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Original poster

so I've just ordered my agnus castus and a mooncup. am i well on my way to making my home a happier place for all?

31 replies

ClareVoiant · 17/04/2008 12:26

come and tell me about your successes (or not) with agnus castus. are there any side affects? is there anything else i can take with it to help the 'Rage' and tiredness that only used to last for a couple of days,and now goes on for a couple of weeks. oh,and any mooncup reassurance would be good too

OP posts:
SixSpotBurnet · 17/04/2008 12:28

Can't help you on the agnus castus. 'Fraid my mooncup is somewhere in a drawer, unused for months .

Original poster
ClareVoiant · 17/04/2008 13:24

why unused sixspot?

OP posts:
Original poster
ClareVoiant · 17/04/2008 15:46

anyone?

OP posts:
uptomyeyes · 17/04/2008 15:51

I'm struggling with about 2 weeks of PMT every month. Aching, bloating, sugar cravings, totally unpredicatble-fly-off-the-handle rage, poor memory. This has been going on for about 5 months, I have wondered whether it was the peri menopause. Would agnus castus help do you think?

As for mooncup - I have a love hate relationship with mine.

Original poster
ClareVoiant · 17/04/2008 16:45

I'm not sure if it would help,but i'm hoping it will. its supposed to balance the hormones or something. hoping someone will be along soon to enlighten us

OP posts:
Original poster
ClareVoiant · 17/04/2008 19:16

postbath bump

OP posts:
dandycandyjellybean · 17/04/2008 19:19

Really sorry to be negative but i didn't find it had any affect at all... but maybe i didn't take it for long enough. Would be interested to see if it made any difference to you.

Original poster
ClareVoiant · 18/04/2008 11:27

No, negative is good too. Just wanted to hear what it had done for others. How long did you take it for cubby?

OP posts:
DettaJnr · 18/04/2008 19:02

I haven't taken angus cactus. I have been taking aloe vera juice (from Forever Living) and have found that this has had a great effect on the hot flushes. I have had these to some degree since my mid twenties but they have got a lot worse over the last year (will be 41 this year). I also try to eat more fish etc. and have started to take fish oil tablets.

I love my Mooncup. I have been experiencing very heavy periods and the Mooncup allows me to get down to school and back without flooding!!! I always wear a liner or towel just in case on the heavy days.

RedFraggle · 18/04/2008 19:07

I haven't taken Agnus Castus but might have to try it if it helps with "the rage" as I've been shocking this month

I have a mooncup though and I love it! I do tend to wear a lightweight towel too on my heavy days but that is more of a confidence thing as I am quite new to mooncupping
It did take me a good few attempts to get the positioning right, so don't give up if at first you don't succeed.

warmsummersday · 18/04/2008 22:03

So how does the mooncup work then? Does it hurt to get it in position?

liath · 18/04/2008 22:06

I took agnus castus and it seemd to work quite well although I wasn't on it long as I got pregnant.

Hulababy · 18/04/2008 22:09

I started using a moonup just this year, in January, I have been so impressed. It has been really easy, a doddle, to use and get used to. Been fab.

Ambi · 18/04/2008 22:15

Love mooncup, would recommend to all. First time I didn't like it at all and left it for months, but once you snip the stem off it's much more comfy. It doesn't hurt getting it in or out (unless you use it before stitches have healed like me) which is surprising considering the shape. Also thought I'd be squeamish, but I find it's better than dealing with soggy towels.

RedFraggle · 19/04/2008 12:26

Warmsummersday, it's a rubber cup which collects your menstrual blood, you just pop it in and then empty it out into the loo, give it a quick rinse and pop it back in. I love not having to cart any other sanitary products about! Towards the end of my period I can leave it in for 8 hours or so without needing to empty it, so much less faffing about. Also, unlike tampons you don't get that horrible dragging sensation. I've also found that I get less period pain and my period is shorter by a few days too. Look at me, I'm positively evangelical about the blooming things

TsarChasm · 19/04/2008 12:36

I love my mooncup! Had a lovely swim with mine in situ yesterday. I never gave it a second thought. I'd never have dared do that pre mooncup.

