Questions and Answers
How does The KEEPER menstrual cup work? The most amazing thing about The Keeper menstrual cup is it is designed to catch your menstrual flow rather than absorbing it. The bell shape allows The Keeper to fit snuggly and comfortably up against your uterine walls, below but not up against your cervix and inside the vaginal opening. The rim and tiny holes above the rim are designed to create a suction which keeps The Keeper in place and collects your menstrual flow inside. The Keeper is a simple device and is simple to use.
What is the KEEPER made from? The Keeper menstrual cup is made from natural gum rubber, also known as latex.
What about latex allergy? Unfortunately if you are sensitive to rubber The Keeper may not be for you. Please consult with your health care provider if you are unsure.
Who makes The KEEPER? The Keeper is manufactured in the U.S.A.(Cincinnati,Ohio) by The Keeper Incorporated.
How long has The KEEPER been available? The Keeper first came on the market in 1986.
Why have I not heard about The KEEPER before now? Since the Keeper menstrual cup is reusable, lasting up to 10 years, a woman will only purchase a few menstrual cups during her menstruating years. It is not a money making product for big companies with the ability to make a product "highly visible and available". In the early days it was difficult for the Keeper to find anyone to allow them to advertise. No one wanted to write about or be associated with something called a "menstrual cup". The Keeper menstrual cup has achieved it's internationally known status purely on the hard work of it's distributors and their strong commitment to let other women know of an "alternative" to the commercially made feminine hygiene products available. Credit also goes to the health food stores, midwives, holistic practitioner, food co-ops, and women's health clinics who understood the need to bring The Keeper’s availability to the attention of women through out the world and gave the distributors a voice, show place, or shelf to promote a product they truly believed in.
Has The KEEPER been approved by the appropriate agencies? Yes. TGA in Australia and approved by the Ministry of Health in New Zealand. FDA in the USA, and appropriate approvals in other countries.
Isn't The Keeper Cup a little expensive? Comparatively speaking, no. Most other forms of protection cost anywhere from $8.00 to $10.00 a month while The Keeper Cup average monthly cost is only pennies!
How long does The KEEPER menstrual cup last? If cared for properly the Keeper has a life expectancy of at least 10 years.
What if i can't wear it or don't like it? The manufacturer has a generous "3-month (90 days from the purchase date) no questions asked return policy". Just return it to your place of purchase! All distributors of The Keeper menstrual cups are required to honour this return policy.
Is the 3-month return guarantee in writing? Yes.
Is it comfortable? It looks so big. At first you may be aware of its presence but once you get used to it that awareness will go away and you won’t even feel you are wearing the cup.
Is using a menstrual cup messy? No, not once you get comfortable with it. In the beginning it might be a little messy as you have to get used to handling the Keeper properly. This usually happens when you are first getting used to removing and emptying it. Not properly releasing the seal you created when you inserted The Keeper can sometimes be messy. Once you learned to release it properly there should not be any problems. Pulling The Keeper out tipping at an angle or too fast could cause a problem. Using the Keeper is like learning to ride a bicycle. Once you know how to it becomes second nature to you. Just follow the instructions closely.
Will the KEEPER Cup leak? No ,The Keeper themselves do not leak. However, there are conditions that could cause leakage. If it has not been inserted properly, if something has caused the Keeper to move out of place, some leakage may occur. Please follow the instructions closely or feel free to email us with any queries. We are happy to give advice and are long time Keeper users ourselves.
Will I be able to feel The KEEPER Cup when it is inside of me? No, if you do feel it has not been inserted in the correct position and is too close to the vaginal opening. Reinsert the Keeper menstrual cup slightly higher.
Is it possible for The KEEPER Cup get lost inside of me? No, you can not lose the cup inside. If you are unable to grasp the pull tab, push the cup down using your stomach muscles. The cup will then move towards the vaginal opening.
Does it fit near the cervix? No, the Keeper rests below the Cervix.
How often should The Keeper be emptied? You never want anything to stay in your body for an extended length of time without removing it. The Keeper Cup should be emptied and rinsed every 10 hours. More often if you are experiencing a heavy menstrual flow.
Can The KEEPER cup be worn overnight? Yes.
When I urinate or have a bowel movement do I need to remove my menstrual cup? No. However, you may find your Keeper traveled down closer to the entrance of your vagina if you were pushing your muscles harder than normal. The cup may need to be re-adjusted.
What if I need to empty my KEEPER in a public restroom? Not a problem ... first wash your hands ...it is suggested that you wet a paper towel and take it into the cubicle with you. Remove, empty and wipe the Keeper before reinserting. Use part of the wet paper towel to wipe your fingers. You can also take a small water bottle with you to rinse the Keeper.
Is it sanitary? Yes, if cared for properly. Always wash your hands before handling your menstrual cup.
Can I wear The KEEPER during intercourse? No. Menstrual cups are positioned below the cervix and low near the vaginal opening.
I use my diaphragm sometimes for my menstrual protection, can The KEEPER Cup be used as a method of birth control? No. Menstrual cups are not like a diaphragm and can not be used as a method of birth control.
Can a virgin use The KEEPER menstrual cup? Yes, it would be much like a tampon. If you have strong personal feeling about keeping the hymen "intact" you may not want to use a menstrual cup.
I have a tilted uterus, can I use The KEEPER? Yes.
I am physically active and very involved in sports. Can I wear a menstrual cup? Absolutely!
Can IUD users use The KEEPER? The Keeper would pose the same risk to an Intra-Uterine Device user as that of a tampon. The Keeper's manufacturer's OB/GYN consultants suggest it may be "used with caution"..."there should be no problem". The risk would occur if The Keeper Cup would travel up, which generally does not happen. We always recommend that women speak with their own personal health care provider when concerned about using The Keeper.
What about possible infection? If you have a history of dehydration or UTI's, you may want to drink extra water during the time you are using your menstrual cup. A few women have found that their menstrual cup aggravated a urinary tract infection.
What if I have a yeast infection? First and foremost, you must get medical treatment for your yeast infection. The manufacturer's (The Keeper Inc.) consultants report that all that is needed to treat your Keeper is simply cleaning it with warm soapy water and rinsing the cup afterwards with a vinegar solution to avoid soapy residue.
What happens with returned KEEPERs? They are destroyed.