Hi everyone,
I hope you can help me decide what I need. I'm buying a cup for myself, but I have no experience and don't know anyone who uses a cup that I can ask for help. My biggest concern is that my cervix is really low, as in 1-2 inches. I really want this to work because I hate pads. I think I have a fairly light flow. Typically the first 3 days, I can completely fill a maxi pad in about 24 hours, although my cycles have been somewhat lighter lately. I need something that will hold my flow for at least 9 hours because I work as a CNA in a nursing home and there is very little time for fiddling around with a cup during break. I had decided on the Mooncup UK, but then I discovered that there were quite a few more brands than the ones I had heard about. Now I don't know what to do.

Thanks for the help

Hey everyone, just sharing my photos of the large Lotos Ladycup, and a few other things.

( Everything behind the cut here )

Hi everyone,

I decided to take a couple pictures of my cups in comparison to each other.

( Pictures )

( Cut for babbling about my experiences )

( More babbling, this time about my favorite cup )

I used my MCUK for the first time today.

So far so good.

Insertion was absolutely no problem: I used the c-fold. It was even easier once I figured you only need to push the top rim past the pubic bone, and not the entire thing! Once the rim is past the pubic bone and I let go, the cup opens out and rises into pretty much the correct poisition and seals instantly. I usually push it at the base a little more once in though, just so I can't feel what little of the stem is left outside my vagina. I haven't cut the whole stem off just yet - although I think I will eventually - as I wanted to get a little more practise at removal first.

Wearing it has been a dream - can't feel a thing. In some ways I'm even less conscious of the MC than a tampon, because you don't have anything hanging out of your vagina and are not aware of being dried out inside. I'd say the only flaw I can think of at this point is that it seems to make me cramp a bit more than usual; this is probably just because it is bigger than a tampon. I'm also not fond of the air-sucky feeling when the cup opens out inside. Ugh.

Removal is definitely the most tricky part. So far, I've been having to full-squat  in order to get a grip of the base properly, but then I stand up while I ease the cup out. This isn't always easy, and can sometimes be a bit painful, especially if I don't angle the cup enough and it stretches me out - ouch.

I have had no problems with leaks yet, and i was really easy to clean it under the tap. Might be a bit trickier tomorrow though, once I'm back at work and in public, rather than at home.

I like it!

I found this funny video on YouTube of a health food store employee talking about a Mooncup shoplifter…  Thought it would give everyone a laugh.  Here’s the link, and the actual video is also in the first comment below.  Guess this means cups are definitely desirable, hm?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXVIzlvnbzw 

Hi! (and sorry for the long post)

I'm a 21 year old Israeli virgin. I first came across menstrual cups a year ago while reading an article in the news paper about families in the big cities, who live their lives as environment friendly as possible. It said that one of the women was cloth diapering her baby and was using something reusable for her period, that she had to empty and wash.

Hhhmm… interesting I thought. I never liked pads and tampons but didn't know better. Not long before that day I was wondering, if it was possible to invent something you could put inside the vagina that would only hold back the flow rather than absorb it and create a perfect seal. I assumed that for it to stay in place it had to be shaped like a cup… and then it could collect the flow. I didn't know that what I was "inventing" already existed for about 70 years!

So I researched on the internet for "reusable tampons" (yes… I know, it sounds gross) because I didn't know it was called cups, and found the MCUK first (it's the only cup you can buy here). I was instantly hooked!! My dream came true!! I kept looking for as much information about them as possible. I couldn't find anything bad about this product.

A week later I bought a small MCUK and was a bit intimidated because of the size (six month later I became a proud user of a large lunette without any size problems). I used the C fold and it once poped open right at the entrance… try telling me about pain!! After a few attempts, I finally had success.

The C fold is my favorite fold, it never disappoints me! I prefer having the whole rim inside me at the same time while inserting only half of the cup and letting it pop open then. After that I push it gently in the right position, my suuuper low cervix sitting inside the cup.

For those of you who have troubles getting the C fold to pop open: Try to push the still C shaped base/ low middle section of the cup with your thumb and middle finger from the top and the bottom of the "C". It works wonders for me with the large lunette.

Removal: I prefer the gentle rocking from side to side while pulling down and letting one side of the rim out at a time. Never had problems with it with both cups. At the beginning I use to push the cup back to a C fold, because of thinking the rim part was too big to get out. But it ended every time in spilling blood over my hand and pain when getting the rim out. I recommend relaxing and rocking the open cup out.