I read about them on here for years before I got one. I thought it sounded like some weird earth mother contraption and I used to have a chuckle. More fool me. All those years and money wasted.

Not heard about the agnus castus. Do let us know if it helps. I have been taking evening primrose oil (massive capsules to swallow though) I think they have helped me a little bit tbh. I seem a bit less of an ogre these days. Again I was in denial about the PMT too. I thought I was surrounded by idiots sent to wind me up. It took some soul searching to realise it wasn't everyone else...it was me!

Nbg · 19/04/2008 12:39

Really thought that said Agnus Cactus in the title.

That teamed up with Mooncup made me wince!

EmbarrassingProblem · 19/04/2008 12:48

I've heard that the mirena coil is supposed to do wonders for reducing PMT.

I'm just like you, OP, I get two weeks worth, right from ovulation. Painful boobs, carb craving (have gained... oooh a stone in 6 months, no will power)

Evening Primrose oil hasn't helped much, but I am seriously considering a mirena as I've had 2 mates sing their praises. I'd be really keen to hear if Agnus Castus works. I'm a bit younger than you in that I'm not expecting the menopause (I hope not at 28... and no kids yet)

So that might not be it for you - mine isn't related to that. I just seem to have developed it over the last year! Basically it's been getting worse since my periods returned after an eating disorder. They're getting their own back now!

Original poster
ClareVoiant · 19/04/2008 19:32

Thank you everyone for your replies. am positively looking forward to the next one so i can try out my mooncup

the agnus castus (not cactus,lol) arrived yesterday,and it tastes foul, but i'm not gonna let it put me off,though i think i need to take it for a while before i notice a significant difference.

Thanks Liath,how long did you take it for before you noticed it working?

EB,i used to have a mirena coil,had it for the full 5 years,before i had ds. yes,it was certainly nice not having periods for 5 years,but i dont know if i could go through the whole agonising 6 months it took for it to settle in. was in agony for a good 3 weeks at first, and bled for ages. i still had strange moods and sometimes boobs that were sooooo hard and sore and swollen like pg boobs. but everyone is different. i got it on recommendation from my friend,who's was absolutley fine

OP posts:
waycat · 21/04/2008 06:37

I've been using a mooncup for a while now, along with washable panty liners for extra protection.

I have to say that I feel far more clean and comfortable down there, not having sticky disposables there, no bleaches, chemicals, etc.

At first I though it would be hard to use the washables, but once I got into the routine of soaking (if needed), they can simply be added to the main wash.

Can't really comment on agnus castus as I have no idea what it is!

DettaJnr · 21/04/2008 12:05

Waycat, where do you get your washable liners?

RedFraggle · 21/04/2008 14:14

Washable liners sound good - I wouldn't have to buy towels then! Where from, please??

waycat · 21/04/2008 15:17

There are several places on the WWW that sell washable liners and pads. I personally bought mine from

www.plushpants.com/category/Natural%20Woman.html.
They have liners, pads, mooncups, etc.
It might also be worth looking at these places:

manymoonsalternatives.com/
www.rachaelhertogs.co.uk/moontimes.shtml
www.bebeco.co.uk/imse-vimse-sanitary-pads-all-in-one-438-p.asp

Although the initial financial outlay might seem alot, think of all the money you will save in the future, not having to buy disposables.

Hope this helps!

scotsgirl · 21/04/2008 16:25

Tip for using your Mooncup - a little bit of KY round the rim is useful on 'drier' days.

woodenchair · 21/04/2008 17:06

I bought some Agnus castus a couple of months ago hoping it would be the answer to pms,

had to have a blood test for something else and my liver function was raised. dr said it may have been the agnus castus and now I can't take it boohoo. trying Vit B6 instead

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