Menstrual cups: what do you use and what is great about it?

Ok, so I'm looking at taking the plunge, but I want to know more first ...

What cup do you use?

Why?

Do you have multiple sizes, or just a medium / large one that you change more often during heavier flow?

What on earth do you do if you need to change it in a public bathroom or at work?

How long do they last (as in years)?

Do they come with a storage case, so you can pop it in your bag in case of surprise periods?

Can you wear them overnight (as long as you're sleeping less than the 10 hours allowed)?

Do tell ...

What cup do you use? - Mooncup

Why? My sister had one and recommended it

Do you have multiple sizes, or just a medium / large one that you change more often during heavier flow? Just one, just change more frequently as necessary

What on earth do you do if you need to change it in a public bathroom or at work? I often don't have to, but if I do I just empty and wipe with loo roll, if I have a bottle of water on me I rinse with that.

How long do they last (as in years)? Mine is probably about 4 years old I think.

Do they come with a storage case, so you can pop it in your bag in case of surprise periods? Mine didn't come with a case, but I don't tend to be surprised these days anyway.

Can you wear them overnight (as long as you're sleeping less than the 10 hours allowed)? Yes I always wear overnight - is there a 10 hour limit? I have never worried about such a thing.

What is great - environmentally they are very friendly, and also so so so cheap compared with anything else, and comfortable I think too - much more comfortable than tampons.

I love mine, will be honest and cant remember the brand..think lunacup. I got a pack which had 2 cups, different sizes, but only ever used one as it fits. I do wear a liner with mine for first day of my period cause it is insanely heavy and i need to empty every hour (would need to change pads every hour anyway, so needing to empty frequently is my fault not the cups). I also didnt know there was 10hr limit...ive worn for 12hr over night on my light flow days. Mine came with a little bag and a steriliser which is just a bowl thing to boil it in the microwave. When out i often use toilets in parent rooms anyway and they have sinks in them, so just give it a quick rinse, or i use my drink bottle (have one on me 99% of the time) i have peed on it once too...mainly cause id read this was an option some women did, but did find that awkard...

Brand Mooncup

Why? Cos I'm too lazy to buy tampons. Honestly, DH has done more emergency runs than he cares to remember.

At work I can take out, pour the blood away, wipe with paper and reinsert. But we have a basin in the cubicle so I can clean properly at my current workplace.

Can sleep in it but I don't need to. No time limit either.

Comes with a drawstring pouch for storage. If period is due, you can wear it with no side effects. I did in early pregnancy as I was expecting my period and on a train for 6 hours.

Best points are laziness and convenience. And cost, mine is 7 years old and going strong.

Worst point is no more sending DH out for 15 mins while I steal all the ice cream.

Ok, so I'm looking at taking the plunge, but I want to know more first ...

What cup do you use?
Mooncup


Why?
Was the first brand I found and I liked it. Have had it for probably close to 8 years now and not needed to buy a new one.

Do you have multiple sizes, or just a medium / large one that you change more often during heavier flow?
I have the size for women who haven't had a baby. The capacity isn't that different, it's just the diameter as your bits are different post birth. They hold a lot. On a heavy day, I still only change every 3 hours or longer. On day 3-4 only change in morning, after work and before bed.

What on earth do you do if you need to change it in a public bathroom or at work?
Honestly, you get the hang of it. Once you practice a bit at home, it gets easier. I make sure there is plenty of loo paper available. If there is no sink, I simply wipe out with paper and reinsert. I have a disabled toilet at my work so I can rinse if I need to.

How long do they last (as in years)?
Answered above, many years.

Do they come with a storage case, so you can pop it in your bag in case of surprise periods?
They come in a little cloth pouch with a draw string.

Can you wear them overnight (as long as you're sleeping less than the 10 hours allowed)?
Yes, I do all the time, I also didn't know of this 10 hour rule. Unlike with a tampon, there is no air in there so there's not a toxic shock risk like with tampons. The only smell with a moon cup is the smell of blood. Occasionally if heavy I leak when I get up in the morning, but not often. I wear mine to swim as well without issue. Beauty of it is you don't have to change as soon as you get out of the pool like with a tampon.
I wear mine if I am going somewhere and think af might come. there is no danger whatsoever in wearing without your period. I had to use a tampon recently and it was awful in comparison.

Do tell ...

I love mine. It is easy, convenient, none of that icky tampon dryness. I still believe it makes my period go faster. Yes it takes a bit of practice to get in and sealed, but it really isn't that hard to do and yes you may have a 'I can't get it out' freak out, but you will!

Interestingly, when I was in Cambodia earlier this year, I was chatting to a lady about what women do in the villages, and these are becoming one of the popular options in 3rd world countries - with NGO's supplying them.

I've been using the mooncup.

It's great.

The end.