable silicone cup that collects your monthly blood flow. Inserted...
- Active and Comfortable. You can wear Lena for 12 consecutive hours before having to clean it and...
- Made in California. Lena Cup uses USA made medical grade silicone and dyes to ensure complete...
- From first to last period. Lena Cup is ideal for most users regardless of physique, activity level...
- Zero Waste. With proper care and use, one Lena Period Cup can be reused for many years eliminating...
The regular one is on the firmer side of menstrual cups in general. This means that it’s a great choice for beginners, because they’ll find it pretty easy to insert. However, some people may find it a bit uncomfortable. Keep on reading the solution to the problem, “My Lena Cup is too firm!”
A new offering, the sensitive can work well for people who need a smaller, softer period cup.
This is especially true if you have a sensitive bladder, and find that the bigger, harder cups push too strongly against yours and you feel like you constantly have to pee when using a menstrual cup.
Although they don’t specifically mention this, menstrual cups can sometimes cause cramping. This is because the cup can push too strongly against the walls of your vagina.
Sometimes the cup is too big, and sometimes it’s too stiff. Trying out a softer cup like the Lena Sensitive is an excellent option for you.
We appreciate this new offering because we find that the regular one is quite stiff, and may not be suitable for everyone.
You can check out the Sensitive version over on Amazon:
Sensitive vs. Lena Cup Original
How Stiff is it?
You might be wondering how the it stacks up against the others in terms of firmness.
In general, softer sanitary cups feel quite comfortable inside of you because they don’t press strongly against your vaginal canal walls. However, they can be more difficult to insert because they don’t just “pop” open. They might take some fiddling around to get it to fully open, and suction to your walls.
The firmer menstrual cups open quite easily once inserted. However, some people may find them uncomfortable because they press quite strongly. They may even cause cramps in some cases.
Check out this firmness chart for some cup comparison:
As you can see, the regular is considered to be “firm,” while the sensitive is a “soft” cup.
Compared to the popular Diva Cup, the regular one is firmer, and the sensitive is softer.
Can I Pee with a Period Cup In?
A quick anatomy lesson. You have three holes down there: an anus, urethra, and vagina. You put a menstrual cup into your vagina, while you pee out of the urethra, and poop out of the anus. So, a menstrual cup should interfere with neither peeing, or pooping.
Does Peeing Taking a Long Time?
However, some people find that it takes a looooooong time to pee while wearing a menstrual cup. This is a common experience and it happens because your vagina and urethra are right in the same area. When you wear a menstrual cup, it’s quite large and can press against your urethra, restricting it slightly. This is why it can take longer than when you don’t wear a menstrual cup.
If you find it uncomfortable to pee while wearing a menstrual cup, all is not lost. Try a softer cup, like the Lena sensitive model. It won’t press so strongly, which means it won’t press so strongly against your urethra when peeing. Hopefully you won’t experience discomfort this way.
Check out the Lena Sensitive model on Amazon:
Help with Leaking!
Okay, so let’s be real here. Menstrual cups and leaking. It is a real thing. The Lena Cup does sometimes leak, especially when you’re just trying it for your first few cycles.
This isn’t unique to this one as most people find that all menstrual cups leak when they’re first learning how to insert them correctly
Things do get better with regards to this as you get more practice. Don’t give up! Just wear a pad, and you’ll figure it out eventually.
Overflow
Okay, so you’re experiencing some overflow with your cup and you’re finding that it’s leaking because of it? The company mentions that you have to remove your Lenacup every 12 hours. This is the maximum recommended amount of time.
However, if you have a heavy flow, then your period cup will probably overflow before those 12 hours are up. Change it up every 4-6 hours in this case. Of, was soon as you notice any sort of spotting on your underwear, toilet paper, or pad.
Leaking at Night: Help!
The main reason for this is mentioned above: overflow. This is particularly true if you use it during the day with no problems.
Most people use a pad (we love cloth menstrual pads) as a back-up, particularly for overnight use. This gives you a bit of an extra cushion to make it through the night without having to get up to deal with your period.
Is there a Reason that the Holes are Angled?
