Embrace your womanhood and do good for the environment! (The Mooncup)

Member Name: Rosie78

Product:	The Mooncup
Date:	26/06/09 (472 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Money saving, no risk of toxic shock

Disadvantages: Takes a while to get the hang of

I've had my mooncup now for about 3 1/2 years, although I've been pregnant for some of that time, so I've only used it regularly for the last year.

I bought it from our local 'eco' shop, it was about £15 at the time I think, and it's available in most places for £17 now. It comes in two sizes, one for women how haven't given birth and another for those who have.

The main motivation for buying this for me was that tampons no longer suited me after giving birth. Also I always felt guilty flushing tampons, and really wanted to try something more environmentally friendly.

My first thought when I took it out of the box was 'it's huge!'. I wondered how on earth I was going to manage to use it. And yes, it does take some practice! There are still times when I find I haven't put it in quite right and need to adjust it. I also found I needed to trim the stem on the bottom to make it comfortable. I cut off a little at a time until it felt right, I know some people cut it off completely.

Basically, the mooncup collects all your menstrual blood so you can just empty it in the toilet, wash it out and reinsert. I have never had any leaks, although I use a pad for the first day as backup. It's great overnight as well. I also find it reduces my period pain. I often forget I have my period when I'm using my mooncup.

The main advantage is that there is no risk of toxic shock with a mooncup as there is with tampons. When you've finished with it, sterilise it either in boiling water or with a sterilising solution, some people put it in the dishwasher!

A lot of people are very squeamish about the mooncup. I think girls are often conditioned to think periods are something disgusting or shameful, which is ridiculous! There is nothing disgusting about a mooncup. It's an efficient, hygienic way to cope with your period. I admit to being squeamish about it at first, but now it doesn't bother me at all, and I don't find periods as much as a hassle as I used to. With a mooncup, you can carry it round with you so easily, it's much smaller than boxes of tampons and towels. It's great to take on holiday or for camping when you have to travel light.

Although it's a high initial cost compared to disposable items such as tampons, it's a one off cost and you'll save a lot of money in the long run as well as doing good for the environment.

I've removed a star purely because it takes a few cycles to get the hang of it. It's not the easiest thing to master when you have an inquisitive toddler in the toilet with you! You need a little time and privacy!

Summary: A great eco product.