It doesn't have wings! (The Mooncup)

Member Name: Trix1212

Product:	The Mooncup
Date:	03/02/09 (268 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easier, cleaner, more comfortable, too many to mention...

Disadvantages: Takes a little while toget used to - but it's worth it

Periods can be an uncomfortable, messy and annoying part of life and I'm sure that I'm not the only one who faces 'that time of the month' with a certain amount of resigned dread. As the frequency of TV and magazine adverts show, we are always on the look out for something to make the whole experience more comfortable - towels and tampons are regularly upstaged by the newer slimmer, more shapely and more absorbent designs and the whole thing can become an thoroughly annoying, not to mention expensive, experience. Then there's the remembering to always carry spares, the frequent changes in yukky public toilets, not to mention the worry of leaks, smells and TSS...

I'm sure many female readers will be nodding in recognition and many squeamish male readers will have been scared off by now so I'll just get to the point!

I first saw an advertisement for a 'menstrual cup' on the back of the door of a relatively clean and sadly graffiti free public toilet. With nothing else to read I was intrigued by the claims that the Mooncup was cleaner, cheaper and more environmentally friendly that other sanitary products and hurried to Google it as soon as I arrived home.

I was immediately directed to a friendly and helpful website which explained how and why the Mooncup worked so well and (after a little scouting around the internet to read other opinions) I wasted no time in ordering one for myself. I'm sure anyone who is interested will look at the website for themselves so I won't overdo the technical info here but just go straight to my own experience /opinion of using the product.

The Mooncup costs around £18 but claims to replace other products completely and lasts for several years so it is great value for money. It arrived swiftly, packaged in a little cloth bag for storage and with a small instruction booklet. Insertion and removal is fully explained in the booklet, with helpful diagrams, but it does take a bit of getting used to (remember that first time you tried inserting a tampon?). I'd definitely allow plenty of time for a first try and it is suggested that you begin with a 'dry run' before your first real use.

As the name suggests the product itself is a 'cup', designed to collect menstrual fluid. It is worn inside, like a tampon though lower, and needs to be removed and emptied several times a day. It will need to be sanitised between cycles but a quick rinse will suffice each time it is emptied. It is made of a very soft and flexible silicone and is very comfortable to wear - in fact its quite easy to forget you're wearing it!

As I said, there are pretty clear instruction for use included and I found it straightforward to put in though, as the cup is 'folded' over to put in there was a fairly uncomfortable sensation as it 'pops' out into position inside you. I've never seen anyone else mention this so maybe its just me and I haven't quite got the hang of it yet! It is worth checking the seal at this point to avoid any leaks. Removing it can also be pretty tricky until you get used to it. The easiest method is to get hold of the actual cup (above the stem; that's really not much use at all and I've seen several people say that they just cut it off completely) and insert a finger alongside it to break the seal. If it seems to be stuck don't worry, just try to relax and it will come out. The seal which keeps the whole thing so neat also creates a lot of suction if you just pull at it without releasing the seal and this can be quite uncomfortable but it just takes a bit of practice to get it right.

Once in position the Mooncup is perfectly comfortable (I can't even feel it) and totally secure. I was a little anxious at first and used a slim towel as a 'back-up' but there was really no need, there's never been any sign of a leak. It is fine to wear at night and I have actually slept right through without noticing and had no problems at all. I really can't come up with any negative points, except perhaps to say that it might not be suitable as a first time sanitary product and for anyone who is not comfortable with 'downstairs', simply because it takes a little time and practice to get it right. I would strongly urge all women who've read this far to try it for yourself, at least take a look at the manufacterer's website and allow yourself to be convinced! Have a little patience and give it a chance and you will find that it can make that dreaded monthly event just a little bit (or, like me, a whole lot) easier.

Summary: A fantastic new product that takes the headache out of the monthly 'event'!