Questions about mooncups

[Bunnyhop1502]

As my periods have returned I’m going to have a go at using a mooncup! I have some questions:
I have given birth vaginally twice - will I need the larger size?
Is it still a bit messy - would you recommend wearing a pantyliner in case of leaks?
If the above answer is yes, do you use a washable liner? My main reason for using a mooncup is to reduce my personal contribution to landfill.
Are the cheaper brands as good?

I have googled but I trust the MN opinion more

What I would say is try different brands! I have only tried one brand which I am currently using successfully, however it’s too uncomfortable to wear for last 2 days of period as my cervix is lower during this time. It doesn’t leak unless it’s really full during the heaviest days - just a little bit of trial and error working out what your flow and cycle are really like!

The messiest things is your hands if you have got a heavy flow putting it back in.

I use the sileu menstrual cup, it's one of the cheaper ones. I've had no problems with leakage, my flow is heavy and can comfortably leave it in for up to 4 or 5 hours.
They recommend the large if you have given birth. (I have 3 children)
I cut off the little stalk as it rubs on my inner labia sometimes when my cervix is sitting lower on heavy days.
The only mess is if your bleeding heavily when you change it sometimes.

Great thank you for your tips! I’m actually looking forward to my period coming lol

Once I got used to it no liner necessary but definitely start off with one. Took me about 3 months to get used to it, once you feel like you’re getting the hang of it, your period ends! But definitely hang in there.

Also I would really recommend doing the online quiz “put a cup in it” - asks you loads of questions and then recommends a cup. Loads of women go for the mooncup when it’s not necessarily the best brand for you. I struggled with mine then did the quiz and bought a Diva cup, which suited me so much better.

putacupinit.com

I use washable pantyliners with mine. I don't find that it leaks, but there does seem to be a little mess after I've taken it out and emptied it.

I love it. Would never go back to tampons.

I love mine and now that I've been using it for a while it's become second nature. I occasionally use a pad on very heavy days (I teach so can't always get to the loo when I should) but it's not very often I've had any leakage.

The mess-factor you learn to navigate, too. I use a Mooncup because it suits my body but the Divacup I tried initially really didn't fit well. It's a little trial-and-error but once you find the right one it's revolutionary.

I use a mooncup and I think you need the bigger one if you’ve had children (I had a csection so never laboured but still had to get the bigger one). I use washable liners more for peace of mind than need. They are much less itch inducing than disposable as well as better for the environment. I’ve made some of my own with old material remnants as well as buying some. I’d never go back, it’s fantastic.

@EggbertHeartsTina that’s a really useful quiz thank you!

I tried the mooncup years ago and probably didn't persist for long enough. But I have just tried period pants which I thought were an absolute game changer. Just mentioning as an alternative.

Depends on your flow, I would need a liner on days 1 and 2 as flow heavier then.

Just be warned you might hate it at first! Typically takes 3 months to get the hang of it so don't give up. There are other brands too if moon cup doesn't suit.

Menstrual cups are great for lots of reasons!

I didn't get on with an actual Mooncup at all. I think it's probably the worst cup. I have a Lunette which is okay, but I much prefer my Meluna. Have a look at Luxury Moon. Good place to start.

I am a HUGE advocate for the mooncup - they are absolutely brilliant, I use the mooncup brand and have never had any problems with leaking even from first use, and I actually find that I don't dread my period coming at all now, it just makes everything so much easier. I have a normal-ish flow (I would use super tampons on a heavy day and regular the rest of the time), but I find that I only have to empty it twice a day (before work and in the evening) most of the time - sometimes I'll empty during the day if I think I'm having a particularly heavy day. I think mine was about £20 and I've had it for at least 5 years - I sterilise it every month and give it a really good clean using a tiny bit of bleach a couple of times a year (obviously I then rinse thoroughly and sterilise again!). Honestly cannot recommend using one more!

