Girls, has anyone ever used a menstrual cup?

Question

Such as http://www.mooncup.co.uk/? What are your experiences, would you recommend one? What have you found to be the pro's and con's? Is it £18 well spent, or just a novelty?

Answer 1

I have been using a menstrual cup, specifically Mooncup, for about four years now and could not be without it – I actually mean that quite literally as my flow is too heavy to use anything other than menstrual cups.

I would recommend one without a doubt, I recommend them to everyone and my male friends recommend them to all their female friends as a result of my going on about it. I tend to do a lot of promotion work in the real world as well, leaflet drops and informing GUM and Family Planning Clinics about them so they can be recommended to patients.

Good points:

- They can be left in safely without leaking for up to 12 hours
- Ideal for heavy periods as they hold a lot more than anything else.
- You don't have to worry about buying more.
- Good for travel and you don't have to carry spares.
- You don't have to worry about finding a bin in public bathrooms.
- You don't have to worry about emptying in public toilets.
- They are far better for sports like swimming.
- They can be safely worn at night.
- They can be worn before your period is due.
- Aren’t linked to Toxic Shock Syndrome.
- No health risks associated such as infections.
- Do not leave fibres behind in your vagina.
- Very hygienic and can be sterilised.
- Green, cutting down waste and harmful manufacturing.
- Less likely to cause menstrual cramps than tampons.
- They are body-positive in being more hands-on.
- They have money back guarantees.
- They last for up to ten years.
- They are very cheap.
- Manufacturers are ethical.
- They are very hygienic.
- They don't contain harmful toxins.
- Helps you assess blood-loss.

I could probably go on, but you get the general point I am trying to make here.
The only negative point for me is that the stem stabs into the side of my vaginal opening sometimes, the stem can be removed by most women if it bothers them, however for some unknown reason if I remove the stem completely the cup tips up so I can only cut it to half length – it rarely happens though, and I've yet to meet another women this happens with.

I normally just pop mine in and forget about it until I shower at night when I remove and wash, because of my excessively heavy periods (and I do mean very excessive) I normally have to change between every 1-6 hours on a heavy day so I do have to change in public toilets but all you need do is empty and reinsert, it's still more hygienic and safer than tampons doing that, or you can wipe with toilet paper or take a bottle of water in the toilets with you to give a quick clean.

They last up to ten years and have money back guarantees so when it comes to whether that £18 is money well spent it is a definite yes, you certainly have nothing to loose.

More information you might find useful;

http://www.menstrualcups.org – this is an online community of menstrual cup users, lots of people saying how they feel about menstrual cups and lots of questions answered there – the memories section is particularly useful.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstrual_cup - Wikipedia entry on menstrual cups, with a list of pro's and con's as well as other information.

http://www.mum.org/MenCups.htm - History of menstrual cups at the Museum of Menstruation, lots of information on early menstrual cups.

http://menstrualcups.org/wiki/index.php?MenstrualCupsFaq – Frequently Asked Questions on menstrual cups, with pretty much all you need to know.

Answer 2

I started using a Mooncup about ten months ago, and I've become a complete devotee. It's WONDERFUL.

It takes a while to get used to, but then, so do tampons and towels. It's no fiddlier than tampons, and it's much more comfortable once you get the knack of putting it in and taking out again. It's much cleaner, doesn't have the bits of fluff sticking to you at the end of your period when your flow is light. It's more convenient - you can put it in in advance, if you're not sure exactly when you will come on, and you can change it whenever it's convenient. It's easier for swimming, there's no bit of string hanging out, it pays for itself within six months, it stops you having to carry a tampon up your sleeve to the loo, means you don't have chemically bleached cotton inside your body, AND it stops you having to flush tonnes and tonnes of waste into the sewage system.

I would never ever go back to tampons now.

Why would anyone not want one?

Answer 3

I did look into it some months ago, and was really interested in it. Thanks for reminding me about, I will definately give it a go.

I do agree with it sounding pretty pricing at £18.99, but I have pretty heavy periods and end up paying out £5-6 on a combination of tampons and towels - which both have there pro's and cons.

Answer 4

I have a mooncup and yes i do recommend them, for me the pro's are no risk of toxic shock syndrome, it lasts for 5 years and when i go away on holiday i don't need loads of box's just the one little bag the mooncup comes with, it is easy to clean.

Answer 5

I read about them and thought they were the most vile thing going. This was years ago, so if they havent caught on by now, maybe that says something about them.

Answer 6

well it looks painful but im a real whimp ok so go ahead i dont care good luck though :)

Answer 7

it looks fowl but id like to no wot happens if u hav a really heavy period wot if it over flows?

Answer 8

Sounds like a prize for angry women...who would get first place?

Answer 9

ew ew ew ew ew no never ever ever going to use one lol