This is a post for the girls.
Since I’ve been writing a lot about cleaning lately and generally being a bit ‘girlie’ I may as well air my dirty laundry completely, and talk about the mysterious menstrual cup.
Thankfully since first writing this post these have become a lot more common and are finally losing a little of their mystery. But if you don’t have a BFF who uses them to explain the details read on…
There are a few different brands out there but personally I am a fan of Mooncups. And, though I don’t have ‘self sufficient‘ periods, I do have less wasteful and more frugal ones!
Click to Shop for Menstrual Cups at the Best Prices
or read on to find out why I think all women should be using one!
I have always worn tampons as I like having all the menstrual paraphernalia hidden away. No bulges for me, thank-you very much. But then as a teenager of the 1980’s I did wear many pairs of leggings. And, I’m sorry but menstrual pads and towels are not ‘legging friendly’.
But, as much as I like the convenience of tampons, I have always struggled with the fear of toxic shock syndrome and general health implications of tampons. I did look into organic cotton tampons but boy are they pricey! And, the fact is you are still putting a rough and absorbent, foreign body where it shouldn’ t really be. So there is still a risk.
As my green awareness has grown my attitude to tampons has altered. I stopped throwing them down the loo years ago, even though that’s what we were ‘supposed’ to do with them. That didn’t stop the waste I produced though. It just got redirected to landfill, rather than the sea. I composted the cardboard boxes but couldn’t find a way of recycling hundred’s of tiny bits of plastic wrapper each year.
More and more, I’ve viewed tampons with disdain. There is so much waste involved and they aren’t any good for you. But, I have to be honest I had no desire to return to the sanitary pads of my youth. To those of you who use reuseable cotton pads and panty liner, my envy and congratulations. I know I really could just make my own and be properly self sufficient in all things menstrual. But I won’t, I’ve had it too easy for too long.
But, my eco-guilt and fear of toxic shock syndrome won out in the end. Last year I succumbed and purchased my first moon cup. Silly as this may seem, I admit to being a little apprehensive; what if I couldn’t use it – it cost £22! That seemed like quite a few tampons, and not money to be wasted. But I determined if others could manage it, why shouldn’t I?
On arrival, I was a little surprised by the size. But then, it isn’t an absorbent thing so it needs to be relatively large to fit snugly and catch all the menstrual flow. I dutifully read the instructions (all on recycled paper no less), sterilised the menstrual cup in boiling water and then used it! It’s very easy to get worked up about new things, but really it’s a pretty simple business. Which in hindsight is pretty blooming obvious.
Menstrual cups do take a little getting used to, but when when you first start your periods so do tampons and towels. I experienced the occasional small amount of leakage and worried I would never get the hang of it. But, even from the first month of using a moon cup, most days were absolutely fine.
As I said at the beginning I am a total convert. If you are thinking of buying some kind of menstrual cup here are some reasons to help you decide.
Benefits of a Menstrual Cup
Environmental Benefits
Less packaging, less waste each month, less cotton (one of the world’s biggest polluting industries) wasted.
Made of either latex (natural rubber) or medical grade silicon (from silica) one of the world’s most abundant resources.
Financial Benefits
One payment of £20 or there abouts for years of use. With women in the US spending, on average $150 a year on sanitary products, you get your money back pretty swiftly.
Health Benefits
No more absorbent cotton where bacteria love to multiply, reducing your risk of infections. Also, the lack of absorbency means using a menstrual cup will not affect the mucus secretions of the vagina, which are an important part of its defence mechanism and its way of cleaning itself.
There have been no cases of toxic shock syndrome linked to menstrual cups since their introduction in the 1930’s.
The smooth surface of the menstrual cups means they will not irritate sensitive skins, particularly important for those with allergies or thrush.
Vaginal health. I have to be honest and admit I did not previously feel my vagina was unhealthy, nor that it is more healthy now. But, I understand the principle. Using bleaches, rough textures, absorbent gels, fragrances and so on is bound to affect the state of the vaginal walls. Using just smooth silicon or latex has got to be better for the general state of health inside the vagina.
Practical Benefits
I didn’t really consider these before I purchased a moon cup. But with use, there are a few practical benefits which are worth considering:
- More room in handbag and bathroom cabinet.
- Less stuff to carry around each month, and much more discreet.
- Fewer visits to the bathroom as the mooncup will hold much more than a tampon.
