Talk to me about mooncups and washable pads please...

[greathat]

I really want to reduce plasticy waste, but I don't get on well with tampons (TMI but since having kids they just seem to work their way out no matter how high I put them in), will the same thing happen?

Plus disposable pads - are they really bulky? will they show? is there a Uk site that reviews them?

Getting all confused...

thanks ethical folk!

I use washable pads, and wouldn't dream of going back to disposables now. I've got four different brands. Two varieties are from Amazon (made in China type) which are a bit meh, the textiles used aren't great. They were about €25 for 5. I have some from Fuzzybuns (I think) which I got at the same time as washable nappies, they're pretty similar to the ones off Amazon. The last brand I have are made by a MNer in the UK, she dyes her own fabric and makes them at home, they're quite expensive but a million times better then all the others I have. Google Honour Your Flow.
They're all a bit bulkier that disposable ones, but you can't see them under skinny jeans for example. HYF also makes night time ones which are brilliant (they look a bit like a whale tail), they mean you can sleep well without having to worry about leakage.

I have washable pads and was pleasantly surprised that they actually are more comfortable than disposable. They also don't smell. My only issue is they can slide backwards if I have to walk any distance but have partially solved this by positioning them further forward and they usually stay in place.
They are a bit bulkier than disposable but not extremely so.
I've tried a different brand to mooncup but haven't actually managed to get it in place and open out but will give it another go next month. I have no problem with tampons but the cup is too difficult for me.

HYF link: www.honouryourflow.co.uk you can get 10% if you type Mumsnet in the promotional code box.

thanks both! I'll have a look now

What about the natural sponges in lieu of tampons? Does anyone have any experience of these?

I was a moon cup user before child birth but after it made my tummy hurt. I hated sanitary towels and they made me itch so I got washable pads, quite cheap from eBay. They were perfect except that they tended to slide backwards throughout the day, and I was having to pull them forward (not in public obviously). I started looking at thinx, which are 'period pants', but very expensive. However, I found a cheaper alternative an Amazon. They have an extra layer of fabric, plus a waterproof layer, and are perfect from day 3 of my period. They are barely thicker than normal pants. For the first 2 days I use washable incontinence pants. Slightly bulky, I don't mind too much just wear a longer top on those days!

Ok I've ordered some cheaper pads to start with. If I can see me sticking with this I'll get some of the more expensive ones. I like the look of the nigh time one! That looks like some serious security. Are all the menstrual cups pretty much the same?

I use a mooncup. I only got it recently, the first time I used it I hated it (found it uncomfortable but loved the idea) so I emailed their customer services, who were super-helpful, gave me lots of personalised advice and actually sent me out a free replacement. So I tried again, and have now used it succesfully for 2 cycles and I LOVE it. Took a bit of persistence but definitely worth it.

I have a mooncup and like it a lot. It fits well (even after children) and is my preferred method of period protection these days. Took a little getting used to initially though. My sister bought another brand of menstrual cup and is similarly happy. Cups are much wider than tampons so less likely to wriggle out.

Washable pads are great. It’s like having a little cushion in your pants. I love them!

I’ve also used moon cup and meluna. Mooncup initially I felt was too big, plus I had to trim the “puller outer” bit right down. I then tried a meluna but actually found it a little too soft and small in the size I got. So went back to the mooncup and seemed to get on much better with it second time round.

I use the pads now though. I just prefer them- find them less messy.

The sizing thing is interesting with mooncups..

Size A if you're over 30 and/or have given birth vaginally

Size B if you're under 30 & haven't given birth vaginally

So I initially opted for size A (I'm 38 & 3 VB) BUT it turned out the reason why I was struggling was it was too big. Which seemed VERY unlikely, under the circumstances. But after consultation, Mooncup customer services suggested this and sent me a smaller one for free and I've got on fine with it ever since.

This isn't a stealth boast - I am average size & fitness, I occasionally do a bit of yoga or a couple of pelvic floor exercises but nothing remarkable.

I have a DivaCup - best thing ever.
Kept on by mild suction, unlike tampons.
I have a job where getting time to change frequently can be tricky so love that past day 2 it's good for 12 hours.
Did have to trim the stem though.

I've just started using a moon cup today, I'm quite pleased at how comfortable it is so far though I haven't tried to take it out yet so that'll be interesting.
I also use the washable pads but I just want to use those for daily discharge rather than periods as I've always used tampons for periods so that's why I'm trying out the mooncup as I wanted something similar.

I like the imse vimse brand washable. They are not that bulky and the night time ones are really long which suits my body shape/flow. I've also got some ecofemme pads, I don't like those as much, they are bulkier, shorter and tend to move about, the fabric is wearing thin too. I bought mine from earthwise girls, they have a good selection of different brands.

I have a juju cup and it fits really well. I like that they have 4 sizes. I have washable pass too but use these as a back up.

Thanks, ordered a moon cup now! hope I get on well with all this stuff :P

Cups are awesome! I use a punchdown fold and put a bit of water on it

I have a mooncup that I love and a few washable pads as well. I find the pads SO much nicer than disposables. More comfortable, no smell, less bulky because they are more flexible.
Definite convert to reusables.

I'm a real convert to a mooncup. Though the pain if it gets up too high next to your cervix.... Ouch!!

I use washable pads, because I was feeling so guilty about the high volume of plastics going into landfill. I really like them. I have some from Imse Vimse (I highly recommend these ones) and some from another lady who custom made them for me, but she no longer does them. I like the customs but they aren't quite as absorbent as the imse vimse ones. I had to use disposable pads over christmas as we were away from home and I couldn't wash my cloth ones. I'd forgotten how absorbent and convenient the disposable ones are, but not enough to go back to them.

Imse Vimse, I use the night time length for light-medium days
Customs, I have them in both heavy and night-time/postpartum size. They're quite bulky but I have ridiculously heavy periods and so I feel more comfortable having the extra size/length.

I'd recommend the website earthwisegirls for more info.