Many menstrual cups have holes in them to assist with suction and sealing to prevent leaking. If you take a close look at Lena Cups, you’ll probably notice that there are angled holes in them, which is a little bit different from other cups.
When the company was developing the cup, they tested various placements, sizing, and designs and found that their current iteration worked the best. The holes are formed when the cup is molded, giving them a super smooth finish, which makes them very easy to clean.
What about Sex with the Lena Cup?
- DESIGNED FOR YOUR BODY: Softdisc is the result of 10 years of Research and Development by...
- FOR HEAVY OR LIGHT PERIODS: Use menstrual soft rings instead of tampons, pads, and menstrual cups....
- COMFORTABLE: Softdisc is the most comfortable period product on the market. It prevents menstrual...
- LEAK PREVENTION: Softdisc prevents leaks overnight, during exercise, while swimming, and even during...
For anything up to penetrative sex, a period cup will work great. In fact, it’s often better than a tampon because there are no strings hanging out, and your partner may never know that you actually have your period.
However, for penetrative sex, the Lenacup (along with all the other traditional menstrual cups) is not suitable. There just isn’t room for all that stuff in there! And, all that movement will certainly break the suction seal between your Lena Menstrual Cup and vaginal canal walls, which will cause it to leak like crazy.
A Better Alternative for Period Sex
If you’re not ready to give up yet, and want to have penetrative sex during your period, then you’ll need to check out the Instead Soft Cups.
Unlike the Lena Cup, these things are soft, flexible, and flat. They’re designed to sit higher up, unlike menstrual cups which sit lower down.
The major downside to them is that they’re not reusable, which means you lose out on the cost savings, as well as the environmental benefits of menstrual cups.
We recommend using something like the Lena Cup for everyday use, but then keeping a box of Soft Cups in your cupboard for sex during your period.
Soft Cups are not that easy to find in stores, so we recommend getting them on Amazon:
Instead SoftCup Review
Is cervix heigh an issue for you? Or, do you want to have sex during your period? Then consider this popular option.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLN5mVhcirw
Pros:
- It’s an economical choice. We love some frugal awesome and we’re sure you do too!
- Because of the firmness of it, it open really easily and most people have no problems with insertion, removal or leakage
- Customer service is excellent. Numerous people mentioned Emily as going above and beyond in order to help them out with any problem that they had.
- It’s made in the USA, perfect for those who like to shop North American.
- It’s made of the highest quality silicone.
- Includes a cloth storage bag for use between cycles, as well a detailed instruction booklet.
- BPA and latex free.
- Al packaging is printed on 100% recycled paper.
- Check out the Lenacup sensitive, if you find that menstrual cups cause cramps, you’re a very small woman, or have a sensitive bladder.
- In short, it’s an excellent, top-quality menstrual cup at a very reasonable price from a company with a serious commitment to women’s health.
- 3 color choices (pink, purpose, and turquoise)
- The size small is quite small making it ideal for teens and first time users
Cons:
- It is quite stiff, so if you’re looker for a less firm cup, perhaps try the Lunette Cup or the Daisy Cup. Or, consider the Sensitive Model.
- The capacity of the bigger cup is 30 ml, which is pretty standard, but it may not work that well for women with really heavy flows. If this is the case, you should try the Meluna Cup (42 ml capacity) or the Anigan Eva Cup (37 ml capacity). The small version with a capacity of 25 ml may not be enough for women with a heavy flow.
More Reviews
Do you want to see another opinion for the Lena Menstrual Cup? Then you’ll certainly want to check out this short video below:
Is the Lena Menstrual Cup Good for Beginners?
Although it’s only been on the market for a couple of years, the Lena Cup has thousands of very positive reviews on Amazon. Many users mention trying out the Lenacup for their first menstrual cup and being very happy with it.
In particular, we love that the regular is a bit firmer than other cups. This means that it’s very easy to insert. This is the thing that beginners have the most difficult time with.
You just have to fold the Lenacup, insert it into the vagina and then it should just open and go into place. It’s super easy, even for a menstrual cup beginner.
I’m a Beginner: Lena Regular vs. Lena Sensitive?