The only thing I had a few issues with when I first started using it was the 'stem' at the bottom, you have to trim it to be the right length for you and obviously you don't want to trim too much so its a bit of trial and error getting it to be comfortable. I also found it useful to use a nail file to smooth the bottom of the stem after I cut it. This was only an issue for literally the first 2 days though.

I presume you would need the larger size if you've had babies, I am 18weeks with my first and used to use the smaller size but will be getting the next size up for when my periods return!

I have tried many but they always leak. Maybe I'm just built funny. I also have flooding so fill one in about an hour.

I use a Duchess Cup. Great value and you get 2 in a pack which is useful.
I can't tell you how much I love it. I have never leaked. You might want to wear a liner while you get used to it though.

I think it is advised to go for the large size for those who have given birth and/or are over the age of 26 op8. I've been using the mooncup for around two years now and, as someone who suffers with heavy periods, so wish I had discovered it earlier. I now no longer need to use pads as well and can easily go twice as long between changing/emptying,plus they are so much more comfortable when in I find. The only disadvantage is that you will get mucky hands which I suppose could be embarrassing when using a public loo but all the other benefits make up for that. Give it a go,you won't look back.

I tried a mooncup a while back. All my friends recommended it, and seemed like such a good idea.
Sadly it was so very painful. Despite getting the smaller size it bruised my insides. I did try it on several separate periods but it just wasnt going to happen. It's put me off menstrual cups big time.
That said, this thread might convince me to try another brand! I didn't realise there would be much of a difference.

I've had my mooncup for ten years, same one, I love it.
I have reusable pads for the first couple of days, but just incase and they are rarely needed, maybe overnight.
In the last 5 years I've spent £0 on san pro for myself.

Yes to the larger size if you’ve had kids. I used one for well over 10 years...the mooncup and another, possibly lunette. I leaked and always used (cheap) pads too, especially over the heaviest days and at night time. I actually measured my blood loss one month (kept a plastic jug hidden in the loo cupboard and not counting the “fallout” lost over ½ a pint.

They are much easier if you’re at home or somewhere that there is a sink next to the loo. When using public loos you have to empty it then squelch it back in, which can be a bit...slippery! Something else - sometimes when in a public loo the blood sinks to the bottom and doesn’t quite all flush away

To clean after each period I boiled it in the microwave and/or used sterilising tablets.

I reckon I saved a fortune - and much better for the environment . I wish I’d done it earlier.

Yes, yes and yes!
Although I use a Me Luna cup.
Along with cheeky wipes liners. But I always needed liners with tampons as well.

The only San Pro I've bought in 6 years are liners when on holiday. I don't take reusable liners if I'm not at sleeping at home.

I have a Meluna. I love it, would never go back to tampons. Leaked once overnight on my heaviest day but no other issues. I wear a disposable pad as I found the reusable ones just slip about but it’s more for security than anything.

putacupinit.com/quiz/ is a really good tool for anyone wanting to try a cup but not sure where to start.

I have a Mooncup. It has been a life changer. I love it. I have to wear it inside out (prolapse and low cervix) but it has never leaked, not even a little, it has never been hard to get in or out (after the first day anyway, when i was learning about placement and didn't think to be careful about mess when removing!), it has never left me irritated and sore as tampons and towels so often did, it costs nothing, it can handle even my heavier days without an issue and on my lighter days 12 hours between changes is fine... I would never go back.

Another vote for the meluna. I much prefer it to the mooncup.

I use mooncup brand and it's changed my life! Even on heavy days I only empty every 4 or 5 hours where with a tampon it'd be every hour and still leak. On less heavy days I can go 10-12 hours.

The first couple of times I was a bit clumsy with putting it in and removal but there are YouTube videos of techniques/folds to avoid injury.

Defined go for the larger size, I think with mooncup they say larger for over 30 or if you've given birth vaginally.

I use a mooncup and love it.

Don'tn't cut the stem until you've worn it a while. I inserted mine, then cut it, reinserted and then cut again. Few hours later the cup had disappeared right up my chuff! Took a while to get out but manage fine now.

Best thing I ever did and wish I had done it years ago.