We’re talking periods here, Ladies. Men, feel free to exit if you prefer. As my husband says, “Some things are best kept a mystery.” 
A few years ago, I remember hearing about menstrual cups and thinking “I’m not there yet. I’m all about natural cleaning supplies, real food, organic bath products, but a menstrual cup?” All sorts of questions came rushing at me. How do I insert it? How do I remove it? How do I empty it? The whole idea was really sort of baffling to me. But as I read more, and met more people who had made the switch, I decided to do more research and discovered the LENA Cup.
While I knew that a cup was the “green” way to go, I had no idea the other amazing benefits of the LENA–there are no chemicals to leech into your system, the LENA cup has not been linked to TSS (blame conventional tampons for that) and the LENA is made in the USA using BPA-free medical grade silicone and is registered with the FDA. The money-saver in me loves how much more economical the cup is than conventional pads and tampons. And did I mention you can wear the LENA Cup for TWELVE HOURS!?! You could go an entire work day and then some without even having to empty the LENA! 
While LENA sold me over as a way to respect both my body and the earth, my initial questions remained.
So I hopped over to the LENA Cup instruction manual. There’s a ton of information there from how to fold and insert, how to remove and what size to buy. Once my LENA cup came, I checked it out and read through the manual so I’d have an idea of what I was doing when it was time to use it. Yes, there was a bit of trial and error. But once I got the hang of it, I was completely shocked at how well it worked! I have a heavy flow and am used to changing tampons very frequently throughout the day. Even on my heaviest day, I only changed out the LENA three times. And because the LENA holds everything without leaking, removal was not the mess I expected. Simply dump it out, give it a quick wash in the sink (or with a water bottle if you’re not in a private bathroom). 
There’s so much more I want to say about the LENA, but I thought it might work best if we do a little Q&A in the comments section. So feel free to ask me your questions and I’ll do my best to answer them!
A SIMPLE GIVEAWAY!
One SIMPLE reader will win a LENA Cup in your choice of size.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Jenn H
August 17, 2015 at 1:00 pmid love to try this cup. i wasnt in love with the diva. love that their packaging is recycled too!
Melodious
August 16, 2015 at 9:22 pmI’ve had my Lena cup for two days now. It came at a great time for me…a few days into my fairly heavy cycle. I’ve been using it for the last two days and getting the hang of it. I’m a nurse with a squeamish factor of pretty much zero, so It’s not gross at all to me. I’m glad I didn’t start using it on my heaviest days, because it did take a few insertions to find the best positioning for me and my body. I hope more women will discover Lena and menstrual cups in general. I’m sold.
Gina
August 18, 2015 at 3:01 pmI love that it’s worked so well for you! I’m sold, too, and I never thought I would be!
Sarah Hayes
August 16, 2015 at 7:17 pmi learned that they are made in the US.
Jillian Too
August 16, 2015 at 5:34 pmI was happy to learn that LENA is made in California. I like that if the LENA is positioned correctly, you won’t feel sensation from the cup or the stem.
Breanne
August 15, 2015 at 7:40 pmI learned they last for years. Much cheaper than tampons and pads!
Christine M
August 15, 2015 at 6:09 pmI have tried several different brands of cups and sizes! There isn’t anything really new for me to learn except the experience of using it. Thank you.
Kristen
August 13, 2015 at 10:52 pmI just got my first Lena in today… Actually my first cup ever… Tried it but I don’t have it down quite yet it was a little uncomfortable and it leaked so I must not have had it in right. I’ll keep trying and hopefully get it to work!
Gina
August 14, 2015 at 10:41 pmKristen,
It took me a bit to get the hang of it. If it was uncomfortable, it probably wasn’t in right for your body. Mine was uncomfortable for a minute and then I realized it needed to sit higher for me. I found the origami fold to be the most comfortable way to insert and took me a few tries to get it right. Don’t hesitate to contact LENA if you’re having trouble. They are super helpful! Hope this helps!
Andrea Darst
August 11, 2015 at 6:12 pmI didn’t realize it inserted like a tampon. My friend used it and loved it!
Daraya
August 11, 2015 at 12:52 pmI learned that the LENA Menstrual Cup is latex-free and hypoallergenic!
Talia
August 10, 2015 at 7:54 pmWow, very eco-concious! Not only does LENA reduce disposable menstrual products, but their packaging is recycled and their ink on packaging is vegetable-based. Very impressive.
