Mooncup - Reusable menstrual cup

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Ranked #1,274 in Health, #21,038 overall

The healthy alternative to tampons

I found using tampons uncomfortable, bordering on the painful, especially in the last couple of days of my period. Sanitary towels were messy and irritating and both worked out as expensive in the long run. So, I needed to find something that would solve these problems for me. Hence the Mooncup!

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What is a MoonCup? 

A menstrual cup is a type of cup or barrier worn inside the vagina during menstruation to collect menstrual fluid. Unlike tampons and pads, the cup collects menstrual fluid rather than absorbing it.



Mooncup

What you get when you purchase your MoonCup 

It costs £19.99

In the little, rather attractive box you will get:

One instruction book about half an inch thick in several languages. It gives you all the necessary information that you need to use, clean, remove and care for your Moon cup.

It even has a troubleshooting section - I've got to read this! What could possibly go wrong?

One little bag with the moon cup logo on and a coloured ribbon tie (mine's pink, BTW.)

Inside the bag, is your MoonCup - an off-clear cup-shaped device with a longish spout at the narrow end (you can trim this.) On the side of the MoonCup is measuring marks i.e. 1.5ml and 2.5 ml so that you can keep tabs on how much you bleed.

It's suitable for women with sensitive skin and/or allergies.

My Experiences with the MoonCup 

I bought my first (and only) Mooncup in October 2008.

The size I have bought is a Size A because:

a) I had two vaginal births

b) I'm over 30 years old.

Photobucket As I've been feeling the usual signs of impending period, I decided to try the Moon cup out for the first time last night (October 11.) I'm always just a little apprehensive about inserting anything up inside myself due to the discomfort that usually follows. Despite my apprehension, I don't tend to have any problems with muscle clenching or spasms.

I made sure I followed the instructions to:

Fold the cup in half so that the two outer rims are together and then fold again in half so that it forms an S-shape.

Then lying down with my knees up, I gently but firmly pushed the Moon cup upwards. Part of the reason why I wanted to 'test it out' was to check to see if:

A) I could insert it okay and
B) The spout needed trimming.

Lying down it felt okay but just to make sure I stood up and yep, jumped around a bit! Of course, that triggered another problem I have off which has nothing to do with the Moon cup! Anyway, I couldn't feel it. I figured it was up far enough but, sure enough, there was no discomfort at all! Amazing!

Photobucket I've not been using the MoonCup during the night. I find that my flow decreases in volume during this time and I prefer not to have the device fitted whilst I sleep. This is a personal decision, of course.

It's important that you read the instructions to ensure that the MoonCup is correctly inserted. Please, don't give up, though! Practice does make perfect. To prevent leakages make sure the seal is in place and that you haven't inserted it too far up. It needs to sit considerably lower than a tampon in your body.

Photobucket I've recently changed to the mini pill which is progesterone only after using the combined pill for many years. This means that my periods are now non-existant and my use for the Mooncup has declined. However, I still keep the Mooncup available just in case I ever need it! I shall definitely be using the Natracare range of sanitary pads, also, whilst my body adjusts to the pill.

MoonCup Tip 1

The Mooncup doesn't need to be inserted as high as a tampon. This is an easy mistake to make if you're new to using this device. Please do read the instructions and the trouble shooting section for more useful tips :)

Mooncup offers and Freebies! 

Don't miss it!

Offer Number one: Download and print your FREE 2009 Calendar.

Not signed up for the Mooncup Newsletter yet?

Then sign up here!

Mooncup Tip 2

Carry around a bottle of water with you so that you can clean it out with ease.

Join this online community: Menstrual Cups - Divacup, Mooncup, Instead, Lunette, Miacup

Superstitions surrounding Menstruation 

Women have often been seen as harbingers of evil whilst menstruating and were considered dangerous. They were often banned from important rituals and events whilst menstruating.

In Roman times, menstruating women were thought to cause:
1. fruit to fall from trees
2. seeds to become infertile
3. the death of swarms of bees
4. the death of plants.

They blunted swords and dulled mirrors with just a look.

Meals should not be made by menstruating women as the food will become contaminated. Dough will not rise, jam will not set etc.

Menstruating women will also affect the luck of a hunting party.

