These are all genuine emails with genuine answers. If you have a
question about the Mooncup you may well find the answer right here!
Alternatively contact our nurse advisor by clicking here or by telephoning 0044(0)1273 673845
Public toilets
Dear Cathy,
How do you use the Mooncup in public toilets?
Cheers,
Helen
Dear Helen
You can still use your Mooncup in Public toilets. Simply take a
small bottle
of water into the toilet with you and rinse it with this. Alternatively
you
can wipe with toilet paper and give your Mooncup a thorough clean
at a more convenient time.
Best Wishes
Cathy
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Light flow
Dear Cathy,
My flow is very light and I find tampons extremely painful to remove. Is it ok to use a Mooncup with a light flow?
Kath
Dear Kath
Yes it is fine to use the Mooncup when your flow is light. The Mooncup is not absorbent and will not cause dryness so you will find removal much more comfortable than with tampons.
Best wishes
Cathy
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Dispatch / Packaging
Dear Cathy,
How big is the mooncup package - will it fit through my letterbox? If
not, is it discreet, i.e. can I get it delivered to my boyfriend's work
without worrying about causing any offence or much laughter ;-)
Yvonne
Dear Yvonne
The Mooncup comes in an A5 brown manilla envelope with an address label on the front and our company name and address written in small letters at the bottom of the label. There is no indication of what is inside the package. It may be helpful to you to know that the package is small enough to fit through a standard letterbox and doesn't need to be signed for so you don't need to be at home to receive it.
Hope this helps!
Best wishes
Cathy
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Just started menstruating
Hi.
I've just heard about your moon cup and it sounds pretty good. I'm
wondering if it is recommended for use by a girl who has just started
menstruating. Any caveats I should know about? My 11 year old daughter
is not quite there yet but will be sometime soon and if this is
as great as it sounds I would like to recommend it.
Thanks for your response.
Joanne
Dear Joanne
Yes young girls are physically able to use the Mooncup. It is possible
to use the Mooncup from the very first period as our bodies are
designed to give birth to full size babies at this time. The more
confident that your daughter is about her body the easier it will
be for her. As with tampons, it will require practice at first.
She may like to use a water based lubricant to make insertion easier
to begin with. I hope that this helps.
Best Wishes
Cathy
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Hymen
Dear Cathy,
I saw the Mooncup at a festival and was
rather dubious about it but I have been thinking about it quite
a lot as I want to become more active and learn how to swim. As
far as I am aware my hymen is still intact, so I was worried about
using it and wasn't quite bold enough to ask the lady at the stand.
Yours sincerely
Sharon
Dear Sharon
Thanks for getting in touch. If your hymen is still fully intact
the use of the Mooncup is likely to cause it to tear or break. The
hymen is a thin membrane, with a space or spaces for periods to
flow through, which partially blocks the opening of the vaginal
entrance. Hymens come in various shapes and designs. Your hymen
may be shaped like a septum (a thin line
of skin which divides the centre of the vaginal opening, as does
the septum of our nose), or you may have a hymen shaped like a crescent
moon around the bottom or side of the vaginal opening. Interestingly,
not all women are born with hymens, and hymens can break without
women knowing it. Strenuous activities, such as bicycle riding,
horseback riding, stretching, or dancing, can also cause the hymen
to break. Also a woman's hymen could have been broken or stretched
by sexual activity, even if she has not yet had sexual intercourse.
Once torn or stretched, the hymen becomes an irregular ring of tissue
around the vaginal opening. If you would like further advice I recommend
that you pay a visit to your local well woman or sexual health clinic.
Best Wishes
Cathy
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Leakage
Hi,
Just writing for some advice. I bought a Mooncup at Glastonbury festival after wanting one for so long. I have been using it month after month and still I leak. I have to use pads as well, and my main reason for wanting Mooncup was for eco reasons. Please help me because I don’t want to go back to the old ways.
