To have some dumb questions about mooncups

[Jellybabie3]

So I read a different thread last week about tampons (no I dont flush them) but it got me thinking I should try a mooncup. I have the propper jitters though

So those that have used em....experiences please.

How do you clean/empty at work? Taking baby wipes with me seems to negate the benefits of them being convenient, cheap and enviro friendly? I work 8 hour days and an hour either side travelling.

I know its not what its for but apparently I have a wierd cervix which is high and tucked up in my head this could mean its all abit roomy up in there and I could be digging for gold to get the mooncup back out...that wont be the case right??

Tmi but me and DH have forgotten what sex is since DS was born so its all gotten abit tight down there (every time we do rarely have sex it feels like the first time..ouch) I also have had a emcs as opposed to vag birth so I am confused by sizes....i am 30+ though. Has anyone had difficulty getting them in??

How do you get them out??

Terrified of leaks...how do you know when its full? I have only had 1 period (last month) in 15 years (was on the pill) so I wouldn't know how heavy mine truly get yet.

Boiling them....erm....in your Kitchen pan ??

Thanks....

Take a look at Precious Stars Pads on YouTube. Lots of no nonsense practical advice on there. Good luck.

You don’t need to rinse every time you empty it - a quick wipe with loo roll is fine (tho I find it easier to insert when wet).

Insertion is tricky. The best way I find is to fold it into a crescent shape, insert, and then twist a little to open it up. I found this very uncomfortable the first few times and still sometimes find it tricky.

Removal also takes a bit of practice but it won’t get lost. I’m still persevering with this - it’s a bit tricky. It helps if you can press it in at the side and break the seal! Then just pinch the base and pull out. The silicone is very soft.

Never had an issue with leaks - because of the seal I think it holds everything in when full. I’ve gone 8+ hours without emptying and it has been fine.

They recommend the larger size if you’ve had kids but if you’re small down there, go for the smaller size.

I don’t care about using kitchen pans - just clean it well after!

It’s not for everyone - I actually prefer period pants myself, but persevering with the mooncup for convenience’s sake!

I use the accessible loo when at work because that way the basin is right next to the loo. Empty down loo, swish under running water, re-insert.

At work (If it's not day 2 when it's hourly changes) then I empty it at lunchtime and on leaving. On the last couple of days, I don't need to empty it at all between getting up and mid-evening so no issues there.

As for sterilising, I use Milton fluid (well, shop own brand). I have a small Tupperware pot that lives in the bathroom cabinet, cold water and a small splash of fluid, rinsed after a couple of days or when I remember

My cervix is also weird and tucked up in a strange place but apart from the first couple of changes when I was just getting used to where it had to sit, I haven't had any issues. Mooncups sit a lot lower than tampons, and when I was having removal issues, I just squatted in the bath and bore down hard until it moved close enough for me to hook it with a finger.

I use an Organicup and found it a bit tricky at first, but by period number 3 it was no issue.

They don't need emptying too often in the day, so I can usually be at home to do this . Loo roll can suffice so no need for wipes etc.

I wish I had made the switch from tampons years ago now when I think of all the waste I've added to!

Persevere. They can't get lost and you don't need to push them too far in for comfort so no fishing around.

For removal, just bear down as if you are doing a big poo (sorry tmi!) then you should be able to reach it.

People recommend trying one in the last couple of days of a period when the flow is lighter but your cervix is still open.

Maybe because I'm older and the Mooncup is pretty ancient now (>10 years) but it does leak when it's full. On heaviest days, that's about 3 hours for me. The easiest place to change it is in a disabled loo or one where there is a basin so you can just rinse it out and put it back in. As a PP has said, it's easier to insert when wet. I have used one successfully for around 12 years. I also had something similar called a keeper and when I went to a very green campsite, I alternated so took a clean damp keeper in with me, emptied the mooncup & rinsed it ready for the next time. The only time I had to go back to tampons was when I broke my ankle and was non-weight-bearing for 7 weeks. I just couldn't balance to insert it.

I second bellinisurge advice on checking out Precious Star Pads on YouTube. She really is a wealth of information including best cups for high / low cervix and how to workaround using a cup when you’re out and about etc.

I best mooncup advice I read on here is to remember that just because you buy a mooncup doesn’t mean you have to start immediately using it all the time.

Try it at home at first, especially overnight as then you can empty in the shower. Once you’ve got the hang of it then changing it elsewhere is much easier.

You don’t need to get a mooncup brand either- I got a pack of two different sized ones for £11 as I wasn’t sure which size to get.

I would suggest you try to catch a time when your period falls on the weekend, so you could test it out at home first. Getting it out can be tricky sometimes because the cup can form quite a strong suction there and then the process becomes more complicated than simply pulling it out.

On the other hand, you could also try it at any time but just wear a pad for insurance. So if the cup leaked and you couldn't get it out while at work, you'd still have the insurance of having a pad and can get the cup out when you are back home.