More help on the MoonCup 

Health Directory
Health directory - free directory for health-related sites including animal health, beauty, cosmetic surgery, fitness, health insurance, mental health, medication, pharmacy, nutrition and much more
Menstrual Cup, Alternative Feminine Hygiene product Mooncup Moon Cup,
The Moon Cup is an innovative femine hygiene product that is worn internally.
MoonCup-Info.com: The Mooncup feminine hygiene menstrual cup is a safe non toxic alternative to tampons.
The Mooncup Menstrual cup is a healthy and environmentally friendly alternate feminine hygiene choice to tampons.
Natracare - healthier by nature
Natracare products are made from certified organic and natural materials and ingredients, sourced from sound ecologically managed producers. We never compromise on quality and reliability and are committed to improving personal and environmental health and believe in a balanced ecologically driven l
Imperfectly Natural What really works - Mooncup
Mooncup - Excellent alternative to tampons/sanitary towels
Testing a Mooncup - Times Online
The most common reaction to any mention of the reusable silicone menstrual
Mooncup is: "Ewww!" Perhaps it's the brand name, which women associate with
hippies worshipping their inner goddess,
Mooncup - The F-Word
Ailsa finds the Mooncup a revelation.
The Mooncup Review
The Mooncup Review -1st August 2003, 317 Comments: Well here it is at last: a long-awaited entry for some, others were probably hoping that I'd forget all about it

If you're using Moon cup or others like it 

Additional advice


Natracare Natural Ultra Pads with Wings, Regular, Case of 12- 14 Count Boxes
(168 Pads)

1 - Use another form of protection i.e. sanitary towel or panty liner whilst using the Moon cup for the first time. I recommend Natracare products as they're made from 100% Organic cotton with no Chlorine or bleach. It may be wise to continue using them until you feel confident with inserting the Moon cup.

2 - On the first day of your period especially whilst using the Moon cup for the first time, I recommend that you stay at home. Make sure you have a stock of sanitary towels to hand just in case of leakages or if you don't feel able to use it.

3 - If you're particularly squeamish or you just don't want to handle this device, I would advise you to try another alternative method. Using the Moon cup requires you to be 'hands on'; it can get extremely messy at times and you have to either swill the Moon cup with water or use a tissue to clean it out every time you check it.

4 - Whilst removing the Moon cup, you may feel some resistance; this is the seal. You need to use the stem to pull the device out and you need to release the seal before you can remove your MoonCup. To do this, just squeeze the base of the Moon cup gently and you should hear the seal release.

5 - To keep your Moon cup clean, use Sterilising Tablets to ensure your Moon cup stays free from Germs.

 

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Moon Cup How-to's 


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What else can you use? 

1. Sanitary Towels - Pads made out of material with various absorbency. Use in the same way as panty liners i.e. fixing via sticky strip(s) or with a sanitary belt. Change frequently or as needed.

Pros: Easy to use. Relatively cheap. Wide choice of brands, absorbencies, price and types.

Cons: Messy as hell! Makes you feel dirty and you have to wash every day. Can sometimes smell though scented ones are available but are not advisable for women who are sensitive.

2. Tampons - Absorbent 'plugs' of material that should be inserted internally. Change frequently.

Pros: Keeps you cleaner throughout your period. Is that all? Must be more Pros!

Cons: Uncomfortable to use especially if you're sensitive. May need additional lubrication. May need more than one attempts at insertion. If you insert it wrong, you can feel it! Can get lost 'up there' and has been linked with Toxic Shock Syndrome.

Sign up to the MoonCup newsletter

Mooncup publishes an email newsletter about twice a year. It features information about menstrual wellbeing and women's health issues.

To sign up, please click this link!

 

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  • Reply
    spirituality spirituality Nov 22, 2009 @ 3:13 am
    Great lens, but you knew that :) Just wanted to remind you that this is featured on the Women and Girls Shopping Headquarters: http://www.squidoo.com/groups/women-girls

    It's now transformed into a lensography and I would love it if you could feature it here, or lensroll it or something.
  • Reply
    kirsty kirsty Nov 2, 2009 @ 11:20 am
    I think the thought of it is revolting, i would rather stick to santiary towels. I couldnt be dealing with always fiddling with my vagina to get it out. As pads being messy i can see this method being a bit messy too. With tampons you can flush them away and with santiary towels you just wrap them up and put them in the bin and dispose of them with the household waste. I couldnt be bothered washing it out. There must be many infections off this method. I'd rather bathe everyday and change the santiary towel.
  • Reply
    24websurf 24websurf Aug 10, 2009 @ 7:53 pm
    I had never even heard of this. Makes much more sense than spending tons of money on the other items. I'll have to check more into this. Thanks for the info! Great job!
  • Reply
    JaguarJulie JaguarJulie Aug 4, 2009 @ 7:24 am
    In the U.S. I had heard about menstrual cups, but never seen one up close and personal nor have I ever used one -- an interesting concept indeed!
  • Reply
    Rose Rose Aug 1, 2009 @ 6:32 am
    I was just wondering, how old do you have to be to use the mooncup? Is it suitable for anyone under 15?
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Living and working in London, UK as a Freelance Writer and Reviewer. I live at home with my partner, Freelance Fine Arts photogr... (more)

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