Yours Catherine
Dear Catherine,
I am sorry that you are having problems but I am sure we can find a solution. The most common reason for leakage is not placing the Mooncup low enough in your vagina. The Mooncup needs to be placed just inside the entrance to your vagina, not up near the cervix where tampons are placed.
Also, you need to check that the whole of the stem is fully inside you. Most women need to trim the stem. If you think you need to trim the stem, remove your Mooncup and cut the end with scissors. Trim a little off at a time and reinsert your Mooncup to check how it sits. Repeat this process until it is fully inside you and is comfortable.
Another reason for leakage is due to poor seal formation with your vaginal wall. You can try twisting and rotating the Mooncup once inserted. You can also try pulling the mooncup down slightly and then gently pushing it inward. Clamping your pelvic floor muscles around the Mooncup will also help to create a good seal.
Occasionally leakage can occur because the small holes below the rim of the Mooncup have become blocked. Use a clean pin and remove any debris blocking the holes. Wash your Mooncup and re-insert.
Finally, leakage may be due to the size you are using not being a good fit. In this case please contact the advice service.
Best Wishes
Cathy
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Which size
DearCathy
How can I tell whether my Mooncup is the before or after childbirth
size and what is the difference in size?
Hazel
Dear Hazel,
If you hold your Mooncup up to the light you will see an A or a
B stamped in the bottom of the cup. A is after childbirth and for
women aged 30 and over, and B is before childbirth and women aged
below 30. The length of the cup is 50mm for both sizes, and the
diameter across the top is 43mm for the size B and 46mm for the
A. The stem is 21mm long. I hope that this helps.
Best Wishes
Cathy
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Lubricants
Hello!
I am about to order a Mooncup (just waiting for my next paycheque),
and I have a question. I know that oil-based lubricants and latex
do not mix, but I also know that one of the unique things about
the Mooncup is that it is silicone, not latex. Does this mean that
I can use oil-based lubricants to help with insertion, without worrying
about damaging the rubber? Thanks so much for your help!
Kate
Dear Kate
We recommend that you do not use oil-based substances with the Mooncup
as they can weaken the material over time. Water based
lubes are fine.
Best Wishes
Cathy
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TSS
Dear Cathy
I've been using my Mooncup for the first time these past few days
and it
seems to be working really well. Everything everyone says about
it on your
site is true. I particularly like the idea that I can forget about
it and
just need to empty it once on waking and once before sleep. However
I'm still a little concerned about the risk of toxic shock syndrome
from leaving it in for a long time.
My cup only gets about half full in half a day, so is it okay to
leave it in for those 8 hours without changing it?
Thanks
Lucy
Dear Lucy
Thank you for your email. I am glad that you are getting along with
your Mooncup! You are right to be concerned about toxic shock syndrome,
and with the Mooncup it is important to regularly remove and clean
it as by doing so you prevent any build-up of the bacteria that may
cause this illness. We recommend that you remove and clean your
Mooncup 4 times during a 24-hour day. TSS has been linked to high absorbency
and prolonged use of tampons. The Mooncup differs from tampons in
that the material that it is made of does not support the growth
of bacteria in the way that the rayons and cottons used in tampons
do. Menstrual cups have been around since the 1930s but have not
been associated with toxic shock syndrome. TSS is most common in
women aged between the ages of 15 and 19 and the risk of contracting
it decreases with age. As a precaution, you should be aware that
the symptoms of TSS could include sudden high fever, vomiting, diarrhoea,
dizziness, fainting, or a rash rather like sunburn. Should you experience
these symptoms during your period you should remove your Mooncup
and contact your GP immediately. I hope that this information is
useful for you.
Best Wishes
Cathy
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Promotional info
Dear Cathy
I bought a Mooncup at this years Glastonbury festival and would
like to spread the word to some of my friends and family. Those
who are Internet friendly I have directed to your website but I
have been asked for written information such as the leaflets I was
given with my Mooncup. I was also wondering if you had any stickers
I could have to advertise the Mooncup around my University. I am
a student and think that there would be many people interested in
such an effective alternative to tampons.
