Endometriosis Shopping List: Day 6 - The Time Of The Mouth... Period!

Todays Shopping List is a little different, you might have guessed already that it is not about food. No, Day 6 of the shopping list i am going to be talking about the Mooncup 

My story with the mooncup: When i was getting exteremly bad periods about 2.5 years ago now before i was diagnosed with Endometriosis, I used tampons because i HATED pads, I never felt clean at all even though i showered and washed everytime (when i could) when i went to the loo.With the Tampons i still felt grotty and unclean, your not supposed to change it every time you go to the loo and me with my overactive bladder was going all the time it just felt disgusting ,very uncomfortable and painful when inserted or just when it was inside. My Overall experience was not good and i was using lillets, my periods were not that heavy and still i leaked!. With the pain, i had no idea (nor did anyone else) why i was in so much pain i thought its got to be the tampon! so when i was researching i found out more about TSS 'Toxic Shock  Syndrome'  

  What is TSS?

Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is an illness that will make you feel severely ill very quickly.

What causes TSS?

TSS is caused by the common bacteria – Staphylococcus aureus – which normally live harmlessly on the skin and in the nose, armpit, groin or vagina of one in every three people. In rare cases certain strains of these bacteria can produce toxins (poisons) that cause TSS.

Tampon Use and TSS

The link between TSS and tampon use is unclear. Research in the 1980’s suggested that for cases which occurred in women using tampons, tampon absorbency was a factor.

So with this in mind i went on a mad hunt for alternative sanitary protection i found all sorts of weird and wonderful things to use like reusable natural sponges, loads of different types of menstrual cups and reusable cotton sanitary pads. I wasn't drawn to the reusable sanitary pad because if you were out somewhere and it was full, even if you washed it you would be carrying around a soggy cloth around with you and i could see myself standing infront of a dryer. The sponge was off putting because sponges release when squeezed it just wasnt a pretty sight in my head, I looked over all of the menstrual cups available and was torn between 3 but i decided on the mooncup after about a month deciding because of the shape the stem and the reviews. 

When I got the mooncup it took quite a lot of getting used to, the more times i inserted it the less painful it was, (I now know why it is uncomfortable when inserted for women with endo, the cup has suction to stay in place and not leak so the first initial insert it quite uncomfortable pull it down a little with the stem, walk around and after a few times you wont notice it is there after inserting at all! 

I have been diagnosed with endometriosis stage 4 adhesions all over my insides binding them together, chocolate cysts and ive had quite a lot of cysts and one 10cm. I have had one operation which took away half the endo I have half left....I am telling you this because i was using the mooncup before i was diagnosed right up until my operation, i stopped using it for about 3 weeks to let me insides have time to heal a little and....

I'm wearing one now and its like i havent got anything in, i dont leak (unless ive inserted it wrong because the suction wasnt right, but you will know) it did take me a couple of cycles to get used to it to be honest. If you are worried about going out with it nip into the disabled toilet they always have a sink and you can wash the mooncup out privately, alternatively you just take a small bottle of water into the toilet with you, empty the contents of the mooncup  into the toilet first and then wash the mooncup with the water and dry, then re-insert and off you go.You feel cleaner none of that dirty string waving between your legs! 

Please if you have any concerns or questions feel free to ask, or you can talk to your GP, Gaeny or Nurse.

As you all know i am trying to raise money for Endometriosis Research and since i was a affiliate already i thought why don't i donate the commision 100% of it to the cause, So if you are thinking of getting one of these buy them through this blog and then i can donate the money to the World Endometriosis Research Foundation Plus the commision i will donate will get gift aid so thats even more money for the charity!

**CLICK HERE TO BUY **

or to find out more information from the mooncup website.

After writing this post i was wondering how much have i spent on tampons and how much have i saved so far? i worked it out...
£3.10 packet of 16 super plus size
£2.75 packet of 10 plus size 
£5.85 per month 
£70.20 a year
i have been using them for about 10 years
£702 for 10 years just for tampons!- i could have gone on holiday.
so i have been using the mooncup for about 2 years so a saving of:
£140.40 so far minus the £20 for the mooncup.
WOW!!

The Mooncup is a reusable menstrual cup, around two inches long and made from soft medical grade silicone. It is worn internally a lot lower than a tampon but, while tampons and pads absorb menstrual fluid, the Mooncup collects it. This means it doesn’t cause dryness or irritation, and also that it collects far more (three times as much as a ‘super-absorbent’ tampon’!). Because the Mooncup is reusable, you only need one so it saves you money and helps the environment, too.

The Mooncup is designed to be folded and inserted into the vagina, then removed, rinsed and reinserted up to every 8 hours. A light seal is formed with your vaginal walls, allowing menstrual fluid to pass into the Mooncup without leakage or odour. This seal is released for removal, allowing you to empty the contents, rinse or wipe and reinsert. Comfortable, convenient and safe: the Mooncup can be used overnight and when travelling, swimming or exercising.

• Clean, convenient, easy-to-use.
• Comfortable, reliable.
• Latex-free, hypoallergenic.
• No dyes, bleaches or toxins.
• Does not cause dryness.
• Does not disrupt your body’s natural pH levels (35% of the fluid tampons absorb is natural moisture!).
• Worn for up to 8 hours at a time.
• Menstrual cups have never been associated with toxic shock syndrome.
• The Mooncup has measurement markings, enabling women to accurately report menstrual blood loss to a doctor or gynaecologist.

The Mooncup is available in two sizes: A and B. Size A measures 46mm in diameter and 50mm in length. Size B measures 43 mm in diameter and 50mm in length. Both sizes have a pull stem 21mm long, which you can trim to the length that is right for you. 

Sizing is based on pelvic floor tone, not menstrual flow, and it's important to get the sizing right to get the best from your Mooncup. Pelvic floor tone will vary according to your age, childbearing history and what sort of exercise you do. Corrective surgery to the vagina will also have implications. Check the guidelines to see which size you need: 



Size 
Because vaginal and pelvic floor tones naturally reduce with age, the size A Mooncup is recommended for women aged 30 or over. The difference between the A and the B is only small (3mm), but it is crucial! 

Size A is also recommended for all women who have given birth vaginally, regardless of age. 

Size 
Designed for young girls and women under the age of 30 who have not given birth vaginally. It may also be suitable for women over the age of 30 who have had corrective surgery to the vagina, or who are advanced in tone-maintaining activities such as yoga, dance or pilates.

So how do you use the mooncup?

...and sits much lower in the vagina than a tampon

Got any questions? Email me x

x x x