Mooncups cause prolapse?

[Orangeblossom78]

Didn't realise this. Argh, they are so much better than tampons to use. Thought would share to make others aware too- seems it is about how you use them perhaps.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51805689

Just read this news and came to add a thread myself. It's concerning. I don't use one but had been considering it. Perhaps period pants are the answer.

That article seems totally anecdotal, as opposed to the lancet study which found them to be safe. Bad journalism or poor science?

I would never oppose better regulation eg what they are made of, how they collate information, but anecdote is not data. And sorry but having met several uk nhs physiotherapists they were pretty lame at treating anything. Maybe they could campaign more for effective postnatal physiotherapy which there is an evidence base for, whilst researching this before scaremongering.

Also I think what the article is saying is that you shouldn't "bear down" to move them into easy reach. It's good advice not to strain your pelvic muscles but not sure that it's actually specifically to do with the moon cups.

Where did you read this?

@notreallybotheredaboutausernam the link is in the OP....

notreallybotheredaboutausernam there's literally a link in the OP to an article

This is a ridiculously awful article and frankly you should not have reposed it and given it more exposure.

There is a meta study that concludes they are perfectly safe. Against this there is a DF worthy woman with sad face and a call for more regulation without any information as to what the call is based on or what form the regulation should take.

God that’s horrifying if they do

I don’t trust The Lancet as a source given their history.

I’m sorry, but I think the concept of them “causing” a prolapse is ridiculous.

You trust it less than the sources here? This is the problem with the world today! Df sadface anecdote wins over evidence based science. Sad. As Trump would say

I tried one after having 3dc and felt that it might be the case so I don't use it.

@DropYourSword

"I'm sorry, but I think the concept of them “causing” a prolapse is ridiculous."

Are you a physio, or involved in female health conditions that effect the cervix or incontinence?

I imagine this will be in a very small minority of women and the benefits will outweigh the risks. Just like tampons and TSS. Obviously the best bet is pads or pants but that’s not gonna cut it for everyone.

I can definitely imagine something like this happening if you don’t ‘break the seal’ before extracting the mooncup - you’d be literally sucking your cervix down the vagina, which will put strain on the pelvic floor - like a vacuum cleaner. So I wonder if it’s the case that mooncups per se can’t cause prolapse, but that not using them correctly could.

Don’t worry. The large Lancet study found them safe.
This article is based on the experiences of a few women who called the Victoria Derbyshire show and believed the cup had caused a prolapse. By far the greatest cause of prolapse is pregnancy and childbirth!

I have heard this before so I am a bit wary, but I’m just mindful when removing not to pull down hard.

I use the “hot dog in a bun” method (not my name :o) to break the suction gently without needing to lower it, although to be fair I’ve never tried any other method anyway.

Yeah, its not the cup that causes prolapse, according to that article. Women trying to push it out might contribute as it goes against advice.

AFAIK mooncup instructions say to break the seal with your finger then remove.

Personally for me the benefits to me and the environment outweigh the hypothetical risks. Loads of women use tampons despite the link to TSS

Love my moon cup. I have a partial prolapse already from childbirth. It's like anything- you have to use it properly and break the seal

@IkeaSlave not saying I trust either source 🤷‍♀️

I think what this highlights again is how unregulated products sold to women are, even if they are used internally and are necessary (as sanitary products are).

It doesn't matter if it's 'the minority', it should be up for discussion and legislation.

I stopped using them for this reason

I've never used a menstrual cup. So it could be why I don't quite get it, but how are the causing or contributing to a prolapse? Is it suction or the repeated use of the pelvic floor muscles to place it and remove it?

Used one for 16 years with no issues whatsoever. Looks like I no longer need it. I think if you have issues already, they probably don't help. My 20 yo has just started using one and getting on fine. She's saving money and helping reduce waste.

No @Ponoka7 I’m not a physio. I’m simply someone who prefers evidence and facts over anecdotes and supposition that correlation is causation.