Many Thanks.
Julia
Dear Julia
Many thanks for your email. I am glad you like your Mooncup! Please
email your address and I will send out leaflets and stickers to
you. Please let me know if you would like more. Many thanks for
spreading the word!
Best Wishes
Cathy
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Sex
Hi
Can you advise if the Mooncup is safe to leave in during penetrative
sex (not obviously as a method of contraception)?
Thanks
Mickie
Dear Mickie,
No, the Mooncup is not for use during sexual intercourse. It would
be in the way as it sits low in the vagina, not high like the contraceptive
cap.
Best Wishes
Cathy
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Removal Problems
Dear Mooncup
I have just tried my Mooncup for the first time. Am I alone in having
problems removing it?
Please help!
Helen
Dear Helen,
No! It is a question of practice, and some women find removal a
little difficult at first! You do not explain what the problem is
exactly, but there are two usual difficulties:
1 Too much suction: Before inserting your mooncup, try inserting a pin into the small holes around
under the lowest ridge on the rim of the Mooncup. These can become
blocked, so wiggle a pin in each one to ensure that they are clear.
You can always release the seal by inserting your finger alongside
the Mooncup and squashing it sideways, if squeezing the base does not work.
2 Not being able to get hold of the Mooncup: this is a combination
of position, and, often, panic! Try to sit on the loo or squat,
and use your 'bearing down' or pushing muscles to move the Mooncup
down before you try to get hold of it. You should be able to move
it down to the entrance to your vagina where it is easier to get
hold of! The best method for doing this is to use a sequence of small downward motions. It may feel as though th Mooncup rises again after releasing each motion but it will be gradually pushed down. Small motions avoid tension and panic!
Standing or lying down makes your Mooncup harder to reach.
And yes, staying calm is helpful too!
I hope this info is useful.
Best Wishes
Cathy
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Post-birth Hello,
I've been using a Mooncup very happily for the last year. I'm now
expecting our first baby in October, and I wondered if I can use
the Mooncup for the bleeding after the birth? I've heard that you
shouldn't use tampons, but wondered whether the Mooncup would be
OK.
Best wishes,
Kelly
Dear Kelly
It is not recommended to use internal protection for the first six weeks after giving birth. This is because of the increased risk of infection (after trauma to the vaginal tissues.) It would probably be a bit too tender
as well! I would use washable cloths for this post birth bleed.
Good luck, and best wishes
Cathy
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Urinary tract infections
Dear Cathy
The Mooncup sounds like a very interesting product, but I would
like to ask you a question before trying it. When I used a diaphragm,
I had problems with urinary tract infections. Have there been any
experiences of women suffering urinary tract infections from the
use of the Mooncup?
Many Thanks
Sarah
Dear Sarah
The diaphragm is worn higher in the vagina than the Mooncup. However it is still possible
that the rim of the Mooncup may exert pressure on the urinary tract
and if you have been affected by problems of this nature in the
past we would recommend that you check with your GP before using
the Mooncup.
Best Wishes
Cathy
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Thrush
Dear Cathy,
Will the Mooncup cause me to get thrush? I get
thrush from using tampons, look forward to your answer.
Cheers
Maia
Dear Maia
Approximately 1/3 of what tampons absorb are the
protective secretions that prevent thrush and other infections from
happening.
These secretions also maintain the correct Ph balance
of the vagina. When you use a Mooncup it will not interfere with
these protective vaginal secretions, and it will not absorb them
either, so your vagina will remain healthy whilst you are having
your period.
It is important to rinse your Mooncup with plenty
of water if you use soap to clean it, as traces of soap left on
the Mooncup can upset the Ph balance of your vagina.
In answer to your question Maia, no the Mooncup
will not give you thrush.
Best Wishes
Cathy
» more about the Mooncup
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IUD
Hi Cathy,
A friend passed on your web link to me - it's amazing. Please can
you tell me whether it is perfectly safe to use with the IUD?