To prevent the light leaking stains some of you have: I stir with a finger a few times around the cup on heavy days, until there is no residual blood on the walls in my vagina (it was suggested here before).

Leaking when the cup is not full: Never happened to me! But I read here many posts about this problem.  Possible answer: Not having a good seal + being in a position that allows the blood to reach the holes (like lying down ect.). I noticed that when I fill my cup with water above the holes and touch a hole with my finger, water comes through the hole and runs down my finger. In a real case it is the vagina wall "touching" the hole + not having a good seal. Please comment on this, so I know what you think about my "theory".

I could go on and on in my excitement about cups. I've told literally every woman I know about cups and bought a MCUK for my younger sister. But sadly my friends still don't share this excitement.

Thank you, all of you!!! You have been an awesome help in my one year journey with cups, that will continue until I hit menopause.*grin*

Hello Ladies :)
Just finished 2nd cycle using a cup.  Last month I went OCD and purchased a Large and Medium Meluna, A Large and Small Lunette and a Large Diva to go with my 1st cup, a Mooncup UK.   This cycle I used the Large Lunette, the Large Meluna and the MCUK.....


( Comparisons and a favour to ask you...read more... )

I was part of the group order that fee_parisienne set up through Feminine Wear via schmoomom. Schmoomom sent the cups out on the 6th, and I received my package on the 10th. From Ireland to Las Vegas, Nevada, FOUR DAYS! Amazing. The only reason I'm posting now on the 11th is that my dad ends up getting the mail when he gets home from work around 3:00a, so I had no idea until I woke up today and it was outside my door that it had arrived. :)

I love the softness of the small Lunette I ordered and absolutely can't wait to try to use it. I've been unsuccessful with cups for at least four years, and I'm hoping this will be the cup that enables me to finally convert from pads. I'm so excited to have already received it, well in advance of my next period.

The cup was packaged in a plastic sack with instructions and a storage pouch. Teresa from Feminine Wear included a little notepad (which is awesome because I always write to-do lists), and there are also two little packages of Love Hearts candy.

Thank you all SO much! I really appreciate you all for putting together this order and getting it out to us.

And for those of you who can order from Feminine Wear, it was a great experience even though I personally didn't submit the order.

( Now, a quick comparison! )

I recently ordered a fleurcup. dont get me wrong, i LOVE my MCUK and would recommend it to anyone. However, recently i have been plagued with heavy periods and needed something that could keep up. I decided on the Fleurcup because of its stiffness (i tried the lady cup and HATED it), it's capacity (large fleurcup is among the biggest capacity-wise), and the fact it comes in black and won't look all stained (even though i do "whiten" my cups with hydrogen peroxide at the end of my period). ANYWHO... onto the comparisons!

( comparisons AND pictures! )

I am looking for opinions from those who have used both cups.  I love my Mooncup, but need a replacement.  Since they are not shipping to the US, the Femmecup seems like the next best alternative.  My only concern is that early reviews said it has small holes.  Any information on how well it pops open and removal would be great.  My next option is asking my aunt to pick one up when she goes to Europe...whenever that is. 

TIA :)

Hey everyone! Been a while. I moved countries recently, so I kinda forgot how wonderful the internets can be.

Anyway, I was hanging out with a friend of mine yesterday, who asked me if I had any tampons as she'd just run out. She was, moments before, complaining about how annoying they are to keep around given that her job requires her to travel quite frequently.

Of course, I informed her that I don't have any tampons, because I use a cup.

Cue confused look.

I explained it to her, and she said "Seriously? Why did no one tell me about this 10 years ago?" and promptly got online and started looking.

The Keeper/Moon Cup is the easiest cup to find in New Zealand, and she asked me if that one was ok. I told her, sure, as a product, but the company has some pretty appauling business ethics. She's a lawyer, so we got into a bit.

She got back online, and spent about 20 minutes searching through sites. I asked her if she needed help, as surely cups aren't THAT hard to find online, even if NZ is kind of out of the way.

"It's not that - it's that I'm trying to find someplace to buy the Mooncup UK. That'll learn 'em."

I found that a bit hilarious.

Eventually she found someplace willing to ship to NZ, and there ya have it.

Hopefully she'll like it. I anticipate a confused phone call at some point, but that's half the fun. :)

There are so many women who are automatically frightened by the idea of cups, and so many people in general who think I'm a bit weird for caring so much about the ethics of the companies I support. So it was nice to run into someone who is open-minded.

