Mooncup - simply fantastic (The Mooncup)

Member Name: MarieHHH

Product:	The Mooncup
Date:	13/06/09 (134 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: saves money, no need to carry around tampons, better for environment

Disadvantages: takes a bit fo getting used to

Background:
I've always found tampons annoying - you have to carry them with you, and then when you change them you need to find somewhere to dispose of them (why oh why do so many ladies loos lack sanitary bins?!) And of course there's the cost - tampons aren't cheap. So throughout my time at university I was always vaguely intrigued by the adverts on the back of toilet doors for 'mooncups', but it wasn't until my boots advantage card decided to print me off a 'special offer' voucher to buy one that I thought hey, why not?

The Mooncup:
The mooncup is a little rubber cup with a 'tail' on it which you insert into your vagina as an alternative to a tampon. It takes a while to get used to where is the best place for it to sit inside, and possibly a while longer to get used to removing it without making a mess, but once you grasp these things its actually easier to use that a tampon. I say this because when you are out you don't need to have anything with you, all you have to do is empty it, wash it out and put it back in rather than the tampon alternative of carrying a new one and then disposing of the old one. I also find it can manage heavier flow than even super plus tampons (= fewer accidents) and (this one may just be a coincidence) I seem to get less period pain when using it compared to tampons.
At the end of my period I put it in a false teeth pot with a sterilizing tablet and leave it there until I next need it, when I simply take it out and wash it off.
I honestly can't believe I used tampons for so long, and all my friends I've suggested mooncup to have felt the same way - we find its cheaper, easier and more environmentally friendly (although if we're honest it's the first two points that we love it for most)
The only thing is that you do need to be fairly comfortable with yourself to use it - if you get squeamish using an applicator tampon this is probably not for you as you need to be able to feel inside yourself to use it.
I have worn mine swimming and slept in it without any problems, and after 2 years use it still looks like new. I have also now cut most of the tail off as I found this more comfortable, but I left it on until I got used to taking it in and out!
The other main area in which mooncup excels is if you are travelling to countries where tampons are not readily available - having to lug a years worth of tampons on a gap year is a pain, whilst a mooncup is far more convenient!

Summary:
I love my mooncup and would definitely recommend it - its worth the effort to get used to in terms of the money you will save and the increased ease of use compared to tampons long term.

**also posted on ciao under the same name**

Summary: A fantastic alternative to tampons