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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be beyond frustrated with menstrual cups

39 replies

agapanthus1979 · 14/05/2020 08:53

Hi everyone.
I started using a cup a couple of years ago, and waxed lyrical to all my friends. Bloody loved it!
For the last year, though, I just seem to leak. I've tried the Diva, the Organi, and another one which was shaped differently...but I'm just leaking all the time.
My periods aren't heavy, and I've tried all sorts of positions. I think I have an awkward cervix. I have a septum in my uterus, so don't know if that might cause problems.
I really don't want to go back to tampons. I use reusable pads as back up, but don't want to rely on these.
Any suggestions/beacons of hope??
Thanks,
Ags

OP posts:

zscaler · 14/05/2020 09:02

I couldn’t get on with mooncups either. For me, the best solution is period pants. I know some people find the idea gross, but they are by far the most comfortable and sanitary solution for me!

PlanDeRaccordement · 14/05/2020 09:06

No cups for me either as they have higher risk of TSS than tampons.

Vap0 · 14/05/2020 09:10

I had the same problem with the moon cup, every single day it leaked.
I bought a much softer cup, a cheap one on amazon, Athena and haven’t leaked hardly at all with that one.
I think it’s just trial and error I think trying to find the right one. Have you joined the group “put a cup in it” on fb, they have a quiz to help choose the perfect cup although I’m not convinced by it as everyone seemed to get recommended saalt soft when I was looking.

Original poster

agapanthus1979 · 14/05/2020 10:03

Yes, I've done a couple of quizzes...but no happy results.
I really want to keep trying.
It just seems odd that all was fine and dandy to start with.

OP posts:

WickedlyPetite · 14/05/2020 10:07

I couldn't get on with the mooncup at all.

Not only did it leak all the time, but on several occasions the mess when I tried to 'break the seal' to remove it for emptying was awful. All I can say is thank god I have a tiled bathroom floor.

I have it about 4 months try and then it was back to tampons.

CrotchetyQuaver · 14/05/2020 10:23

How old are you? Could it be the start of VA? I didn't realise at the time, but I started to struggle with tampons feeling uncomfortable and looking back I guess that was the start. I would have been around 47 when that started

GladAllOver · 14/05/2020 10:27

It may be that mooncups just aren't suited to some people. After all, we all have different bodies.
But that's a shame because they really can be a blessing.

BertieBotts · 14/05/2020 10:29

I get on better with the meluna than the mooncup. Also all the post childbirth sizes are too big even though I've had two children. You could try a meluna shorty.

LaPampa · 14/05/2020 10:34

Some months mine leaks too. I just wear it in a combination with period pants and accept the annoyance as it’s better than tampons which soak up all moisture and are so wasteful.

Original poster

agapanthus1979 · 14/05/2020 10:38

I'm tempted to keep trying. I just love the idea and convenience.
I'm 41, no children.
I just wish there was a simple way of finding out what works!

OP posts:

bagpusscatpuss · 14/05/2020 10:43

I bought a mooncup and just cant bring myself to use it.

RedPanda2 · 14/05/2020 10:46

I use my mooncup at home only, as i find it so hard to 'break the seal' and not turn the bathroom into a crime scene. I leak sometimes and just find it uncomfortable. Back to pads!

CoraPirbright · 14/05/2020 10:46

I could have written your OP! Tried a mooncup - leaked like a bastard plus gave me UTI-like pains. Did the online test and switched to a diva which was a lot better leak-wise plus no twinges of pain. However that just stopped working - I have no idea why but for 3 consecutive months I simply couldn’t get the thing to open. Now I have a Lena cup and that is also leaking ...not too badly but it is still beyond frustrating when there is a thimble full in the cup and your pad is soaked! Arrgh! I have no idea why - on the lighter days 4 & 5, there are no leaks so I think I am positioning it correctly. Totally flummoxed by the whole thing but still think they are better than tampons.

ChangeThePassword · 14/05/2020 10:49

My one to is when you insert it, give it a gig to make sure it is sealed properly. If it is, it won't budge. If it moves down, it's not in properly.

ChangeThePassword · 14/05/2020 10:51

My one tip is to give it a tug.

Apologies!

LunaHardy · 14/05/2020 10:52

@PlanDeRaccordement where did you find that information? Re: TSS and cups?

keepingbees · 14/05/2020 10:59

Are you buying the right size?
I got a mooncup in the bigger size recommended as I've had children but it's too big for me.

