The Keeper
Tampon Alternative

Stock # TK-B (Before Natural Child Birth)
Stock # TK-A (After Natural Child Birth)

The Keeper

"I can still remember when I first bought The Keeper. I'd heard about this wondrous little piece of equipment and thought it was too good to be true. When I even looked in its direction in the store, the sales woman came rushing over and said, "Honey, this is the only thing in the store I'm going to actively try to sell you. I bought one over a year ago and it changed my life." Two years later, I've tried to convince all my close female friends (and even some that weren't that close) to buy one for themselves, and I use the same angle: it changed my life. It really did. "

- Margaret F., Vancouver BC

What it is:

The Keeper is a small reusable cup that is worn internally during your menstrual cycle. It looks like a cervical cap with a stem at the tip that is used to remove it from your vagina. Unlike tampons and pads, it collects and holds instead of absorbing menstrual flow. The Keeper is available in two sizes: Size A if you have ever had vaginal childbirth and Size B for everyone else who hasn't.

What it's made of:

The Keeper is made of natural gum rubber.

Convenience:

The Keeper is reusable for at least 10 years, so there is not the same worry of running out that tampons and pads have.

Comfort:

If inserted correctly, you should not be able to feel The Keeper.

Insertion:

As with any new feminine protection product, it may take a while to get used to inserting The Keeper correctly and comfortably. Wash your hands. Press the sides of The Keeper together. Fold the cup in half again. Hold the folded Keeper between the thumb and index finger of one hand and insert the cup until the narrow base of the cup is just one to two centimeters inside the entrance to your vagina. Rotate The Keeper once to ensure that it has unfolded. Then tug gently on the stem for a snug seal. Follow the natural slant of your vagina while inserting until The Keeper rests comfortably below the cervix. Be sure the pull-tab is at the entrance to the vagina.

Removal:

Sit on the toilet with your knees apart. Remove The Keeper by gently pinching the base of the cup, which releases the suction seal. Tug on the pull-tab to remove.

Environmental Friendliness:

The Keeper is made from natural gum rubber. Rubber trees are tapped for their rubber, not cut down. In addition, The Keeper lasts at least 10 years, so there is not the monthly pollution caused by tampons and pads.

The Keeper - Frequently Asked Questions

1. How is The Keeper different from tampons?
2. How long can I use The Keeper for?
3. How do I use The Keeper?
4. How do I take The Keeper out?
5. Sometimes when I take out The Keeper, it makes a loud noise and hurts a bit.
6. Can I get Toxic Shock Syndrome from leaving The Keeper in too long?
7. Do I need to take The Keeper out when I urinate or have a bowel movement?
8. Has The Keeper been federally approved?
9. I've heard that some women who use The Keeper get relief from severe period cramps. Is this true?
10. What is the Keeper made from?
11. How long should the tab on the end of my Keeper be?
12. How do I clean it?
13. How often do I need to clean it?
14. My Keeper has changed color. Is there something wrong with it?
15. What if I have to empty it when I'm in a public washroom?
16. How often do I need to empty it?
17. Does it leak?
18. Can you feel The Keeper when it's inside?
19. Can I wear it at night?
20. I'm really active. Can I still use The Keeper?
21. Can I wear The Keeper during intercourse?
22. What's the difference between Size A and Size B?
23. But what if I'm smaller/larger than average?
24. Can The Keeper get "lost" inside of me?
25. Isn't it messy?
26. I'm a virgin. Can I still use The Keeper?
27. I have a latex allergy. Can I still use The Keeper?

1. How is The Keeper different from tampons?

The Keeper is different from tampons in many important ways. For one, it's reusable for up to 10 years! You don't have to buy a new one each month or after each use, so it pays for itself within a few months and is far more economical over the long term than tampons.

The Keeper works quite differently from tampons. Instead of absorbing your menstrual fluid, it holds it in a little cup, which you can then wash out a couple of times a day and reuse. Because it doesn't absorb fluid, it doesn't put you at risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome and other bacterial infections, so you don't have to empty it as often as you would have to change a tampon.

