I have some more questions about mooncups

[beansmum]

I have one, I think it's brilliant, but I can't work out how it works. I have shorter, lighter periods and they are less painful. Why? Is it magic?

mine had the opposite effect

those of us who like to discuss such things have a theory that tampons leach the blood out with their fabled absorbency
thereby actually making you lose more blood

Snap!
I did read something about the fact that disposable pads and tampons have got pesticide residues, bleach and other dioxins in them, which research has suggested "keep you bleeding". Don't know if this is true, but I am also pleased about this unexpected bonus!! Mine only lasts about 3 days now. And I can honestly say that I don't get any of the heavy dragging pain in my thighs any more. Perhaps it is magic!

Wouldn't that make periods shorter because it would all come out more quickly?

Not seen this affect of them at all TBH.

I don't know why it happens, but it does!

I think it looks less when in fact it's probably the same amount as normal. I can't think of how to explain this properly but I think a 'full' mooncup would probably soak several tampons, iyswim? I definitely think the reduced pain is because it's not absorbent - that horrible 'pulling' feeling just doesn't happen with a mooncup.

Anyhoo. It's a bonus side-effect, whyever it happens...

no, the idea is that the uterine lining is still attached to your body at the time you start menstruating, it isn't completely separate and finite, but still partially connected to your blood supply, so when it starts to come away and be lost as menstrual flow, the leaching effect of sanpro actually causes more blood to be lost than you would otherwise experience

not sure if I can explain more clearly - sorry, it is hard

sorry, that post was in reply to beansmum

Oooh interesting, franny. More than possible, thinking about it. Am so glad I don't use the damn things anymore!

Hmm, am I the only person who has a mooncup and doesn't like it? I am persevering (only had it 2 months) because I can't stand tampons and I tend to get eczema which is made worse by towels (even cloth ones tho they are better than disposables).
But, I find it quite uncomfortable, sort of 'poky' even having trimmed all the stem off, and I have been getting period pains which I never normally do.
DH's take on it is 'what do you expect, you've got this bloody great bit of rubber wedged in your vagina' and I think he might have a point!

1. where did you buy yours from?
2. anyone had one they couldnt use/ gave up with and chucked out? or is everyone delighted?

1. do you wear a towel/liner as well?
2. are they messy to insert?
3. how often do you empty?
4. do you get bloody hands?
5. my periods are 7 days long and rather heavy, if this lighter shorter thing is a real effect I may have to join this craze.....

Takver have you tried different positioning? how high up do you have it?

Franny I have tried it in a lot of different positions, it tends to work its way down and sit very low - I think this might be part of the problem but can't get it to stay further up!
I haven't had any problem getting it in or out, but sometimes it tips and kind of wedges sideways, which is very uncomfortable especially if I'm out and don't have anywhere private I can go to push it back straight . . .

Indiana,

1. bodykind on the www almost always have the best deals
2. not everybody gets on with them successfully, no. Those who do tend to be absolutely delighted with them, IME
3. I don't, some people with v heavy periods do, but obviously save a lot on the usual amount of sanpro they use
4. no not once you get the hang of it. they sit quite near the entrance to your vagina so you aren't needing rubber gloves or anything to put them in
5. depends on your flow, but at least 4 times per 24 hours is good practice as far as hygiene goes. They hold more than a super large tampon, so many people can go a while without emptying
6. No, not me personally. Some people have found it messier than others. I find them a lot less messy than a tampon - I used to hate that thing where the tampon swings out and is liable to splatter I find mooncup can be removed in much more controlled way
7. A LOT of people have told me it makes their periods lighter and more comfortable

lots more info on the mooncup website if you want to have a look...

Watching with interest. I tried mine for the first time last month. I found inserting and getting it out mostly OK (although I plan to trim all the stem of next time) but I did find I had an uncomfortable kind of pressure in my [ahem] back passage. Anyone else had this?

In answer to your Qs WhipmeIndiana-

• main website- can't remember offhand, but google it

• see above!

• yes, liner for heavy days (but beginner)

• messy to get out but not in

-4-6 hours

• yes, when removing, but again am beginner so need to improve technique. Have to say I looked as though had killed a pig.

Takver I was going to suggest trying it lower, but that's obviously not the problem...you have cut the whole tail off, yes?

it shouldn't be moving around - having it lying sideways sounds v uncomfortable, and I presume it leaks like that as well? Are you getting a good seal once it is in, by making sure it's completely unfurled, and giving a tug to check the vacuum effect?

do you definitely have the right size for your age / childbearing history?

Takver, snap, mine does that sideways thing too. Think that was causing the pressure.

I have the bigger one, have had 2 CS but am over 30

no polite way to say this but if you are wearing larger size mooncup, checking seal each time you insert and it is still moving around, I would suggest checking your pelvic floor in general
might need a bit of toning, sorry!
if you can rule this out then see if we can think of anything else?

you will get less 'messy' when extracting, with more practice.
IMEYou have to sort of get your thumb and forefinger in and squeeze and twist as you pull down to break the vacuum. No mess at all when you get used to it.

I've been using mine for 3 months, and in that short time AF shorter and lighter as well!

Mooncup site

I would NEVER consider going back to tampons. Mooncup just so much easier to deal with.
Can go out for days away without having to worry.

so after a vb and a cs in 3 weeks and Im 30 Ill need the bigger one, hmmmm

I have cut the whole tail off and trimmed it as flat as it would go. Even when it tipped over it didn't leak, and I'm pretty sure it is well vaccuumed - it definitely goes 'squelch' when I pull it out .
I have the larger size as I ticked all the boxes for that - over 30, gave birth vaginally etc. But I am wondering if actually I would be better with the smaller one. I am quite short and skinny, and I wonder if all of me is just a bit small IYSWIM.
Or perhaps I just don't get on with them - I have never found tampons comfortable. I did use a natural sponge for a while, but I wasn't totally convinced that it wasn't about to become a breeding ground for all sorts of nasty things, plus it had a real tendency to leak unless changed ridiculously often.
TBH I would just stick with my cloth towels if it weren't for the damned eczema.

here is advice from Mooncup website for leakage - I would think this would also be good advice for mooncups that move around:

"Another reason for leakage is due to poor seal formation with your vaginal wall. You can try twisting and rotating the Mooncup once inserted. You can also try pulling the mooncup down slightly and then gently pushing it inward. Clamping your pelvic floor muscles around the Mooncup will also help to create a good seal."

don't think of it as the bigger one, think of it as the grown-up one

Takver you may be right, you may need the smaller size
apologies for assuming straight away it was the other way round