A soft, flexible, reusable container that is made of medical grade silicone, rubber, or latex that is inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual flow. It looks somewhat like a small, upside down funnel, although the stem is not hollow and the body of the cup is more rounded than a funnel. The woman uses her fingers to insert the menstual cup into her vagina a few inches below her cervix. It forms an airtight seal against the wall of the vagina which allows it to collect the flow. Unlike a tampon, which absorbs the vagina’s natural secretions in addition to period flow, a menstrual cup holds only period flow until it is removed and washed out. So it won’t dry out a vagina like tampons can. Menstrual cups are far more environmentally sound than tampons and pads, and much less expensive to use on an annual basis. If inserted correctly, a woman should not be able to feel the menstrual cup, and menstrual cups that don’t have stems can be used during intercourse. Menstrual cups come in small and larger sizes, depending on the size of a woman’s vagina and if she has given birth through her vaginal canal. Menstual cups can also be used by women who have an IUD. There are different kinds of menstrual cups, such as the Lunette, Diva, Moon Cup, Lady Cup, Femmecup, The June Cup, The Flex Cup, The Dutchess Cup, The Athena Cup, Super Jennie, FemmyCycle, Tampax Cup, Miacup Keeper, Lilly Cup, and Pink Cup. Each has a slightly different length, softness, stem, rim and color. There are online forums where women who use menstrual cups offer helpful advice for women who are thinking about using them or who are new to menstrual cups. There are also videos that show how to insert them.