To wonder if menstrual cups really work?

[IAmMyOwnPerson]

Just that really.
The idea sounds great - no more forking out loads of money on tampons / pads etc but...
Do they actually work? No leaking?
It sounds really messy tbh even just to empty them! 🙈

Only leaked a little during the first couple of days when getting used to it. Mooncups put too much pressure on me as they're quite stiff. Changed to a more pliable Ladycup and I love it!

Don’t worry about leaks, but DO you tube search on how to insert it.

My mooncup was so uncomfortable the first two times out, then I snipped the stem and folded it for insertion differently. Bingo.

Only second month I’ve tried it and I really like them, even if I am a bit squeamish about playing “catch” with the stem when it’s time to wiggle it out.

Remember mooncups (other versions are available) come in more than one size dependent of age and childbirth etc so get the right one for your circumstances.

I love mine. No leaks and generally less period pain.

I also got a couple of washable pads which I use on v light start/end days and they are brilliant too.

Yep love mine, I think they take some getting used to, and after a few ours on my feet it does go a bit south, but highly recommend.

My adult daughter loves hers but I just couldn’t get it to work for me. I’ve got a posterior prolapse & I think the bulge stopped it being in the right place & it leaked lots.
But I’m the only one of my friends it didn’t work for - everyone else raves about it

I have extremely heavy periods (fibroids), and find that my menstrual cup does leak a bit after a few hours, but I use a pad as well and it never leaks through to clothes. If I wore a tampon or just a pad, I’d be bleeding through clothes within an hour. It took me quite a long time to work out how to insert it properly, and it can be a pain when travelling (I can’t seem to insert it correctly unless I’m sitting on the toilet seat, which is obviously not always desirable!). But on the whole it is a godsend.

Been using them for 8+ years, absolutely brilliant would never go back to tampons.

My mooncup does leak on my heaviest days, but not otherwise. I just wear a pad with it for extra protection. I love it.

You do have to be comfortable with your own body and not mind the sight of a bit of blood. They're not messy at all, no spilling, but you get to see everything that comes out, so not for the ultra-squeamish (although I suppose you could just tip it out and not look, but it's useful to know how full it was so you've got an idea of when it might next need emptying). Apart from that, I'd recommend them to everyone. Absolute game changer.

I love mine too. Still struggle occasionally with removing it, don't always get it in correctly and yes it is messy so helps if you aren't squeamish which I personally can't see how you can be when you've been menstruating for years but some women are. As someone earlier said, I've never had to take it out and wash it out in public toilets as you can wear them for hours but rinsing them out isnt always that simple as menstrual blood is obviously quite viscous so quite glad I can do mine at home (the tiny holes get clogged up).
Just try not to drop it as you've removed it, especially not on a carpeted floor...

With the physical job, I don't think it would be an issue, they stay in place really well. I wear mine doing sport all the time with no problems.

I found yes but the risk of accidental mega splash on a white t-shirt was too high. Also boiling the thing a bit anti-social if living with others who don’t get it.

Love my mooncup! I was sceptical initially but it’s been a revelation.

I’ve luckily never suffered too much from period pain, just general discomfort and mild cramps but since switching to a mooncup I don’t even get that. I don’t know why it’s made such a difference but it’s been brilliant.

Mine does leak a little on the heaviest days if I go for a long run, and it’s a bit unreliable at nighttime on the heaviest day (fine on days two/three onwards). But otherwise, it’s fantastic.

I'm really interested in the idea of using a menstrual cup but I'm worried about getting it stuck inside me. How far up does it go? Is it hard to remove?

By some kind of miracle I managed to insert one once, years ago. More recent attempts have resulted in the mooncup twanging off my nether regions as I tried to insert it, causing a not insignificant amount of pain.

So it’s reusable pads for me.

They were an absolute game-changer for me, I’m evangelical!

I have a Mooncup, two MeLuna cups (one soft and one classic), and a Tulip stem cup, which has a valve. (The latter takes a bit of getting used to, and it doesn’t work as well in terms of emptying as I’d hoped, but it’s ok.)

You need to give yourself a bit of time to practice though, and not be put off if you don’t get it right first time.

Love it. Push it right up. Empty in the shower.

I love mine but I did struggle at first. I put it too high and it was a nightmare to get out. You don’t put it far up at all and aim back rather than up. I love it now. I went away for the weekend and came on earlier than expected. I was gutted to use tampax even for a couple of days. I leaked in them but don’t in the mooncup.

@QueenWhatevraWanabi Menstrual cups are meant to be placed as low down as possible.

I have to empty a large meluna xl every hour on my 2 heaviest days which makes it really hard when at work in loos where the sinks are outside, and yes, mine does leak so need back up pads. Fine on lighter days though.

Amazing! I have a heavy flow and never leak. Smells much better too imo

@DinoroarDinosaur, it sits right at the bottom of the vagina, just at the opening. The bottom of it is snug with the hole. Depending on the brand there's a stem that you can trim to whatever length suits you. The stem is not part of the open cup, it's just to help you hold on to it. I don't use the stem on mine, I just take hold of the cup itself.

In short, it doesn't go 'up' towards the cervix at all, it rests at the vaginal opening.

I’m struggling with mine to be honest. It is early days and I want to love it but if I put it in low it is excruciatingly uncomfortable (I have cut the stalk). High and it’s difficult to get out and leaks. It’s an organicup. I think I may try a different brand.

@Catkin8 why?? It hurts and stops me weeing if it's low. Feels much more comfortable pushed up

Just be prepared for splatter and bloody hands in public loos.

I never have splatter and bloody hands! :-)