Page modified at: 04/01/2010
The
Mooncup is a reusable menstrual cup around two inches long and made
from soft silicone rubber. It is worn internally like a tampon but
collects menstrual fluid rather than absorbing. Unlike tampons the
Mooncup is not a disposable product, so you only need to buy one.
The Mooncup will hold 30ml of fluid, which is roughly one third of
the average total produced each period. A light seal is formed with
your vaginal walls allowing your menstrual fluid to pass into the
Mooncup without leakage or odour.
You will probably find that you need to empty your Mooncup less frequently than you currently replace towels or tampons.
Why is it better for me?
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The
Mooncup menstrual cup contains no bleaches, deodorisers or absorbency
gels. It does not interfere with your healthy vaginal environment, nor
has it been associated with toxic shock syndrome.
The smooth surface of the Mooncup allows the mucus membranes of your
vaginal wall to continue their essential cleansing and protective
functions.
The Mooncup does not absorb your body's natural defence mechanisms and will not deposit fibres in your vaginal wall.
The Mooncup will not cause irritation and is suitable for women with
sensitive skin, thrush, eczema or allergy. For your safety the Mooncup
is made from a special medical grade non-allergic silicone. Silicone is
derived from silica which is one of the most abundant minerals on
earth. The Mooncup is manufactured in the UK.
Why is it bewtter for the environment?
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The
motivation behind the Mooncup is the well being of our world. We are
careful to ensure that our waste is reused where possible and recycled
where reuse is inappropriate.
All leaflets and packaging are produced from materials that are
sourced with regard to their having the least impact upon our
environment.
The Mooncup storage pouch is manufactured from 100% organic cotton.
How do I clean it?
The Mooncup can be cleaned in the same way as baby equipment: with
sterilising fluid, or by boiling for five minutes in an open pan of
water. Unlike pads and tampons the Mooncup menstrual cup is reusable,
eliminating the need to carry bulky spares. With proper care your
Mooncup will last for several years.Imagine the towels and tampons that
you will be disposing of in landfill sites during those years!
"I've been using the Mooncup for three years and it has been
fantastic. I have a very heavy flow and used to use 2 x super plus
tampons at a time, and a pad as well, and I would still be in a mess in
an hour for the first 2 days of my period. Apart from saving me a
fortune, and not supporting pharmaceutical giants, it is much gentler
on your body than tampons. Try it, it is really worth it."
How much does it cost?
You can order a Mooncup online at a cost of £19.99 -
this includes recycled packaging. You will probably spend this in six
months on disposable feminine hygiene products. Your Mooncup will last
for several years, and you are investing in an ethical product which is
concerned with your personal health and the well being of our planet.
How do I order a Mooncup online?
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Click on image above to buy online!
How easy is it to use the Mooncup menstrual cup ?
Correctly inserted, the Mooncup is so comfortable that you will forget
it exists. It may take a little practice at first as you need to find
the angle and position that is right for you. Once you have perfected
it you will be amazed at how simple the Mooncup is to use. You will
need to empty, rinse or wipe and reinsert your Mooncup every four to
eight hours depending on your flow. The fluid remains inside the cup,
and the process is not messy or uncomfortable.
The Mooncup can safely be used overnight and is great for all
sports, swimming and travelling. It can even be used when you are not
having a period when water-ski-ing without a wetsuit as it will reuce
the risk of water being forced into the vagina which can cause
infection.
"I LOVE my Mooncup! I found it quick, convenient and easy to use
(I think the trick is definately to aim towards the small of the back
when inserting) and comfortable to wear. I'M FREE! I'M FREE! It doesn't
leak or smell and I don't go to the loo and then think "damn I
should've brought a tampax in with me" or get up in the morning and
think "now I must fill my pockets with tampax" if I'm going out! The
great thing is, once you've got it in, you've got it with you! Love it!
Thanks! More women should know about this... " Sue S
Is it hygienic and safe to use?
Initially you may find the idea of the Mooncup menstrual cup
unattractive. Perhaps it is messy, uncomfortable or unhygienic? This is
a consistent first reaction to the menstrual cup, and one well worth
reconsidering.
Most of us have grown up in an era which offered no alternative to
disposable feminine hygiene products and this fact has contributed to
the way in which we think about our periods and menstruation.
It is always challenging to experiment with new ideas, particularly
those of such a personal nature. The benefits of the menstrual cup
however are too great to be ignored. We offer a friendly and
supportive advice service for new Mooncup users. Please contact us if
you need any advice.
"I just wanted to give you feedback on the advice you gave me on
gettting the mooncup more comfortable. I have trimmed the mooncup stem
as you suggested and am placing the cup slightly lower down where the
muscles are stronger and I no longer have any problems with it. Thank
you. I'm now incredibly pleased with the mooncup, and I've also been
very impressed by your customer service! Thanks again."