The Keeper is made of 100% natural gum rubber and contains no dyes or chemicals. Tampons are typically manufactured from rayon and may also have absorbency gels, bleach and chemicals such as chlorine. Chlorine can cause the production of dioxins, a potent carcinogen (cancer-causing agent). Because The Keeper doesn't include any of these substances, it won't put you at risk of cervical cancer, yeast infections, or other feminine problems the way tampons can.

2. How long can I use The Keeper for?

The Keeper is designed to last for at least 10 years. What an excellent investment!

3. How do I use The Keeper?

When you first start using The Keeper, putting it in can be one of the most daunting parts. But don't worry - it gets easier over time and you'll be glad you stuck with it! The main obstacle for most people is that it's relatively "hands-on" - but what a great excuse to get more comfy with your own body!

To insert The Keeper, pinch the cup end so that it's flat and fold the cup part lengthwise. Hold it this way with your forefinger and thumb, with the pinched open end at the tip of your fingers and the pull tab in the palm of your hand. Open wide and insert with the pinched cup end first. You might have to wiggle it around a little, moving your fingers down toward the base as it goes deeper inside. Once it's as far in as you can get it, release your pinch and rotate it a half-turn. ** This rotation is key to creating a seal, which is key to avoiding leaks.

** If you need to move it deeper inside, you can do so while rotating it.

4. How do I take The Keeper out?

To remove The Keeper, simply pinch the base of the cup to break the seal. You may have to bear down if The Keeper has moved up inside you so that the tab is a little out of reach (this is normally only the case if you've trimmed the tab so that it's very short). When you pinch the cup, you'll hear the seal break with a little "pop." Make sure the seal is broken before you pull it out. Bear down and pull The Keeper out slowly. Empty the contents into the toilet, give it a quick rinse or wipe, and reinsert. It's that easy!

5. Sometimes when I take out The Keeper, it makes a loud noise and hurts a bit.

If The Keeper makes a loud noise when you remove it, the seal probably hasn't been broken. To break the seal, pinch a little higher up on the cup (instead of at the very bottom). This should release the seal quickly. You can pull downward while pinching the cup at first, but make sure to release your pinch before taking it completely out to avoid spillage.

.6. Can I get Toxic Shock Syndrome from leaving The Keeper in too long?

One of the great features of The Keeper is that it has not been linked at all to getting Toxic Shock Syndrome. Toxic Shock Syndrome results from a chemical imbalance in the vagina caused by the absorption of vaginal fluids that carry dead cells and other organisms away. Tampons absorb these fluids, disturbing your body's natural cleaning cycle, which is why they put you at risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome and bacterial infections (just read the warnings on the side of your box of tampons for more info). The Keeper doesn't absorb any fluids, so it doesn't put you at the same risk.

7. Do I need to take The Keeper out when I urinate or have a bowel movement?

No. You can comfortably keep The Keeper in when you urinate or have a bowel movement just as you can a tampon.

8. Has The Keeper been federally approved?

Yes. It was accepted for sale by Health and Welfare Canada in 1992 and the FDA in the US in 1987.

9. I've heard that some women who use The Keeper get relief from severe period cramps. Is this true?

Yes, this is true. Some women who suffer from severe menstrual pain find that they don't experience as much pain when using The Keeper as they do using tampons.

10. What is the Keeper made from?

The Keeper is made from natural gum rubber, and has not been treated with any chemicals or bleaches.

11. How long should the tab on the end of my Keeper be?

Because we're all different shapes and sizes, there's no "one-size-fits-all" tab length. You can cut the tab as short as you like - but remember, the shorter you cut it, the more you will have to bear down when you remove it. I recommend that you cut a little bit off, try it out for another day or so, and if it's still sticking out, repeat the process. You'll find the perfect length before long.

12. How do I clean it?

To clean your Keeper between cycles, wash it with warm, soapy water. Pat it dry and place it in its little cloth bag until your next cycle. If it develops a smell, soak it overnight in a glass of warm water and 1 tsp of vinegar.

13. How often do I need to clean it?

Clean your Keeper thoroughly at the end of each cycle so that it's fresh and ready for next month.

