Alright ladies, let’s talk about the Blossom Cup, a reusable menstrual cup that can be used instead of tampons or pads during your monthly period. This is my completely honest review of my experience with the Blossom Cup.
Have you been hesitant to try a menstrual cup? Or are you simply grossed out by the idea of using a period cup? I get it! I was hesitant and had a lot of questions before I used the Blossom Cup for the first time. But now that I have used a menstrual cup for almost 2 years exclusively, I am ready to share my experience, the positive and the negative.
I became interested in the Blossom Cup after watching a series of Instagram Stories from Stacy of Humorous Homemaking. I chose the Blossom Cup instead of other options because:
- Stacy said it worked.
- It was cheaper than other options.
- The Amazon product description said it could last up to 10 years. That’s a long time to not buy disposable period products!
The Blossom Cup is the first and only menstrual cup I have used. Similar brands include: DivaCup, Lena Cup, Pixie Cup, and Dutchess Cup. I can’t say anything specific about those other menstrual cups because I have not personally used them.
By using the Blossom Cup, I save over $40 per year, spend almost no time thinking about my period in between periods, and have greatly reduced my impact on the environment. Plus, I save space in my bathroom by not stocking disposable period products.
What is a Blossom Cup?
First things first, the Blossom Cup is a silicone reusable menstrual cup, also referred to as a period cup, that can be used instead of tampons or pads during a woman’s monthly period.
It’s shaped like the top of a wine glass with a partial stem attached. It goes inside your body with the open side going in first to fit over the opening of your cervix and collect fluid like a cup. The cup flexible so you can fold it to be narrower to insert, and then it opens up inside your body and creates a seal with the vaginal wall to prevent leaks.
If inserted properly, the Blossom Cup will not leak! You just need to make sure it is fully open when it is inside you to ensure it covers the cervix.
Why I will never go back to disposable period products
Using the Blossom Cup has saved me money and time and has reduced disposable waste.
Money – I estimate that I used to spend about $50 per year on tampons. I bought the Blossom Cup for $13.95 in 2018 on Amazon and have used it exclusively for almost 2 years now. So I spent $13.95 on period products in year 1 and $0 in year 2, for a savings of about $86 over those 2 years. And I plan to continue using the same menstrual cup as long as I can.
Time – I don’t have to think about whether or not I have tampons at home or in my purse or whether or not I need to buy tampons when I am at the store or placing a Grove order. I may not sound like a big deal, but eliminating that mental stress is big for me. That weight is completely gone. I have my Blossom cup.
I’ll admit, part of my saved time comes from the fact that my cycle is pretty regular. My period doesn’t surprise me.
Waste – I feel great knowing that by not using disposable period products, I am reducing the waste I create every month.
Benefits of Using a Menstrual Cup
- No more buying disposable pads and tampons that cost money every month and create environmental waste.
- No more smelly sanitary products because there is nothing to attract bacteria.
- No uncomfortable pads.
- No excess dryness from tampons.
- No risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome like there is with tampons.
- No restrictions on activity. You can exercise as hard as you want and swim and shower while wearing a menstrual cup.
- No leaks! As long as it is inserted properly, the Blossom Cup seals to your body and will not leak.
Downsides of Using a Menstrual Cup
- Public restrooms. I do not want someone to see me rinsing my period cup in a public bathroom sink. Thankfully I have never needed to empty mine while using a public restroom.
- You gotta be really comfortable with your body. It is necessary to insert your fingers inside your body to make sure the cup is inserted properly.
- If your period is not regular, you’ll want to make sure you always have your menstrual cup in your purse or in something that you always have with you when you travel. This is also true of pads and tampons.
Common questions about the Blossom Cup:
1. How do I know what size to choose?
The Blossom Cup comes in two sizes, small and large. According to the website, the size generally depends on your flow. If your monthly flow is light to normal, use the small. If your flow is normal to heavy, use the large. Either size should fit your body just as comfortably.
2. How long can you wear a Blossom Cup before changing it?
This depends on your flow. On light days, I empty mine just once in the morning and once in the evening, so about every 12 hours. On heavier days, I will empty it again midday. It is not recommended to go more than 12 hours without emptying. I’ll admit I have gone longer than 12 hours on super light days with no negative consequences.
