To not really understand why some people find mooncups so disgusting...

[katykuns]

Particularly after reading the 'fitting in' thread in AIBU... I just don't really understand, it's just blood, and you still have to deal with it when you use other sanitary products.

If anything, I think it's less yucky, because it collects it and you aren't wiping it off yourself? If it's about things going up there, that doesn't really make sense if you use tampons...

Add my name to the moon cup fans! Also bewildered by criticism from those who've never used one . The whole business is rather grim but mooncup by far the best way of dealing with it (used tampons previously so have tried both). Love not having to buy sanitary protection every month and taking a cute tiny cloth bag on holiday rather than boxes of tampons. Also the smug feeling that my gross used sanitary protection isnt littering beaches somewhere.

I boil mine every month to sterilise have been using for 5 years now and would never use anything else. Dont see why mooncups any odder a concept than tampons - but they are infinitely better for lots of reasons. Although if you boil them make sure you run under cold water before reinserting...ouch

Well, we're not all the same, I'm not doubting for some people there is no 'noise' but please extend me the same courtesy and not imply as one poster did that the idea that there is any noise is ludicrous.

The 'noise' isn't a problem for me, no different to opening a tampon or unwrapping a pad but it is sometimes audible although I've not conducted scientific tests regarding noise transmission across toilet cubicles

A well timed cough at the crucial moment?!

One of the advantages I find (and agree it is all very personal) is as it holds more I dont need to change so regularly as tampons. ONly about 2 days a month I would need to change outside the house.

I'm a bit of a squelcher couldn't give a flying fuck who hears it or what they think it is. It's all natural, I feel no need to pretend I'm not having a period.

Though free bleeding may be a personal step to too far for me, special cushion anyone

No offence to any free bleeders though

Has anyone got the MeLuna? Opinions gratefully received. Thanks in advance.

I have a MeLuna, what do you want to know?

Why would it matter if another woman/girl hears your mooncup anyway? Surely you hear the packs and wrappers of pads and tampons anyway? I am not in the slightest bit fazed if I hear that.

And another positive thing. I work in a room with 2 much older men. I don't really fancy letting them know when iv got my period but I don't have to take my whole handbag to the loo or try to stick a sanitary towel up my jumper or something before I leave the room. I simply waltz out with my bottle of water in my hand, and who is going to question that?

I love my Mooncup too. Id never heard of them until I joined MN and at first the thought really grossed me out. After 2 DC, numerous bouts of thrush (stupid towels) and tampons are really uncomfortable now, I thought 'why not'.
It took me a couple of periods to really get the hang of it, but its ace. DH claims he couldnt smell my period, but I was always aware - not with the Mooncup. Ive also found my periods are a wee bit shorter & less crampy.
Totally worth the £20, although I still use towels at night & need pantyliners everyday as I have a heavy discharge vagina (sorry if TMI) - perfectly normal stuff, just lots of it.

Mooncups are great. Although am wondering if I need a new one as I slightly melted part of mine...

Another moon cup lover! Best thing ever, actually made me excited about getting my periods back after having children, realising I'd get to use my mooncup again!

As for taking it out, emptying and putting back in. You sit on toilet, and bend forward slightly lifting up an arse cheek and reach behind as though you we're going to wipe your bottom. Then whilst slightly pushing with your pelvic floor muscles ( like a reverse kegel) reach inside yourself with thumb and index finger. Take hold of the bottom of cup and pinch in on one side to break suction. While still pushing in on that side to narrow the cup pull cup down and out of vagina and instantly tip into toilet.

Then either reinsert instantly (no need to wah if your hands were clean), or press a wadd of toilet tissue around it to blot it and then reinsert, or wipe with wet wipe and reinsert or stand up and rinse it off with a bottle of water into toilet and reinsert.

No mess!

I use the blood sometimes though to fertilise my tomatoes. And shock horror, I don't sterilise the tomatoes before eating them!!!!

spoonsspoonsspoons - I wasn't implying that you don't hear a squelch, I said it's probably like the pop that I and I assume others hear that it's part sensation and partly seems louder because it's inside your body. What I can't imagine is that any noise they could make inside your body is loud enough for the person next to you to hear - which a lot of people who have never tried them are saying and definitely no louder than the sound of rustling papers, backs/ pants being pulled off stickers and that's before you get onto the other delightful noises that come from the cubicle next to!

Gobblers - just wondering if it was just as good as the mooncup - as its cheaper to buy when I don't know if I will get on with it.

It depends on how you are made, I didn't get on with an actual Mooncup at all the diameter is too large and the rim is too rigid. I also don't like the lettering on it which can be slightly hard to clean.

MeLunas come in far more sizes and different grades of softness, I use a medium sot which isn't what would be recomended for me, but it is what suits my body. I also have a Lunette, which is still a tad stiff and large for me, but is better than a Mooncup.

Another thing I really like about MeLuna is the choice of ball, ring, stem or nothing or removal. Rings are really good if you think you will find it difficult, but ball are a great kind of suits everyone option.

There is a little quiz here which might help you a bit.

Just ordered one! However, I was confused over Mooncup A and Mooncup B - what is the difference? Do I need to change my order?!! Gah!

If you have ever delivered vaginelly or are over 30 you need b I think.

Shit. Thanks Fiveandnorks!

Could be wrong, double check

I must have short arms or something, removing a mooncup by reaching behind would not be possible for me. Never even realised that people would remove like that.

Does anyone actually pour the blood down the sink?

Read about them on MN and bought one about two years ago. It's still in the box... I have very heavy periods after dc and simply don't trust the thing. It's bad enough realising I'm flooding with pads and super extra mega tampons, but the thought of a full mooncup shooting out without notice is the stuff of nightmares for me.

Go on people, tell us the reality about moon cup malfunctions please. Has anyone splattered all over white bathrooms, leaked spectacularly in a work meeting? Ruined their car seat on a long journey? How about anyone dropped it down the loo and was left without any sanitary protection? Has someone's dog chewed it?
Give me some horrow stories so I get a proper perspective on this thing. I want to know the worst that can happen. I simply don't trust something that seems to have a near 100% approval rating.

If it gets too full, the blood will start to trickle out of the holes that are round the rim, so it wouldn't actually shoot out. Mine has only been full enough to leak once I think. The dropping it down the toilet thing is a valid worry, but it's never happened to me thankfully, just have to be careful.

I've dropped mine down the loo, but only once and luckily at home. I fished it out and gave it a good wash before reinserting :)

Hmmm. I'll have to get it out of the box and actually try one day, won't I.

baby why don't you try it but carry on with pads as extra security - that's what I did until I got the hang of it.

I have had my mooncup for four cycles now and have just about got the hang of it.

I am a squelcher so have just perfected sniffing and coughing at the appropriate times.

I love my mooncup, so convenient, not as much cramping and far less clotting. For the heavier days I may back it up with a pad but this cycle didnt really need as much as I am getting better with the positioning.

One morning when emptying it though, I was still half asleep and managed to tip the whole contents over my legs and top......not the best start to the day I have to say!

On the whole, I find them much more convenient than tampons :)