- Less leakage – once you get the hang of it!
- The smug factor – I’ve improved my carbon footprint and my wallet easily!
What Type of Menstrual Cup to Buy?
Well, there are surprisingly few options, so its not so difficult.
The ‘US original’ is ‘The Keeper
In which case the US company also offer ‘Moon Cup‘ made of medical grade silicon. The cloth bag to hold the Moon Cup is made by retired US seamstresses and the instruction leaflet is printed on recycled paper, so you can see the company is keen to promote their green credentials.
The ‘The DivaCup
There are disposable menstrual cups – Instead Softcup
‘Mooncup
Please, if you do not already use a moon cup or any other menstrual cup, consider the move. They can be a little tricky to start with (though I hear lots of women tell how easy, straightforward and natural it seemed immediately, so maybe its just me), but they are really worth the effort.
With a mooncup you can reduce your impact on landfill and reduce the amount of chemical toxins your body has to deal with. That, plus all the cash you save means the moon cup should definitely be considered by anyone currently using tampons. Everyone should try a menstrual cup!
Since writing this article these Eco tampon alternatives have grown in popularity. Now there are a growing number of different menstrual cups available, including the funky colored offerings from Lunette. You can view a wide range here.
Just remember to order the correct size depending on your age (somewhat depressing) and whether you have given birth already.
For a more self sufficient future
Thanks for writing this post!
I’ve always been tempted by the idea of a mooncup but am put off thanks to my body’s decision to grant me a heavy flow… How reliable is it at night?
Hi Jo, I’ve found it really good at night. The only time I’ve really noticed an issue was when doing something very energetic like cycling and hadn’t quite got the seal sorted. But, practice makes perfect!
They say the capacity is enough to hold about 1/3 of your total monthly flow, so it shouldn’t fill up in one night. I have heard lots of women say periods get lighter from using a mooncup, but I don’t think that is proven and I can’t say I’ve noticed that (though I’ve never had particularly heavy periods anyway).
I use the Diva Cup and I love love love it (and no I don’t use the special wash, I didn’t even know it existed) Besides everything you mentioned, it’s great for me as a lifeguard/swimming instructor. No soggy tampons, no worrying about the string showing. It’s good times.
Hanna’s last blog post..Music
Hanna – glad it works – they all look pretty identical size and shape wise as far as I can see. Much better than tampons though – wish I’d known about menstrual cups years ago. I was just surprised about th overkill on their website trying to sell the special wash.
Great post. Perhaps, I should try to give my £20 one another go. For me it was the fear of feeling like you had lost something ‘ up there’ and the difficulty of retrieval. Also, the first time I did use it it was a weird experience. I felt it was going to let me down.
This was a very good post as to the dangers of the other products. Tampons usage long term has been linked to cervical erosion??. I may be wrong on that point but I had heard of this.
Will continue to look at your post again.
Thanks from (cloudgazer- Twitter).
I can’t get mine to work! I was actually happy for my period this time around so I could use my diva cup, but I am having issues. It’s easy enough to get in, but (and this is embarassing) it sort of gets sucks up a ways. It says not to put it in more than even with the vaginal opening which I do, and then it climbs up. I’m afraid it’s going to keep going. I try to turn it when it is still low, but it doesn’t pop open.
Sorry you’re both having issues. It does get easier I promise. There are a few different ways of folding the menstrual cups, which may help – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAKpyw-R-po
The main thing though is don’t panic! A few pelvic floor squeezes and they do move back down!
Hhhmmmm, what’s going on? I’m 34 and never even heard of these things! Must be leading a very sheltered life! I shall investigate! You learn something new all the time on this site 🙂
Sootie, they are definitely worth a look. Since posting I realised I missed out a certain brand from the Czech Republic which come in a huge range of funky colours too! http://www.ladycup.eu/
Thanks so much for your terrific posting. It’s really great to see that so many women are beginning to be bothered by the waste that is caused by disposable menstrual products, and are therefore turning to reusables.
I hope that you and your site visitors will want to see a concrete rendering of exactly HOW HARMFUL disposable menstrual products are to the environment. Just check out Keeper.com’s Comparison Photo Page. On the left side of the website, you will see a button with the words, “New: Photos!” in red. Clicking on this button will lead you to the Comparison Photo Page, which shows — in pictures — exactly HOW MUCH WASTE the average woman who uses tampons creates in one month, one year, ten years and 40 years. (And by the way, the average woman menstruates for forty years!)
