use a mooncup

I have now been using it for a bit over a year and can’t imagine being without it, it is so brilliant. It definitely has improved my life greatly and I’m kicking myself for not getting one years ago. I gather it’s not for everyone and it took me about three months to get used to it, but now it actually feels much cleaner than using tampons. Another benefit is that I have learned to listen to my body much more and have got much better at predicting when my period starts and it feels more natural having it too than before.

The only three disadvantages I’ve found are (and again, don’t read on if you get squeamish about this kind of thing):
1. On the first day, which can be a bit less free-flowing and more lumpy, the little holes in the sides sometimes block up, which can lead to leaking as the seal is apparently not that good then.
2. If it’s full it will leak immediately and a lot more then when using tampons, so a good thing to be aware of that too.
3. A bit difficult to change and clean away from good sanitary facilities, but I’m quite prepared to make the effort of a little planning to get around that.

So all in all still an unqualified success.

Right, don’t read on if you are easily grossed out, but I don’t care for other people’s sqeamishness.

I have been toying with the idea of this for a long time, but never bought one, because of the initial high investment of £20 or so, it always seemed so much.
However, do the maths, I reckon I spend about £6 per period on tampons, etc., so that adds up to around £70 per year on stuff I throw away and that ends up in landfill.

So last week I finally got one in a great organic living shop around the corner. It’s got a detailed advice booklet and comes in it’s own little cotton storage bag.

I am currently trying it out and am so far quite pleased, so I’ll write more when I have a more definite opinion to pass on.