to ask what you use if you have heavy periods?

[soggy14]

Am struggling to find anything that isn't "ultra thin and useless"?

[confuddledDOTcom]

On the subject of stems, I wouldn't cut it straight away. Insert it the first time and have a feel of the stem to see how much you need to cut. Personally I have such a long vagina (I've been told this a couple of times during smears etc) that I can put it in without feeling the stem with my fingers so I wouldn't want to cut it off completely as I'd worry I'd struggle to get it out!

[HHLimbo]

Mooncup. OMG its like not having a period, so clean. I just change 2/day.

[tyler80]

Yes, they come in an under 30 size and a post vaginal childbirth irrespective of age size

[Choufleur]

Do mooncups come in different sizes?

[QuickLookBusy]

I have just been put on the tranexamic acid[sp?] as heavy periods were making me very anemic. I too used super tampax plus a towel.

It has halved the blood loss but I feel so sick when I take it. Can't take anything hormonal so don't know what to do next

[tyler80]

Another mooncup user, it's not perfect, I still have leaks and tend to resort to towel as a backup in the first few days but far better than tampons ever have been.

When I'm at work I just empty wipe (well actually it's more of a wrap and scrunch than a wipe) and reinsert, no need for rinsing.

[Glitterknickaz]

I just ditched the stem altogether.

[expatinscotland]

Mooncup also shortened and lightened my periods.

[ClipArt]

OP do you mind me asking if you've seen a doctor about the extra-heavy periods? There might be a medical reason behind it or something they can do to help (go on the pill?)

[somersetmum]

When my periods suddenly changed, to the extent of random flooding 20 minutes after changing my tampon, I resorted to Superplus tampon and two nightime towels, positioned to overlap in the middle.
I got barely any sleep at all, because I was scared of ruining the bed I used to sleep on the mattress protectors I used for the dcs when they were little.
Then I used tranexamic acid, which was a godsend, but flow got steadily worse and increasing the dose made me feel sick and dizzy, so now I have the Mirena Coil.

I was scared of getting it fitted, because I had googled too much and I was convinced it would make the situation worse for me, but it has been very effective so far. I've had it less than three months and, although I am not period-free yet, it has changed my life.

Having it fitted was uncomfortable, but well worth it. I'm getting lots of side effects, such as sore boobs and niggly headaches, but hoping this will all settle down soon.

[muddyangels123]

Mooncup really helps if you have heavy bleeding.

It took me a while to get use to using the mooncup, but it's worth it.

I have even found i don't get cramps anymore and the bleeding is less.

I always carry a spare with me, incase i need to change in a public loo.
(TMI - I found it hard trying to clean mooncup & insert it in a tiny cubicle.)

Oh, and i agree with others, it's bliss not to have to change it so often.

I also use Femmecup.( just another brand - same as mooncup)

[DorisIsAPinkDragon]

mooncup and towel for heavier first days , then just mooncup.

I lost mine down the toilet the other day it shot down and went past the point of no return!

I used a tampon overnight and went straight out thenext morning to get a new one I hated the tampon so much now. My local boots had them in stock (it's a very small boots so I was very impressed!).

if you are condidering using one get rid of the stem completely as it just gets in the way it took me about a week to get used to it now I love it I honestly don't really feel like I'm having a period anymore.... and I NEVER EVER thought I would say that!

[LuluLozenge]

Mooncup. Has honestly shortened my periods. Would never go back to tampons.

[auntypurple]

I use lilets super plus extra tampons and kotex night time towel, changed every half and hour for the first 3/4 days. Been this way for years :(

I have today been talked into getting a merina(sp?) coil by the doctor, I went to ask for an ablation, but they don't do them here anymore, and they won't consider doing anything else till I have tried a coil. So will be having that in the next two weeks.

[Woodifer]

I have mooncup don't know if i got a size too big (despite being over 30)

really my heaviest day - is my worst pain day and anything inside me (towel or mooncup) makes the cramps worse

so i use towels/ change frequently

also found after a day of moon cup use, or re-insertion start to get a bit chafed by the stalky bit (maybe i cut it down wrong side)

also have experienced moments of panic trying to get it out sometimes (despite improving my technique)

brilliant for beach holidays though or climbing/walking trips generally leaving in a full day

[orangehead]

Mooncup and towel. Also on medication which lightens it

[confuddledDOTcom]

Another one for the Mooncup! I had a 12 week bleed, lost 100ml a day (60ml in a week is heavy!) before that I was soaking a super plus tampon in an hour or two (I got it during this 12 week).

Stillfeel, I'm not sure what a cap is like, a Mooncup is like a silicone funnel without the hole! You fold it in quarters and stick it in bit like a tampon. Once it's in there's a little pop as it opens out and it sits under your cervix to catch anything that comes out. When it's time to change you hold the stem and give a little pinch to the bottom of the cup to break the suction and just pull it out. Everything is held inside the cup so there's no mess on your hands, when it comes out you just tip it to pour it away. Then run some water through it (or just wipe it if you're in a public toilet) and put it back in.

It's less complicated than it sounds and the fact that you don't need to remember anything or do anything special with cleaning makes it really simple when you go out.

[FreeButtonBee]

mooncup FAQ

[FreeButtonBee]

Mooncup perfect for light flow too. I change it only twice a day, sometimes 3 times (so twice in the evening) at the heavy end of my cycle (no link to TSS with mooncup so far) - so always at home.

So far, I've only had to change it in public loos about 3 times in 3 years or so. If I do, I wipe with loo roll and reinsert. Not quite so clean as doing it at home but still a million times better than tampons.

[dontsweatthelittlethings]

have you thought about something to reduce the heaviness of your periods? I have a mirena coil it has made all the difference - basically no periods since having it.

[stillfeel18inside]

Intrigued by Mooncup - is it like a contraceptive cap to put in and out? I have opposite problem of very light periods (because of Mirena coil, which put an end to all the pain and suffering) BUT they go on forever just trickling away slightly - can you use a Mooncup for that? And how long can you leave it in for?

[Nixea]

Sorry if this sounds like a daft question, but what happens if you need to empty it in a public bathroom (ie. how on earth do you rinse it out discreetly? Thanks!

[FreeButtonBee]

Mooncup. Once you get the hang of it, no mess. It collects the fluid on the inside, you release from the outside and tip down the loo/into the sink. Give it a rinse and reinsert. A

lso you can insert it in the shower in the morning and give yourself a really good clean which makes you feel lovely and fresh all day. I hated having to hop out of the shower, fiddle with the paper cover on the tampon, inevitably get it wet and therefore the thing starts swelling like a marrow in a rainstorm and then have to stuff it up an already bloody fanjo. A wipe with loo roll never left me feeling particularly clean after that!

Tip learnt from MN: if you are quite heavy, put some loo roll down the bog before emptying - stops the embarrassing "murderer in the loo" pool of blood effect after flushing.