In December 2021, we asked 382 people who had used a menstrual cup in the past two years to tell us whether they thought the brand or brands they used were good for comfort, durability, value for money, and protection from leaks. I bought one of these from Boots on Saturday. After reading a bit about them first, I was worried that it would take some getting used to. How wrong I was! These things are amazing, if you are reading about them, buy one! Don’t put it off a minute longer! No mess, no leaks, it’s easy 🙂 I can’t say for sure after 2 days, but I’m pretty sure this might just be life changing! I have almost forgotten that I am on my period.”– Charli In 2023, Mooncup officially join the &SISTERS family, a family-run sustainable period care brand specialising in compostable pads, tampons and liners. I’ve only been using it for two cycles (never used tampons before, just pads) and I’m getting into the swing of things now. I’ve no idea how I coped with pads for so long, as this thing is amazing.

Tried and trusted since 2002 by millions around the world, the Mooncup menstrual cup offers an end to the waste, discomfort and expense of disposable sanitary protection. We’re so sure you’ll love your Mooncup that we’re offering all our customers a satisfaction guarantee. Some respondents in our survey said it took a while to get used to their menstrual cup and find a comfortable position, but overall 61% told us they liked or loved their menstrual cup. I should note that I’m a virgin and have never even used a tampon before, so don’t worry that it’ll be too big or that you need to try a tampon first or anything like that! l’Il admit that I wanted to throw it across the room at first attempt, but once I’d gotten it in for the first time, I knew I was onto a winner. (I use the punch down fold, I’d recommend it).”– Laura With proper care and cleaning, a menstrual cup can last over a decade, saving women thousands of pounds on sanitary products over its lifetime." Way to avoid the tampon tax...The Mooncup is worn internally, lower than a tampon, and collects rather than absorbs your menstrual fluid. It is folded and inserted into the vagina and opens up once it’s inside. You will need to remove and empty the Mooncup every 4 to 8 hours depending on your flow. The Mooncup is then simply rinsed out or wiped, and reinserted. It can be cleaned more thoroughly between periods. Once the Mooncup is inside it opens up and forms a light seal with the vaginal wall which holds it in place. Menstrual cups are becoming increasingly popular, and it's not difficult to see why. They don't dry out the vagina like tampons can, nor do they contain any harmful substances. They're also reusable, eco-friendly and don't create any waste – and, if we're talking money, they're cheaper in the long run. A convincing argument, right? Just wanted to let you know that I wore my moon cup while diving several times a day for a few weeks, to depths of approx 18 metres, and it was absolutely fine 🙂 Cleaning it well on a remote island with no running water was more of an issue, but I managed! Thanks very much.” – Lauren

This is one of the more obvious impracticalities of using a menstrual cup. But as they have become more mainstream, a whole mini-industry has popped up to make menstrual cup cleaning simpler. Thanks to Mooncup® users worldwide, over 3 billion tampons and pads have been diverted from landfill and our oceans. Not sure menstrual cups are for you? See our full guide to eco menstrual products for alternative options including period pants, washable pads and reusable tampon applicators Discreet (36%) ' It worked perfectly when I went on holiday and fit in my handbag and is discreet if I need it when I'm out and about.'A complete game changer. I can’t believe it took me this long to make the switch! It feels so much more hygienic, my cramps have definitely reduced since using it, and it’s better for the environment. I’m also saving money no longer having to buy tampons!” – Nicola A menstrual cup is a small, foldable, reusable device made from silicone, rubber or plastic that collects, rather than absorbs, the menstrual blood when inserted into the vagina. Mooncup ® is the brand name of the first medical grade silicone menstrual cup in the world. What is a Mooncup? Some brands sell small sterilising pots which you pop in the microwave to steam clean the cup, which seem like a neat solution, and others make standalone steamer units.

Absolutely – you can still use a menstrual cup if you've never had sex! "You can start using a menstrual cup from your first period," advises Stephanie. "It may feel uncomfortable at first, but don’t force it. It’s best to choose a brand which offers smaller sizes if you're a beginner with menstrual cups." Some brands, including DivaCup and Lunette, sell menstrual cup cleansers, and there are also wipes available (which could put a bit of a dent in the eco-credentials of your cup). I can wear them for long periods of time (39%)' I think they are brilliant, last longer than a tampon and no leakage.' Good value for money/saves money over time (46%) 'They are just like using sanitary towels and pads but cheaper – a good money-saving option.' Most cups are shaped in a similar bell/funnel style, but there can be slight differences in width and length.Menstrual cups are reusable silicone cups that you insert into your vagina like a tampon to collect menstrual fluid. Big changes start with small steps, and we all have the power to make a difference. For years, we’ve been participating and organising annual beach cleans on behalf of Marine Conservation Society, helping to record data on beach litter and form a detailed picture of the levels of waste pollution in our marine and coastal environment. At Mooncup HQ we may well have heard every question in the period book. No matter how “TMI” you may think it is, chances are we’ve probably heard it. In fact maybe we could compile the “Period Book” if we needed to. We like to take pride in our menstrual geekiness in this business! It can however take some trial and error to find the right one for you, and get the hang of using one. Most menstrual cups are made with medical-grade silicon, while some are made from medical-grade TPE (rubber and/or plastic). Both are safe and durable; it shouldn’t make a difference unless you have an allergy to either material, but you might find one type more comfortable. Cup size