But I thought I'd just let you know: score one for cups!

Love,
Cassie

 I'm looking at getting a new cup, but I can't decide what to get.  I have a mooncup size B but I want something new.

With the Meluna does it have a solid base like the MCUK??  I have a large ladycup but I can't use it because of the difficulty in removing and getting hold of the darn thing.

I want a cup of a slightly larger size to the MCUK B, what meluna size would be appropriate. 

Thanks :D

I recently bought  two pack of Lilaccups, one for my mom and one for me. But she ended up letting me keep both, and I ended up liking the Large Lilaccup way better! (Which is weird because I'm 16 and a virgin...) :P Anyways, next year, I will be going to London and Paris with school, and I was thinking it would be the perfect opportnity to get a cup without having to ship it. (Though my friends wil be there.... That would be a little awkward. I'm not embarrassed or anything, it's just I want to keep it a little private. I don't know if they would judge me or anything...)
But since I like the Large Lilaccup better, I don't know if I should get the small or large mooncup. I'm thinking maybe both would be a bad idea, but it might be too expensive.
Sorry for the rant! I just need some help....

Thanks!

Hey there ladies!

I am putting a Mooncup UK up for sale, since they no longer ship to the US. However, it has been gently, and I mean gently, used. I decided to try it for less than 5 minutes while I was not on my period. I cut the stem a little bit, but it's not enough to make a significant difference. I have sterilized it, but please do it yourself as well. I didn't like it, and I have my Diva cup that I'm satisfied with already. Silicone is non-porous, so nothing could have gotten inside of it. Some of you may be a little squicked out by the idea, and I respect that, but I just hate to see something like this go to waste, especially if one of the main good things about it is the waste it eliminates. I have the instruction booklet, original box, and protective pouch with it. Ideally I would like to sell it for $25 USD, but I'm willing to haggle on that one. The yellow color is not from me, but it is just the color of the cup. It even says so in the instruction booklet, haha.

( On to the pictures! )

Hey girls,

After my Mooncup arrived some weeks ago, my period started yesterday and I could finally try it :D!

I used the pinch fold to insert it, and everything worked great!
I used some toilet paper for backup, but it turned out i didn't need it. The previous mentioned "super suction" sealed tight, and when i got home, i could remove it with just a little bit of pulling and squeezing. :3 Nothing was spilt at all!

I showed my boyfriend, but sadly, he didn't share my exitement.

However, washing it works great, folding/popping open works great, and until now, i've left the stem intact because i don't feel it at all.

I even forgot it and slept without emptying, and, besides of collecting a larger amount of blood, nothing happened.

I'm SO happy with my Mooncup <3

Thank you so much for helping me decide!
Thank you for introducing me to the greatest way of menstrual hygiene!

I've been reading through a lot of posts, trying to find one with the same problem as i have, but so far, no luck.  By the way, sorry in advance for the length.

I'm 30, a virgin (no, this is not the problem ;0) ), and got my small size mooncup a few years back.
I used it for a few months, getting used to it, but could never get it out without a degree of discomfort, ranging to pain on particular bad goes.

I have read so many posts about removal - they talk about rocking it back and forth, and slipping it out at an angle; or folding it over inside, and pulling it out from the bottom.  I don't seem able to manage either of these properly.
Reaching it is no problem - the cup sits quite low (actually, uncomfortably low - see below).  I have cut off the whole stem, but find it too tight to grip at the bottom with finger and thumb.  I therefore have to slip my finger up inside to break the seal.  I attempt to fold it and pull it out so that the whole rim is not coming out at once (happened a few times - VERY painful!!) but tend to end up with it still feeling too big anyway.  The result tends to be my hand covered in gunk (which I don't mind so much, though not great for public toilets), the blood spilling everywhere, and worst of all, a lot of pain.  Once or twice, I know I have torn skin/tissue at the bottom of my vaginal opening (?? would this have been my hymen??), as I have felt the sensation, and seen fresh blood on my fingers.

I do worry about removal each time, but remain calm and relaxed - nothing feels particularly tense, just very tight, like there's not much room down there.  I can just about get two fingers in (without the moooncup in, and with lubricant), so wonder if size is the problem?

The other thing I've noticed - as opposed to many people whose cup seems to disappear off up inside, I find mine sits very low.  I can feel it when I sit down.  This is despite giving it a good poke once I've put it in.  It just seems to slide back down.  I'm pretty sure it's sealed, as it doesn't leak.