If you’re a beginner or first time user looking for your first menstrual cup, then you might want to know whether or not the regular Lena Cup or the the Lena Sensitive will work better for you.
In general, we recommend firmer menstrual cups for your first one because they’re easier to insert. The downside is that they can push strongly, which a small minority of people may find uncomfortable.
So in this case, stick with the regular version for your first menstrual cup.
Care and Cleaning
Menstrual cups can last for years with proper care during your period, as well as between cycles. Here are a few tips for making sure your Lena Cup stays in tip-top shape for years to come.
- Wash your hands with soap and water before handling your Lenacup, as well as after reinserting it. The main thing you DON’T want to do is introduce all sorts of germs into your vagina.
- During your period, wash your period cup every time you take it out with mild soap and water. Never use harsh chemicals. Be sure to wash off any soap residue thoroughly before reinserting your cup.
- You can also consider using something like the Lunette Cleanser.Although they are a bit expensive, you only need a tiny bit to get your menstrual cup squeaky clean. They smell nice, and are often made from all-natural ingredients.
- If you’re in a public bathroom, wipe it off with some TP. Be sure to wash thoroughly the next time you’re in a private bathroom.
- After your period, you can boil it for 5-7 minutes. Try not to let your cup touch the edges of the pot.
- The most important thing is to store your cup NOT in an airtight container. Air circulation discourages bacteria growth. Put your cup in the cloth bag that came with it, or wrap it loosely in a piece of paper towel and store it in a drawer.
- If you’re having a difficult time inserting it, do NOT use lubricant to assist the process. This will cause the silicone to degrade more quickly. Instead, get it a little bit wet to help get it in there more easily.
Should I Clean it Before Using it for the First Time?
Okay, so your new Lena Cup has just arrived and you happen to have your period! Should you just put it on it, or are there some things to do first?
The company recommends boiling it in a pot of water for 5-7 minutes before using it. This will help to get any of the residue off of it from manufacturing and packaging. This kind of stuff can lead to vaginal infections, so it’s best to be cautious. Also be sure to wash your hands before handling it.
Do you want to find out how to clean the Lena and keep it in tip-top shape? Then check out this video below:
Can I Microwave My Lena Cup?
If you want to deep clean or sterilize your Lenacup, you have one main option. This is to boil it for around 5 minutes in some water.
Most users deep clean their Lena Cup in a pot on the stove. The key is to use a big enough pot so that your sanitary cup doesn’t stick to the bottom or edges. The other key is to make sure that you keep on eye on it. Boiling the pot dry is the easiest way to ruin your Lenacup.
How Often to Replace it?
Despite searching through the entire Lena Cup website for how often they recommending replacing their menstrual cup, we were unable to find this information. It appears that they don’t make an official recommendation.
However, we can give you some general advice that is applicable to all the top-quality silicone menstrual cups.
Some companies recommend replacing them as often as every year or two (the Diva Cup for example), while other say every 5-10 years. If you take care of it, you should be able to use it for at least a few years.
When a menstrual cup gets torn or ripped, starts to get an oily sticky coating on it, or loses stiffness and doesn’t open fully inside of you, it’s time to replace it.
However, discolouration is quite normal and not a reason to replace your Lena Cup.
What about Using the Lena Cup in Public Bathrooms?
It is possible to use a menstrual cup in a public bathroom. It is a bit more of a hassle however, so it’s preferable to empty your cup in a place with a private toilet and sink together (Starbucks washrooms for example).
Here’s how you can empty your Lena Menstrual Cup in a public washroom:
- Wash hands before going into stall
- Remove your cup
- Use water from a bottle to clean your cup, or a clean piece of tissue
- Insert the cup
- At home, wash it well with mild soap and water.
Do you want to see how all the cups stack up against the Lena? You can see all the options right here and choose one to try:
Is it Vegan and Cruelty Free?
You may want to know whether or not the Lena Menstrual is vegan, and also if its been tested on animals.
We found the answer in a question that a customer asked on Amazon.
Is it BPA Free?
Another common question that people have is whether or not the Lenacup is BPA free. According to the company website, it is indeed BPA free.
The Lena Cup is also hypoallergenic, latex, and dioxin free.
