The Mooncup
What is it?
The Mooncup is a bell shaped menstrual cup around two inches long and made from soft silicone rubber. It is worn internally and forms a seal with your vaginal walls allowing your menstrual fluid to pass into the Mooncup without leakage or odour.
The Mooncup will hold an ounce of fluid, which is roughly one third of the average total produced each period.
Menstrual cups are inserted much like a tampon but collect rather than absorb menstrual fluid. They hold 3 times as much fluid as throwaway sanitary products and need to be emptied on average between 3-4 times every 24 hours.
Your Mooncup will last for at least ten years, and you are investing in an ethical product which is concerned with your personal health and the well being of our planet.
Click here to download our pdf info leaflet
The Mooncup - Approved by "The Vegetarian Society" in May 2004. The Vegan Society Members voted it as the best environmentally friendly product in November 2004. Mooncup - Best Buy May/June 2007 (ethicalconsumer.org)
Sizes
The Mooncup is available in two Models. Both Models have a 21mm stem which can be trimmed to the length which suits you best. Because the vaginal muscles of a woman before childbirth are firmer, also because when we become older our muscles become a little less strong the Mooncup is available in two models:
Model A measures 46mm in Diameter and 50mm long.
Model B measures 43mm in Diameter and 50mm long.
Model A - for women who have given birth vaginally or who are aged over 30 years
Model B - for women who have either had a caesarian section or have never given birth and are aged 30 or younger
Every woman is different, therefore this information is intended only as a guide. The size difference between model A and model B is 3mm in diameter, both are 5cm long.
Is it easy to use?
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.
The cup is removed with the assistance of a small tab on the bottom of it, you gently remove the cup by pulling on this tab.
You will need to empty, rinse or wipe and re-insert your Mooncup every four to twelve hours depending on your flow.
Once you have perfected it you will be amazed at how simple the Mooncup is to use. Menstrual cups are perfectly hygienic but need to be sterilized once between periods, by boiling in water for five minutes or by putting them in the dishwasher! The Mooncup can safely be used overnight and is great for all sports, swimming and travelling.
How to use
Find a comfortable sitting, standing, squatting or kneeling position. Relax and take your time. Press the sides of the Mooncup 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 up into the vagina. Insert the Mooncup 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 up high into the vagina, the vaginal muscle will keep it in place
Once the Mooncup 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 and cut the stem to your own requirements.
It is very important to keep your Mooncup clean. It should be washed daily and thoroughly boiled or soaked in sterilising solution between periods. Please always wash your hands before inserting or removing your Mooncup
Please read the Usage Guide carefully before using your Mooncup for the first time.
'How to Use' pdf to download
Frequently Asked Questions
Which model Mooncup do I need?
We advise women who have given birth vaginally or who are aged over 30 to use model A. Women who have either had a caesarian section or have never given birth and are aged 30 or younger are recommended to use model B.
What is the Mooncup made from, is it safe?
The Mooncup has been designed with women's health in mind. It is made from solid medical grade silicone. Medical grade silicone has been used for over 50 years in body part replacements such as heart valves and joint replacements and in products such as baby bottle teats, breast pumps and even contact lenses. Silicone is an organic compound and is 100% hypoallergenic. The Mooncup is made from a very different material to the breast implants that caused so many problems. These were not solid silicone but a gel held in a bag, over time the gel started to leach out into the body. This will not happen with the Mooncup.
Is the Mooncup easy to use?
Once perfected, the Mooncup is very easy to use. Every Mooncup comes with a detailed usage guide. We recommend that first time users spend 20-30 minutes "playing" with their Mooncup so that they practice taking it in and out.
Can you use the Mooncup in public toilets that do not have a sink in each cubicle?
Yes. Simply take a small bottle of water into the toilet with you and rinse with this. Alternatively you can wipe with damp or dry toilet paper and give your Mooncup a thorough clean at a more convenient time.
Could the Mooncup be used by my daughter who has just started menstruating?
Yes, young girls (New Moons!) are able to use the Mooncup. From our very first period women's bodies are designed to give birth to full size babies! The more confident your daughter is about her body the easier it will be for her.
If the Mooncup is so wonderful why has it not been sold before?
The first menstrual cup was made in the USA during the 1930's. We assume the menstrual cup did not take off in the same way as throwaway sanitary products because being reusable it was substantially less profitable for companies making sanitary products.
A Little Bit of Her Story
The menstrual cup was invented in the 1930's around the same time as tampons. Menstrual cups are comfortable, reliable and convenient. It is possible that they were not manufactured and marketed like tampons because a menstrual cup lasts for around 10 years, reducing profits for sanitary product manufacturers.
Menstrual cups began being used by many women in 1987, when an American company began making menstrual cups from rubber. Several years ago the world's first silicone menstrual cup, known as the Mooncup, began being manufactured in the UK. Because silicone is made out of a natural material and is 100% non-allergenic, the Mooncup is a great option if you want to avoid exposure to chemicals found in many tampons and pads and if you are irritated by or allergic to tampons or pads.
Women who use the menstrual cup save hundreds of pounds on sanitary products and make a substantial contribution toward caring for our natural environment. Women report that they are very comfortable and reliable and remove the worry of running out of sanitary protection or the hassle of needing to buy more.
Price and Ordering Information
The Mooncup menstrual cup is available from Mooncup Ltd.:
Mooncup™ »»
www.mooncup.co.uk - Manufacturer
The Mooncup is approved by:
