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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

about Mooncups

103 replies

Noonesfool · 01/08/2016 18:17

Being absolutely amazing? I was a Mooncup virgin until this month. It's great! I had NO IDEA about the really cool suction thing.

I don't understand why they are not more widely promoted as an envirinmentally and body friendly choice. And surely they, with the appropriate funding, could be a great mentstruation product for women in poverty/crisis situations?

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Hello. This thread is a little old now. Take a look at our round-up of Mumsnetters’ favourite menstrual cups - with a handy guide to finding and using the right cup for you - for more up-to-date advice. MNHQ.

OP posts:
FeliciaJollygoodfellow · 04/08/2016 15:43

I've tried Dame but if I put it up higher that's when it pinches.

FeliciaJollygoodfellow · 04/08/2016 15:45

Also there's kind of a midway point where it will slip down, so it feels comfy for a bit then it slips and although I've trimmed the stem I can feel it.

Chwaraeteg · 04/08/2016 15:47

YANBU.

I was so freaked out the first time I used a mooncup because I couldn't feel it inside me. I kept thinking it must have slipped out.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 04/08/2016 16:18

Did you trim the stem right off?

Wyldfyre · 04/08/2016 16:30

I've just bought a Diva Cup but struggling a bit. I've been doing "dry runs" but it doesn't seem to go "all the way in", and is it ok if it's not a perfect bell shape when in? Mine seems to have a ripple in the wall

NeedAnotherGlass · 04/08/2016 16:39
  1. Can you wear it overnight? - Yes
  1. If you need to empty it at work/in a public loo, do you have to take it to the sink and rinse? What's the protocol?
No, just tip it down the loo and wipe with a tissue if needed. Pop a bit of loo roll down the loo first if the flush isn't very good. I give it a wash with warm water and soap once a day.
  1. How do you store it between periods?
In a little cotton bag in my underwear drawer.
  1. Do you sterilise it after each period?
You don't have to but I do. I have a cup that I keep in the bathroom and soak it in sterilising fluid & cold water.

I got my mooncup about 15 years ago now and I love it. SO much better than anything else I have ever used. I do have a few washable pads for rare requirements. It has saved me a fortune!

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 04/08/2016 16:53

Wyld- are you rinsing it so it goes in smoothly?

Wyldfyre · 04/08/2016 17:05

It's rinsed in water before use.
TBH I've not used SP in over 10 years as I was on Depo Provera but have come off it because me and DH are TTC.
Bought a cup as my work can make it difficult to change tampons often enough if I am out of the office.

The whole world of SP is a mystery right now. Went to buy pads as a back up and just about broke down at the baffling array of choices.

Qwebec · 04/08/2016 17:24

Used to find periods really gross: used tampons and pads yuk. Changing to the menstrual cup changed that for me. I feel way cleaner and hardly notice I'm on anymore.
theecofriendlyfamily.com/2012/04/what-menstrual-cup-is-right-for-you/
found this for a comparison between brands

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 04/08/2016 17:37

Wyld- maybe just see how you get on when you actually have your period? If it's comfortable and not leaking it's working, give it a couple of cycles though before you try another brand. I almost gave up and then suddenly was fine.

Funko · 04/08/2016 17:45

Another one who has to chime in.
It's a bloody revelation!! no pun intended!

I'm using duchess cups (Amazon you get two!)
Absolutely fabulous. I've used for 3 cycles. I won't lie, I've had a few minor leaks but it's early days and still getting used to it. But my god it's amazing and I will NEVER ever use tampons again.

Absolutely no manky smells. Zero leakage (when put in correctly) and massive bonus ... Almost zero period pains. I have ridiculously heavy periods so I do have to change every 3 hours on heaviest days as its so full. But I can't believe no pain. I used to have the most hideous agonising pains... Constantly on pain killers and feeling hideous. I thought the first month without was a fluke but it isn't!

Honestly I do forget I'm on my period at all and had a couple of 'jolts' when I've remembered so I go and empty it! Night time is also brilliant.

Best to empty and change in a cubicle with sink but like most say, bottle of water and wipes in handbag do the job as well.

