Do you use menstrual cups for your whole period?

[OunceOfFlounce]

I've been reading up about them coz I'd really like to make the change. The only thing that's putting me off now is the size of them.

I can't even really see how it would stay open inside, and how the walls of the vagina wouldn't just squash it closed. So I guess they must be incredibly firm and robust.

But that gets me worrying that surely it would start to ache. I know vaginas are wonderful and can stretch, but willies and babies don't stick around in there for 5 days straight!

Cup users, does your fanny start to ache if you use them all the time or do you have to give it a rest every now and again with a pad or tampon?

Sorry for my ignorance & thanks to anyone who takes the trouble to answer.

[HippyChickMama]

No, you really can't feel it if it's in the right place. They're made of fairly soft silicone so I imagine with the heat of your body it moulds to the shape. It took me a few periods to be able to get it in right first time every time but now I wouldn't go back to using tampons or towels.

[AnneLovesGilbert]

I’ve bern using a mooncup for years and love it. Happy to answer any questions!

It never hurts and you can’t feel it once it’s in. You fold it to put it in and then it opens once it’s in position and forms a seal so nothing escapes. It sits much lower than a tampon and just sort of rests up there!

They’ve settled loads now (acupuncture!) but I’ve had extremely heavy periods and never had any problems. You also don’t get that horrible dryness of tampons and you’re not chucking anything away.

I really recommend a cup, please ask anything else you might be wondering

[SimonBridges]

I’ve used one (well two, I had to size up) for 20 years. I use it the whole time and towards the end I have to keep reminding myself it’s in there.

[OunceOfFlounce]

Okay, thanks. I guess the vagina really is a marvel. If they're so soft though, and obviously they're hollow, how do they stay open inside you? Maybe its something I'll have to try out to understand but when I imagine it, I just see them getting squashed closed and therefore not being able to collect the blood.

How did you all choose which brand and size. I did a test last night that suggested a lunette.

[SimonBridges]

I went with the Mooncup because at the time I think it was just about the only one.

[gallicgirl]

I did a quiz and close fleurcup, got two for my money. They're fantastic.

I think I get less period pain and recently when I started my period unexpectedly and had to buy tampons, the difference was marked. Wouldn't go back.

[OunceOfFlounce]

Okay, thanks again for your responses.

I'm pretty convinced about getting one now. Hopefully I won't um and ah too long about exactly which one to get!

[where2now]

I'm Interested I'm using these too, can you use them if you have a copper coil? The only thing that puts me off is that's it's messy, is it particularly messy?

[SimonBridges]

Honestly, it can be a bit messy. It’s not as quick and easy as a towel or tampon. You will get blood on your fingers sometimes.

[Watto1]

It's no messier than a non-applicator tampon. Yes, you may get a bit a blood on your fingers but it washes off! I love my mooncup. I honestly can't feel it at all. Period pain has all but disappeared. I wish I had discovered it in my teens. I would have saved myself a fortune!

[Watto1]

I used mine with a mirena coil with no issues.

[OunceOfFlounce]

Whew! So I went for one from the brand Monthly Cup - 'blue sapphire'. I liked that they let you exchange it if you've got the wrong size.

Tried inserting it and couldn't get very far at all. I did some googling and changed from a c fold to an origami/extreme 7 and got a tiny bit further but still quite painful.

Has anyone come across this cup? I'm thinking maybe the rim is too think and inflexible. Is there much variation in flexibility between brands?

[NeeChee]

I have a Mirena coil and I use a Mooncup.
To the person who asked how it stays open, it gets slightly flattened by the walls of the canal, but pushes itself out (kinda like it's spring loaded lol) to create a seal.

[millimat]

I'm a convert. I started using them at the age of 40 but wish I'd used them sooner. I feel cleaner with them.

[0hCrepe]

I found mine reallly stiff at first and was sometimes painful to take out. It has softened a lot now. It does take some getting used to and I nearly gave up but I’m glad I persisted. Did you sterilise it? Boiling it for a few minutes might soften it up a bit too.

[PandaG]

Not tried that brand, I've been using a mooncup for well over 10 years. You are not supposed to insert it high up like a tampon, but much lower down - you have to be able to grab hold of it again! I can't feel.mine at all once it is in.

[BWatchWatcher]

I’ve used a mooncup and recently bought a meluna cup.
Meluna is softer and easier to manipulate. I would suggest wearing a pad for the first few cycles.
I love them though. My periods are shorter, less smelly and no cramps!

[hamsterwheel]

Reading with interest! What about at night? Do you wear a pad instead?

[gigi556]

I've recently started using an Organicup. I'm still getting the hang of it but I also don't use it my whole period. I have a fairly light flow and also use cloth pads. I can't see the point of a cup for light days.

[NynaeveSedai]

Mooncup evangelical here!

Very occasionally I can feel it but I just take it out and reposition but the vast vast majority of the time you wouldn't know it was there.

[YessicaHaircut]

I use a mooncup and would never go back to tampons/pads by choice. Definitely took a few goes to feel confident using it but it is so much more comfortable, I feel cleaner, and my period pains are reduced. Recently had my period for most of a week’s holiday in Majorca and was really struck by the fact that I wasn’t worried about leaks or how to dispose of sanitary products.

[Melstarrynight]

I use a mooncup with a copper coil and it's fine. Converted a couple of years ago and wish I'd done it much longer ago.

[millimat]

Mines a lunette one. It's soft and flexible.

[ChocAuVin]

Another mooncup with copper coil user here — fairly recently had my second copper coil inserted so that means I’m in my second decade of using both

[Strawberrybelly]

Ive used a moon cup for around 10 years. I love it. I get really heavy periods and I only have to wear any back up when I'm in work and won't have time to empty it until my break. Most of the time it's ok. In 10 years there have only been 2 occasions I've had to put it back in without rinsing. Then I did get bloody fingers and was hoping no one walked into the sink area before i had washed my hands. I should really keep a pack of wipes in my bag for that. Once it's in I cant feel it unless it's in wrong and needs adjusting.