I think you will agree with me that these photos are worth at least A THOUSAND WORDS, because, frankly, I don’t think that women who use disposable menstrual products — which is, unfortunately, MOST women — actually like to think about the lifetime accumulation of waste they are foisting on our environment.
This visual provides actual proof of the huge amount of environmental waste we women create, in this small area of our lives alone.
And you’ll just love the photo on this Comparison Photo Page of the DUMP TRUCK, which is FILLED with 260 POUNDS of tampons and packaging. Believe it or not, the average woman actually uses (and tosses into the environment) that many pounds of tampons in her menstruating lifetime – and if she uses disposable menstrual pads, there will be even more waste!
Thanks!
Julia Schopick
Director of Marketing
The Keeper, Inc.
Keeper.com
Wow Julia, those pics really do tell a thousand words. Anyone thinking of a menstrual cup is sure to be swayed even more. They really are scary.
There are even more brands nowadays.
To name but a few:
Meluna http://meluna.eu/ (German)
Fleurcup http://fleurcup.com/default.htm (French)
Lunette http://www.mylunette.com/ (Finnish)
Miacup http://www.miacup.co.za/ (South African)
Femmecup http://www.femmecup.com/ (British I think)
All worth a look!
There are far more cups available now in different sizes and colours, the Meluna range has brought out a variety of different stems also!
I have been using my LilacCup (coloured LadyCup) for several months now, and I will NEVER go back!
It’s a shame that alternative feminine wear isn’t taught in schools, maybe cup users should start some sort of petition for this to be so!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstrual_cups
http://www.femininewear.co.uk/
Also, I would not suggest the Keeper Moon Cup if you’re wanting to buy a cup from a more ethical company.. as they unfairly took the name of the UK MoonCup and a lot of stuff went on to make it near enough impossible to buy the UK one in the US now.
Wonderful information. I have been considering getting a menstrual cup but have been somewhat confused about the different brands, companies etc. Realizing that as much as I need to be responsible environmentally I also have to keep in mind what I can afford regarding product quality, shipping and company customer service and warranty – hence being financial responsible too.
Thank you.
Thanks Sandra. One thing I keep meaning to mention here is that many women worry about odd heavy days or nights and will the moon cup still be able to cope.
Firstly, usually they will, but secondly if you are really worried such as on a day out, just use your old tampons for the day, then switch back to your mooncup when you get home. Reverting back to the old favorite method for the occasional day is a no worry way to cope with heavier days and still means that for the rest of the time you are saving money and resources.
It seems that many women try the mooncup or divacup, have a mishap in the early days and revert back to tampons and towels and leave the menstrual cup in the cupboard. Instead be realistic, if you are having ‘technical difficulties’ in the early days, don’t panic, just use your cup when you are at home or when flow is light and you will get used to it and eventually be able to rely on it every day, wherever you are going.
Using both types of sanitary protection is not perfect but who is?
Go to menstrualcups.org for TONS of info on cups, how to use them, answers to any problems you might have( insertion,removal,leaking,health problems,sports,heavy flow), To see if you can still use one if you’re a kid/virgin or both( I’m 14 and a virgin and I use a cup( the Lunette) just fine!), to see if you can still use one if you have an IUD( you usually can). As for heavy flow, here’s capacity comparison charts for the site( comparing different cup capacities to regular,super, and ultra tampons) http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups/1285963.html
There’s also a cup community for blind cup users! http://community.livejournal.com/blind_cup_users/
I cannot advertise this product enough. Seriously, email me if you want to know everything there is to know about it, terriw1979 at hotmail dot co dot uk.
I first heard about this in an advert on a toilet door.
After buying one, the first day I used it, I was scheduled to attend an outdoor aerial adventure course – running, jumping, climbing trees as Eddie Izzard would say. I ran, jumped, climbed trees… I used zipwires and harnesses, I crawled, stood, sat and crashed. And not once did I feel an ounce of discomfort or pain or anything.
After a few hours, when I’d finished the course, I must admit that my confidence in the product was low enough to propel me to the nearest bathroom. But when I went to the bathroom, I discovered that the towel I had used as a precaution was bone dry and clean, and upon emptying the menstrual cup, I found it easy and simple and not at all uncomfortable. I have since left it in too long, and found a small amount of leakage – but we’re talking overnight on a weekend here, at 10+ hours. It still held its own, there was just a very small amount of leakage. No discomfort or TSS or anything.