It really is a product that you can feel safe about using. If you have sensitive skin, or are allergic to pads and tampons, then make the switch to the Lena Cup to see if you notice a difference.
Like to Travel? Don’t Forget your Cup!
If you love to travel, then you’ll know that getting your period while on vacation can be a bit of a hassle. But, not to worry, just take your Lena Cup. Here are a few reasons why you’ll love it:
- 2-3x more capacity than a tampon. It’s perfect for those long bus rides or plane trips.
- No trash created
- No more searching around in local stores for your favourite brand of single-use period products
More details here: Like to Travel? Take this Period Cup With You!
What about Yeast Infections?
You may want to know about the Lena Cup and vaginal infections. In general, menstrual cups help to reduce the frequency of infections (or cases of bacterial vaginosis) that you may get.
This is because menstrual cups collect menstrual fluid, rather than absorb it like with tampons. this means that you maintain your natural lubricant.
The other reason you may have fewer infections with the period cups than with tampons is because the Lena has no toxic chemicals. Tampons contain trace amounts of pesticides and bleaching agents which may throw off the pH balance in your vagina.
That said, if you start to experience an increased in vaginal infections with your Lena Cup when you never have before, or you have them in greater frequency, then suspect the cup!
Make Sure your Clean it Well
It could be that you’re not cleaning it well enough? Boil in water for 5- minutes between periods to deep clean it. Or, maybe you’re not washing off the soap residue well enough?
Finally, maybe a cup just isn’t right for you if you keep getting recurring vaginal infections. Switch back to tampons or pads and see if the situation improves.
Can I use it with an IUD?
Many people want to try using an IUD with the Lena. Here’s some general information about that.
In general, it’s possible to use a menstrual cup with an IUD. It just requires some extra care and caution so as to not dislodge it upon removal of the cup. Here are a few tips:
- Consult your physician before using a these two things together
- Get your doctor to trim the strings on your IUD as short as possible so that they don’t come into contact with one another.
- Make sure there is enough room between your cervix and the Lena Cup. It’s designed to sit low in your vaginal canal, but if you have a low-cervix, it may not work for you (Consider a low cervix menstrual cup instead).
- Make sure to release the suction on your Lena Cup before attempting to remove it. You do this by pinching the bottom of the cup between your fingers and wiggling it gently.
- If you can’t reach the base of the cup, pull down on the stem gently and push with the muscles in your pelvis. Only do this until you can reach it, and then release the suction.
- If you just pull strongly on the stem without releasing the suction, it’s possible to pull out the IUD along with your Lena.
Can I wear it at Night?
You may want to know if you can wear the Lena Menstrual Cup at night. There are some people who are reluctant to wear tampons at night because of the risk of TSS.
The good news is that you use safely use your Lena Cup for up to 12 hours without changing it. This means that you can use it at night and not have a second thought about it. Just be sure to empty, and then reinsert your cup before you go to bed.
When you get up in the morning, take it out, empty it and then insert it. Sometimes you may find that your menstrual cup travels up the vaginal canal during the night (lack of gravity) and it can be hard to get out. Relax, and come back in a couple hours to try again.
The only consideration at night is if you have a very heavy flow. In this case, be sure to pair your menstrual cup with a pad, and you’ll have a bit of a back-up in case of overflow.
Check out this quick video about using menstrual cups overnight:
Toxic Shock Syndrome and the Lena Cup
A common question that cup users have is whether or not using the Lena Cup comes along with the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome. Let’s look at the facts.
To date, there has only been one reported case of TSS from using a menstrual cup (but not the Lena Cup). It happened because the person cut themselves when inserting the cup at the beginning of their period.
However, each year there are thousands of reported cases of TSS from using tampons. When considering the number of women that use tampons worldwide, the risk is still very low, especially if you take precautions such as changing it often enough, or using as low of absorbency level as possible.
It is clear though that menstrual cups are safer than tampons when considering the risks involved. Your previous life of worrying about this may indeed be over! Be sure to try to keep it clean though.
Cup Comparison: Lena vs. the Others
The Lena cup is comparable in quality to the most popular menstrual cups in the world. Compared to other ones, the shape is a bit more cylindrical, like a bell and less like a cone.
