Do you use menstrual cups for your whole period?

[OunceOfFlounce]

I've been reading up about them coz I'd really like to make the change. The only thing that's putting me off now is the size of them.

I can't even really see how it would stay open inside, and how the walls of the vagina wouldn't just squash it closed. So I guess they must be incredibly firm and robust.

But that gets me worrying that surely it would start to ache. I know vaginas are wonderful and can stretch, but willies and babies don't stick around in there for 5 days straight!

Cup users, does your fanny start to ache if you use them all the time or do you have to give it a rest every now and again with a pad or tampon?

Sorry for my ignorance & thanks to anyone who takes the trouble to answer.

I've used a Diva Cup for around 5 years now, and would never go back to using tampons! Things I love about it:

• I can put it in the day my period is due and not have to worry about ruining underwear/running to the loo as soon as I can feel it start
• When it's in I can't feel it at all, sometimes I forget I have it in, even when exercising! *Don't have to worry about peeing all over the tampon string *Of course, there is no waste product as there is when using tampons/pads.

I loveeee mine

Oh and I use mine for the whole period, even on the last day!

I switched about a year ago and would also never go back! It does take a couple of months to get used to it and I had to change the fold I was using to insert it. I use a Luna cup. My periods are definitely less painful and after day one (which is particularly heavy) I don't have to empty the cup when I'm out so never any mess outside my home. So it's only one day a month when I have to think about what I'm doing or where I'm going (having access to toilet) not bad really.

Both DDs use them and sing their praises. Very good for the environment - no plastic backed waste pads every month, and they’re great for not leaking, even in bed. They agree with a PP who said there’s much less drying out and chafing of the vaginal mucosa than you get with tampons, as they’re smoother, softer and more comfortable to wear.
They’re also massively cheaper than pads or tampons - they pay for themselves in a year or two, and after that they’re free!

I love my mooncup - it definitely took a couple of months to get used to putting it in and out and in the right place though, I'd persevere op.

If you're not bleeding currently maybe try some lube or in the shower? I find it slightly more tricky to get in if I put it in early 'just in case' But once it's there I can't feel it.

I found this really helpful for finding which fold worked best for me

Honestly they are a total game changer. My periods are shorter and definitely less painful. I wasn't keen on the mooncup itself but really like the Lunette. It's softer and I find it easier to use.

I love my mooncup, oddly when I started using it my incredibly painful incredibly heavy periods got slightly lighter and a lot less painful (not sure if there’s acupressure points or something where the cup sits).

Doesn’t hurt at all to use and I forget I’m using one.

The first time I used one I put it in on the shower, more room to move around. I use the origami fold, have to be relaxed and not clench, crouch shown it’s easier to being with, and slide it towards your back not straight upwards.

If you’re getting anxious and stressed about it stop, and try again later.

I’ve been using mine for years now only bought a new one when I lost my first one.

I love mine! I was dubious at first but it's amazing. I use it the entire time and I love not having to worry about changing a tampon, leaks etc.

I use a moon cup and I did have to trim the stalk a bit as it was too long and it took a couple of attempts to get it positioned right but now it's as easy to use as tampons were.

I'll never go back.

I mainly use it if I'm going to be round the house (or if I'm not planning to be out all day) simply because I prefer to be able to wash it out between uses.

Personally, I do find that towards the end of my period I can feel it ache sometimes, so I use it for the first 3 days (heaviest), then if it starts aching, use pads/liners for the last 2-3 days when it's very light.

I've not had stalk issues, and whilst I haven't found it's made any difference to my periods, I do prefer it to tampons/pads just because it means I'm not mucking about wrapping things up to dispose of them.

Oh, and yes, getting the fold right is the secret - at first I had trouble with it not unfolding properly, but now I give it a little tug a couple of times/do a couple of squats until I feel it pop open.

I lost my mooncup somewhere between my holiday hotel and home and didn't realise until I came in next month that I hadn't unpacked it. So I put a tampon in for the first time in about 5 years and it was so uncomfortable that I had to do a swift run to boots to buy a new mooncup.

I find mine really comfortable, far more so than tampons which I always feel are scratchy and like they're always trying to make an escape.

The outer edge is former silicone than the cup part, so the rim is soft enough to fold but strong enough to keep it in place. I can imagine that it probably does flex with natural movement but not enough that it'd fall out.

And I use mine all the way through my period, start to finish. It's also quite handy if your cycle varies by a few days, I put mine in around the time period is due, and wear it when I'm busy just in case I come on at work or out and about etc, obviously with rinsing in between.

Would never go back to permanent tampon use. Ever.

Experts, anyone ever have problems with leakage from a mooncup? Mine used to be brilliant but since dc 2 arrived it's always leaking.

@Hoolahoophop by no means an expert but maybe you need a different size now? Many are sized for before and after childbirth. Obviously quite a generalization as everyone has different anatomy but… You have had two children now.

Sadly had the post baby size as got it after dc1......and dc2 was an section....

@Hoolahoophop hmmm... a different cup might work better but I don't know enough about them. Have you been on the Put It in a Cup website?