I gave up on the damn thing, it didn't work for me at all. Couldn't get it to open properly, it leaked, pinched, sat too low, went too high. After a couple of scary times not being able to retrieve it I gave up with it. I have a tilted cervix apparently so maybe that's why.

onemouseplace · 14/05/2020 11:00

The first three months I used mine I was absolutely evangelical about them. Then I had a month where it leaked every time I used it. I really don't like using it overnight as it's harder to remove in morning. And I've had a few crime scene bathroom incidents as well when removing it.

So, what is working for me now is using the mooncup at home, backed up with reusable STs (very happy with these) and using a tampon overnight or if I'm going to be out and know I will have to change it whilst out.

Original poster

agapanthus1979 · 14/05/2020 11:26

Thanks for your replies, everyone.
I see I'm not alone.
It's just so frustrating- they're so brilliant when they work!
I'm going to keep trying.
Any other tips?

OP posts:

opticaldelusion · 14/05/2020 11:35

No cups for me either as they have higher risk of TSS than tampons

Can you provide the evidence for this, please?

BertiesLanding · 14/05/2020 12:23

@opticaldelusion and @LunaHardy

"Do Menstrual Cups Cause TSS?
The general consensus has been that menstrual cups do not directly cause or contribute to the development of TSS, and PACII continues to support this statement. A recent study has found that cups are as likely or more to lead to TSS. Before you panic we want to address this study and remind everyone that only two menstrual cup users have reported cases of TSS. We know TSS is possible to contract while using a cup but it’s important to note that in both recorded cases the women left their cups in far longer than the maximum time mandated by cup manufacturers (7 days versus 10-12 hours).

A study recently that has been making the round in articles published by click bait websites such as Daily Mail references a study conducted by a French university University Claude Bernard. The study uses plastic bags which is a far cry from the biome of a vagina.

“…they do claim that menstrual cups are more likely to increase the production of Staphylococcus aureus – the bacteria that causes toxic shock syndrome.”

Far more testing needs to be done before this claim can hold water. I take full comfort and peace in the fact that of the thousands of cases of TSS reported, only two cases have been connected with menstrual cups. Cups have been in use for decades and have been steadily rising in use over the last 10 years, so if they were more likely to cause TSS there would be far more reports in line with the number associated with tampons. But this hasn’t been the case.

“Every so often a clickbait article headline graces our newsfeeds which admittedly can be difficult to ignore. It’s important to note, that this study… is being performed on bags. NOT humans. As with any period care product the most important thing is to keep it clean, don’t leave it in too long and use a trusted brand. More on this can be found in our blog post: Menstrual Cups and Toxic Shock Syndrome: What You Need to Know.” -Cathy Chapman, Lunette"

putacupinit.com/do-menstrual-cups-cause-tss/

jackparlabane · 14/05/2020 12:25

I've found I have to insert the cup the moment I think my period is starting. If I wait until blood is visible,then it leaks all week - I guess enough has already snuck past the cup. Since inserting it early just in case, back to no problems.

uglyswan · 14/05/2020 12:29

No cups for me either as they have higher risk of TSS than tampons

This is untrue; the risk of TSS is not higher for cups, it's just not zero (five cases have been identified in all). A meta-analysis published in the Lancet states the following:

The reported risk of toxic shock syndrome with use of a menstrual cup seems low, with five cases identified via our literature search. Although aggregated data on the number of menstrual cups sold or used is unavailable, we anticipate the number of girls and women using the 199 different brands globally is likely to be in the thousands. In the USA, the incidence of all types of toxic shock syndrome was around 0·8–3·4 per 100 000 population, whereas menstrual toxic shock syndrome was reported in 6–12 per 100 000 users of high-absorbency tampons in 1980.

Just don't leave it in for days and boil to sterilise in between uses.

LunaHardy · 14/05/2020 12:46

@BertiesLanding thank you. I have seen that article before so I was confused at pp's statement. A little irresponsible to make comments like that without backing them up imo. I've been using a cup for about 2 years now, game changer for me.

SarahTancredi · 14/05/2020 12:57

I bought one. I'm scared to try it though

Looks huge but I dont want to keep buying different ones as well the whole point is the environmental impact or lack of figured owning multiple that will be thrown away kinda detracted .

I'm an convert to cloth pads and they are strangely addictive I want to stop using tampons but I cant rely on just pads at work how I can at home

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