Mooncup for pre-teen?

[Charismac]

Has anyone got experience of their DD using a Mooncup in their pre/early teens? How have they coped in comparison to tampons etc?

I realise Mooncups are a bit like Marmite on Mumsnet but my experience is in the life changing camp and I am keen to encourage my daughter to try it although clearly it will be her choice. I'm just interested to see how others have got on in those early months. Its so hard to remember what it was like!

[differentnameforthis]

Pretty sure I have read on here that they shouldn't be used by younger girls, but hopefully someone will be along who knows more, soon.

[Charismac]

Mooncup FAQs say the smaller one is designed with young girls in mind and there is a testimonial from a Mum re her 14 yr old DD. I'm sure it's ok to use it just as tampon's are ok but it doesn't seem to be common place hence the question. I might double check via their helpline but it'd still be really helpful if anyone has any personal experience.

[piratecat]

i am a mooncup user but there is no way I would have liked the faff of it as a pre teen, or as a teen. I found tampax difficult and uncomfortable to insert.

my dd is 11 1/2 and I've asked her if she would like to try tampons, but it's a big no.

what does your dd say?

[Charismac]

She wants to start with pads for a 'couple of months' and then is keen to move on BUT, although I think we're getting close, she hasn't actually started yet so when reality hits home it may be a different matter! She's not interested in tampons but I'm aware that I have probably undersold them. Although I believe the cup is safer and puts you in control, it may be tampons are better to start with and I will make sure she has that option available.

[SchroSawMargeryDaw]

There's always a menstrual sponge if you just want her to try something less chemicaly, or soft cups.

I haven't actually used a proper mooncup (combination of soft cups and sponge) but given that it's more of a faff than the soft cups as they are disposable, I don't think it would be great for a pre teen. I assume you will be doing the boiling if she were to go for a mooncup? I think I would have found that mortifying as a teen (or now!). Also, is the moon cup quite big? The soft cups are and I find them really uncomfortable to put in, a pre teen might find this painful, surely?

[Charismac]

I've not used soft cup but looking at their website I would say mooncup is smaller but they are nevertheless quite awkward to start with. You don't need to boil them and she would be able to manage discreetly. I guess we'll just have to see how she gets on when she's ready.

Soft cup looks interesting tho - not heard of that one before.

[BertieBotts]

I would steer clear of the reusable stuff for a good while to be honest unless she specifically asks. Periods are mortifying enough in secondary school without using something different to everybody else which is also a little tricky to get to grips with.

I have boiled my mooncup exactly once. I just wash it out at the end of every period with hand soap.

[SchroSawMargeryDaw]

You can buy the soft cups from Boots for £3.99 a pack, can still be worn for 12 hours. They're pretty easy to use as you just pinch them and insert them, I'd worry that they would be a bit uncomfortable when they open up inside for someone so young though.

I always thought you had to boil moon cups, that's what put me off!

[kazzawazzawoo]

Not sure how a teen will cope with them, but just wanted to add that MeLuna do a smaller cup and in different colours. Look for the mini size and maybe try soft as it may be more comfortable.

[differentnameforthis]

She's not interested in tampons but I'm aware that I have probably undersold them I wouldn't be pushing or 'selling' anything, to be honest. Give her the options & let her make the choice as to what she wants to use.

[AnyFucker]

She is a pre teen and hasn't even started her periods yet and you are already planning an invasive method of dealing with her periods

that strikes me as odd

[differentnameforthis]

She is a pre teen and hasn't even started her periods yet and you are already planning an invasive method of dealing with her periods ... that strikes me as odd

Here here. My daughter is 10. I have started buying stuff and she knows about periods.

I think that covers it for now.

[MrsCakesPremonition]

I think that a school-aged child is likely to prefer to use a disposable product which can go in the sanpro bin inside the toilet cubicle at school. She is likely to want to be the same as her friends, with the same little paper packets. There may be people around who would notice bloody hands as she walked to the sink. Having an extra bottle of water for rinsing might be trickier to handle. Mooncups can lead to blood pooling in the toilet bowl, which might lead to comments from the girl that follows her into the cubicle. The whole reusables thing feels more complicated (even if it isn't in the long run) and marks you out as being different.

I'd let her get used to the process first, then move to tampons or mooncup when she feels that she needs them e.g. for swimming lessons.

[NurseyWursey]

Agree with anyfucker

You shouldn't be trying to sell anything to her. Let her make her own mind up. Buy a selection of pads, tampons and a mooncup if you wish and let her use as she wishes.

And I can imagine using a mooncup in school would be a pain in the arse.

[goodasitgets]

Meluna as mentioned do the smaller cups. I'd just have pads, tampons and a cup in and she can make her own choice. I couldn't (and can't use tampons) but have no issues with a cup