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Original poster

Menstrual cup

17 replies

Jezzabelle · 16/02/2015 22:14

I'm thinking of getting one, but have a few questions! How often do you have to empty them? What happens if you leave them in too long? Are we talking a little leakage or the whole thing emptying out?! Also, do you have to have more than one? Or do you have to wash and dry them before replacing? Sorry for all the silly questions, but really want to know before investing. Also, at my work place, there are cubical toilets with shared sinks and don't really feel like rinsing in public iyswim!! Also, is it true you can have sex whilst wearing one? Read that on an Amazon review but just wanted to check. TIA.

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Hello. This thread is a little old now. Take a look at our round-up of Mumsnetters’ favourite menstrual cups - with a handy guide to finding and using the right cup for you - for more up-to-date advice. MNHQ.

OP posts:

addictedtosugar · 17/02/2015 20:53

OK, in my experience:

How often do you have to empty them? Couple of times day 1 and 2. After that, not at work, but often on waking, when I get in from work, and before bed.

What happens if you leave them in too long? Are we talking a little leakage or the whole thing emptying out?! Never had massive leakage, but I do put a liner in, as I seem to get loss from below the cup after I've had it out for a while.

Also, do you have to have more than one? Or do you have to wash and dry them before replacing? Nope. I just have one. At home, I wash in the sink and rinse - I don't dry, as I find them easier to put in damp rather than dry. At work, I empty, wipe with loo roll, and put back in. I've seen some people mention taking a bottle of water into a cubical to rinse, but have never bothered,

Sex: never tried!

MajesticWhine · 17/02/2015 21:00

Ok I'm quite new to this. Only used it for two periods.
Definitely don't have sex with it in. Not Possible.
I personally think you need a toilet with a sink to wash it out. So could be a problem in some offices.
You only need one. You wash it out and pop it back in, in fact it goes in easily if it's wet.
As for leakage, I have had one major leak overnight. This was messy and I don't know what went wrong. But apart from this it has been fine and ive left it for 6 hours without a problem.

BertieBotts · 17/02/2015 21:11

You definitely can't have sex with it in. It sits too low down and would hurt (both of you!). It might be possible to have sex with a softcup which is a disposable kind (it's not a contraceptive, though, obv.) It would probably be possible to have oral sex?? Might make things less messy.

Nah, you only need one although you can buy two if you like. You only need to wash or sterilise it between periods, not during your period.

If you leave it in too long and it gets full, firstly you can feel it, it's just a weird sort of heaviness, so you know to change it, and then you'll get spotting. Just literally drips. Unless you have really heavy periods you can usually change it before and after work and not worry about in public. If you're heavier or less organised, just take out, wipe and reinsert if you don't have a sink in the cubicle. Really really easy!

If you leave it in too long and it doesn't leak e.g. near the end of your period, the blood will start to decompose and smell awful when you take it out. I've done it a couple of times :( but you have to leave it in over 12 hours for this to be the case, so unlikely unless you are v forgetful.

BertieBotts · 17/02/2015 21:12

Oh: Normal change time for me is anything between 6-12 hours depending on how heavy my flow is. As said don't leave it over 12.

homeaway · 17/02/2015 21:27

I have 2 as i find it easier. I have no leakage. I empty after three hours on day 1 and 2 , and then 5 hours. I think they are great.

Original poster

Jezzabelle · 18/02/2015 20:16

Thanks for all the great advise. Sounds like it could work for. I'm going to purchase one off Amazon!

OP posts:

funnyface31 · 18/02/2015 20:21

can it be used if pelvic floor muscles are not that good? I am really interested but would've so worried if not so secure.

EhricLovesTheBhrothers · 18/02/2015 20:36

I like mine, but it's slightly more faff than towels. As my pelvic floor is shit every time I go for a wee it slips down so I have to take it out and empty it. If you're in a public loo tip it down the loo (check for blood spatters, gross but necessary) and wipe with loo roll if you don't have a bottle of water with you.
No sex, that wouldn't work. If your flow is too heavy it will simply leak.

iwantgin · 18/02/2015 20:39

I bought a mooncup a few years ago. I really wish I had discovered them many years back, as I only have a few years/months of periods left now!

Anyway - I just have the one. I tend to have to empty it only about 3 times in a day. Pour down the loo - if at home I swill out in the sink before reinserting. If in a public toilet then I just wipe out with a bit of toilet roll then pop back in.

I have medium/heavy periods - and have never leaked. I particularly like the mooncup as I tend to spot for a few days prior to my period actually starting, so can use it as many days as I like without getting all dried out whilst waiting for it to start - iykwim.

You can't have sex with one in. I think your partner would object to the stem poking him back . I have heard of some 'softcups' which are disposable versions, which you can leave in whilst having sex - but disposable defeats the object of a menstrual cup?

It may take you a couple of goes to get used to it - and there are some women who just don't take to them - but it seems that most are very happy. I love my mooncup and it truly does make it all so much simpler. No need to take spare tampons/towels out with you when on your period. Just bob in the mooncup and you're good to go.

iwantgin · 18/02/2015 20:40

I leave mine in when I go for a wee, but it needs to be removed when having a poo. It pushes it downwards.

funnyface31 · 18/02/2015 20:42

What size would you recommend. Just seen size A & B?

I'm guessing it depends on how heavy you are?

iwantgin · 18/02/2015 20:55

It is based on your age and if you have had a baby. I can't remember the sizes - but I think I have the larger of the two :)

iwantgin · 18/02/2015 20:55

There should be info on the website or the box.

Agrestic · 18/02/2015 21:05

I've had sex with mine in. It wasn't great for me, didn't hurt or anything but it got pushed right up and was a bugger to get out after! No complaints from the other side.

Take a bottle of water into the loo to give it a rinse, I don't dry mine off because I find it easier to get it in when it's wet. I empty mine every 4/5 hours on the 1/2 day, then twice, sometimes once a day until I'm finished.

I've got a meluna cup, they come in pretty colours and there's lots to choose from! :)

BertieBotts · 20/02/2015 20:07

B = before childbirth, A = after. Or get After if over 30, too. Unless you're very small of stature or have particular issues down there, this is their rule of thumb.

I was thinking of getting a meluna but then somebody pointed out to me that the mooncup is medical grade silicon whereas the meluna (and other coloured cups) are made from untested materials, which we don't know if they leach harmful chemicals into the skin. I'm not usually worried about things like that but it did make me think.

addictedtosugar · 20/02/2015 21:07

I've got a Me Luna - its made from the same stuff as catheters amongst other stuff, including some bottle teats and fitness watches etc. I'm fairly certain its pretty well tested for skin contact.

I didn't fancy having to cut the stem, so went for a ring stem, and have had no problems.

sanfairyanne · 21/02/2015 21:52

ouch to having sex with one in (for poor dh)

otherwise, they are fab. you will never look back.

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