For the full details of the Lenacup vs. all the others in terms of what is similar and what is different, check out these articles:
Lena Menstrual Cup vs. the Others
Do you want to try something else besides the Lena to find another great option? Here’s how it stacks up against the rest.
Isn’t it Kind of Expensive?
If you search on Amazon for “menstrual cups,” you’ll see pages and pages of results. There are more than a hundred of them, and each one has different size (usually small and large) and style options.
You may also notice that the Lenacup is one of the more expensive ones. You may not care about spending a few extra bucks on a top-quality menstrual cup, but if you’re trying to live frugally, it may be an issue.
We always recommend that women avoid the very cheap ones from China. You can find them on Amazon for around $5-10, and they include ones like the Vida Cup, Aiwo Cup, Body Bay Menstrual Cup, and the OTBBA Cup.
When you compare to pads and tampons, clearly it comes out far ahead in the long-term!
Cheap Menstrual Cups = Lots of Problems
These cheap cups have numerous problems, but the main one is the material used in them. In most cases, it’s very cheap silicone. They’re usually very flimsy and will never really fully open inside of you. The result is that they can leak like crazy. The materials also degrade very quickly, and you’ll probably end up buying a better cup in only a few months.
It’s better to skip over this first step, and get a top-quality menstrual cup like the Lena Cup to start with. In fact, it’s a few dollars cheaper than some of the older menstrual cups on the market today. They hope to offer an excellent product at a fair price, which is why we recommend the Lena Cup so highly.
Get the Best Prices on the Lenacup
Do you want to try to find some great deals on the Lena? Then you’ll want to check right here:
What is the Return Policy?
What happens if you’re not happy with your menstrual cup? They state on their website that they:
“…have a 100% Customer Satisfaction policy. If you are not happy with your LENA Cup, please contact us at [email protected].”
They are a very reputable company with excellent customer service and they’ll try to help you make the Lena Cup work. There are no negative reports on Amazon about this. This is unlike some of the cheap menstrual cups that have money-back guarantees, but reports that it’s very difficult to actually collect on this.
The Takeaway on the Lena Menstrual Cup:
This menstrual cup is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an affordable alternative to something like the Diva Cup. If you look at the reviews on Amazon, you’ll notice that there are no real complaints at all specific to this product, mostly just from people who don’t like menstrual cups in general or are having a hard time getting the hang of them.
Only 1 Small Negative
Perhaps the only negative to the Lena Menstrual Cup is the capacity and length. The bigger model at 30 ml is standard in the menstrual cup world. The smaller cup with a capacity of 25 ml is smaller than average. For women who are smaller, but have a heavy flow, this may not work that well.
At 71 mm, the length of the Lena Menstrual Cup is at the long end of menstrual cups. For most people with a medium to high cervix, it’s fine. However, for people with a low cervix, it may not be the best choice.
An Affordable Option
But, if you have a normal cervix height, as well as flow, then the Lena Cup is an extremely economical, top-quality choice. It’s one of most highly recommended ones here on this website.
Where to Buy the Lena Menstrual Cup
In our experience, it’s hard to find the Lena Cup in most local drugstores. It’s pretty new to the menstrual cup scene, so it’s not as widely available as something like the Diva Cup (North America), or MoonCup or Lunette Cup (Europe).
The best place to buy it is on Amazon. You’ll have all the size (small/large) options, as well as both models (regular/sensitive). Prices are reasonable, and shipping is often free with Amazon prime.
Do you want to have a more affordable, safer, eco-friendly period experience? Then you’ll need to consider the Lena Menstrual Cup!
Check it out for yourself on Amazon by clicking the button below:
If you live in Canada, you’ll want tocheck it out on Amazon.ca.
Have your Say about this Lena Menstrual Cup Review!
What are your thoughts about the Lena Menstrual Cup? Is it a much better choice than pads or tampons? Leave a comment below and let us know your feedback. We’d love to hear from you.
Like this review? Don’t forget to share it on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. It’ll help other people, like yourself who are interested in the Lena Cup find this useful resource.
Last update on 2021-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API