Mooncup Menstrual Cup

The Mooncup is a reusable feminine hygiene product made from a special medical grade non-allergic silicone. Silicone is derived from silica a natural mineral. Not dissimilar to a diaphragm –roughly 5cm (2in) long, it is worn internally, like a tampon, but collects menstrual fluid, rather than absorbing it. A light seal is formed with your vaginal walls allowing your menstrual fluid to pass into the Mooncup without leakage or odour. It will hold 30ml of fluid, which is roughly one third of the average total fluid produced each month and three times the quantity that a tampon can hold which means you need to empty your Mooncup less frequently than you currently replace towels or tampons.

Despite what the advertisements say, we all know that tampons and towels leak, the sticky strip on the underside of sanitary towel (not to mention the ‘wings’) is either too sticky or not sticky enough, and there’s this perpetual awareness that we are wearing them. Tampons are made of pesticide-riddled cotton and contain chlorine-bleach, carcinogenic absorbency gels, and deodorisant. Not only do they deposit fibres in your vaginal wall, they interfere with your healthy vaginal environment, by soaking up moisture, they dry out your vagina’s natural self-cleaning mechanisms, leaving it prone to thrush and vaginosis, a smelly bacterial infection. Vaginosis is treated with antibiotics (which can also result in thrush) and if left untreated can lead to infection during and after childbirth. Tampons have also been linked to toxic shock syndrome, a rare and occasionally deadly Staphylococcus aureus infection. There are around 40 cases a year in the UK, two to three of which are fatal, and half of those are associated with tampon use. We are all at risk, who hasn’t forgotten to her tampon off, or worse putting a second one in there…

Then there’s also the discomfort. In the first couple of days of a period you can be changing the tampons every couple of hours; by the latter days, insertion and removal can feel like rubbing yourself with sandpaper. The Mooncup will not cause irritation and is suitable for women with sensitive skin, thrush, eczema or an allergy.

Now, what consider having an alternative to polluting the planet, the environmental impact of using a Mooncup is huge. The average woman uses nearly 17,000 disposable pads and tampons in a lifetime. An estimated eight billion of these end up in Britain’s sewage system, causing 70 per cent of blockages in the system. And once fished out, what’s not incinerated becomes landfill or ends up lining up on our beaches.

It’s reusable and lasts for years, saving you money and protecting the planet. As long as your hands are clean, you just empty it, flush it out (or wipe it round if you haven’t any water handy) and reinsert it as often as it’s necessary (every 4-8 hours). It needs to be sterilised like baby bottles, put it in a pan and boil it for five minutess.

We have become squeamish about menstruation, but our periods is what makes us us, beautiful, strong powerful women. We have babies (or not), we lead busy, hectic lives and still manage to be us. I’ve used the Mooncup for over a year now and my first time was definitely and ‘experience’ there’s a certain skill involved in getting something as tiny, pliable, rubbery and bouncy as a Mooncup to fold neatly into four and to go up inside you without it shooting across the room. But by the same token, the first time I looked at it (and ever since) I was in awe of my power. It is difficult to explain but it made me realise how generous Mother Nature was to me, I won’t go into too much detail but something happened to me when I saw, I realised the meaning and the beauty of it all. The Mooncup can safely be used overnight and is great for all sports, swimming and travelling.

Also, this is not scientifically proven or anything but few friends have mentioned that the pain was considerably lessen, the cramps were much more bearable and the periods didn’t last as long since they’ve started using the Mooncup.

All Mooncups’s by-products (leaflets and packaging) are made from organic and recycled products.

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.

Furthermore: The Mooncup was voted Best New Product by a team of independent retailers at the Natural Trade Show in March 2003. AND: The Vegetarian Society approved the Mooncup in May 2004 and the Vegan Society members voted it the Best Environmentally Friendly Product in November 2004. All quotes taken from mooncup.co.uk

You can also get your Mooncup at the Ethical store, they have a Free UK delivery on all orders over £10 click here!

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