I LOVE my Lunette.....mind you I haven't used it for about 2 years due to either pregnancy or breastfeeding.....but the thought of getting to use one again sometime brings a smile to my face, lol.
If you google 'labyrinth menstrual cup' you'll find the most comprehensive site I've come across - the chic who owns the site has tested all cups available and reveiwed them all....everything you need to know is there, really.
Quick answers from me though:
-brands differ in materials used (latex, rubber etc.), colors (clear, purple, pink, brown) and size (but only a touch - there's a size for under 30 year olds and over 30's/pre-birth and post-birth sizes.
- you can use them overnight easily. And while swimming etc. I just change mine in the shower each morning and in teh evening.
- no smell. you rinse them under water when changing them. boil them once AF is over, ready for next time.
- cost differs a little (I think mine was around $50?). You can get them on Aus ebay and a few websites, otherwise overseas. I got mine from kuppikuppi
-I never had any leaks, but others have which I think is caused by incorrect insertion.
-feels a bit strange at first but you soon get used to it and don't notice it. Some people trim the stems but I didn't. Different brands have different stem lengths.
At the end of the day, my lunette rocks my world (when I use it). I love 'converting' friends, though it's a bit of a funny topic to broach....
-
I have a mooncup and LOVE it. I cut the stem off mine alltogether. I have left mine in for over 12hrs no worries. But it's a really personal thing on how often you'd change it. i brought mine online off the website linked from BB about mooncups. I forget I have it in because it is totally not uncomfortable like a tampon. Takes a bit of practice to work out to get it in there at first, but once that's sorted no problems then.
the only time I have had leaks is if I don't put it in right in the first place. But once you learn the right way you generally don't have leaks. i had way more leaks with tampons then I ever have with the mooncup. (sorry was only a quick all over the place reply cos i've gotta go)
I did answer in your other thread, but will add more here:
I am quite heavy, a questions for others who are quite heavy... how often do you change, and how long can you go?
My first couple of days are fairly heavy - sometimes I empty at lunchtime at work - which I manage to do without issue now that I've got the hang of it. The mooncup people suggest carrying a small bottle of water in your bag so that you can rinse into the toilet. I've not tried this myself, you can get away with just wiping with loo paper and reinserting.
Can you use overnight? 8 hours?
I do, all the time use for 8 hours, never had a leak overnight yet.
Is there a smell? Does the cup 'stain'? How do you clean them?
Mine sometimes has a bloody odour, but if you're a pad user then you would have this smell anyway. My cup gets a bit yellowish, but doesn't stain as such. I clean with soapy water in the shower and at the end of each cycle, I sterilise in milton (or similar). Check with the brand you get for instructions.
How much are they usually? Where do you buy them from?
I think mine was around $60 when I bought it from the UK a couple of years ago.
What are they like when you first use them? Awkward? Uncomfortable? Has anyone regretted buying one, and why?
I won't lie, when I first used mine, it was awkward. Practice the different folds to find what suits you - it will also depend on if you've had a child or not, things will be 'freer' to get it in. Mine was a bit uncomfortable to begin with because I left the 'tail' on cause I was terrified of not being able to get it out, but after a while I cut it off and you can't even tell it's there anymore.
Getting it out to begin with is a challenge - I had a small panic attack when I couldn't get it the first time envisaging going to the hospital to have it removed - eeeeek. The main thing to remember is to be calm, relax all the muscles down there, bear down and don't panic. Now I use mine without any issues.
Do you have leaks? I highly doubt it would 'fall out' but can it get 'out of place' and leak?
Getting it in the right position can be tricky to begin with and you might get some leaking till you get the hang of it. I never get leaks now. I can't really get out of place if you get it in right to begin with because it suctions itself and can't move around. The leaks happen because you've not got that suction right to begin with.
To sum up I would say go for it - IF you aren't put off by blood - there is a fairly BIG ick factor to begin with - this might be TMI, but I often remove and have a long string of blood follow. Once you can get past the ick, they really are great to use.
Thanks so much em and Cat. I know what you mean about smile to yor face, I love using my cloth pads. I feel a bit weird hehehe, but I just love them!
I think I will get one, Shel thinks it's gross but she can't handle the sight of blood (she loves the cloth pads I made as I used dark green on the top so she can't see the blood ) but I am looking forward to it. Well, not the blood LOL but looking forward to going back to being 'freer' without having to use tampons.
ETA: THANKS! Ausgirl, I was hoping you'd come in. It is good to know how to get it out LOL! I'll remember not to panic hehe.
I just started another thread as I didn't get many responses about the cups in the other thread.
Last edited by Indadhanu; December 14th, 2009 at 05:38 PM.
I have the mooncup have had it for about 12 months. I ummed and aaaghed about it for a few months but kept reading the threads on BB and thought why not. I already use tampons and sometimes towards the end it was too dry and I couldn't wear them. I am not big fan of pads as I hate the smell lol!
I don't have very heavy cycles so easily can wear for 8hrs a day and night with no problems. No leakage as someone else said probably had more leakage with tampons. You just have to fold and insert as high up as possible and give it a slight twist to get it to unfold. There are also little holes around the top that you just make sure are not blocked as this is what provides the suction holding it in place. I cut the whole tail of mine as that is what can cause some discomfort you are not supposed have anything outside the vagina. To remove you just bear down and slide you fingers around the side to release the suction of the rim.