I will mention the following notable observations –
PROS –
(1) environmentally brilliant – think of all the landfill and seas full of tampons that you are preventing.
(2) cost – very economical. The one-off cost of £20 or so is nothing compared to what you pay for tampons and pads over the course of your life. You may need to buy a second MoonCup after you have kids or reach a certain age, but again, this is only £20. How much do you spend on tampons and pads?
(3) Comfort – I don’t notice it when it’s in at all. Occasionally when I need to go to the bathroom for a number 2, I feel it, due to the muscles used and the positioning – it moves slightly. But it’s not painful or even uncomfortable. You’re just aware it’s there for a few minutes. You could always remove it for a few minutes if this would be more comfortable.
(4) Ease/mess – I won’t say you will get the hang of it instantly, but you should get the hang of it very quickly. Once you have discovered the ideal “tail” length (it’s trimmable) and positioning, you’re away. It’s the most comfortable thing ever. No worries about leakage, you don’t even feel it. I also won’t deny that it can be a bit messy at times – you will need access to either a sink or wet wipes for your hand(s). But it’s just blood, and nothing you should be fazed by. I now use mine with nothing but wet wipes to hand. Also, you only need to take one MoonCup on holiday – not an entire pack of sanitary towels or tampons.
Please think of the environment – the land fill, the burnt waste, the flushed-away tampons… this is a genius solution. A small amount of effort to save the planet, and it helps you too! It’s better, and easier, once you have the hang of it. Please try it.
Terri, thanks for the info, mooncups really are a winner all round! 🙂
We’re sitting in first period reading this and cracking up. Call us immature but it’s really fun to read this article out loud in a Texas voice. (:
MOON CUP!
“But, you can have intercourse with these in, so good if you’re trying to conceive.”
I’m not sure how this would work. One, a cup which functions to keep blood from leaking out of the vagina by covering the cervix probably would also block semen from entering the cervix. They are not effective to be used to prevent pregnancy, but if I were trying to get pregnant I wouldn’t want anything that could even possibly get in the way.
Another thing is that most women don’t ovulate when they are on their period. It can happen but it is rare, most of the time ovulation happens in the middle of the cycle, and sex has to happen within a few days of ovulation for conception.
I was apprehensive about switching, and wasn’t expecting much… but right away I was amazed at how easy it was, and the difference it made in my life!! My period went from being something icky and stinky, where I felt abashed and compromised, to just being another pleasant day! I use the Moon Cup (I’m in the US). I have had no leakage issues; I don’t even need to wear a pantiliner! I was scared to spend that $35, but I’m *so glad* I did it. It was a small but welcome revolution in my life. I can’t recommend it enough.
May I ask how many visits this blog has received? I researching the use of the internet to discuss and promote menstrual cups.
Thanks!!
Jessica I am not sure of the numbers for this post but we get about 1000 visitors a day overall, but for the article I am not sure.
I’m not sure if you’ll answer since it’s been awhile since the last reply but is the Moon cup thiner than the Keeper? I seem to be sore for days after using my Keeper but I’m completely sold on the idea!
Hi SJ – still here!
I don’t think there is any difference in thickness of the two cups. But the Keeper is latex rubber and the Mooncup is silicone. Perhaps you are a little sensitive to latex in which case the silicone version might be better suited. The other thing is maybe try inserting the cup in the shower as I find this can help as it keeps things moist.
I could be, that’s true. The cup is sitting in there all day, opposed to condoms that are obviously not haha. I’ll try the silicone ones to see! I thought that could be it too but I have tried in the shower a lot, especially because showers help me relax and the heat is great for any cramps.
Thanks for the help!
I’ve used my Moon Cup for 5 years now, and I didn’t realize how heavy my flow was until I started using it. Since it’s nothing you really sit down and compare, and certainly, if you are using tampons it’s very difficult to estimate how much you bleed, I’ve always thought that this is how it is- and I’d bleed through anything on my first two days! I do find that I have leakage with the cup too, on my first and second day, I must empty it every 4th hour, because it otherwise overflows, but hey! I’d have to change tampons every other hour!
Since I’ve just found out that my 13-year-old daughter has started using tampons (she’s had her period for 18 months) I’m going to buy her a Moon Cup as a present, encouraged by one of the contributers above. Thanks!
