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Original poster

Mooncup convert needs a few tips.

62 replies

NOMurDErousPLUME · 12/10/2006 11:22

Ok, so today I bought a mooncup after much deliberation.

Any tips for first time application ?

Should I leave it til my period is finished before experimenting ?

Thanks

OP posts:
NotQuiteCockney · 12/10/2006 11:24

As long as you don't have v stubby fingers, cut off nearly all of the "tail". It's really uncomfortable and weird.

I'd try it sooner rather than later, it's not comfortable to take out if you're not menstruating, imo.

Original poster
NOMurDErousPLUME · 12/10/2006 11:27

I have 'piano fingers', or so I'm told...

Note made of the tail thing.

Is it ok to use in conjunction with a coil ? I'm not going to accidentally pinch and pull the coil threads out along with the m'cup, am i ?

OP posts:
Moomin · 12/10/2006 11:30

wouldnt have thought so [but wince as well at the thought].
if applying for 1st time run it under the tap so that it's a bit wet - it's easier to apply then. Then have a little walk about. If you can feel anyhting it's not in properly. Took me about 3 goes. And I trimmed the stalk nearly right off as well cos it poked me! But take it out to trim it [triple, quadruple wince at thought of slashing about with scissors near fanjo region]

NotQuiteCockney · 12/10/2006 11:36

I don't think it's a problem with a coil. The mooncup is meant to be worn quite low, imo, so not up high like a diaphragm, against your cervix, but actually quite close to the opening (which means the tail rubs against your labia if you don't cut it off).

Original poster
NOMurDErousPLUME · 12/10/2006 11:37

eeeek @ tail rubbing

OP posts:
lemonaid · 12/10/2006 11:40

Depends, though -- mine sits fairly high up (not high enough that it would interfere with a coil string, though, I think) and I haven't had to trim the tail. I used to have a Keeper, though, and did have to trim the tail of that.

Putting in and removing in the shower is easiest IME so may be your best bet for first time.

MatNanPlus · 12/10/2006 21:53

Mine is fine witha coil.

I have removed the tail completely.

Iwould only use while your loosing as it can be a bit uncomfortable at other times.

Be prepared to spend a bit of time in the WC practising.

I've had mine 16m with heavy periods and wouldn't go back to pads for anything.

Katymac · 12/10/2006 21:55

I find mine easier to put in when it's warm

I kinda throw it in the bath with me and it's all soft & warm then

CristinaTheAstonishing · 12/10/2006 21:58

There's a bit of a learning curve. I panicked when i first used it as I couldn't get it out, it had sucked itself up a bit too high. For 2-3 minutes, which seemed like forever, i had visions of going to A&E for this. Even worse, I was on holiday in Romania and I think it would have been a bit of a novelty (although i'm sure they've seen worse things in A&E).

FrannyandZooey · 12/10/2006 22:04

I practised in between periods - I thought I was going to get freaked out by the messy factor if I had to struggle with it when I was actually menstruating. It is really simple, though. I think trying it in the bath is a great idea; I never thought of that.

Flamebat · 12/10/2006 22:06

Pretty much what F&Z said

Bozza · 12/10/2006 22:10

I usually empty mine in the shower first thing in the morning and give it a clean out. But at other times of the day empty it in the toilet. Make sure you twist it round when you put it in to get a good seal.

Posey · 12/10/2006 22:11

Another one here who shoved it up too far first time and really struggled to get it out
Still find it a bit messy to get in and out (bloomin nuisance that our flat was built without a sink in the loo). But even so, really pleased with it and enjoying not having to buy STs etc (though still use a panty liner just in case).

Pruhoohooohoooooni · 12/10/2006 22:14

mine sits quite high but they always need the long speculum at smears so who knows what's going on up there.
I have about 1cm of tail and no rubbing
no secrets on mn eh?

mummycan · 12/10/2006 22:16

Sorry to butt in but what do you do if you are out and about? How do you clean it between changes. Sorry for my ignorance.

QueenEvil · 12/10/2006 22:22

Not read other replies, but

I have a coild and have used it now for 4 cycles, no problem.

Don't cut the stalk until you have used it first, that way you can see if you need to or not. I have not yet had to cut it. (Not sure wht that might say about me downstairs )

I would dive straight in to using it on the first day of your next period.

Wet it under the tap before each insertion.

Good tip: if you wears trousers a lot, as I do, when you are changing it, pull your trews and kecks right down to your ankles. When you get the hang of it, you can do insert/remove without the need to pull them this far down.

Twist it slightly at the same time as very gently squeezing the sides of it inwards as you remove it.

Umm, think that's it for now. It is fab btw

Lact8HisLiverWithANiceChianti · 12/10/2006 22:26

oh yes, QE, trousers around the ankles excellent advice.

I had a practise first, getting the tail to the right length is very important IME. I thought I'd pierced myself the first time I sat down with it in

And when you are emptying it, push it down and away from you. Or you might get a bit, er, splashed

CristinaTheAstonishing · 12/10/2006 22:28

Good question, Mummycan. Now I know why women spend so long in loos.

TheBlairAitchProject · 12/10/2006 22:32

i am wearing mine for the very first time RIGHT now.
and i am suffering from an advanced case of tail-rub.

QueenEvil · 12/10/2006 22:33

If I know i am going out for a few hours, I make sure I empty before I go and it lasts until weel after I have got back. One day when I was at home all day, I experimetned with seeing how long I could leave it in - I went 6 hours on a quite heavy day - so capacity is actually pretty good imo.

If I find I do need to change in the public loos I empty it down the loo, wipe myself thoroughly but don't wipe the mooncup itself. This sounds really disgusting, but it's actually not, honestly! Inserting a dry mooncup is a bit hard. When I have reinserted it, I give myself another thorough wipe (I tend to find that using the mooncup I am more, ahem....moist.... than when I used tampons.

I have read before that some MNers give it a swill down with bottled water kept specially for that piurpose!

mummycan · 12/10/2006 22:35

I may be tempted to purchase one - am going to have a look at old threads to see what they say.

Thanks QE

Lact8HisLiverWithANiceChianti · 12/10/2006 22:37

And be prepared to want to tell everyone how wonderful they are when you use it for the first time

Tatties · 12/10/2006 22:48

The first time I tried the mooncup, I had it in and out at least 3 times to trim the stem. It usually felt fine when I was walking around but when I sat down I could feel it...ouch! I ended up taking the whole stem off. Best to keep it sitting fairly low down too, as others have said. I have had a few moments when it has managed to work its way too far up... But not trying to put you off NDP, once you get the hang of it it is FAB.

FrannyandZooey · 13/10/2006 08:47

Oh aitch are you better today? Have you cut the tail off (or virtually off, as most of us seem to do?)

I went out for a long cycle ride when first wearing mine, before I had it properly trimmed or got the hang of inserting it comfortably - now that was a mistake

TheBlairAitchProject · 13/10/2006 21:19

i just chopped it straight off, it's brilliant now, really comfortable. i do now have a supplementary mooncup question, though, but there's no way of indicating how TM the I being requested...