At risk of tmi your hands can get a little messy if heavy and do take care wriggle/rocking it out. I tend to hold any potential leakage with some tissue under the under carriage when emptying Blush

Just be sure to hold it upright when removing so you don't splash it all over yourself/the bathroom!

I'm going to order another brand too to try as I think on the heaviest days I may need a less soft cup to stay in place better.

100 gold stars for it its amazing!

Funko · 04/08/2016 17:47

Also there's a million videos on you tube with advice about different types and folds etc just steel yourself for lots of over the top, whiney American teen videos lol

HappenstanceMarmite · 07/08/2016 19:31

So Mooncup arrived and I've been practicing and wearing. Have trimmed the stalk right back. Should I be able to feel it at all? I'm aware of a feeling of pressure down there...and weeing is not as free as usual. I have to move around a bit to release the pressure on the urethra to let it all out. Any thoughts?

HappenstanceMarmite · 07/08/2016 19:33

Ps - not actually started period yet so can't be sure it is in properly/securely.

Original poster
Noonesfool · 07/08/2016 19:34

I found that initially. By the end of my period I wasn't aware of it at all.

OP posts:
NeedAnotherGlass · 07/08/2016 21:40

I have never been able to feel it, but persevere with it for a bit to see if you can get it comfortable.

Felascloak · 07/08/2016 21:52

happen I sometimes get that when I've not inserted quite properly. It needs to be aimed a bit more toward the small of your back rather thanstraight up, also try pushing it slightly higher

Another good tip that I don't think has been mentioned is to stand over the toilet to remove it so any spillage goes in the bowl rather than on the floor!

HappenstanceMarmite · 07/08/2016 23:52

Thanks for your feedback on the pressure thing. If I may make a further potentially thick as a whale omlette observation... When I feel around the cup to check it had completely unfolded, it does not feel like a fully rounded open cup. The sides feel indented slightly, not fully "snapped out" if that makes sense? But is that just because the walls of my vag are squashing the sides in, hence no room to fully pop out into a perfect cup shape? Or has the cup not opened up properly? I guess I will find out when period starts as leakage will occur but I wanted to put the question out there.

Ilovemygsd · 08/08/2016 00:00

Tampax since puberty here, I've tried the hypoallergenic 1s recently but still find them a pain in the arse and mega expensive! Think you lot have convinced me to try the moon cup, what do u recommend??

TriniRedVelvet · 08/08/2016 00:04

Which cups are best for inverted uterus? I've tried diva cup but I'm not getting on well with it.

Felascloak · 08/08/2016 08:33

happen sounds like not opened properly and possibly too low. I use a punch down fold as it seems to open easier www.lunette.com/how-to/folding-methods.html
I love and trin putacupinit.com/quiz/

theecofriendlyfamily.com/2012/04/what-menstrual-cup-is-right-for-you/

Volume is most important for me because I have heavy periods, I use a Lunette at the moment and its good. Meluna are cheaper with alotof different stem types and lotsof volume/length options so worth a look too
I buy from femininewear.co.uk, fast delivery and love hearts!

Original poster
Noonesfool · 08/08/2016 08:37

I am loving the mooncuplove. That's 2 people converted because of this thread! It should be a MN campaign!

OP posts:
HappenstanceMarmite · 08/08/2016 09:59

Thanks Felascloak. I'll try to get it higher but I'm struggling with that. Maybe I need a shorter cup? I use the "c" fold but will look at other options.

Well done Noonesfool. Never thought I'd consider Mooncup and still a bit concerned re potential piglet-slaughtering scene

DerelictMyBalls · 08/08/2016 10:16

Trini I have anteverted uterus (tilted forwards) and Mooncups don't work for me at all.

If anyone else has anteverted uterus and has found a menstrual cup that works for them, let's hear about it!

bananafish81 · 08/08/2016 10:27

Derelict - I've never used a mooncup so afraid I can't be much help, but as most women have an anteverted uterus, presumably mooncup users cater for the majority of women?

Would have thought the less common retroverted uterus (aka 'tilted uterus') which tips backwards, was the more difficult one to get to fit?