Swedish schools have fairly good sex ed, but noone, kids nor adults, knows about the cups! I’ve only seen them for sale in an alternative shop in a fairly big town, and not even the Chemist’s knows anything about them.
We women talk to little among ourselves about periods and “woman issues”. Just the fact that this thread has been going for 2 years proves that there is a need for fora to discuss “everyday issues” like this.
Thanks for really good info and entertaining reads, all!
Ta very much LottaN – hope your daughter gets on okay!
I was gifted a moon cup last year and I tried it on my first period after I got it, and im quite unsatisfied with it to be completely honest. I never managed to get proper seal on it, I never managed to get it to sit properly inside my vagina and it felt very uncomfortable and not to mention it would randomly lose its seal if I did manage to get it, I tried many times over and read the instructions on how to insert it, but I never got the hang of it.
I also do not like how messy it is, I absolutely hate my periods and having them all over my fingers and under my finger nails trying to constantly insert it during my trying made me decide I will stick to the old fashion way for now.
I like the idea of this moon cup though and I wish I had managed to get it to work.
I dont even like using tampons because they too are stubborn and slide down after a while,
Hi Mrs. Dirty Boots,
Awesome post! I just started looking into alternatives since I think tampons sound relatively horrible. I would love to try this out but I’m only 14 and I think I’ll have a hard time convincing my mom to spend/allow me to spend $35 on this. Any ideas? … Now that I think about it, it would also be rather an awkward conversation too. I do love the sound of this product though. Oh! One last thing ~ what brand? There seems to be no clear choice. Thanks again!
Sabriaana – good for you looking at alternative products. Maybe you need to convince your mom to try one for herself first – she would save a lot of money pretty quickly with one! Brands are a personal choice – as far as I have been able to tell they all fit basically the same and work the same way.
Hello Mrs. Dirty Boots,
Can you please help me out by filling out my survey about menstrual cup users? Thanks!! It’s for my research for ma MA in communications, and I’m looking for new and creative ways to communicate about the Mooncup, the main UK menstrual cup brand. :o)
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WDL8JZX
Take care,
jane
Hi Jane – survey filled for you!
i bought this as me and my partner are trying for a baby. There’s a conception kit you can buy for hundreds of dollars which has a similar cup included. You cannot have sex with the cup in but it’s not just good for keeping blood in if you know what i mean 🙂
Genius Claire – better than the pillow and leg up arrangement I guess!
sure is dirty boot’s and no fighting over wet patches lol! This is my 1st month using it on my cycle though and im loving it! I feel so much cleaner so angry i didnt invest sooner great product 🙂 x
I’ve had mine about 3 years now, occasinally use tampons as I still keep spares in my bag just in case. I find I need to wear a pad as well for the forst day or two to prevent leaks but otherwise much less trouble on lighter days than tampons.
Can anyone tell me do they ever wear out?? I’ve found recently I can’t get it to seal quite as well & it leaks more on my heavier days.
Michelle – I thought the life-span of the menstrual cups was more like 10 years.
I bought the Mooncup five months ago and two months ago it started leaking, so I would say it has a three month lifespan! The website doesn’t work properly so I can’t even ask them! I would not recommend this product.
Mrs. Dirty Boots,
Thank you so much for posting this review! I’ve been wanting a menstrual cup for quite some time, but didn’t know what brand to buy. After reading this article and a few others, I made my purchase this morning – a Mooncup (from the UK).
I looked into other brands, like the Keeper and Keeper Moon Cup, but didn’t like how the site was laid out, nor how they seemed to copy the UK’s Mooncup. The actual Mooncup site online checkout page was giving me problems, so I bought mine from Amazon.com (and saved some money, too!).
Thanks for the informative post and for making my decision a little easier!
— Nicole
Excellnt review and comments. I have just ordered a Mooncup online based on the things written above – I’m sure I won’t regret it. Thanks for a very informative page! 🙂
If any of you decide to get a Mooncup, could I ask you please to go via this link – http://www.mooncup.co.uk/wc.php?u=1741
20% of sales via this link go to support women’s health projects, it costs you nothing (in fact it’s cheaper to buy via Mooncup’s site than to buy in stores), but could really help other women.
Thank you 🙂
I’ve been using a Mooncup for several years now and I love it! I did have some initial problems with fitting though, the guidelines on the website are helpful but not ‘one size fits all’ and I initially bought the larger size (which leaked and never felt ‘right’) – only to replace it with the smaller size later for a perfect fit, which I can’t feel at all.
