Talk to me about menstrual cups

[acatcalledjohn]

I am looking to make the jump but struggling to decide between two. I am currently looking at the Saalt and the Organicup, though I am open to other recommendations. About me:

Mid thirties, never given birth, have a copper coil, occasionally very heavy flow (but never for more than 1-2 days). Biggest tampon ever needed is a super plus but that is infrequent, normally a mix of regular and super gets me through my period. I walk and run a fair amount.

Generally the cut off age for small cups is 30, but I am not sure the larger ones are for me given that I have never given birth.

Please give me your suggestions and feedback because I am fed up of tampons and have hated pads forever.

@1hamwich4

Any recommendations for pads? May as well go the whole hog

I used a mooncup for years (and for some of that time I had a coil, no problems). Loved the fact I saved money on sanpro’ and it was better for the planet. They do take a bit of getting used to but, crikey, you’d surely have to be violent to risk a prolapse taking them out . My top tip is take a bottle of water with you when using a public loo, or wet wipes, otherwise it can get slightly messy when you need to empty it.

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07FJLPJ17?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

I got these and like them so far. Really comfy and wash well.

Not really. I got a starter kit from someone on eBay (so just homemade ones in a few different sizes) which are fine, then a pack of four Earthwise branded ones from my local zero waste type shop.

I’m sure you’ll have something similar in your town, and tbh I don’t think there is anything much to them so small variations don’t really matter much.

Personally I rinse in cold water and leave to soak in a small pot between washes. Anything that doesn’t rinse out gets a quick scrub with a nail brush and a bit of hand soap. Then I just chuck in with a normal wash. Works for me.

Wish I'd known about mooncups when I was in my 20s as it would have saved me many years of excruciatingly heavy and painful periods!! Have definitely noticed reduced pain since using a mooncup although periods were so heavy before I had a coil fitted that I had to empty every 60-90 minutes day and night for the first 2 days. Now I'm not sure if the reduced flow is mooncup or coil or age related!

My main tip is to run it under hot water before inserting as it makes the rubber more pliable.

@ElephantLover your coil has been inserted through your cervix into you womb so using a mooncup wont interact with it, they just sit in your vagina, lower than a tampon does.

@LivingDeadGirlUK thank you!

I just thought I'd update to say AF just appeared today so I've started using it tonight. I am so surprised it fits (I thought it was a bit big) and how little I can feel it. I’m very excited to find out how I will get on with it and whether it will reduce my cramps. And I'm never normally excited about AF.

Thank you all again for the comments, suggestions and experiences. I've got a feeling I will be fully converted in the next few days.

Few days in. I need pads to catch leaks because I don't quite seem to get a seal. What am I missing?

With the leaks - is your cup completely dry before you put it in? Also, make sure that it's completely unfolded once it's inserted. It took me a few months to get it right, but so worth it.

I had a lunette which was fine until I had my second child and I guess things changed down there and it kept leaking. Now I have a meluna (well I have two as there was a special deal but I don't like the softer one, its too soft) and its fab. I still get some leaking at the beginning of my period because I fill up the cup very quickly so if I don't empty often enough it leaks but I do have very heavy periods. I combine with period pants for leak security in the first few days.

@SelkieQualia

With the leaks - is your cup completely dry before you put it in? Also, make sure that it's completely unfolded once it's inserted. It took me a few months to get it right, but so worth it.

No, I leave the rim slightly wet for easy insertion (I read that a few times). I think it's fully unfolded but it's hard too tell. I wonder if it is perhaps a little too big and I should try the smaller one.

The leaking is easily managed with a pad (using disposables before investing in reusables as I haven't used pads in over 15 years) so not the end of the world. Then again, on my heaviest day the cup was full, so I can imagine a particularly heavy period would overwhelm the smaller cup.

I am absolutely continuing with this because even with some leakage this thing is amazing. Cramps are definitely less strong/stabby, which is something I'd forgotten since having the copper coil.

I have been using cups for about 4 years now and on days 1 and 2, the fuckers always leak but days 3,4 & 5 everything is brilliant. Can’t really understand why as it is always fully open (although can struggle with this - it always seems like the 3rd time’s the charm!) and it is sealed. And given that the later days are perfect, it can’t be that I am totally cack-handed! If a bowel movement is coming down the way, it seems to knock the cup out of alignment which causes leaks......sigh. Wish I found it as good as others seem to but I will never go back for environmental reasons and also the pain of removing a partially dry tampon