whisper it quietly - I have a mooncup query...

[RedFraggle]

I've been using it properly this month for the first time (finally) and I officially love it!
However.... I think my extraction technique (ahem) could be improved. It feels like the rim gets stuck and I have to really tug (aaargh TMI - thank goodness I have a pseudonym) which doesn't exactly hurt but does feel a little twangy. Any advice?

I do a side-to-side wiggle thing rather than pulling it straight down. I pull down and to the left for a little bit, then down and to the right, it helps to stop it from forming a vacuum.

squeeze in fingers, squeeze in centre with thumb and two fingers, twist and gently pull...

Yes definitely reach up and squeeze the base then pull down side to side not staright down so you get a vacumn effect.

I don't think it is a vacuum. I squeeze the base and then twist and pull but then I have to angle it to get it out. and at that point it feels like the rim gets stuck on the exit so to speak. It's just a little uncomfy getting the rim bit out.

Are you always tilting it in the same direction? Perhaps angleing it left or right might work if you are usually angleing it forward or backwards.

If it's not too full you could push one finger up along the side and press the rim in a bit and pull that side out first.

Last bit of advice sounds good. I tend to squeeze the bottom of mine and wiggle it from side to side to break the vacuum and then squeeze it inwards a bit higher up which pushes one side in slightly and makes the rim flex inwards as it comes out. Can be a bit messy if it's brimming tho! Specially if it pings back into shape! TMI??

However, it does work. Also I find it can feel a bit scratchy if everything's a bit dry down there. That happens more towards the end of my period. Could try doing it in the shower to see if that helps?? That can be a bit splashy too, and you may have to hose down the bath afterwards! But hey, it's not worse than the kids peeing in their bathwater!

The other thing that may help is to use the smaller version. Model B, I think. Probably have to change it a bit more often though. There is the Mooncup advice number on the packet, if you still have it, or it's on their website. I think you go through to their nurse, and from what I've heard she's very helpful.

Good for you for using it. I'm thinking I'm only going to have buy 2 more and that's the only spending I'm going to have to do on menstruation ever again! Hurrah!

I have never used a mooncup - how do you 'deal with it' once it's full?? Do you end up hopping over to the sink to wash your hands before you pull your knickers back up etc and how do you manage it all in public loos???

i have that too... sort of tilt it a bit on the way out works for me

PTIYPASI

i find it quiet easy.... my hands very rarely get dirty

I also find i onyl need to empty it once per 24 hours (in the evening normally) hence in my own bathroom.

If i did it twice would do it in morning at my home as well so public loo situaton doenst matter to me anyway

ooooh. Does it shift or anything if you do a poo

Public loo - empty in toilet, wipe out with paper and replace. At home my toilet and sink are very close, so I lean over, pop it in the sink for a rinse, wash hands (not that they get stained at all - it's all remarkably clean) and replace. Not necessarily elegant, but it's not a spectator sport...

Thanks for the advice! I'll try angling to the side later. Have to say I am loving it despite this, I have had no period pains at all this month which is a minor miracle!

PTIYPASI - I just empty it out and if I'm at home I lean over and rinse it in the sink or if I'm out I wipe it with paper like Habbibu.
Although it isn't quite as detached a process as with tampons (ie you do actually see stuff) once you get used to it (after about 2 days for me) it is very clean and effective. No horrid dragging sensation either like I used to get with tampons, no period pains and less frequent changing too! Also much cheaper than all that other sanitary stuff. I used to get through almost a box of 32 tampons and 8 or 9 towels every period. This time it has been mooncup and a couple of towels for my own peace of mind when I went out. Don't think I'll bother with that at all next month though as I've had no leaks after the initial days when I was figuring out how to angle it!

Can't answer the poo question I'm afraid as it's still early days for me and I've tended to remove it for that! (always used to remove tampons too though..) Sorry way TMI again!

No problem with pooing, everything just stays where it is (except the poo that is). The only time I've had 'movement' is when I've had a bad cough as I tend to clench pretty much every muscle in my body during a bad coughing jag.

ooooh it all sounds a little bit squeamish making . Is it or is it ok??

No, it's not squeamish making. It's nice and clean and very comfortable. I much prefer it to tampons and towels - so much more comfortable and secure. And no worries about running out at an inopportune time. Let's face it, whatever you use you're going to see blood, so what's collected in a mooncup frankly shouldn't shock you.

I must do some googling - I have no idea what they even look like. I imagine a test tube full of clots!

www.mooncup.co.uk/

there now u can see for yourself

it is the best "