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Original poster

FIRST TIME MOONCUP USER HELP PLEASE!

21 replies

salsmum · 04/08/2008 12:00

I started using it last night [first day of period]and read all instructions. At first I think that I inserted it wrong...too low and it was quite uncomfortable and made me sore I then tried the squatting position and thought I had it in place although I could still feel it...It did collect some so think I had it in the right place. I am however quite tight 'down there' I have size A because I've had 2 c-sections. My question is how do you know if you've inserted it correctly? is it all just practice/trial n error? Has anyone got any tips on how you know if it's 'in' properly? I have a bad cough at the moment could this cause it to fall out? .
HELP PLEASE.

OP posts:

Roskva · 04/08/2008 15:22

If you can feel it, then I wonder if it is either too low, or you have left the stem too long (or both) - it took me a while to get confident enough to cut most of the stem off, but when I did I found the thing a whole lot more comfortable. You may be more aware of it because you are coughing, which causes your pelvic floor muscles to push down. I don't think it would fall out unless you have it way too low.

toolly · 04/08/2008 15:29

Cut of the stem completely and use some lube to help you position it. The bottom bit without the stem is only about 2cm inside me and I find that completely comfortable.

I found it difficult at first at the beginning and I found putting it in the shower helpful as I was more relaxed rather than huffing and puffing over a toilet bowl.

Best advice is persevere and you will get there. It's really good.

NoNickname · 04/08/2008 15:33

The official advice is that it needs to be low - lower than a tampon. But personally, I find I need it up higher - much like a tampon - as otherwise I can feel it. The first few times I used it, I also got a bit sore and it wasn't until I had cut off most of the stem that it felt better.

Also heartily second the advice about changing it in the shower.

nannyL · 04/08/2008 16:42

i think it is definite trial and error

the previouse 3 months it leaked really badly.... NO idea why... put it in the same as before

o bad i bought extra washable STs...

this month it has not leaked at all, as was the case for the 1st 21 months...

i WISH i knew what i did differently, but i dont!...

i think you just get to know whe it is correctly or not.

when mine is in properly i cant feel it at all.

i have no stem at all on mine

also dont do what I did when trying to push it up higher.... i pushed up and managed to turn it inside out inside me

seriously thought id be going to A&E but managed to get it out eventually

(now if it isnt high enough i remove it and start again )

Original poster

salsmum · 05/08/2008 02:01

Thanx everyone for all your advice..I think it will be a while before I go out in public though because when i tried to 'insert and twist' as instructed it started making farting like noises as I twisted it .
I will NOT be beaten though but if it does'nt work after a couple of months I have bought myself a rather nice little pouch for £20 ...any suggestions what I could put in it condoms bus fare home would be most welcome .

OP posts:

Original poster

salsmum · 05/08/2008 02:10

nannyL quote from official booklet is...the entrance to your womb is only the size of a pin head....mooncup cannot get lost
Funny that the said booklet is sooo small that you'de probably lose the booklet and they would then deny printing it IF the Mooncup DID get lost
BUT.....G.P. also said that my coil would'nt get lost.............8 weeks later need I say more???????

OP posts:

jollydo · 05/08/2008 12:30

I was about to post a thread on here asking people's opinions of the mooncup. The reviews on the website make it sound fantastic but I feel a bit squeamish about it. I'm not even very good at inserting non-applicator tampons. (Having said that I mastered catheters for a short while after ds2 so it CAN'T be as unnerving as that surely). All this talk of soreness and turning it inside out are making me less keen... please convince me!!

Roskva · 05/08/2008 16:46

Sorry if tmi, but here goes:

In my experience mooncups are much, much more comfortable than tampons, because the mooncup doesn't dry me out (I was never able to comfortably use 2 tampons consecutively, I had to alternate with an st). It took me 2 days to get the hang of it, during which I became more familiar with my insides than I have ever been . It's safer to go longer with a mooncup without needing to empty it, unless of course you need to because of heavy flow. It deals with clots better than tampons do. There's no embarrassing string if your local gym/pool isn't civilised enough to have separate shower cubicles (or for your dc to ask innocently and loudly why you have a piece of string between your legs, like my friend's dd did ). Oh, and you never run out of mooncup at bedtime on a bank holiday saturday, or on holiday abroad where you don't really know what to ask for in the local chemist .

nannyL · 05/08/2008 18:52

salsmum...

thanks for advice.... but i hadnt quite put it in correctly and instead of removing and trying again i just poked it up with my finger, and poked it inside out.

I didnt mean it got right inside my insides, but it was inside out while inside me IUSWIM?

blueshoes · 05/08/2008 20:58

salsmum, I am a recent convert to the mooncup who initially had problems inserting. I find the origami fold technique worked the best for me: here. Helps to insert the mooncup higher up before it unfurls.

gemdangracie · 05/08/2008 21:14

I dont mean to sound stupid but what is a mooncup?

WilfSell · 05/08/2008 21:16

it's a silicone cup you insert to collect mentrual blood instead of tampons.

WilfSell · 05/08/2008 21:16

menstrual, obv

gemdangracie · 05/08/2008 21:18

ahhh i see.. sorry im new to mumsnet, and dont really know any other mums to talk to etc.. find it hard talking lmao

onepieceoflollipop · 05/08/2008 21:19

Cutting off the stem completely or almost completely makes it much better ime. Also it took me a good 6 months to get used to it.

WilfSell · 05/08/2008 21:20

you will find that knowing what a mooncup is, and bunting, and cupcakes, and fruitshoots, and Cod's typing, and nest of vipers will become the very heart of your life once addicted to MN.

gemdangracie · 05/08/2008 21:23

lol Im trying to become addicted but never know whet to say to anyone lol

sandy4 · 05/08/2008 21:28

would like to add re: mooncups - don't shove it in too far as a bit difficult to retrieve, as i did last month (first time using) .

i wasn't expecting it to be so noisy maybe that's just me......

girlandboy · 05/08/2008 21:42

I DO have to put it in much further than it states on the instructions, otherwise I can feel it all the time, but it still works fab.

Didn't cut the whole stem off, just half, because it was a bit too pokey.

And yes, it can be a bit "slurrrrpy" on removal.

FeminineWear · 20/11/2008 18:37

Message deleted

BibiThree · 20/11/2008 18:42

I love my mooncup. It took me about 2-3 periods to be really confident with it but now I use nothing else. I cut the stem off completely, much better. I now insert it lower than I was previsouly doing and no more leaking.

It really is a case of giving it time and trying different techniques etc. I always ahve to take a breath and actively relax myself before insertion and it pops in no problem, if I'm even a little bit flustered or rushing I can be there ages!

Stick with it, you'll be weaving lentils in no time

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