I would so much appreciate any advice on less painful ways to remove it.  Having read some of the posts here, I'm now also thinking maybe I should try a smaller cup, like the colour Lady Cups. Could this be a solution?

Many thanks.

Hello!

I am new to menstrual cups and this is my first cycle with my brand new Mooncup UK.

The very first time I used it, it went really well, no leaks, brilliant!

But after having emptied my cup and re-inserted it, it leaked.
The cervix is pointing into the cup, the cup is unfolded, it sits low in my vag (although I think that my vag might me on the short side).
When I inserted it for the first time, I remember hearing and feeling it popping open. It never did that again. That would of course create a neat deal inside, I guess.

I read somewhere something about inserting the cup while sucking in air into the vagina. How do you do that?

Also, what are other ways to fold up your cup? Are there pics of that or can someone give me instructions, please?

Thanks!
I really want to get the hang of my Moncup. After all, it went so unbelievable well the first try....

So, i've been using the Mooncup UK (B, as i'm 18 and no kids) for a few months now, and i've had no problems until now. (This is a great community btw, it helped answer many of the questions when I was first starting out!)
 

( leaking problem )( removal and leaking )

 

Sorry for the long post, and I know, TMI! So I guess my main problem is removal, as I can't seem to remove the cup with all the contents in the cup, and not all over my hand! I have heavy periods btw, and before using the mooncup, I used to have to change my pad every 2 hours. Also, I wear my mooncup high up, as everytime I try to keep it low, it always migrates up.

I hope I explained it well and it's not too confusing

Hi all!
I recently bought a small (Size B) Mooncup UK (I'm in Europe), and I already have a Divacup, which I discovered works just fine. My sister had mentioned that she wanted to try a menstrual cup, but when I offered her the Mooncup, she declined. So, out of curiousity, I did a "dry run" for maybe 5 minutes in the shower, and then I took it out and cleaned it very well, and soaked it in peroxide. The price on the Mooncup site is 20 GBP, which is about $32. I'm willing to sell it for $28 including shipping. I am also willing to haggle or trade! The Mooncup came with the yellowish color, which I've heard they do, so I had nothing to do with that, haha. Oh, I also trimmed the stem a little bit because I got ahead of myself, but it's not much at all.

( Pictures! )

I know people often ask, "Did anybody switch from cup X to cup Y?" so here's my switch if anyone wants this particular story.

When I first got a cup, it was either Diva or Mooncup UK - those were the only ones. I went with the Mooncup (small) because it was supposed to be softer and shorter.

It took me about 3 months to get comfortable using it.

Then, a while ago, I LOST it. Fell out of my bag. I felt so stupid, before leaving the house, I saw it in there and thought, "I should put that away." Of course, I lost it somewhere that day. I took lots of papers in and out of the bag. It must have fallen out sometime. I guess someone at work will find an interesting item on the floor.

So - I would have replaced it, but Mooncup UK stopped shipping here and wanted me to buy from the local dealer which was super expensive. So I branched out. Considered a color cup but never quite won on ebay, and it was just before all those other companies started coming out with them.

Finally I got a Lunette from Sarah-May on ebay.co.uk. I wanted a Selene but they didn't have them in small in stock and I was desperate. Customer service was excellent.

The difference is that the Lunette is much, much more flexible than the Mooncup - the Mooncup's big rim gives it a lot more shape. I tried it, and for me, it was really hard to get it to pop open. I had this even a little with the Mooncup with the stiff rim. It was hard for me to get it in and mess with it - I tend to tense up when I'm messing with a cup.

But it did open and all. I am sure I'll like it, but I'm afraid I'll have to go through the learning curve all over again (hopefully faster since I've done it before). Anyone switch cups and have the new one be very different?

I always thought I wanted the softest cup, easiest to insert...but didn't consider the popping open - so keep that in mind. I guess I'm glad I didn't go with a color cup, because they are supposed to be even softer. Lunette seems slightly smaller, and is easier to clean. I had cut the stem off the Mooncup totally, but the soft tab stem, I might be able to leave on, at least partially. It's a pretty cup. The Mooncup is much thicker and sturdier feeling, the Lunette is delicate. Hopefully I'll get used to the change.

