Moon cups

[nancybotwinbloom]

Never heard of them until Mumsnet.

Can someone give me the basics on these please?

Do they leak?
Do you need more than one?
Can you use them in the night?

Are they easy to insert etc?

Any recommendations?

No one I know has used one.

Literally the most painful thing was me trying to insert a mooncup. It was hideous. And believe me I tried.

putacupinit.com/quiz/

I liked the concept and tried for one period. Ended ip in agony with a UTI

I got a Mooncup nearly 20 years ago and am really pleased I did. I slightly trimmed the stem for comfort but left enough to help me remove the cup. Had the odd very mild leak but I either read in the instructions or googled it for suggestions on getting a better seal. I think you learn, according to your body, whether you’ve placed it too high or too low. I totally forget about it until sometimes I can tell it’s getting too full as it’s not so comfortable. I always use it at night. I’d take care removing it on the early heavier days as it can get full and also when folding it to insert as it can pop back to its original shape! I’d also recommend not pulling down all the way for removal but tilting it slightly towards the end to get some air in to release the suction (I’ve never tried getting my finger in as suggested - too icky for me plus I’m worried about a mishap). This is important so as to protect your pelvic floor:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51805689

Personally, it was a great investment, I’ve saved loads of money and done my small bit for the environment. When it works, it’s great. Hope it works for you.

Brand matters. Different brands suit different women.

I have a Diva Cup (pre pregnancy size) and after having DC switched to an Organicuo.

Despite having used a DivaCup for years without issue I've never got on with the OrganiCuo.

I've actually gone back to my first one and despite being the "wrong" size it's fine.

To tell its fully open, if you can spin it all the way round easily then it's open. Any resistance and it's likely it's not.

I have one but I don't find it much better than tampons as they all leak. I have a retroverted cervix and was told by the makers they just leak for some women. I also suffer from bad flooding and can get through a super plus tampon and night bad every hour on the first day so I have no hope really.

@Jazzcafecoffee

Carbiesdreamhouse I have had the same issue with my Mooncup. I really wanted to love it like others do but found it so uncomfortable, the material feels so solid/ridged. I wonder if all cups are like this or if there are softer, more pliable ones or if it’s me? I have a tilted uterus so wonder if that may be the issue? I can’t really afford to keep experimenting with them as they aren’t cheap if they don’t suit.

Yes exactly. I have a tilted uterus too and also can't justify spending out on ones to try. Id rather put that money into period pants and continue on with tampons.

I also found the cups very messy. I get flooding and so my hand was covered on blood trying to take it out/insert it. Fine at home but not at the office!

Do they leak?
Only very occasionally if I have a really heavy flow and don't empty it frequently enough. Or if I've not inserted it quite correctly.

Do you need more than one?
No

Can you use them in the night?
Yes

Are they easy to insert etc?
Yes, but it just takes a little practice initially to get it perfect. There's a technique to how you fold it!

Any recommendations?
I always trim the stem off, I find them uncomfortable if I leave it on

I think you have to try for yourself and see how it goes OP.

Some people rave about them, and it's a game changer.

Some people don't get in with them at all, so it's definitely a personal preference thing.

I have a tilted cervix like the previous poster, and they are just not for me.

I also felt very ill whilst wearing it, it can stimulate the vaso vagal nerve, which is what it happens to me. Yes very odd, but for me it was not an option.

I’ve used an organicup for about 3yrs, my advice is not to panic if it takes a while to get used to. It did take me several months to get the hang of it. It doesn’t get inserted as high as a tampon (although sometimes it will move higher than others). Sometimes you will insert it and it just feels uncomfy, it usually hasn’t opened out properly in this case. Just do it again. Agree with others who have said it’s so clean and you forget you’re on. Cramps definitely reduced, I have no idea why that is!

They can leak, if they're not the right fit or you have very heavy periods and don't empty soon enough. I have to empty every couple of hours on my heaviest day but most of the period only need to empty in the morning and before bed. I wear period pants as a back up for the first couple of days (especially the heaviest night, nearly always leak that night)

They're a bit tricky to insert until you get the hang of it, also getting them out can be difficult sometimes, remember to break the suction by pressing a finger against the side, not just try to pull it out.

I like meluna ones, they have different kinds and you can choose which kind of bottom knobby bit to have on it, rather than the usual stick end that you have to trim to be more comfortable.

Love mine but I have very heavy periods so I got some reusable pads from Amazon (EcoLilly but they're pretty much the same).

I use the thinnest panty liner style pads as it's just to catch little leaks

But I love my cup, best thing I ever did.

I have a "proper" mooncup. Cut the stem off completely. It it's on properly I forget it's there - I never got on with tampons, could always feel them. Like anything it takes a bit of practice to insert it the first time. It doesn't leak but I use it with thin reusable pads for peace of mind

I didn't get on with the mooncup at all. Too small, kept leaking, and I always thought I had a light period. I now have a Lunette which I'm happy with, but cups do have their downsides. Eg emptying them when out and about, many toilets don't have a washbasin inside the cubicle which turns the whole thing into a real faff. I now have period pants and only use my cup during the first 36 hours when bleeding is heaviest.

I have a Ruby a lena and a saalt.

I still leak a little but tbh it doesn't bother me as I always wore a pad as back up anyway so now u just use reusable pads or period pants as a back up.

It took some.practice but I much prefer it. No more horrible dragging pains. No more itchy vaginas. No more trying to retrieve fibres from a tampon that came apart when u tried to remove ( lidl tampons I'm.looking at you )

I finally bit the bullet in the firstblock down. Having to spend over an hour in a virtual queue at 1am trying to source pads fir dd1, it was an immense relief that I could order a cup have it arrive in a day ir two and never ever have to worry about panic buyers again.

So much more comfortable. They don't dry out irnirritate you like tampons did

They are brilliant. Give it a try!

I don't like the Mooncup brand although I do find a menstrual cup is my favourite form of san pro.

Waitrose do one which is more comfortable IME. And I have a Meluna, which I bought online.

Look at some YouTube videos on how to fold and insert it! This is the most tricky bit!

I love mine. It's convenient , doesn't leak , (but you have to ensure you get the right size ) doesn't need changing as often

Carbiesdreamhouse yep, I have the same issue, have very heavy periods and it’s like opening the floodgates when I take it out, awful when you are out. Perhaps they aren’t designed for those with very heavy periods? Shame though, I hate using tampons and pads, so much waste.

I used an organicup for about 3 years. I have returned to tampons for however many periods I have left. I tried.

Fine to insert and get the seal. Fine to get out. Very few leaks. But the mess was a real pain. Couple of embarrassing incidents at other people's homes when the volume of blood poured from it sat at the bottom of the toilet basin and wouldn't flush even after a few goes. And the drippage when taken out. Messy fingers.

I persevered and there were upsides like not being caught without a change of tampon, eco friendly

the volume of blood poured from it sat at the bottom of the toilet basin and wouldn't flush even after a few goes

Easily solved by putting a few sheets of paper down and pouring the blood on top, I find.

Love mine. It took a while if my friend to convince me but once she did - I haven't looked back. I've never leaked with it and I find it more comfortable than tampons. It took me a while to get the just off fitting and removing it, but now I have there's no issues at all.
Love love love it - and more environmentally friendly than tampons.

Yes, either drop paper down first to catch the pool of blood, then it flushes away neatly, or you can use a toilet brush to dislodge it. That happens to me even with light periods.

@JakeyRolling

the volume of blood poured from it sat at the bottom of the toilet basin and wouldn't flush even after a few goes

Easily solved by putting a few sheets of paper down and pouring the blood on top, I find.

This is a top tip, thank you!