Mooncup

[Chinchilla]

OK, so it took me a while to get over the squeemishness of thinking about this, but I am considering buying a mooncup. I am fed up with tampons and pads, and, after using millions of disposable nappies, have been thinking lately about being more eco-friendly.

So...what do users think? I have seen the site, and read the blurb, but I want real opinions, bad as well as good. £27 is a lot to invest if I only use it once. If it is as good as people seems to think, I'm surprised that I only heard about it lately.

[mmm]

When I was a hippie a long time ago I used natural sponges. They were pretty effective and very cheap and you just washed them out.

[pie]

Anyone here use them with an IUD?

[bossykate]

hi

anyone here use them who works outside the home? i just can't see myself washing it out in the communal hand basin area at work...

[Tissy]

I use mine at work, but have access to a loo with "ensuite" handbasin! I have had to remove mine in the loos in John Lewis though, and had prepared myself with a piece of moist loo paper. I just emptied it, gave it a wipe and put it back in. Except on my first day, I don't generally need to empty it at work, as it easily holds enough to cope until I'm home again.

HTH

[morocco]

like ks I wonder about the rubber bit - I have used a cap a couple of times as a contraceptive but got really bad thrush almost immediately. does anyone know if the mooncup might also trigger thrush like this?

[Tissy]

The Mooncup is silicone and can be boiled, so it can be sterilised. I think they recommend a boil after each cycle. Don't know anyone who does this, but I'm sure it would kill off any lurking yeast!

[Tissy]

Another thought- if your cap had latex in, you might have had a reaction to that, rather than thrush- did you have a swab to prove it? Silicone is much less likely to provoke a reaction.

[addle]

Morocco and KS,

don't they have silicone ones as well as rubber?

and anyone who uses one:

I've just received one and am practising putting it in. How do you know when it has 'opened up' inside? does it feel different?

thanks

[GeorginaA]

Okay, you've all intrigued me ... I've gone and ordered one!

[M2T]

What are you all talking about?? Sounds gross.... I'll read the whole thread now.

[Tissy]

Addle, (great name!) it will have opened up inside, the rim is very springy. I have difficulty kepping mine folded whilst inserting it!

M2T....if you don't like the idea of disposable nappies I have a hunch you won't like this

[Eeek]

I'm intrigued as well and may get one. The bit about putting it in the dishwasher freaks me out though! Having said that, back in the dark ages, my grandma grew the most fantastic geraniums and fed them with guess what Anyone up for it?

[Bozza]

Bossykate I just wipe mine out with toilet roll but you could wet it or use some sort of a wipe (although to me that defeats the object of being unencumbered).

And there is a problem with what you do while you are washing it out at the commumal hand basins. At home I sort of hover over the toilet and reach over to the sink.

Boe don't worry about your DP. My DH was unimpressed but now is relatively happy that all the empty packets etc are not filling up the bathroom bin.

[Bozza]

Bossykate I just wipe mine out with toilet roll but you could wet it or use some sort of a wipe (although to me that defeats the object of being unencumbered).

And there is a problem with what you do while you are washing it out at the commumal hand basins. At home I sort of hover over the toilet and reach over to the sink.

Boe don't worry about your DP. My DH was unimpressed but now is relatively happy that all the empty packets etc are not filling up the bathroom bin.

[Mummysurfer]

I hadn't heard of these until yesterday. I've read the thread from the beginning and am almost convinced & ready to order. However... there must be down sides and negatives. Are they really messy to empty/insert? If you know your period is due on a particular day can you insert it before the bleed actually starts? Has anyone bought one and then given up?

[Mummysurfer]

PS Can't imagine putting it through the DISHWASHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Boe]

Ha ha - you have not met my DP - he has no problem buying me tampax or anything like that - but if he even sees a minute amount of blood he freaks!!

He is all up for having a baby in the next couple of years (DD is not his!) and I am trying to explain to him that it comes out a bit icky and I would expect him to be there (under pain of death) and this is not putting him off - he still goes all mooney at kids on the train and in Sainsbury's - I think him knowing that I catch blood in a little mooncup would tip him over the edge!!

[SoupDragon]

Geraniums?? Dishwasher?? EUWWWWW!!

[Meid]

Mummysurfer, I've had mine a couple of months and I'm not convinced. To be honest I can't really put my finger on why. It does work. It is comfortable. It isn't that messy.
But perhaps it is just after years of using towels and sometimes tampons I am just taking a while to get used to it and adjust. Having said this, all of the reasons that made me want to try it in the first place are still there so I intend to persevere until (hopefully) I get used to it.
Did any of the Mooncup experts out there feel like this?

[GeorginaA]

Okay... mine's arrived and I've been testing it

Any tips for getting it back out without making your insides feel like they've been pulled out by a plunger?! I can't seem to break the seal properly or something...

[happycat]

pinch the bottom of the cup (not the stem) and it breaks the suction and then becomes eaiser to get out.