about Mooncups

[Noonesfool]

Being absolutely amazing? I was a Mooncup virgin until this month. It's great! I had NO IDEA about the really cool suction thing.

I don't understand why they are not more widely promoted as an envirinmentally and body friendly choice. And surely they, with the appropriate funding, could be a great mentstruation product for women in poverty/crisis situations?

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Hello. This thread is a little old now. Take a look at our round-up of Mumsnetters’ favourite menstrual cups - with a handy guide to finding and using the right cup for you - for more up-to-date advice. MNHQ.

[BillyNotQuiteNoMates]

They're pretty good, but they aren't perfect. Im not sure what alternatives there are, but I find they don't last long enough for me, admittedly I have very heavy periods. I also get quite sore using them, but I think you're right and they could be great for women in poverty stricken areas - with funding.

[Saralyn]

There is a charity who provide them for girls who might drop our of school for the lack of sanpro. Very interesting read: m.huffpost.com/ca/entry/6313436

And yes, I love them too, so much more comfortable than tampons and towels

[Noonesfool]

Thanks for that link Saralyn - interesting..

[Olives106]

I was in agony using the mooncup and it always leaked, despite trying lots of different folds. It out me off cups for ages. I've just ordered a meluna cup which is supposed to be smaller and softer so I'll see if I get on with that.

[Chlorinatedfrontbum]

They've been around for decades, but weren't advertised as much as tampons, etc, because they are not disposable! Not enough money in it!

[MouseholeCat]

I love my Mooncup, and totally agree that they should be more widely promoted. I try to do my bit in promoting by telling people how great they are

I tried a Meluna once, but found it wouldn't suction in the same way and ended up a bit sideways... not sure if that means my pelvic floor is strong or weak!!

[ItsMeTheMummy]

Olives106 I'd definitely advise trying different cups. I started out with the Mooncup, loved the idea but it wasn't perfect, leaked a bit and was a tiny bit uncomfortable, I contacted them and they were very helpful but it still wasn't perfect. My DH accidentally threw it away so I took the opportunity to try different ones.

The Organicup just wasn't for me, it was too soft and I couldn't turn it to ensure the seal.

This month I tried the Ruby cup, it's the perfect cup for me, not a single leak, I was wearing a pale colour dress on Saturday and kept running to the loo convinced that I must be leaking (I did have a pad on for backup but I never trust them) but not a single spot, it's opened every time, was so comfortable and I didn't even need to trim the stem. I actually have a fleur cup in the draw which I was going to try next but after this month I don't think I need to, I'm so happy with the Ruby cup. My only slight niggle is that I wish the stem was solid as its obviously easier to clean a solid stem.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Olives- were you giving it a twist after putting it in?

[ItsMeTheMummy]

Oops, that should be in the drawer not draw

[SawdustInMyHair]

I use the lily cup - I find the mooncup, and any cups with that big hard edge, painful to remove, but the lilycup is a different shape and works really well for me.

I'm a teacher and it's also a miracle not to have to worry about it from when I leave in the morning to when I get home (it can take up to 12 hours, depending on flow). The only time it's ever leaked is when I wore it on a flight+airports etc for a total of 15 hours, and even then was no worse than a tampon leaking.

Also my vag is no longer rubbed raw by cotton wool!

[NovemberInDailyFailLand]

I think they're a great idea, but not suitable for all. I like to stick to towels - don't like any kind of 'insertable'.

[minipie]

I am a fairly recent convert - I have a Dutchess cup which is not too soft, not too hard - it is AWESOME.

I'm on my first day of period today and haven't emptied it since I put it in at 7am. And it hasn't leaked! I'd have been through several tampons by now and been more uncomfortable with them.

Off to empty it now -I had actually forgotten I had it in!

I will be telling my 2 DDs about them as soon as they are old enough, and encouraging them to tell their friends.

Comfier, cheaper, no risk of TSS, environmentally friendlier, doesn't leak, no string to wee on so more hygienic... brilliant all round.

[Madcats]

I think I must have had a mooncup for at least 20 years. I think there is a "knack" (prob depends on shape of your body). For newbies, wear a pad too until you get the hang of inserting.

Some loos flush better than others, so dropping a sheet of toilet paper into a loo before you pour and flush works well when out.

Mooncups are great for "travelling"/camping where sanitation/plumbing isn't great but don't rely on a mooncup when on a long plane flight (change in air pressure isn't great during period...doubly so with mooncup)!

[NeedACleverNN]

Whatever floats your boat OP

Meanwhile my nether regions close up on me like a clam every time one of these threads come up

[FlibbertigibbetArmadillo]

I'd like to try them but I've heard horror stories that the suction can dislodge the coil. Is there any truth in this?

[Sofabitch]

Can I just point out to those of you not changing for long periods. There is still a risk of toxic shock syndrome and the moon cup should be removed and rinsed at least every 6-8 hours.

I have been using mine about 10 years and I love it. I found I wasn't ready for the bigger size until recently despite being over 30 and having 4 children. But they sent me a free smaller size.

Its amazing.

[CoraPirbright]

I couldn't get on with the moon cup at all - terrible leaking and a slight cystitis-like feeling when I went to the loo. Changed to a diva cup and LOVE it! Still at the stage where I suspect leakage but that rarely happens and I think that, very soon, I will get more and more confident in it. Brilliant to feel that I am having less environmental impact (my initial reason for trying).

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Interesting,when I bought my moon cup many years ago it said in the website TS was not associated with mooncups ,now there's a whole thing about changing every 4-8 hours etc. Must be just to cover themselves legally.

[Sofabitch]

Tss syndrome is associated with anything artifical being stuck in the body.

Even the moon cup can provide a Base for bacteria to grow. And given enough time the levels can be high enough to be toxic

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Will the use of a menstrual cup cause (TSS) Toxic Shock Syndrome?

Unlike tampons which absorb fluid from the vagina, menstrual cups do not cause TSS and are not associated with any cases of toxic shock syndrome among users. Menstrual cups collect and do not absorb menstrual fluid, so it is highly unlikely that the use of menstrual cups will result in an increased risk of TSS.
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Just had a quick Google. I thought it was anything absorbent therefore mooncups were ok.

[fairgame84]

I really like the Mooncup. I used to get terrible period pains and infections with tampons and I've not had anything like that with the Mooncup. I do find it leaks a little though so I might have to try a different brand.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

www.theguardian.com/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/aug/17/eco-friendly-periods-mooncup

No history of TS in 70 years

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Fair - do you twist it?

[Sofabitch]

Of course it could. The risk will be higher with tampons. But tss is just bacteria entering the body. So.aureus grows on things like catheters so could easily grow on a moon cup.

You get get tss from cuts etc.

The risk is lower but I still wouldn't be inserting anything into.my body for 8+ hours without washing it.

The very act of inserting introduces bacteria from the outside of the body inside. Particularly if you don't wash your hands etc.

[PleaseGetOffTheTableDarling]

YANBU, I've just made the leap and bought my first one, I love it! Interesting to read PP recommendations for other brands as well as I did find myself a little sore but put it down to amateur status!