Menstrual cups = awesome!
I started using menstrual cups 10 years ago and would never go back to tampons or pads. With tampons and pads I had constant bacterial vaginosis, I always felt sore and irritated down below, and with my super-heavy flow I leaked constantly, where as with menstrual cups I've not had a single infection in 10 years and don't worry about leaking.
Cups are safer so no risk of TSS, infections, increased cramps or bleeding, and no dioxin - thus they can be worn for 12 hours (Mooncup say 8 hours, but 12 hours is absolutely fine), with any flow, before your period, overnight, and no need to alternate with pads...so far more convenient than tampons or pads. They're easier to use, more comfortable, cheaper, greener, ethical, and as they hold more plus have light suction they don't leak like tampons or pads.
Mooncup is only 1 of over 30 different brands (when I started using cups 10 years ago there were only 3 brands) - I started with Mooncup, I've tried a few different brands and currently use a Ladycup. I still recommend Mooncup for first-time users as it's a nice mid-sized and mid-flexibility cup, the company is also great - you can buy them from Boots, but it's a little cheaper to buy online - www.mooncup.co.uk/wc.php?u=1741