14. My Keeper has changed color. Is there something wrong with it?

Sometimes The Keeper does change colors, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it if it does. Because it's made from natural gum rubber without any dyes or chemicals, this can happen over time.

15. What if I have to empty it when I'm in a public washroom?

Once you use The Keeper, you'll probably find that you don't need to empty it as frequently as you might think. Most women only have to empty it a couple of times a day, and so rarely need to do so in a public washroom. If you do need to empty it in a public washroom, simply remove it, empty its contents into the toilet, wipe the rim with a piece of toilet paper (some women bring a moistened tissue into the stall with them for this purpose) and reinsert.

16. How often do I need to empty it?

This varies from person to person and will depend largely on how heavy your flow is. You can wear The Keeper for up to 12 hours.

Most women only bleed between 2 to 4 ounces of menstrual flow per cycle. The Keeper holds up to 1 oz of menstrual flow. On heavier days, you may need to empty it two to three times per day. On lighter days, you may only need to empty it once a day.

17. Does it leak?

Not usually, but this can depend on how heavy your flow is, or how full your bladder or bowels are. When inserting the Keeper, remember the twist to get it properly sealed. Many women use pads as backup with their Keeper just in case.

18. Can you feel The Keeper when it's inside?

You might feel The Keeper a wee bit at first, but, like tampons, you quickly forget it's there. After you've used it a couple of times, you won't even notice it. Some people never feel it. If you do feel it because it's sticking out a bit, shorten the tab.

19. Can I wear it at night?

Absolutely. This is another great feature of The Keeper. Since it doesn't absorb fluids, it doesn't put you at risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome, which is the main reason why you can't leave tampons in overnight.

20. I'm really active. Can I still use The Keeper?

The Keeper is ideal for active women. Use it running, swimming, dancing, working out, climbing, hiking. any activity you can think of! It's great for trips because you don't have to pack pads or tampons, and you'll never run out of it. And there's no waste to deal with when you're out in the woods on a camping trip.

21. Can I wear The Keeper during intercourse?

No. The Keeper is worn low near the vaginal opening. Also, The Keeper shouldn't be used as a method of birth control.

22. What's the difference between Size A and Size B?

Size A is designed for women who have had vaginal childbirth ("A" is for "After childbirth"). Size B is designed for women who have not yet had childbirth or who have had a caesarean section childbirth only ("B" is for "Before childbirth"). Size B is slightly smaller in diameter and is made with slightly firmer gum rubber.

23. But what if I'm smaller/larger than average?

Don't worry too much about the sizes. There are no rules that you must follow with your Keeper - these are only guidelines. Some women who are slightly larger than average and who have not had vaginal childbirth wear size A. Some women who have had vaginal childbirth and who are slightly smaller wear size B. Use your own judgment

24. Can The Keeper get "lost" inside of me?

No. The Keeper sits low near the vaginal opening. Sometimes it travels a bit deeper inside, but never out of reach. If you find it has moved up when you go to remove it, bear down with your pelvic/abdominal muscles to push The Keeper downward. You can also pull The Keeper down a bit by the stem before pinching it to release the seal.

25. Isn't it messy?

Getting used to The Keeper can take some time, but it's well worth it. It's a little more "hands-on" than tampons or pads, but it's a great way to become more familiar with your body. Also, if you remove it slowly and remember to release your pinch just before completely removing it, you'll reduce the chance of spillage. And remember, you don't have to empty The Keeper nearly as often as you have to change pads or tampons. Most of the time you'll be able to do it in the privacy of your own home. Some women will wear a pad as well on their heaviest days so that they can wait until they are at home in the evening to empty their Keeper.

26. I'm a virgin. Can I still use The Keeper?

Yes. But if you have strong feelings about keeping your hymen intact, you might wait until you've had intercourse.

27. I have a latex allergy. Can I still use The Keeper?

Although The Keeper is made from natural gum rubber (versus a synthetic polymer), it is still made of rubber, which is also called latex. To be safe, don't use it if you are allergic to rubber or latex, or think you might be.