"I have already got one of your Mooncups (I find it to be wonderful) and I would like to order 3 for my mum and my 2 sisters..."
How do use my Mooncup?
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Find a comfortable sitting, standing, squatting or kneeling position. Relax and take your time.
Press the sides of the Mooncup menstrual cup together and then fold in half again.
Hold the folded sides firmly together between thumb and forefinger of
one hand. The single curved edge should be away from your palm.
Stay relaxed. With your free hand gently separate the labia and push
the curved edge of the folded Mooncup menstrual cup up into the vagina.
Insert the Mooncup menstrual cup fully following the natural angle of
your vagina. Aim towards the small of your back, not the top of your
head. You do not need to push the Mooncup menstrual cup up high into
the vagina, the vaginal muscle will keep it in place.
Once the Mooncup menstrual cup is fully inserted grasp the base of the
cup, not the stem, and rotate it once to ensure that it has fully
unfolded.
Most women find that the stem is too long. You will need to remove the
Mooncup menstrual cup and cut the stem to your own requirements.
It is important to keep your Mooncup clean. Wash it regularly
with mild soap and hot and water. It can be cleaned more thoroughly
between periods.
Please read the Usage Guide carefully before using your Mooncup menstrual cup for the first time.
Where can I get help and advice about using my Mooncup?
Contact the Mooncup Nurse Advisor on Mooncup Ltd, Dolphin House, 40 Arundel Place, Brighton BN2 1GD, UK. Telephone: +44 (0) 1273 673845
The Mooncup is available in two sizes
Size A
measures 46mm in diameter and 50mm in length and is recommended for
women who have given birth vaginally or who have had a caesarean
section and are aged 30 or above.
Size B measures 43 mm in diameter and
50mm in length and is recommended for women who have not given birth or
who have had a caesarean section and are aged below 30.
Both sizes have a pull stem 21mm long, which you can trim to the length that is right for you.
Please ensure that you select the correct size. For hygiene reasons we cannot exchange Mooncups once they have been dispatched.
Please note that women over the age of 30 years old are
increasingly likely to need the size A regardless of giving birth. This
is because the tone of vaginal and pelvic floor muscles naturally
reduces with age but to varying degrees in different women. Some
activities will maintain tone, such as yoga, pilates, dance, so if you
are advanced in any these, or similar activities take this into
consideration when choosing which size you need. Corrective surgery to
the vagina will also have implications.
History of menstrual cups
Menstrual cups were developed in the 1930s and went on commercial
sale at around the same time as the first tampon. In that early
post-Victorian era it was not considered ‘proper’ for women to touch
their vaginal area. The manufacturers of the tampon overcame this
obstacle by providing those disposable applicators that can still be
found floating in our toilet bowls today! Menstrual cups require a
‘hands on’ approach and were only purchased by the most liberal minded
woman in those days.
Commercially, the tampon is a more viable product, as customers need
to repurchase month after month In contrast menstrual cup manufacturers
do not expect to make repeat sales to satisfied customers, only to
their friends and relations! Sadly such intimate matters were not
discussed in polite company back in the 1930s. Sales of tampons soared
and massive advertising campaigns were launched. Disposable feminine
hygiene products soon became established necessities in modern western
society.
Menstrual cups and washable sanitary towels really began to gain
popularity during the 1980s as women began searching for eco-friendly
(and cheaper) alternatives to disposable products. Until the Mooncup
became available menstrual cups were made from latex, which is derived
from the sap of the gum tree.
Latex rubber is a known allergen. Reactions can vary from very mild
irritation, itchiness and swelling to pins and needles and loss of
sensation. Latex is also unsuitable for vegans as casein, a milk
protein, is used in the curing process. The Mooncup is the world’s
first menstrual cup to be manufactured from medical grade silicone, a
safer, softer and more attractive material. Silicone is derived from
silica, found in sandstone and quartz, one of the most abundant
resources on our planet. The Mooncup is registered with the Vegan
Society.
Ethical and environmentally responsible?
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Mooncup's
bankers were selected on the basis of their ethical investment
policies. In December 2004 the Ethical Company Organisation (publishers
of the Good Shopping Guide) certified Mooncup Ltd an Ethical Company.
This recognises a commitment to a people and animal friendly approach,
efforts with regard to environmental issues, responsible marketing and
general caring nature.
The Mooncup was voted Best New Product by a team of independent retailers at the Natural Trade Show in March 2003.
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The Vegetarian Society approved the Mooncup in May 2004 and the
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The Vegan Society members voted it the Best Environmentally Friendly Product in November 2004.
Awarded “best buy” for all sanitary protection by Ethical Consumer magazine in 2007