Worth keeping in mind for anyone who is unsure about which size to buy, or for anyone having problems with leakage/fit/discomfort – you might have the wrong size without knowing it.
Anyway, great review of a nice eco-friendly product!
Thanks so much for such an informative page. Had been wondering about the mooncup for a while and after reading this went and bought one, and am very glad I did! It is a bit of a wake up call when you see that truck full of tampons!
I just opened the box about 6 hours ago.. this is my first time trying a tampon alternative. First I will admit the size of the moon cup intimidated me. When I first put it in I could with out a doubt feel it. But after I walked down the hall I seemed to not notice it as much. When I sat down still nothing. Then after I re adjusted my positioned a few times the moon cup almost felt sharp, I took it out which took more effort than I expected (never doubt the power of suction). The discomoft went away. This Sharp pain happened again, so I trimmed the string and it has been in for three hours with out any issue!! Also it really was not messy when I took it out. So I might totally be in love!!
Thank you so much for your article I am getting a cup for sure. I have been looking for about six months now and to be honest i hate tampons, and pads period lately it seems i have been getting more dryness down in my unmentionables after my period which makes me itchy and i know its not a yeast infection for that a different ball park all together so i am excited to get my cup and not feel this way any more!!!!
Glad to have found this site. I bought a Mooncup a couple of years ago, despite being over fifty and expecting menopause to kick in. I had dithered over the expense, but took the plunge and am now totally convinced. My periods are still heavy, (much heavier than they used to be) with some large clots and the cup copes most of the time. If I have to be away from a handy bathroom for a while, I use a pad for security, but its rarely needed.
I find it seals well, is comfortable, takes a bit of practice to remove without spilling any contents, and usually flush down a sink as the blood sometimes doesn’t flush away in a low flush toilet. The shower tip is a good one.
My (female) doctor had never heard of menstrual cups, which surprised me, and I’ve managed to convert one daughter who is training to be a midwife, so she plans to spread the word.
I am an organic dairy farmer, and researching sustainable sanitation, so am delighted to encourage more happy ‘cup’ users. Please sing their praises!
I’ve just started using my Mooncup today! I think it’s amazing! The only thing – I find it really uncomfortable taking out – maybe I’m not used to it, but it does hurt a little for whatever reason. Anybody got any tips? Otherwise it’s brilliant, and I’m recommending it to everyone. I couldn’t wait for my period to start so I could try it out!
Good for you Elle! As regards to taking out the mooncup – I think practice makes perfect – just make sure you squeeze it a little to get rid of the vacuum like seal before trying to pull – and don’t forget to push too as that seems the most natural way to get it out!
I’m 41 years old and wish I had known about these before now! I think every mother should give their daughters ALL the options and let them decide what products to use. I love it, love it, love it!! I have to admit that I do have a slight issue getting it out, but I’ve only tried twice and I think I’m starting to figure it out.
so i ordered the moon cup from amazon ,apparently i order an A instead of a B can i still use it
Hi Smiley – well the size A is smaller – so if you are older than 30 or have had a vaginal birth you may find that it doesn’t fit well enough to prevent leakage. I guess there is only one way to tell – or if it is not opened contact the seller to see if an exchange is possible.
Thanks for writing this. This had to have been the most helpful write up on menstrual cups. Even after reading forums full of other clueless people I wasn’t that enlightened. I like the US Mooncup’s usage of retired seamstresses. It kinda touches my heart. The only thing I have yet to find solid information on is the material TPE like in the MeLuna. Do you have any knowledge of this material for internal use? I know it’s used in catheters but that doesn’t mean as much to me. I want to know if it’s safe inside the vagina.
Amy – glad you have found the article helpful – I think the comments are great. I don’t know anything about TPE (but then hey I don’t know much of anything about silicone either!). But if it safe to use in catheters (which can be used in any human orifice) I would feel happy about their safety in the vagina too – but that’s just me. You should pick one you feel confident about for you.
tried using the mooncup today for the first time and felt faint after putting it in,and after an hour tried to take it out but it went up a bit to far and was very hard to get out. After nealy fainting twice more it came out.
I keep reading how well people are doing with it and wondering if im doing something wrong ,im not normaly one to faint and i dont have any problems with tampons. please help.
