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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask about your opinion on moon cups?

109 replies

Arachnophobic · 14/10/2011 16:36

this honestly isn't a thread about a thread....so no flaming please.

But as part of a thread earlier moon cups were mentioned.

Now, I am all for being Eco-friendly where possible, and we do recycle. I am no Arthur Fowler but we did grow a few tomatoes and courgettes this year.

But moon cups - REALLY? I just cannot go so far.

So MN panel......what am I missing here? What are your views?

OP posts:
cece · 14/10/2011 17:39

At work and in public loos I just remove it, tip contents into loo, wipe out with loo roll and reinsert. Wash hands before leaving.

flamegirl77 · 14/10/2011 17:41

I love mine, brilliant investment. I don't see how it's any 'ickier' than any other kind of protection.

FruitSaladIsNotPudding · 14/10/2011 17:47

Forget the eco-friendliness of them, they are just easier and more convenient than anything else.

SingingSands · 14/10/2011 17:49

I have one, but haven't used it for nearly 3 years (no periods due to contraceptive pill I use). Before then I used it for nearly 2 years, and what a difference to tampons. Immediately I noticed that I had less period pain, it was more comfortable to use and no more fiddly or "icky" than towels or tampons. I didn't change it at work either, put it in before I left the house then emptied into my own toilet at home. Unless it has filled up there is no need to empty it just for the sake of it.

Personally, I find sanitary towels the most "icky", sitting in your own menstrual blood is bleurgh... and the cheesy bloody adverts annoy me. "Have a happy period" indeed. Hmph.

elportodelgato · 14/10/2011 17:51

Also felt very unwell at the idea of them but then decided to give it a try - after DD1 my periods have been ridiculously heavy. And I am COMPLETELY converted, it is comfy, easy, cheaper, just brilliant

Maamoo · 14/10/2011 17:54

I'm very enviro friendly and used reusable nappies etc. However a fucking mooncup???? No way!!! Rank rank rank

GreenMonkies · 14/10/2011 17:55

I love mine.

You can get pretty coloured ones now, so you can coordinate with, um, your underwear......

halcyondays · 14/10/2011 19:32

I always think they sound like a good idea but somehow when I actually have my period I go off the idea of using them.

SummerRain · 14/10/2011 19:37

I've been using mine for a year and never had to empty it in a public loo.

It's far more comfortable than tampons, I can't wear them since having kids as they feel so awful.

It doesn't leave you smelly and sweaty like pads.

And after the initial investment it's free.... I never have to buy san pro again!

noyouhavehadawee · 14/10/2011 19:42

I have had mine about 4 years, onmy heaviest day i wear a washable pad as a just in case but it never is required its just my paranoia. First time i used it i thought i was going to suck my inard out removing it but i soon learnt to squeeze to break seal and bare down a toot ad now its second nature - never had to change it at work or in a public loo as far as i recall because it lasts a shift at work easy (8 hours). Im no lentil weaver just i always forgot to stock up on tampons and pads and got fed up with the toilet roll stashed in my knickers dash to tesco.

shinyblackgrape · 14/10/2011 19:45

I do have one which I used precisely once.

I am sure it was due to my lack of insertion skills (despite reading the instructions) but I had a complete nightmare with it post-insertion.

To the extent that I had to get DH to come and break what felt like the seal between it and my my innards before it sucked them all out.

It's amazing we actually still actually have a sex life........

jenniec79 · 14/10/2011 19:50

Do you remember the old STs which were pretty much non-absorbant, didn't stick to your pants very well, wingless and felt like you were straddling the bedding from the Princess and the Pea? Then Always-type pads came out and were loads better (even if you don't like them much) Tampons are ok, but you're pretty much on high alert for the whole of your period for leaks, let alone TSS.

Mooncups are leagues ahead of all these other options. They are better than tampons by more than the improvement of tampons over matressy pads.

Only worry about it twice a day, even on heavy days, in the shower if you're worried about mess.
Forget period in between times
No need to have "supplies" with you all day
No TSS risk (as non absorbant)
Cheap as chips over lifetime. Mine was £22 over a year ago, and still going strong. How much have you spent on tampons/pads in the last year? I bet it's more than that (and you can get them on Boots points anyway!)

