It’s that time of month again and Aunt Flo is here to irritate us again like an unwanted house guest that never seems to subside. Can periods really get better? They did for me.
I’ve been wanting to talk about periods and what methods you use for a while now. For me, the last 23 years I’ve always relied on tampons and pads. They’ve repeatedly served me well until after I gave birth. Tampon’s weren’t as comfortable as they were before I gave birth and I found myself moving closer and closer towards pads, which I found exasperating and somewhat unhygenic. I was also starting to think more about the environment and how every tampon applicator or plastic from the pad wrapping and packaging ends up on wastelands killing our already fragile planet.
Last year alone, 170,000 plastic applicators were found along the US coastal areas. These will take 500 years to breakdown.
So, I was at a fitting for a modelling job, on my period and using a pad. At this fitting, I was told I would be wearing lingerie – a small pair of knickers that weren’t going to hide my pad! Mortified I text the client (who I’ve known for years) asking her if she had a tampon I could use. She arrived and very discreatley handed me the tampon like an undercover secret transaction whilst admiring my Stylist magazine I’d been reading before she arrived. I was so greatful I had the correct equipment, however it was so small (I actually think it would have fitted my cat better) I knew it wouldn’t stay in place…so I needed a plan C.
I dashed to Boots and whilst searching the aisles for the much needed apparatus and before reaching for my usual Super Tampax Compac, I noticed the Mooncup. Something that has always caught my attention but never enough to actually buy it and use it. Today was the day.
This is no exaggeration, the Mooncup has changed my life!
The Mooncup is the original, soft, medical-grade silicone menstrual cup designed by women as the convenient, safe and eco-friendly alternative to tampons and pads. It was extremely easy to insert (I actually found it easier than using a tampon) and the great thing is you can’t feel it!
The benefits of the Mooncup are endless too – not only are you saving money per month as the Mooncup can be reused over and over for years, it also holds 3 x more than a regular tampon giving you longer lasting protection on heavier days. And because it’s non-absorbent, it won’t cause dryness when your period’s light. Latex-free, hypoallergenic and containing no dyes, perfumes, BPA, phthalates, plastic, bleaches or toxins, the Mooncup menstrual cup is ideal if you have sensitive skin or allergies AND you’re helping the environment too.
In a lifetime, you can use 4 Mooncups or 12,000 tampons. Yikes!
It costs a mere £21 and comes in two different sizes. A and B, based on your age and if you’ve given birth or not.
You may need to trim the plastic ‘tail’ to your own size and comfort and I would also recommend using a pad the first day you use it just to make sure you’ve inserted it correctly.
You can keep the Mooncup in for up to 8 hours, and you honestly can’t feel it! I would highly recommend removing it in the shower or in a bathroom with a private sink (if using public bathrooms) as there can be a but of mess and no-one wants blood on their hands. Literally. Ha!
I felt a sense of freedom that doesn’t usually go hand in hand when you’re menstruating
…and knowing that no rogue tampon string or pad was going to show during my lingerie photoshoot was also a major benefit. It was like I had finally taken control of my periods – and I knew the Mooncup would be with me for the long run. Period.
If you try out the Mooncup or have already used it, I would love to know how your experience was.
Comment below and let me know! I highly recommend it!
See you soon
Louise x
Thank you for this post!! The moon cup had kind of frightened me however your post is very reassuring. I hate wearing tampons therefore I may now try the moon cup ??
That is a really interesting blog post because to be honest “moon cups” have always weirded me out!
But I think I may have to try one because I have currently been bleeding for 6 weeks after having a Mirena coil fitted which I might add I had fitted because of heavy painful to the point of nearly passing out periods, not for contraception as I have been sterilised since I was 27!
I think I have bought more tampons and pads in the last 6 weeks than I do over 3 months it’s shocking!!
Thank you for such an informative honest blog post!
Love love love my mooncup. Absolutely wouldn’t be without it. Only wish they’d been available when I was a teenager. Fabulous blog that every lady should read and digest.