To be nervous about using a mooncup?

[IsSamNormansDad]

After much thought, and lurking in Mooncup threads, i have finally ordered one online. Please reassure me it is as easy as some of you make out?

Squat and squeeze to break the seal/vacum.

Which is what works for most people, but not all.

Try it, if it suits you, fantastic. If it doesn't, forget about it.

How often are you supposed to replace them? I nearly melted mine in a pan once and have been wondering if it's still fit for use...

I never boil mine - I just scrub very thoroughly with a toothbrush that I keep WELL away from all other tooth brushes

Sea Pearls are good if you don't get on with the moon cup.

I clean mine with soap in the sink then stick it in a cup with a spalsh of Milton and water from the kettle then leave it to cool

Hello, my name is Gnushoes and I've been using a Mooncup for five years....
Yes, cut the end bit down till it's comfortable. Stick in sterilising tablet solution at the end of every month. Change every few hours for the heavy days of your period (you feel something happen to the suction when it needs emptying) and less on other days. Wet before inserting if period not heavy. Use panty liner as an extra for a couple of days.

Have never used one and always thought I should, but to be honest, the idea of trying to fossick around getting the thing out is what makes me nervous, as it sounds a lot harder than just pulling on a tampon string...

I've used one for the last few years and love it. I was a bit sceptical when a friend first recommended it to me and it did take a little bit of getting used to initially (more the removal than putting it in - TMI???) but it didn't take long to get the hang of it and I've successfully converted a number of friends to it too! :)

takeonboard - there is a link to their advice centre on the MC website. They might be able to advise you?

IME insertion & removal are uncomfortable and a bit awkward for the first 2 months (3 months if you have v short periods i think), but it's just about getting your hand in really.

from then on it was great. and the money you save is unbelievable.

menstrual blood is sterile, so you really needn't do more than give it a nice scrub in soap and water. i take mine out in the shower, wash it, and reinsert while still in there. water does make it easier.

about breaking the vacuum: i just slide a finger up one side of it, and then bend my fingertip onto the upper lip. breaks the seal immediately. then i just use same finger to fold it in half again and take it out.

To break the seal on mine I just squeeze the bottom - not sure I'd be able to get my fingers up far enough to hook over the top!

mentrual blood is sterile? Really?

All blood is, isn't it? Why would it be dirty?

SPB yep i think i read it in Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom, but i just googled it and: books.google.ca/books?id=kqcYyk7zlHYC&pg=PA86&lpg=PA86&dq=menstrual+blood+sterile&source=bl&ots=zHl-mlzDw-&sig=tZ69IaHdEo766ibdAFA6zW2ziSU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=OHZjT7udGeWU2QWNrKDpCQ&ved=0CCEQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=menstrual%20blood%20sterile&f=false

I'm sure if you have some dreadful infection or something, that's different, but if you're healthy the menstrual blood itself isn't full of creepies. I think the idea is that your menstrual blood is as clean as the vag it comes out of, and we aren't in the habit of washing our bits in Milton fluid (unless American) (lol), soap and water is fine.

Menstrual blood is definitely not sterile!

I didn't get on with it at all. I use it right at the end of my period now but it's no good for the first 4 days. I just end up soaked through all the time. TMI I know!

We don't sterilise tampons or willies so a moon cup doesn't need to be sterile

WHat makes you say that ignoring - I have just googled to the contrary!

'Bacteria are everywhere. Our mouths, throat, nose, ears all harbor germs. A few bacteria in the urine are considered normal; and fecal material is largely composed of bacteria. But what about the blood?

Under "normal" conditions physicians generally believe human blood is "sterile." The idea of bacteria living in the blood normally is largely considered medical heresy.'

Waits for a GP to come along. . .

I suspect that someone will explain before I get the chance to (I currently have 2 children insisting I shouldn't ignore them so this will be brief!) but sterile means no microorganisms and as vaginas naturally contain quite a few there's no chance of anything passing through and coming out sterile. Not that it's a problem and thorough washing should be fine for a mooncup (although I still microwave mine once a month).

I will never ever ever take mine out in the shower. I did once and it looked like something from a horror film, it went all over the shower tray! I know it was just because it diluted, but I can't say I enjoyed the experience (and I'm not generally squeamish).

Definitely have it in hot water before you put it in. I fold it so it looks a like a rosebud, it makes it a bit smaller to put in.

I really like mine after three months, it's very easy. It's weird the first time you feel it unfurl itself in you though...

Love my mooncup, definately the easiest comfiest thing ever, and i never used tampons coz i felt they were ncomfy and a faff. Mooncup can just bung it in, then 8 hrs later sloosh it about the sink and stick it in again. Its just ideal. Cant feel it, no smell, no things to carry about with you, eco friendly and money saving. winner!

I heart my mooncup.

It took a couple of days to get used to it, but I would never go back to pads or tampons.

Oh, I want to like my mooncup . Maybe I should try again with it.

Funnily enough, i was just about to facebook one of my friends to say thank you for recommending it. It took a while to get the hang of it, but now it's the best thing ever!

Funnily enough, i was just about to facebook one of my friends to say thank you for recommending it. It took a while to get the hang of it, but now it's the best thing ever!