Hi Yoohoo – sorry to hear you’re having such problems, and can’t think why it could make you feel faint. Anyway here’s my advice (for what its worth). Firstly put it in in the shower, I think it makes it far easier for the first few goes. Secondly do remember that it can’t go anywhere as its too large to go very high. So even if you feel like it won’t come back out (and yes I do understand its all a bit weird to begin with), it really will come out and don’t panic.
Relaxation is the key to comfortable insertion and removal. It might take you a few goes to feel relaxed enough. That doesn’t matter, just have a go when you have the time to not hurry it, and you’ll get there eventually.
Super helpful post! Thanks! I’m moving to the UK in Sept. and I’ll get a MoonCup straight away – just the thing I’ve been looking for.
But I have one important question: How much can blood can they take, how often do you have to change?
I have something called “fibroids” in my uterus and one of the problems with them is that they cause the period to be much heavier than what is normal. For 2-3 days, I have cram in 2 of the very largest size tampons AND use a pad just in case….. This lasts for a morning at work, if I am lucky, and then repeat it again for the afternoon.
Do you think the MoonCup would work for me too?
Hannah, the only way is to try one I guess. They do hold far more than you’d think. Personally I find they need changing far less often than tampons. I would give them a go and use a pad when you’re very heavy at first, just for peace of mind.
hi can 13 yeas old use them.
After reading so many excellent reviews, I decided to purchase the Moon Cup® from The Keeper Inc. I completed my first order on May 1,2015, but when I logged in to my account the following day my order was “On Hold.” Figured this was probably because I had just placed the order and they needed a few days to get it out or their warehouse/shop/whatever. After more than 5 days of my order being “on hold”, I sent an email to the company asking if this was a normal wait time, could I get an ETA. No answer.
On May 8th when I logged in, my order had suddenly disappeared. I figured there might have been a glitch, and there was no charge on my credit card, so I ordered AGAIN. This time I got an “order received” email, and almost immediately my order was “on hold” again. I sent another email asking about my order, again, NO RESPONSE.
Logged in to my account today (May 19th) and again, my order (now the 2nd) has disappeared completely from the system (even though both orders had “order #s” assigned to them, they are gone.)
Let me add that at this point, I had to resort back to tampons and pads for the month, as my first Moon Cup order (on May 1st) was going to be used this month.
Sent a THIRD email to the company today, again, no response (it’s been 3+ hrs). Wrote a comment on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheKeeperCup?fref=ts
listing my issue and vocalizing my disappointment in their lack of communication. Just went back to their fb page and noticed that my comment had been deleted … soooo let me get this straight, they have time to post to fb (which they did yesterday), update their blog, read and delete my comment, but still no response to my emails??
Here’s a little tip for all you businesses out there who have social media accounts: DON’T delete customer comments!!! Unless they are racist, or extremely offensive and profanity-laden, leave them be. Deleting comments is like sweeping dirt under a rug. You haven’t fixed the problem, just hidden it from plain sight. Not a very good policy for retaining customers…. You’re better off handling the situation out in the open, as professionally as you can. If they’d done that, there would be no issue now.
So after 3 (since deleted) Facebook posts, and 4 tweets, I FINALLY received a response, to my third email I might add, so they were in fact receiving my emails in their system.
No apology, not even a greeting, just one line saying that they “could not find an order under my name in their system”. Well DUH Sherlock, that’s what all of my emails have been about, if you’d bothered to read and answer them!
So I responded this morning with screen shots (and order #s) of all my emails explaining the situation. Received ANOTHER one-line email (again, no greeting) stating that it “must be a glitch in the system and they are looking into it. I should order from their distributors in the meantime.”
No apologies, no desire to rectify the situation with me.VERY poor customer service.
For a company that claims to be “for women,” they certainly don’t treat them very well.
Wow – amazed to hear how poorly your order went. Next time maybe try a store?
Honestly, I was excited to try the moon cup as an alternative. But, I found them very uncomfortable as they are too big around and the material itself is not very pliable. My regular menstrual cramps were somehow made worse (stronger) every time I used it ( for 4 monthly cycles). Getting it in and out was not easy but figured it would improve with time.
What never got better was how much they hurt! I know someone is likely to comment that it isn’t normal for them to hurt and I don’t doubt that is true, but I am very small down there, and found them painfully large in diameter and too big around.
Wish I had a more positive review, but wanted to be honest.