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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To consider menstraul cup?

67 replies

Georgeofthejungle · 02/02/2018 20:33

I’ve just seen an advert for it on Facebook and think it could be an option for me.

Tampons are a pain for me as we have a septic tank so I can’t flush them at home. Also not keen on pads.

Anyone got any experience? Heard they can be tricky to get out but maybe just take a bit of getting used to..

OP posts:
Anymajordude · 02/02/2018 21:22

I love mine. Genuinely life changing.

FairfaxAikman · 02/02/2018 21:24

I have a Diva Cup. Once I trimmed the stem it became the best thing EVER.

In my line of work it can be difficult to change a pad or tampon every few hours but with a cup I can go up to 12 hours, so two changes (sometimes three on day 2). It's also vastly reduced cramping and clots.

tenbob · 02/02/2018 21:25

I'm not one for hyperbole usually, but it has been totally life changing for me

Wouldn't even contemplate using anything else again

BarrysnotLyons · 02/02/2018 21:30

On day 2 of wearing my new diva cup. Really impressed so far. Wish I'd known about them years ago.

ShinyMe · 02/02/2018 21:30

I've been using mine for... maybe 12 years? 15 years possibly? A very long time anyway. I took to it straight away and have never had any issues with it. I've got a Mooncup - I cut the stalky bit off as it just got in the way. I'm on my second one, because my old one all of a sudden went stinky and yellow after about 10 years - I think I'd left it in too long.

It's honestly totally changed periods for me. It's so much nicer, and it's nice to know I'm not damaging the environment either. And I can't begin to imagine how much money I've saved. I have quite a light flow except for the first day, and the cup is SO much nicer for not being all dry and fibrous and sticking to you when you take it out.

Branleuse · 02/02/2018 21:43

Ive used them for years. I prefer my menstrual cup to any other method

Nottheduchessofcambridge · 02/02/2018 21:46

Tampons go in the bin, not down the toilet Hmm
Not the point of the thread I know, but some people need to know.

Original poster
Georgeofthejungle · 02/02/2018 22:02

I genuinely thought it was ok to flush tampons Shock! I’m pretty sure my friends do too! I’ll tell them. How have I missed this!! Ive seen the signs in the toilets saying about not flushing sanitary products and always thought why would anyone flush a pad. It didn’t even bloody occur to me they might mean tampons too! 🙈 I’m in shock at myself.

OP posts:
nevergooglenevergoogle · 02/02/2018 22:09

I'm totally converted to the mooncup since first try last month.

Total gamechanger for me.

Yes to changing it in the shower, squatting helped me, yes to short nails and also trimming the stem. Then you're good to go. I also switched to washable liners which were really comfortable although the mooncup was so good they were just for backup.

bridgetreilly · 02/02/2018 22:13

Bree is brilliant: www.youtube.com/user/preciousstarspads/videos

Tips for inserting and removing cups, comparison between different brands and much, much more. I chose mine based on her reviews (I use a Lunette) and I would never, ever go back to tampons now.

WildebeestH · 02/02/2018 22:13

I spent ages hesitating about trying a cup but I’ve now been using one for three cycles and I love it. Yes, it takes a bit of getting used to but for me it’s been worth it for greater comfort and less hassle longer term. Plus there’s the added positive that it’s better for the environment. Give it a go!

WishingOnABar · 02/02/2018 22:18

Can those of you who are really keen help with advice, because my biggest struggle was removing the cup and on several occasions I genuinely feared I would not be able to remove it at all! At one instance I was in a cubicle at work, really struggling, so that by the time it finally “popped” out it simultaneously flicked forward and I ended up chucking some of the contents onto the floor and my shoes and had to crawl around afterward cleaning up.

Is it that I’m inserting it wrong in the first place? I know the instructions say to break the seal and I did that, but its not really possible to refold it to get it out Blush.

I understand some posters saying they do it in the shower but that’s not possible at work and on my heaviest day I filled mine within 5 hours.

I did stick with it for four days but it was so much work and also found it occasionally uncomfortable to wear while sitting, I have gone back to tampons having wasted £20 🙁

Voice0fReason · 03/02/2018 00:13

I'm a mooncup convert. Had it 15 years and absolutely love it.
For those who don't get on with it, I do think it's worth looking at different brands as there will probably be one that suits you better.

TheWelshDragon · 03/02/2018 00:19

Wishing I just squeeze it together at the end closest to me to remove the seal and then pull it out.

Might be worth trying a different make though, I didn't get on with the mooncup at all.

Whatshallidonowpeople · 03/02/2018 00:22

My womb tilts the wrong way so they suddenly tip and then a whole cup of blood escapes at once. I can't use them

healthandwealth · 03/02/2018 00:23

I love mine and would never go back to tampons now. It did take a while to get used to though (maybe 3 or 4 months). It's oddly fascinating seeing how much blood etc you actually lose! It probably wouldn't be a good option if you were squeamish (spelling?!)

steppingout · 03/02/2018 00:27

This site was recommended to me for anyone wondering about size/brand options. Also, the name's really funny. putacupinit.com

bridgetreilly · 03/02/2018 00:36

You shouldn't need to refold it to get it out (just like you don't need an applicator to remove a tampon). I also wouldn't use the stem to pull it out. I usually just grip the base of the cup itself, making sure that I've pushed it in enough on one side to break the seal, then pull steadily until it's out.

They aren't for everyone, but for me and lots of people they are a lot less work and hassle than any other form of protection.

redastherose · 03/02/2018 00:39

Can you use a mooncup at night? Have just bought one but never thought about nighttime?

BakedBeans47 · 03/02/2018 00:40

Bestest thing ever.

Mine changed my life. Seriously. Get one!

Grunkle · 03/02/2018 00:41

I have a Fleur cup. Had a Diva and it worked fine pre kids, but post kids, neither Diva size worked. The Fleur is amazing for me though.

Generally you've got to try a couple to find your fit. Once you do it's soooo fab though

BakedBeans47 · 03/02/2018 00:43

For struggles getting it out I suggest bearing down when on the loo and gripping the cup to break the seal. I’ve never had an issue but then I am in my mid 40s and had 2 VBs so I doubt that the muscles down there are that tight!

keepingbees · 03/02/2018 07:10

I understood how to remove it in theory but in reality it just didn't work.
I placed it low when I put it in as per instructions, but when it came to removing it it had gone so high I could barely feel the bottom of it let alone grip it. It was taking me about half an hour to get it low enough to try and grip, it really made me panic at times as I just had no way of getting it. Then trying to grip it and also break the seal meant it then spilt its contents and made a mess.
I've had 3 children naturally and used tampons since a teen so I thought it would be a doddle Confused

mindutopia · 03/02/2018 07:14

Definitely give it a go. I don't absolutely love mine and it did take a few months of practice to really get the hang of it (you will likely have to cut the stem pretty much off, which I found terrifying in case I lost it in there! but it's fine, you won't). But I've not used tampons in probably 4 years now. I actually personally love cloth pads more. I started to use them right around the same time. I use both now, usually moon cup for the really heavy days and cloth pads on the lighter days. I couldn't imagine using anything else anymore.

Waffles80 · 03/02/2018 07:38

@red of course you can use a mooncup at night!