Try it for 2 periods and I bet you won't go back.

jenniec79 · 14/10/2011 19:52

I've been to music festivals with it, and work >24hour shifts with it no problem (really not that hard to change once you have the knack!)

Geordieminx · 14/10/2011 19:55

I have tried on 2 separate occasions to get it on with mine, and each time I have spectaculary failed.

I cut the stalk, and I just could not get the fucking thing out. I tried for almost and hour on the last occasion, I was actually getting really panicky, and of course the more I stressed the worse it became.

Got the bastard thing out eventually, and it was like a scene from Hammer House of Horror Shock Blush. I am just enternally grateful I was in my own bathroom.

NEVER AGAIN

toboldlygo · 14/10/2011 19:56

I've never had to change it in a public loo, they can safely stay in loads longer than tampons and hold loads. The idea of putting dry, squeaky, bleached wads of cotton up there now fills me horror - ew, and what a waste!

Whyriskit · 14/10/2011 19:57

Not having periods at present due to implant, but soon as I get it taken out, I'm buying a mooncup - they sound great. Always hated tampons and towels but didn't know there was an alternative.
MN has taught me so much!

aldiwhore · 14/10/2011 19:57

I know plenty plenty happy mooncup users. I am not one of them and haven't even tried (huzzah for the minera coil so such things don't even bother me) but I'm not adverse to the idea, although I don't THINK I'd like it.

Nothing against Mooncups at all, but don't get either the raving about how bloody marvelous they are, or the reactions of disgust.

The THOUGHT of tampons is pretty grim, the thought of pads likewise, so the thought of mooncups is for me, neither here not there.

shinyblackgrape · 14/10/2011 19:59

Geordie Minx - how the hell did you manage?

I really could not get mine out and, believe me, I was tugging.

Glad it isn't just me with crap insertion technique......ahem

FontOfAllEvil · 14/10/2011 20:00

Mine is great. Except I wouldn't recommend going camping during the first ever time you use it. Took a couple of months to get used to taking it out. Wouldn't go back now though.

worraliberty · 14/10/2011 20:00

Lmao @ Geordie

I put a tampon in upside down once when I was drunk and that was hard enough to remove in the morning Blush

MooncupGoddess · 14/10/2011 20:03

They are brilliant. After the first couple of days (when I empty it perhaps four times a day to be safe) you can totally forget about your period and just empty it before you go to bed each night. A panty liner takes care of any minor leaks or smears. SO much better than vile sanitary towels or tampax and you don't have to worry about disposal.

neverputasockinatoaster · 14/10/2011 20:09

I'm in month 3 of using mine and I am a fan. I have monsterously heavy periods at the moment and even with a tampon I was using night time towels in the day to get through the sessions at work (1 and a bit hours ).
I still have to change at work but luckily our work loos are individual ones with their own sinks. My biggest problem is the pool of blood in the bottom of the loo! I still use a towel as well as I am paranoid but as soon as I have a bit of extra cash I shall be getting soem washable towels too.

It may be a coincidence but my period last month was lighter than the month before and this one seems lighter again.
I love my Mooncup. I shan't go back!

Takver · 14/10/2011 20:09

It took me a fair while to get the hang of one (have never got on with tampons, and pads are uncomfortable for cycling). But I have to say I think it was really worth persevering.

We went on a week's activity holiday this year - rock climbing, abseiling & the like, so going out at 9am in the morning and nowhere near a loo till 5pm ish in the evening. Got my period the first day, would have been a nightmare with pads (or indeed tampons) but was no problem at all as the mooncup is fine for that long & doesn't fill up unless you are a really heavy bleeder (& I've got a coil, so bleed a fair bit). That was the point at which I became a real convert :)

Takver · 14/10/2011 20:10

neverputasock - try putting some loo roll down before emptying - helps the pool of blood problem.

tyler80 · 14/10/2011 20:14

I still have to empty mine every couple of hours on the first days of my period, v. envious of those who can go all day. But even so it's still miles better than the other choices for coping with heavy periods.