LaTanya
August 10, 2015 at 1:31 pmOur 100% post-consumer waste packaging is produced using bio-gas and is chlorine-free. It is certified by the FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) and printed using vegetable inks.
Mariaelena
August 10, 2015 at 10:43 amI learned that it comes in different sizes. Thanks! 🙂
Sadie B.
August 6, 2015 at 2:54 pmYou can keep it clean with just soap and water.
Marci
August 6, 2015 at 1:33 pmI like the inspirations on the website!
Em Mahr
August 6, 2015 at 6:55 amI learned that LENA comes in 2 sizes, small and large. Also, LENA is made from 100% premium medical-grade silicone and can be used for years.
Amanda Alvarado
August 6, 2015 at 1:45 amI learned that it’s one of the few cups on the market that’s registered with the FDA.
Michelle T
August 5, 2015 at 10:32 pmHow awesome! Everything is made in the USA! The dyes, silicone, the packaging! Even the testing and printing is done here!
Austin Baroudi
August 5, 2015 at 8:36 pmI learned it comes in different sizes!
valerie
August 5, 2015 at 7:25 pmit BPA free
Anna Pry
August 5, 2015 at 1:25 pmi learned it comes in 2 sizes and contains dyes that don’t leach or irritate the body
Ashley B.
August 5, 2015 at 10:55 amThis looks incredible! I love that not only the cup is safe and well made, they also go above to make all of their packaging with vegetable based inks and US sourced recycled paper! Very cool!
laura revilla
August 5, 2015 at 10:20 amyou can boil it
All Natural Katie
August 5, 2015 at 7:50 amI learned about the de-bloating tea, made from cinnamon, cloves and peppermint. I should try this!
Lacey
August 5, 2015 at 2:28 amI like that they made the point that because of the design it’s irritation free because I’m totally looking at it like you would seriously have to feel that all day.
ginger
August 4, 2015 at 11:31 pmI loved the story of how LENA came about! I currently use a lunette cup, but would love another option and to see how they compare!
Ashley
August 4, 2015 at 3:52 pmI would love to try this brand out. I am still on the search for the perfect cup for me.
Brandy (Lynn W rafflecopter)
August 4, 2015 at 3:16 pmI was most curious about the sizes, so I read up on that. I don’t know if I’d choose light/normal or normal/heavy cup… because I only have one day of “heavy” and wouldn’t want it to be too large? What a fantastic product. I’m so intrigued!
Alina
August 4, 2015 at 2:09 pmYou mentioned that the Lena Cup held a lot, but I found on the website the exact capacity for both sizes of cups and their dimensions!
Katie
August 4, 2015 at 1:50 pmI learned that the lena cup is hypoallergenic. I didn’t know about not all cups being fda registered.
ColleenMarie
August 4, 2015 at 11:20 amI am pretty active, I like that it is designed to fit that lifestyle.
Marian
August 4, 2015 at 11:13 amI’d love to try this cup! I learned that this cup comes in two sizes (small & large) and that it’s made in California. I find their sizing interesting because most cups come in before giving birth and after giving birth sizes not light/normal (small) and normal/heavy (large) flow.
Gina
August 4, 2015 at 10:36 pmYes, they do recommend the small for before giving birth OR a light period while the large typically fits women post-birth. However, you know your body best!
Heather B
August 4, 2015 at 11:02 amI learned the volume of Lena small is 25ml while the large is 30ml.
Patricia
August 4, 2015 at 11:01 amIt is important that is it BPA free not only that it can be reused.
Heather!
August 4, 2015 at 11:00 amWow…that is a thorough review! There’s not a lot I could find that you didn’t cover here! But I did learn that the company’s products are all made in the USA, which is very cool.
Laurie
August 4, 2015 at 10:57 amI found out that the Lena cup is registered with the FDA!
Anel
August 4, 2015 at 10:38 amI have heard so much about these cups! I didn’t know you could use them overnight, though! This is making me more curious every time I see one! Thanks for the chance!
Gina
August 4, 2015 at 10:37 pmI know! Up to 12 hours!
Anel
August 4, 2015 at 10:38 amI have heard so much about these cups! I didn’t know you could use them overnight, though! This is making me more curious every time I see one!
Miranda Welle
August 4, 2015 at 10:34 amThey designed the LENA cup for the active, caring, and modern woman – empowering her to make better choices, for a better quality of life~! I haven’t been able to quite make the jump yet but the LENA sounds and looks great. If I win, I’ll definitely give it a try!