Cleaning same as someone else said usually in the shower but you can wipe out with tissue and re-insert. The mooncup is latex too and is easy to insert dry.
No smell just the normal blood smell on first removing. They do change colour slightly overtime but nothing too major. I clean my with non fragranced soap during my period, then boil at the end and store in it's pouch. I purchased mine off the mooncup UK website and they mailed it to me. It also comes in it's own little material pouch to store it between cycles or for in your bag. Approx $50. It took a few goes of practicing first time to get it high enough. It feels a bit funny to start with until it settles in (a bit like tampons) but then you forget its there.
Just had a quick look and it holds 15mls before it is too full. I am lucky to get to half way lol in 8hrs. They come in 2 sizes A and B and this depends on type of child birth and age.
Sorry just re-read and I am all over the shop with my answers and very long. Hope this answers a few of your questions. Also if you look at the mooncup website it has FAQ which I found useful.
Good Luck Leasha, I have never looked back it was the best decision I made.
I have had a mooncup for almost a year now. At first my periods were horrendously heavy but I just changed it 2 hourly and found that I was much more comfortable than before when I had to use tampons and pads and still change them 2 hourly With very heavy periods I still used it overnight, but would use a pad as well to stop leakage onto my clothes (or get up in the middle of the night and empty it). This was less of a problem than using tampons and pads and still leaking through every morning.
Now I have a mirena which has stopped the heavy periods so the mooncup is even better. I won't repeat what everyone else has said about changing it, etc. The only downside I find is that after a long period (about 2 weeks) I get a sore vagina from inserting it too many times, and switch to pads for a couple of days. This will only affect you if you get very long periods though.
If your periods are very heavy there are a couple of cups which have higher capacities, it is worth checking these out on the aforementioned comparison website before you buy.
I'm a Miacup user (Miacup is from South Africa - it's purple!).. I found it from that website that compares all the cups, and I'm really glad I did.
Initially, I thought I'd made a huge mistake! It hurt to have in, and I didn't like to use it. Luckily it was an easy fix, since I'd ordered the larger size 2 cup and I took advantage of the return policy at Miacup - they gave me a size 1 instead and BAM! Works perfectly! No pain!
It took a while to get use to the folds, and the leaking if I didn't put it in properly. The first day of my period can be a bit leaky if I don't get it right. After that, it's plain sailing. By the end of the 4 or 5 day period, I am glad to have it out though.
My biggest worry was that I am not a tampon user. I hate the things. (They always hurt me.) Turns out the cup wasn't much like a tampon, and much more comfortable to use, remove, etc.. I could always feel tampons, I can't always feel my Miacup. I often go all day without emptying it (usually done in the shower), and it doesn't need taking out for the night time either. No stressing about TSS or anything. Of course, the best part is the part that I assume tampon users love.. staying dry!
Changing it in a public toilet is difficult for me. I prefer to find one with basins in the loo.. I got lucky the first time and went to a Subway which had everything in the one room. Nice and private.
Mine cost about $80? Depends on the exchange rate.
Funny thing is, the Miacup I returned in the mail, they couldn't accept it due to a mistake I made on the paperwork.. so it was sent back to me. They sent me a size 1 anyway, and now I have both. The other might come in handy if/when I have a baby. They were a great company though.
I have just bought a "ladycup" from ebay. Brand new from the manufacturer, two for $41 including postage. It got here within 5 business days from Prague!!! And they're purple =)
I bought this one as I found a comparison of HEAPS of brands of cups, and this one won hands down in almost all categories (including the fact that it comes in about 10 different colours!!). Can't find the site now, unfortunately.
Some of the reasons that won me over were things like the design has no raised writing or logos on it like many of them do - which people have found can be a trap for dried blood and make it harder to clean. The ladycup is completely smooth, and so far really simple to clean. Warm water and soap between uses, sterilise before first use and between periods (more frequently is good, although not necessary).
As for heavy bleeders... I'm not sure what is wrong with me at the mo (probably hormonal as I've just recently gotten AF back after 15 months of breastfeeding keeping it away), but my last two periods have been INTENSE. Like bleeding after giving birth intense... I can feel it gushing sometimes, and it's driving me nuts (not to mention feeling really $%^&* and weak - and yes, I have a Dr appt on Tuesday for just this reason). With maternity pads I was changing every 20 minutes, and I get an hour before the cups are full. Overnight it slows down, so a cup and maternity pad keep me ok until morning. The large ladycup is 32ml which should keep you good for 12 hours.
Oh, and can't feel it at all when it is in. It rocks. REALLY rocks! =)
Diva cup / Mooncup / Luna cup / Lunette / Femmecup etc... any and all experiences!
Reply With Quote
. Mine was a bit uncomfortable to begin with because I left the 'tail' on cause I was terrified of not being able to get it out, but after a while I cut it off and you can't even tell it's there anymore.
With very heavy periods I still used it overnight, but would use a pad as well to stop leakage onto my clothes (or get up in the middle of the night and empty it). This was less of a problem than using tampons and pads and still leaking through every morning.
They were a great company though. 
Bookmarks