So I got a Mooncup...

[CaptainBrickbeard]

They are raved about so much on Mumsnet, I have heavy periods but I love to swim and want to be more eco-friendly so it seemed like a good solution.

I’ve tried it today for the first time and I hate it! I can feel it constantly so I trimmed the stem almost completely but I can still feel it when I walk. I tried to readjust it and the PAIN when I first took it out - honestly, I gave birth twice with no drugs at all but I was not prepared for that. I’ve now got the hang (I hope) of completely breaking the suction seal before removal but it involves - contorting more than I had anticipated.

Anyway, I’ve tried wriggling it around a bit but I can still feel its presence constantly there and it’s incredibly irritating.

I hated the idea of a menstrual cup but I really wanted to be wrong. I want to love it but am not impressed so far. Will I get used to it? How long did it take if you have one and like it?

Just bumping in case anyone has any words of wisdom. I removed it in the middle of the night and nearly blacked out. I’m not sure why. Still persisting for the time being and hoping it gets better.

Give it two cycles to get the hang of it. I love mine so much I'd actually be devastated if I had to go back! Having said that, I can never feel mine when it's in properly. Are you sure yours is the right size/ shape for you? Did you do the "put a cup in it" quiz?

And definitely make sure you break the seal properly. Makes a huge difference!

It is a bit of a fiddle at first, but by my third period I wondered why I hadn't got one sooner. I had an Organicup first and it was a bit easier than the Mooncup, felt a bit softer and more pliable.

I'm used to the Mooncup now though.

Stick with it.

I agree with Fujexa. I hated mine the first time I tried it- I couldn’t get it out and thought I was going to have to ask a practice nurse to do it for me. After a couple of cycles I got the hang of it. A year or so ago I had to use tampons for a cycle and hated using them again! Are you sure it’s in high enough?

It might be the wrong cup for you. I had similar issues with the first cup I tried and it was because it was too long for me. I bought a different one which was shorter, for women with low cervixes, and it's been great.

Try this quiz and see what you come out with:

putacupinit.com/quiz/

I hated the moon cup, it felt hideous and the stem was painful. I tried a pixie cup and it’s much nicer! I have used it for a few cycles and have got the hang of inserting and removing it, mostly without contorting into a master yogi. It shortens my cycle but it turns out I have heavier periods than I realised as I have to empty it twice a day and at my heaviest time it won’t last the night. I use modibodi pants to back it up.

Apparently a Saalt Soft would be better for me according to that quiz, which I wish I’d down before buying the Mooncup! I didn’t know there were so many options! I might order one. The Mooncup does feel very rigid.

I can see how much better it must be if the cup is comfortable. I’m surprised how squeamish I’m feeling about emptying it, I really didn’t expect to feel dizzy and faint seeing a bit of blood in a cup rather than on a pad but for some reason it bothers me. Am sure I’ll overcome that though.

Do people find it secure when swimming? That’s the main reason I wanted one but I feel a bit nervous about trying it out!

Maybe try another cycle and if you still aren't getting on with it then get the saalt Cup instead.

I swim with mine no problems.

If you're nervous about swimming you could give it a trial wearing it in the bath first?

I've just got one. Started cycle yesterday and for me its revolutionary. Watched ALOT of youtube videos before using it. I use the tulip fold and when it's in I rotate it to get the suction. I cant feel it when it's in properly and I have had no problems thus far. You need to break the suction before removing it. I squeeze the cup slightly to do this.

I think it’s the stem bothering me which I’ve trimmed but maybe need to remove completely - worried about managing to rotate it and get a grip on it then though. Tried it in the shower this morning and it’s much easier.

There are ones you can get that have a valve in the base so you can empty it without removing it. Obviously you do still need to take it out to clean it but less in and out might help?

Having said that, I absolutely cannot use anything internal during periods without severe pain. Tampons are bad enough but a cup is a no go. I have endometriosis and get deep pain with internal things like this. So I think they’re not for everyone.

I've found that a cup that was previously comfortable can become less so after birth!
I had a divacup, which I loved, but it is so uncomfortable now - it seems to sit lower so even though it's always had a trimmed stem now I can feel the bottom of it.

Need to have a look for an alternative

I think I have to get a grip on myself (so to speak) and just get used to the removal. The problem is in my head. I have never been too bothered by anything internal or smear tests or anything so am surprised to struggle with this.

I didn't get on with the moon cup. I found the stem too uncomfortable aswell (even though it was trimmed) I could always feel it inside as it's so ridged however I have since got a lunette cup and love it ,I dont feel it at all.

OP, I started with a Mooncup and found it uncomfortable and the stem quite stabby! I switched to a saalt cup a few months ago and wish I'd done it sooner! I genuinely cannot feel a thing now when it's inserted!

I started with a moon cup but similar discomfort issues on wearing, although I got no leaks I felt it moved around a lot causing a pinching sensation and requiring multiple adjustments in a day making me sore.

I did the quiz recommended and switched to a Luna cup which is much softer and twice as wide and I have no issues since.

I love my Luna menstual cup 😁

And yes the emptying can be a bit messy but you will soon find your own way of doing things.

I was fascinated to find that my flow isn't as heavy as I thought it was compared to using pads. It looks much worse than it is.

I don't know about anyone else but I've also knocked a day or two off the length of my period, I think this is down to the gentle auction of the cup. Which is great!

Give it three cycles ime.

Trim the stem off completely.

On insertion ,rinse,fold and aim for the small of your back and once in give it a half turn to seal it.

I cannot believe you even managed to remove it without breaking the seal

To remove- pinch it tight and remove.

It will become so easy you'll be able to do it all in seconds.

Oh no, I did break the seal before I actually got it out! It just took me a long time to do and I think I was getting tense and panicky hence the pain.

The stem is definitely stabby, that’s exactly it. I appreciate the advice about the other brands, it’s very reassuring.

I certainly hope it knocks a day or two off! I was hoping to see that the flow is less than I thought but the cup was full to the brim in three hours this morning so I think my periods are very heavy. But this means that so far the cup is actually less messy than pads which can never contain it. I do tend to feel lightheaded and dizzy when I’m on anyway.

If you ever have issue with removing it again,squat and bear down or have a bath and a ferret around,makes it much easier.

Ime it won't take long to get the hang of it. I used one for 15 years before the menopause.

And yes,mine was shorter too. So worth persevering definitely.

It is strange that you can feel it OP. I'm wearing mine at the moment and I can't feel anything at all - I never can. It's part of the joy.

It is really important to break the seal when you go to take it out though or things can get a bit weird.