saaltTwin Pack - Reusable Medical-Grade Silicone Period Cup - Wear for 12 Hours - Saalt Soft & Original Firmness (Regular)

I was nervous trying this but I'm so glad I did. I will never go back to tampons. I had so much discomfort and pain with them but with this cup it is so much better. It fits comfortably and I don't cramp as much.

I really wanted to start using menstrual cups to cut down on both waste and costs, but was pretty freaked out by the idea of menstrual cups for awhile - I mean I don't even like using tampons and used to prefer pads. I researched a bunch of different cups and was intrigued by Saalt's soft cups, figured getting the soft+regular small sized cups would be a good choice for a beginner, and they absolutely are. Never going back to pads and the occasional tampon again!The learning curve was admittedly a bit steep at first, and there was a moment when I wanted to just give up on them. But I turned on a podcast to distract myself (so important to be relaxed down there!), got into a comfy squat in the shower, used some lube, tried a few different folds and finally started getting the hang of it. (The punch down fold works the best for me, both for insertion and for popping out/unfolding once it's in.) By the end of the week it was fairly easy, and it's now the start of my 2nd cycle using cups and it's nearly old hat already.I do wish that I'd purchased the small+regular sizes instead of 2 small, because I quickly realized there's no way the small cups can contain my heavy overnight flows, plus I absolutely need to dump at least twice during the day on my heavy days with the small cups. I leaked every single night for the first 3 nights using the small cups. (Luckily my period panties prevented a blood bath on my sheets, highly recommend them in conjunction with cups. Not a single drop on my sheets despite the inside of my period panties getting pretty drenched!)I'd read some reviews saying the soft cups don't provide as good of a seal as the regular ones, which is why I purchased the 2 pack of both soft+regular. They both seem to seal well for me, though I haven't tested them out while being super active. The soft one was easier to insert at first for sure, but honestly once I got over being intimidated by cups and started getting the hang of them, they're both pretty easy to insert.Last thing is that pantiliners and/or period panties are still needed with cups, because after dumping and reinserting cups, some residual blood pretty much always drips down from the sides of the cup below the seal. Apparently this is called "residual slobber" - kinda gross name but, er, accurate.Love menstrual cups, no more gross smells of stagnant oxidized blood, or chafing and diaper/pad rash, or bathroom trash cans stuffed full of pads every month. I've since purchased a couple much cheaper cups for their larger capacities, and they seem to take a bit more wiggling/rotating to get a good seal and are perhaps slightly less comfortable, but they work just as well as these Saalt cups once they're inserted properly.TLDR: These are fantastic cups, especially for beginners! You'll likely need their larger size for heavy flow days though.

My teenager has been using this brand since her 2nd month of having her period. Tried other brands and epic fail. But this brand is perfect. Highly recommend to explain that there may be a few hard days of figuring it out at the beginning (use the shower for removal) but once you get it right... it's peace of mind and a easy months ahead!

Like the title said, there’s a sharp learning curve here. Maybe it only applies to those of us who have used more “traditional” feminine hygiene products for the last eon, maybe not. Either way, it is my opinion that the savings produced over ten years of not having to spend $150-200/year on tampons and related products coupled to the general comfort of this product balance out the initial trial and error involved in figuring out how to make these cups work (as well as how to navigate “installation and removal”). Four stars only because the latter part of that equation is not really adequately explained for consumer benefit and I don’t see how it could ever be as simple as they try to make it sound.

I’m going to be very blunt. Sugar coating how this works won’t help you.I was very skeptical about menstrual cups in the beginning. But I hate spending so much money in tampons/ liners. I STRONGLY suggest that you read over all the directions before and you’ll do fine. I also strongly recommend that the first time you put it in and empty it that you be home for this so you can get comfortable with how to do it and you’re not rushed. Take the time to try different methods and find one that works best for you. The first time will take some trial and error to determine the best way to fold it (the directions offer a few suggestions) but once I found something that worked it was pretty easy. Definitely be sure that it’s up in there enough that it fully opens up. You can run your finger around the outside to check that it fully opened. If one side of the cup is squished closed it probably isn’t in far enough. If you get it in correctly you shouldn’t feel anything and it shouldn’t leak. You also have the option to trim the stem if it happens to be too long for you. Taking it out was interesting, again I suggest you read the directions for this as well. If your having trouble pinching the bottom of the cup try bearing down a little to help push it down. DO BOT TRY TO PULL THE CUP OUT BY THE STEM!! You need to pinch the bottom of the cup to break the suction. It’s a little strange seeing a cup full of blood the first time you need to empty it so just prepare yourself for that. As you get used to it seeing the blood won’t phase you.I hope this helps someone and good luck!

I was scared of menstrual cups for the longest time. I stopped using tampons 15 years ago, but I have always hated pads. I have very sensitive skin and heavy periods, so I was going through a lot of pads. I decided to try them after watching of videos on how to insert them and how to take them out.One thing for sure, there is not one cup fits all. I tried the diva cup first. It didn’t fit right. It was too long for where my cervix sits on my period. I found this brand, and loved that they have a quiz on their website to recommend which of their products would fit best for you. I recommend figuring out where your cervix sits on your period. I have also found that the softer cups are better for days with heavier cramps.Don't be afraid. They aren’t that hard to get in and out. They can be left in all day, cleaned out, and then left in over night. You don’t need to worry about Toxic Shock. I have found that putting it in and spinning my finger around the cup to check that the cup has fully opened and it on my cervix helps a lot.