Thanks a lot and keep up the good work,
Kate
Dear Kate
There should be no problem with an I.U.D as long as you remember to place the mooncup low down in the vagina and take care to release the seal properly when removing the mooncup. It’s a good idea to ask your GP/clinic if they can trim the IUD strings to keep them short. You should continue to check your IUD strings periodically to make sure it hasn't been dislodged.
Best Wishes
Cathy
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Silicone Implants
Hi Cathy,
I am a little confused regarding silicone, with regard to problems
women have with breast enlargements!!, I don't have much of an understanding
of this, and am looking for some feedback. Thank you for your time
Anna
Dear Anna
The Mooncup is made from a very different material to the breast
implants that caused so many problems. They were gel held in a bag
and the gel started to leach out over time into the body. The Mooncup
is made from a solid medical grade silicone, the sort of material
that replacement heart valves or catheters are made from. I hope
that this is useful.
Best Wishes
Cathy
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Endometriosis
Hi Cathy! I have endometriosis, how would the Mooncup work for me?
Rachel
Dear Rachel
I am sorry to hear that you have this challenging condition.
The feedback I have received from other women in your situation has been positive. This is because the Mooncup will hold up to three times more than disposable sanitary products. The Mooncup is able to accommodate clots because it collects your menstrual flow. A tampon is designed to absorb menstrual flow and therefore is not able to accommodate clots. It is also useful to use the Mooncup because you can measure how much you are actually bleeding and report this to your gynaecologist.
You may also be interested to know that other women
with your condition have reported to us that they experience less
pain with their period when using a Mooncup.
Best Wishes
Cathy
» more about the Mooncup
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Heavy periods
Dear Cathy,
"I have very heavy periods, will the Mooncup
be suitable for me?"
Thanks
Lottie
Dear Lottie,
Thank you for contacting us for advice.
Yes, the Mooncup works very well for heavy periods because it collects up to three times more menstrual blood than disposable sanitary products. This means that you will need to attend to the Mooncup less often. Women have reported back to me that this has significantly improved their quality of life.
The Mooncup also allows you to accurately measure your flow. This means that for the first time your doctor or gynaecologist will be able to know exactly how much you bleed and will be able to treat you accordingly and quickly.
Best Wishes
Cathy
» more about the Mooncup
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Backflow / inverted postures
Hi, I have been looking through your site and think that the mooncup looks fantastic but i have one reservation/question. As the menstrual blood is just collected rather than absorbed, what would happen if you were to go upside down or lay down with your pelvis raised above your body. I know this sounds a really strange question but i do really want one and i just need to know what woud happen if i was to lay down or go on an upside down ride at a theme park. Sorry if you think this is an odd concern!
Thank you for your enquiry. Firstly your concern is far from odd, it is not an uncommon query. Using the Mooncup as a collective device will not create any additional risk than these kind of activities may be associated with when you are menstruating. I don't know if you are aware that there is an ongoing debate regarding whether or not it is appropriate for women to adopt any inverted postures during menstruation, for instance shoulder stands in yoga are cnsidered by some to be alleviative menstrual symptoms during a period, whilst others say that this posture should not be done during menstruation because of the potential for retrograde flow (back flow). It comes down to a personal decision, depending on your opinion. I include some internet links below on this subject...
http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/546_1.cfm http://www.yoga.com.au/Infosheets/Menstruation%20Info%20Sheet.pdf http://ask.metafilter.com/mefi/5572 http://www.skys.com.au/women_inverted.html
I think that overall the concerns in these areas are associated with being in inverted postures for a prolonged time, and even then the retrograde theory is just that, a theory, it has not been shown be true. The Mooncup is suitable for night-time use and all forms of sports so there is no need for concern in the doing the activities you describe. I hope that this helps you, let me know if you have any further questions.
Best Wishes,
Cathy
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Insertion problems
I just received my mooncup through the post and am finding it really hard to use. I can't seem to insert it. Could you give me any tips?
thank-you
Thank you for your email. I'm going to need
a bit more detail to be able to offer you specific advice for the
difficulties you are experiencing, why exactly can you not insert
it? If you are having problems with keeping it folded you
will need to practice until you find a method that works for you.