I must admit if I had a very heavy flow that requires frequent change of pads/tampons, I would probably not use the cup as having to empty and reinsert it at work can turn into a major pain. An odd location of the cervix can result in the same. Especially if the cup forms suction there, which it does sometimes.

As much as we all would like to be environmentally friendly, unfortunately using the cup is a very individual thing. It really doesn't work for everyone, which is why I really would recommend that you try and catch your period when you aren't at work to test it out first.

Don't be put off the first time though as it does take practice. Good luck.

I highly recommend it! I've had mine for about 5 years and haven't looked back! It takes a few tries to get used to it, but if you persevere then it'll pay off.

I'm second trying to use a disabled loo so you've got the sink right next to you. But I've managed without before too so it's not a must :) I find I have to empty it about every 4 hours on my heaviest days.

Maybe it's just me, but it's actually interesting to see how much is in there! It's got ml markings on the side

You can always email the people at mooncup for sizing advice. In your situation I'd probably go with the larger one though.

Take the plunge! Good luck!

I’m a bit like you in that I’ve had kids but by c section. I did an online survey to help me choose a cup and it suggested a large size. I duly bought and inserted it ok but I found it unbearably painful, in a way that told me it was too big/rigid. I can’t really explain how I knew that though.

Went back to tampons but have been considering buying a new, softer model. Just thought I’d second that advice to go for a smaller one first.

I'm a bit miffed at all the people using the accessible or disabled loos to deal with cups. Not very fair is it on people who actually need those facilities, you using them is surely a choice. A cup is a choice.

I had 3 c sections and started using a mooncup about 6 years ago - wish I'd started using them way sooner! I found that insertion and removal skills develop quickly, they change depending on where in your period you are, how heavy/light, whether you've been walking around or just sitting. eg first thing in the morning after lying in bed all night, my cup would be a bit high to access straight away so I had to wait til I'd cleaned my teeth or walk round a bit and gravity had worked!! This only happened towards then end when flow at its lightest. I always wore a pad during my heaviest flows and was emptying every hour for a couple of days. Now I have a coil and flow is very light so only need to change morning and night, if I need it at all!

I found wiping with toilet roll tended to get bits of tissue stuck all over so would just empty then re-insert without rinsing. Only became an issue when really heavy flow and hands got sticky with blood but in those situations I was rarely in public places so just used a normal toilet with a sink to rinse and insert.

Go for it Jellybaby - its definitely an improvement on tampons!

I'm on menopause so no more periods but if I saw another woman sluicing out a cup in a public loo, I'd let her get on with it and any "silent judging" of her would be positive.

Plenty of cup advice above. As for sex not being comfortable, Yes and Liquid Silk are brands of lube that get mentioned as good by women I know, maybe worth a try. If you breastfeeding /not got your periods back, that can have an effect on how comfortable Piv is.

I have a love hate relationship with mine. It's painful getting it in, and then I struggle to get it out but once it's in there and comfy I don't feel a thing so that's good. There's 2 sizes you can get and they say if you have a child to get the bigger one but if you're concerned get the smaller size one xx

You don't need to worry about your cervix being high as the cup is designed to sit low in the vagina, you're not meant to fit it around your cervix.

I've had 3 sections and went for the smaller size.

Seeing that we are getting really TMI about all of this, but how much of your hand do you need to get up there when inserting or removing? It sounds complicated and like you need to be really bendy with king fingers to do all the breaking seal, positioning etc.

I'm a bit miffed at all the people using the accessible or disabled loos to deal with cups.

Disabled/accessible loo isn't designed for exclusive use of people with disabilities. It's a normal loo with facilities for disabled people, so anyone can use them.

Plus there are plenty of places which have toilets and sinks in one cubicle, without necessarily being designated accessible.

OP, you'll be surprised how quickly a mooncup becomes ordinary to you if you have one that fits correctly (and I never had a problem with this, although that was pre babies - I'm prepared to have to tinker a little when i go back to using one after this pregnancy). It doesn't tend to be messy or uncomfortable, and it's actually nice to be able to see how much you've bled. I also felt a lot cleaner with one as it didn't soak up all the natural lubrication like a tampon does - sorry it's that's TMI, but the fact it sits higher up and just catches the blood makes your vag a bit more comfortable and fresh.

I have had ten years plus. I can’t tenebrr having g issues with it in the risky days but I can remove, empty, wipe and reinsert in less than 60 seconds now. It’s soo easy! I forget I’m on my period when I’m using it.

TMI but I know when it’s getting full as I get a wired bubbling sensation about 30 mins before it is going to leak. I havent leaked with mine in years.

I had to use tampons got the first time in about 5 years last month as I came on early while we were awsy. I hated them! Could not wait to get home to swap to my cup.

Early not risky days. Stupid iPhone and long nails!