3. Can you feel that you are wearing a Blossom Cup?
No. It’s easy for me to completely forget I am on my period. I know it sounds surprising that you can’t feel a silicone cup inside your body, but it’s true! Often I will forget until I go to the bathroom and notice the stem of the Blossom Cup, which does sick out a little bit, but still not in a way that I feel during normal activity.
4. Can you go to the bathroom while wearing a menstrual cup?
If you just have to pee, there is no reason you have to take it out. If you have to do more than pee, you will probably want to remove the cup. Otherwise it can shift positions and become uncomfortable.
5. Is it hard to insert and remove a Blossom Cup?
There are directions with pictures that show you how to insert and remove the cup. It definitely takes practice to get used to it. The Blossom Cup is flexible so you can fold it to be narrower to insert with the open end first, and then it opens up inside your body when you let it unfold. It creates a seal with the vaginal wall over your cervix when it is fully open.
It is necessary to insert your fingers inside your body to make sure the cup is fully open when it is inside you to ensure it covers the cervix.
To remove it, you will need push one side of the cup to break the seal and pull it out using the stem to help you. Then empty the period cup into the toilet and wipe it off with toilet paper. You could also remove and empty in the shower if you prefer.
6. Is using a Blossom Cup messy?
It can be messy when you are not used to removing it! It’s a good idea to have toilet paper ready to wipe it out if you are emptying the cup when going to the bathroom.
I typically rinse mine out in the bathroom sink. I would not be comfortable if someone were to see me rinsing my period cup in a public bathroom sink. Thankfully I have never needed to empty mine while using a public restroom.
The Blossom Cup is not messy when you are wearing it normally. If inserted properly, it will not leak! Running, exercise, and swimming don’t affect how the cup works or feels.
7. How do you clean a menstrual cup?
The Blossom Cup is 100% medical-grade silicone. Generally I will just rinse the cup out in the bathroom sink and stick it back in. Sometimes I will wash it out with a little hand soap. The company does not recommend using antibacterial soap. There are 4 holes around the top rim, and those can get stained. In my bathroom I will use whatever is available to clean out those holes, like the post of an earring or the tip of a pair of tweezers, and then rinse the cup.
At the end of my cycle, I will stick the menstrual cup in boiling water to sanitize and use a toothpick to completely clean out the holes. Sometimes I will use some dish soap and a gentle brush to clean any stains. Again, antibacterial soap is not recommended.
8. How long will the Blossom Cup last?
According to the description when I purchased my Blossom Cup on Amazon, it can last up to 10 years! I purchased mine in April 2018 and have used it exclusively ever since. That’s almost 2 years as of this writing, and it is showing no signs of deteriorating.
The current Amazon description, as of this writing, says it can last up to 15 years with regular use! The Blossom Cup main website still says 10 years. Either way, that’s a long time!
9. How does the Blossom Cup compare to other menstrual cups?
I can’t completely answer this question because I haven’t used any other menstrual cups. I can say the Blossom Cup has been completely worth the $13.95 that I paid for it on Amazon, and I would definitely consider buying another Blossom Cup when I need one or if I feel like I need an extra one.
As far as other brands, this information comes strictly from what I have read on the company websites and Amazon listings. Each brand says it’s product is 100% BPA-free medical-grade silicone.
- The DivaCup costs about twice as much as the Blossom Cup, and it is recommended to replace the Diva Cup every year. I will not be trying the Diva Cup.
- The Lena Cup costs less than the Diva Cup, but much more than the Blossom Cup. I will not be trying the Lena Cup.
- The Pixie Cup is around the same price on Amazon as the Blossom cup, and for every cup purchased, 1 is given to a woman in need. I would consider buying a Pixie Cup.
- The Dutchess Cup offers a 2 pack on Amazon for a very reasonable price. I would consider buying a Dutchess Cup (or 2!).
Overall Review
I love my Blossom Cup and have no intention of going back to pads or tampons. Using this menstrual cup has saved me time and money and reduced waste. If you are interested in purchasing the Blossom Cup, check out the Amazon listing here:
By using a menstrual cup, I save over $40 per year, spend almost no time thinking about my period in between periods, and have greatly reduced my impact on the environment.
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