Started using a Mooncup about 10 minutes ago....

[WillYouDoTheDamnedFanjo]

...and I am guessing that if you've clicked, you're not sqeamish, which is just as well.

I popped it in to gauge how much of the stalk thing I should chop off. Bit sore, but no worse than first trying tampons.

However I don't want to yank it out as I keep imagining some sort of hideous sink plunger effect.

Please offer some help while I go and do the school run in the manner of a cowboy.

You need to fold it to break the seal, before pulling it out.

And, from what I know, you want to remove all of the stalk, or it will annoy your labia.

Unlike a tampon, the mooncup is meant to be worn low, not up against the cervix, which I bet reduces the sink plunger effect.

V cute name, by the way - chosen just for this thread?

Put some tissue into the toilet before you take it out or you'll end up with a red toilet that's hard to clean.

NO help, but muchos sympathy. And kudos for such a fab name

Most people end up cutting all of the stalk off, I cut it off at the base and used a nail file to round the cut edges so they didn't rub.

When I remove mine I pinch the base a little and rotate it as I pull down, but I've also read recommendations on here to push one finger up at the side to break the seal.

The instructions in the box are quite clear. You gently tug on the stem and then squeeze the bottom of the cup to break the seal and then you can remove it by tipping it from side to side.
I also removed all of the stem because mine leaked a bit, so I thought if there was no stem I'd def be wearing it low enough.
When you squeeze the bottom of it, you will hear the seal break.

I also cut the whole stem off mine - although you do have to accept that your fingers will go a bit further 'in' than you might normally want to put them!

I just pull mine out - no sink plunger effect for me normally - it only makes a noise if i'm in a public toilets

Thank you for the name compliments, it is my latest incarnation!

I will def be cutting the stem off, at the moment it looks like there is a tiny assassin hiding up there.

Thank you for the technique tips, I did read the little book but couldn't see how to wiggle and pull without suction, and all this talk of "breaking the seal" sounds a bit alarming..!

Will try and grab a quiet minute in the bathroom later and report back. If I haven't reported back within 4 hours, consider this a warning not to use a Mooncup

good luck

it is a little like diy plumbing but well worth it once you get the hang of it

trim off the whole caboodle imo

and heart the name

Yes, best of luck with it - I found it was really noisy the first few times I took it out, but with practice, it's becoming quieter.

The whole of the stalk needs to come off

I stick my finger up the side to break the seal - be wary of long or sharp nails if you're going to try it!

I haven't needed mine for ages now. I almost miss it

You need to squeeze it quite hard to break the seal. It also took quit a lot of rummaging, and a bit of mess the first couple of times - but persevere it is well worth it

Can I hijack to ask another rookie question? How do you empty the mooncup and wash it if in a public loo? Contents down the loo, then rinse it in the public sink? Or just pop it back in the fanjo without rinsing? Also, how messy is it? Say I'm at a friend's house, I wonder how easy it would be to clean and replace without creating blood splatter. Thanks.

I keep a small bottle of water in my handbag so I can just rinse the mooncup off if in a public toilet.
I also keep some of those handy wipes to quickly wipe off my hands before washing in the sink or pulling trousers up ykwim.

I think the mess will depend on how heavy you are and how often you empty the cup.
It can stay in for 8 hours, so you could always empty it before leaving home and hopefully you won't have to think about it until you get back again

I try and use the disabled loo as they normally have a sink in the cubicle and so you can do your necessary in private...

I have been using a mooncup for over a year now and i wouldnt ever go back.

The first couple of months, i remember thinking that it wasnt right, it didnt work, i was leaking, it was making a mess....but i did find with time and practice i managed to get it sorted.

I dont squeeze mine before i take it out, otherwise it squirts all the stuff out i just just give it a bit of a pull side ways. I sort of reliease one side first.

I always empty the contents in the loo, rinse the mooncup and put it back. I personally would like to put it back without having given it a rinse.

Good luck with it, i love mine. I actually read about it on mumsnet because before that i had never heard of them

Thanks for those replies, I'll get one tomorrow morning!

If you're somewhere with a private sink, then you just carefully rinse it and then wipe up any mess. Pretty easy.

SilveryMoon, you sound like you wrote the book!

Well I had had a go at removing & reinserting. It took quite a long time and I was a little bit concerned about what they would say at casualty at one point. Think I'll leave the stem on for a couple of days while I get the hang of that bit.

It made quite a lot of noise. (It did, not me.)

However it has not leaked and went back in much more easily - I went for the rolly pointy method, rather than the foldy method.

I think I could be a convert but will have to try and get it out within 3 minutes before I am fully signed up.

have had not had had

Lol WYDTDF I bought mine a few weeks ago and used it for 2/3 days so far.
I am already in love with it and am now telling all my friends how great it is!

I was really paranoid about leakage so i was checking mine every couple of hours. I have found that mine doesn't leak if it is at an angle to the left

It did go in alot easier than I thought it would.

You will not lose it, there is really no where for it to go. If ever you think you cannot find it, don't panic. Just stay calm, breath and take your time.

What silverymoon says about it being OK for it to be in for 8 hours is a big plus for me - except the first day, I really don't need to empty it when I'm out and about. It's great from that point of view.

Ah that explains why the wee book is fresh in your mind SM!

I know it can't get lost in there, but I was a bit worried about it not coming out at all... my seal seems to be pret-ty strong!

Hehehehehe. Mine's not! Old bucket-crutch me

Right, I think I need to go and empty it again soon (first day and all). I think I'm wearing it a bit too high, but if I left it low, wouldn't I be able to feel it all the time?

The book has a helpful picture of a cross-section of a vagina, but since I have never seen a cross-section of my own vagina I need a more hands-on description, please. Should you be able to feel the pointy end right inside your labia, or up a knuckle? Sorry.