Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Argh Mooncup woes!

57 replies

twosmallbuttons · 05/09/2013 08:41

This is the 4th or 5th month I've tried to get on with my new mooncup. I really have. It doesn't seem to like me at all Confused

I can't be bothered trying any more, it's ridiculous. I thought it would revolutionise my whole life but I've been let down by the MN hype

AIBU to give up? Anyone else had similarly rubbish experience with it?

OP posts:
BionicEmu · 05/09/2013 08:48

I tried it for a few months after DC1 was born, but couldn't get the hang of it so gave up. Tried again after DC2 was born and love it! Have had 3 periods since DC2 was born now, & not a single leak.

I have to come to the conclusion that DC1 wrecked me, but DC2 modged things around a bit, thus rearranging me into a more Mooncup-friendly shape.

FetchezLaVache · 05/09/2013 08:49

No help here- I love mine! It is dutifully catching my menstrual flow as I type this.

Beastofburden · 05/09/2013 08:50

Place marking as I have often wondered about it...

Beastofburden · 05/09/2013 08:50

Does it cope well with mega periods (can't believe I am asking this on a public site...)?

melika · 05/09/2013 08:52

YANBU, bought one because of the hype, no don't like the mess involved. If you like sticking your fingers up there, then carry on!

Yonihadtoask · 05/09/2013 08:53

No. I love mine and wish I had discovered it 30 years earlier.

I used tampons this last period as was away on hols (and forgot to take mooncup). Tampons are crap. The very design is rubbish. I don't have heavy periods, but I leaked for the whole 3 days - the string seemed to transport the blood through ..

What are you having trouble with?

valiumredhead · 05/09/2013 08:58

What's your problem with it?

WhenSheWasBadSheWasHopeful · 05/09/2013 08:59

I love mine but think I will have to buy a bigger one post dc2.

I think you do have to be pretty comfortable with your body to get on with it. Don't know how it would get on with heavy periods, I'm lucky mine are really light. I hated sanitary towels and my flow was not really heavy enough for even the lightest tampon. Removing mostly dry tampons was a but painful.

Lethologica · 05/09/2013 09:02

What about trying a different size or shape? I have been using mine for a year or so and I think it is the best thing since sliced bread. It has made a HUGE difference to me. I have very heavy periods and it works brilliantly.

I used mine successfully whilst travelling in a third world country with lots of basic loos. I carried little bottles of water and wet wipes.

Sallystyle · 05/09/2013 09:02

Love mine! can cope with my super heavy periods.

ifyourehoppyandyouknowit · 05/09/2013 09:04

After nearly giving myself prolapse trying to get the fucking thing out, I gave up. It's not for me.

Poppanicolino · 05/09/2013 09:06

I had teething problems in the first few months but now wouldn't be without it. What's the problem? If it's to do with leakage or discomfort I may be able to give you some tips Grin

msrisotto · 05/09/2013 09:06

It's the best of a bad lot. I now find sanitary towels disgusting and not sanitary at all! I was never a fan of tampons either.

msrisotto · 05/09/2013 09:09

Poppa - mine has leaked a couple of times, what might I be doing wrong? Once was after swimming, it appeared that a lot of water had got sucked up.... Also it leaked once whilst in the gym, I had my feet higher than my head doing some sort of bum lift exercise. I have had it leak overnight but I must have changed something as it hasn't done that in ages.

MohammedLover · 05/09/2013 09:10

I was in the same boat for a while. I love the idea, but it was not loving me. As a last resort before giving up I e-mailed the helpdesk. A lovely lass phoned me back, we chatted and then she sent emails with pictures of different ways of inserting etc. It took another few attempts but I'm back on track now.

I am currently experimenting with washable liners to use alongside the mooncup for those leaky gushes where I did not get to empty it in time!

Good luck.

Amibambini · 05/09/2013 09:23

I love my mooncup but discovered early on its not great for vigorous swimming, especially breast stroke! The leg pumping action seems to suck up and squeeze out water which is not great. What also wasn't great was when emptying the thing in the loos of that very same pool I'd made that discovery, the damn thing pinged out my hand and bounced across the floor, under the door and what felt like miles away down the other end of the ladies. I was mortified. Fortunately the place wasn't busy, no-one seemed to notice (or were very good at pretending not to!), as I scuttled out to retrieve it and mop up the dainty blood splats that followed its trail of disaster.

However this experience didn't deter me, I still use it, love the thing. I've definitely had less period cramps using it.

Can't help but eye roll a little at people who baulk at 'putting your fingers up there'. Being so squeamish about a normal, healthy part of your own body is a real shame. Don't be scared of your vagina, the vagina is your friend!

Jolleigh · 05/09/2013 09:24

I've always been a bit curious about these.

Does anyone with long nails use one? How do you not tear yourself to shreds?

Amibambini · 05/09/2013 09:26

To answer your original query OP, maybe the size is wrong for you? There are different brands that are slightly different shapes and softness. However not knowing specifics, it's hard to point you in right direction. I'd say don't give up, but some problem solving needs to happen.
MohammadLover's approach sounds good.

Poppanicolino · 05/09/2013 09:27

msrisotto I found that not putting it in as far helped with leakage problems. For some reason I think I originally thought I needed to shove it up as far as possible, but now I put it in so it's just in (iyswim!) and then give it a twist to ensure the suction is there.

valiumredhead · 05/09/2013 09:31

I'm going to put this in capitals do it's not missed -

IF YOU ARE LEAKING, ARE YOU GIVING IT A HALF TURN AFTER INSERTING IT?

ALSO, ARE YOU AIMING FOR THE SMALL OF YOUR BACK RATHER THEN 'UP?'

Hope that helpsSmile

cashmiriana · 05/09/2013 09:31

I loved mine (don't use it any more - have a mirena and therefore am free!) once I had realised that it has to be worn low down and not right up by the cervix. It didn't cope with very very heavy flow (which is why I had the mirena which has changed my life) but at least gave an extra layer of protection.

Incidentally it was very helpful to be able to go to the GP and tell her exactly what my loss was during one period as the whole "you only lose around 1 fluid oz per period" myth was shot to pieces when I was losing that twice daily!

YoniBottsBumgina · 05/09/2013 09:33

Yes, what are the problems? A different brand might suit you better (although I appreciate it's throwing more money at it). I love mine. Revolutionary.

BionicEmu · 05/09/2013 09:49

Also I find the way I insert it makes a difference. I fold it by just pushing one finger tip on the rim & folding it back, so it looks sort of like a rosebud. When inserting, if I have the folded side at the front then I have leaked a bit, but if I have it pointing to the back I'm completely leak-free. So might be worth rotating it & trying different angles.

I also do something someone suggested on another Mooncup thread, which is give it a good squeeze with a few pelvic floor exercises after you've inserted.

BlingBang · 05/09/2013 10:10

Had one a few months and happy with no leaks, no tampons etc. have an issue with emptying it though. Find it hard to get out without it going everywhere, all over hands etc. not great if you are out and about and using public loos.

springytufty · 05/09/2013 10:13

I can't remember the problems I had with it at the start (apart from the stem chaffing, but cutting it off sorted that out). I remember getting all sweaty and worried and thinking I'd never get the hang of it, but that passed lol. someone said upthread about putting your finger up there - erm, don't do that: stuff it up somehow lol, can't even remember how now, second nature; bear down to get it out - don't even have to bear down much. I leaked a bit until I got the smaller size but, even with the leaking, it was mountains better than without. I honestly can't see a bad side to it tbh. Transformed my life.