So that's my input. Love to hear from others about switching cups. Wish Mooncup hadn't done the shipping thing or I probably would have gotten another. I'll update when I use it a few more times and tell how long it takes to get used to the Lunette.

EDIT UPDATE: I use the regular C fold on the Lunette, which never would have worked with the Mooncup, which I had to punch-down...but the Lunette won't open that way. It is softer so if I fold it that much, it doesn't open. It's also harder to break the seal for me, but it works just as well, and adjustment was a day or so, not like starting over.

Just had my first period with my green ladycup, I have already been using a Mooncup (UK) for almost a year. I had a few dry runs with the ladycup before my period arrvied and didn't envisage any problems with it. To begin with it was fine but after using it overnight there seemed to be a lot of blood on the outside of the cup, it looked as if it had run out of the diagonal holes. Anyway, it hadn't leaked so I wasn't too worried. Throughout the following day I had a bit of leakage and although it wasn't much I would have been happier with a pantyliner if I'd been going out anywhere. 

Because I had never had a single tiny bit of leakage with my mooncup I decided to swap back again next time I emptied out. After a couple of hours I went to the loo and I had massive leakage from the mooncup! I felt like it was getting revenge on me for using another cup. It was really strange because there was plenty of blood inside it and absolutely none on the outside when I removed it so I don't know how it could have leaked, there was just no evidence. My mooncup has also been much easier to insert, pop and remove since I used the ladycup. Its all a bit spooky, its like my mooncup was punishing me by leaking then miraculously rectifying every fault I had with it to stop me using ladycup again. 

Anyway, what I'm really getting at here is does anyone find the direction of the ladycup holes to cause leaks? I know its only my first period with it but I didn't trust it enough to go to work with it in today, I went for my mooncup instead.

Also, does anyone else experience cup rivalry like this?

ok, I'm one of the smaller vagina people with low cervix, etc.... I haven't been able to get the ladycup or diva to work. I'm going to still try the lunette when I have time. I haven't given up yet but have trouble inserting. Was wondering if Insteads would work better as they go in slimmer? Although I know the insteads are really long. Have any of you smaller people had success with Insteads? Also, what is the slimmest fold for ladycup and lunnette. 7 fold, extreme 7, and C don't work for me. Thanks for any help.

I'm currently being treated vaginally with Lactobacillus after a pretty heavy YI. I got my period yesterday, quite unexpected (haven't had one in over two years because of pregnancy/breastfeeding), and was wondering if I can continue treatment while wearing the cup. I have a Mooncup UK. Could the meds somehow harm the cup? I don't think it's very likely, but ya know. Better safe... :)

This is a link to a YouTube video about (I think)  moonCup UK.    I respect people who bring the natural female function out of the shadows, and this video does just that...

WARNING:  The video does contain shots of actual menstrual fluid in a shower, so if you are queemish about other people's fluids, you may not want to watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs8OJUvckdQ

I just got my new GreenCup (small) through the post yesterday and I thought I'd just give a bit of info on how I've got on with it so far. I know there are lots of comparisons on here but I think it's good to have lots of peoples opinions to help others' decide because everyone is so different...anyway...

Size-wize it is smaller in rim width and length but the inside of the rim and the actual body of the cup look the same size as the small MCUK. It is simillar in firmness around the rim and area where the holes are but the body of the cup is softer and squishier. The holes are HUGE!! But I think this will be a good thing for me for both cleaning and suction.

On a dry run it has been really easy to insert and remove although, like some LadyCup users I have found it to be a bit tricky to get a good grip of to remove. I have cut most of the stem off after a couple of trials but may remove all of it in the future as I did with my MCUK. To insert I tried the punch-down fold to begin with as this is what I usually use with my MCUK and then the C-fold. both worked fine but I think C-fold is going to be my preferred fold for this cup as the punch-down was a bit hard to keep a good grip of with the cup being so slippery when wet (I can't do dry insertion). 

I'll have to give an update in a couple of weeks when I've had my period but so far so good. I won't go overboard just yet incase I have an awful period with it but I think it's going to be my cup of choice really. My MCUK is comfy enough once placed correctly but I often have trouble getting it in and getting it to open. Lots of you have suggested firmer cups pop more easily but I find the opposite to be true for me, my MCUK would stay folded all day if I didn't let some air into it. With GreenCup I still had to let air in to get the cup to be rounded out but the rim seems to pop open straight away. Viscious circle with MCUK - C-fold won't go in but pops best, punch down goes in best but won't pop (sod's law)