If you are having problems with actually passing it through the
entrance of your vagina again with practice this will improve.
The most important thing is to remain as relaxed as possible, otherwise
our muscles tend to tense up and work against us. Just take
your time and practice now and again when you are not menstruating
until you feel you have gained confidence and found what works best
for you. A water-based lubricant can also make things easier
initially.
Also make sure that you are running your mooncup under water before attempting to insert it as this reduces any potential friction too.
I hope that something here will be helpful to you, but let me know more specifically what guidance you need and I'm sure we will be able to find a solution for you.
Best Wishes,
Cathy
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Sports
I am almost convinced about buying a mooncup
however I do a number of aerobics classes during the week. During
the week of my period I do sometimes go but often wear a pad as
well as a tampon in case of leaks when jumping - would a Mooncup
be OK during exercise (including in swimming pool?)
Thank you for your enquiry. The Mooncup is ideal
for use whilst doing all sports, including aerobics and swimming.
Some women use a pantyliner whilst they are still gaining confidence
in the reliabilty of their Mooncup, but before long it will provide
you with far more confidence than any other product. Feel free to
contact me again if you have any further questions at all.
Best Wishes,
Cathy
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Is it messy?
I only heard about your mooncup today, but am intrigued,
especially for the health aspects. I have big reservations though
about how messy it is. Can you please tell me whether this is true?
Do you tip any blood into the toilet then wipe it? Is there a lot,
it sounds horrible! Is it like inserting a tampon though in terms
of the amount of blood you come into contact with?
Thanks!
Thank you for your enquiry. The Mooncup is actually suprisingly unmessy to use. Yes, when you insert its the same as inserting a tampon with regard to the amount of blood you come in contact with. When you remove the Mooncup the outside of it is generally clean, with all your blood collected inside of it. It stays upright (and is rarely full anyway) until you tip it up to empty it down the loo. Then you simply rinse, or wipe, befor re-inseting. You will see your blood, but you will not have much actual contact with it. Many women find that once they get used to it, seeing your blood is actually a very good way of being in touch with your body and can lead to a greater sense of acceptance and well-being during menstruation! Its really not horrible, its just different at first. Let me know if you have any further questions at all.
Best Wishes,
Cathy
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Menopause
I am going into my menopause, is it worth buying a Mooncup?
The Mooncup can be very useful in helping with the changes that occur during the menopause. Your periods may become heavier or lighter and the Mooncup can be used in both of these situations, saving you from needing to use a whole array of disposable products. The Mooncup is also well able to collect clots and to deal with sudden flooding. Another advantage of the Mooncup is that it allows you to accurately measure your flow. This means that for the first time your doctor or gynaecologist will be able to know exactly how much you bleed and will be able to treat you accordingly and quickly.
For many women using a Mooncup improves the quality of their lives during the menopause.
Best Wishes
Cathy
» more about the Mooncup
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Painful Periods
I have really painful periods will the Mooncup help?
The Mooncup can safely be used with painful periods and many women report that using the Mooncup reduces their pain. One reason for this could be that the Mooncup is worn lower down in the vagina than a tampon and allows your menstrual blood to flow more naturally. The Mooncup is also hypoallergenic and does not react with your body. The chemicals contained in tampons may react with the body causing pain.
Best Wishes
Cathy
» more about the Mooncup
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Night use
Hi can you please let me know if the mooncup is safe to wear
at night? Many Thanks
Dear Sarah,
Thank you for your enquiry. Yes, the Mooncup is safe to wear at
night. You will need to ensure it is empty before going to bed and
then empty it again as soon as you wake, but because it is safe
to be in place for 8 or so hours there is no problem with using
it at night. Please feel free to contact me again if you have any
further queries at all.
Best Wishes
Cathy
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Still have questions? Contact our nurse advisor by clicking here or by telephoning 0044(0)1273 673845
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