# Mooncup-Now available at a pharmacy near you? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 13, 2005, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mooncup-now-available-at-a-pharmacy-near-you/308093 "2005-06-13T15:48:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mooncup-now-available-at-a-pharmacy-near-you/308093/1 "2005-06-13T15:48:09Z")
Imagine my surprise to see a row of Mooncups in tasteful little boxes on sale in a Boot’s chemist for 29.95 euro. So, for UK and Irish Doper ladies at least, re-usable menstrual cups may soon be available from your local Boots pharmacy, no need to order off the internet and wait 10 days. Brought to you by the “bringing down the tampon industry, one vagina at a time” campaign! ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mooncup-now-available-at-a-pharmacy-near-you/308093/2 "2005-06-13T15:58:50Z")
> [@irishgirl](#): > > re-usable menstrual cups Allow me to say, “Ew”! ---
**Author:** ![Martha\_Medea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@Martha\_Medea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martha_Medea)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mooncup-now-available-at-a-pharmacy-near-you/308093/3 "2005-06-13T16:30:36Z")
Note to self: must add this to shopping list (Boots section) for when in UK this summer. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Studs\_Murphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/858c86/32.png) [@Studs\_Murphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Studs_Murphy)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mooncup-now-available-at-a-pharmacy-near-you/308093/4 "2005-06-13T16:32:19Z")
I know I’ll regret asking but - what and why? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mooncup-now-available-at-a-pharmacy-near-you/308093/5 "2005-06-13T17:15:12Z")
**Studs Murphy** -search Mooncup, Divacup and the Keeper in this forum and IMHO. A re-usable menstrual cup is exactly what it sounds like. A cup, inserted into the vagina during a period, to catch the blood. At the end of the period it is washed and disinfected, ready for use next time. Less mess, less waste, cheaper and more reliable than tampons or pads. ---
**Author:** ![Daithi\_Lacha](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daithi_lacha/32/5430_2.png) [@Daithi\_Lacha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daithi_Lacha)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mooncup-now-available-at-a-pharmacy-near-you/308093/6 "2005-06-13T17:23:00Z")
> [@irishgirl](#): > > **Studs Murphy** -search Mooncup, Divacup and the Keeper in this forum and IMHO. > > A re-usable menstrual cup is exactly what it sounds like. A cup, inserted into the vagina during a period, to catch the blood. At the end of the period it is washed and disinfected, ready for use next time. Less mess, less waste, cheaper and more reliable than tampons or pads. :eek: Bloody hell! ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mooncup-now-available-at-a-pharmacy-near-you/308093/7 "2005-06-13T17:28:19Z")
Oh, it does need emptied and washed every 10-12 hours. **adam yax** - I assume from you’re name you’re a man. It’s only men who think that tampons are clean, hygienic and hassle free. Women know better. They’re uncomfortable, messy, leaky, difficult to dispose of satisfactorily, expensive and that damn string is not nice. Menstrual cups are comfy, mess is confined to the toilet bowl from whence it is easily flushed, they don’t leak, cheap (1 cup last for 5 YEARS) and there’s no string to get wet/tangled/caught. Ok, so you have to put your fingers into (whisper it) your own vagina twice a day to use it, but that’s hardly a drawback unless you’ve got some serious body issues. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mooncup-now-available-at-a-pharmacy-near-you/308093/8 "2005-06-13T18:15:37Z")
> [@irishgirl](#): > > Ok, so you have to put your fingers into (whisper it) your own vagina twice a day to use it, but that’s hardly a drawback unless you’ve got some serious body issues. Eh, no serious body issues, I’m just not very good at it. I once got a contraceptive sponge stuck up there because I literally could not find it or the little ribbon I was supposed to pull it out with. Then again, a Divacup is much larger and not made of stuff that feels like my innards, so maybe I’d be OK… I used to be in the “no way” camp. In these last few months of discussions on this board, I’ve moved into the “maybe” camp. Give me a few more months and I’ll place an order! (But I do admit I’d be more likely to get one if I could get it at a store - I have no idea why.) It really doesn’t leak? ---
**Author:** ![Studs\_Murphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/858c86/32.png) [@Studs\_Murphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Studs_Murphy)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mooncup-now-available-at-a-pharmacy-near-you/308093/9 "2005-06-13T18:19:05Z")
> [@irishgirl](#): > > **Studs Murphy** -search Mooncup, Divacup and the Keeper in this forum and IMHO. > > A re-usable menstrual cup is exactly what it sounds like. A cup, inserted into the vagina during a period, to catch the blood. At the end of the period it is washed and disinfected, ready for use next time. Less mess, less waste, cheaper and more reliable than tampons or pads. This has realised all of my fears. I didn’t search as I had this horrible sense of foreboding involving pictures. Thanks for posting this - no really! ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Waenara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@Waenara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waenara)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mooncup-now-available-at-a-pharmacy-near-you/308093/10 "2005-06-13T22:47:27Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > It really doesn’t leak? Really really! TMI: I’ve had mine for about half a year, and it only leaked once when I forgot (!) I was wearing it (very hectic busy day), and didn’t empty it for almost 24 hours. I had _very_ slight leakage - not even enough to stain undergarments - just noticeable when I um… wiped in the washroom. Even during my heaviest flow, I only empty it twice per day (in the morning after waking up, and in the evening after supper) - and then it’s not even full when I empty it. It holds just over half an ounce. ---
**Author:** ![Marlitharn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@Marlitharn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marlitharn)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mooncup-now-available-at-a-pharmacy-near-you/308093/11 "2005-06-14T02:19:35Z")
[Here’s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=316881&highlight=Divacup) my thread wherein I sing the praises of this little silicone miracle. I would be delighted if they became available in stores everywhere. They are the absolute shizznit. Plus they inspire good sig lines. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mooncup-now-available-at-a-pharmacy-near-you/308093/12 "2005-06-14T05:15:32Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Eh, no serious body issues, I’m just not very good at it. I once got a contraceptive sponge stuck up there because I literally could not find it or the little ribbon I was supposed to pull it out with. Then again, a Divacup is much larger and not made of stuff that feels like my innards, so maybe I’d be OK… > > I used to be in the “no way” camp. In these last few months of discussions on this board, I’ve moved into the “maybe” camp. Give me a few more months and I’ll place an order! (But I do admit I’d be more likely to get one if I could get it at a store - I have no idea why.) > > It really doesn’t leak? I just got my divacup a few days ago…just after my period ended…but I did play around with it to get accustomed to putting it in and taking it out. It is more comfortable - no string. Will see if it is leakproof next cycle=) ---
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mooncup-now-available-at-a-pharmacy-near-you/308093/13 "2005-06-14T05:22:08Z")
In the '70s there was a product called “Tassaway” that was a disposable menstrual cup. I tried it once. Yikes. I don’t gross out easily, but Tassaway was one of the most repulsive experiences of my young life. Menstrual gunk is **not** something you want to have to look at. Trust me. Having it nicely soaked into a pad or tampon is one thing: having it sloshing around in a plastic cup that you have to dump into the toilet is quite another. ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mooncup-now-available-at-a-pharmacy-near-you/308093/14 "2005-06-14T13:41:53Z")
I just don’t understand how to get the thing out without spilling/soiling the vaginal vault. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mooncup-now-available-at-a-pharmacy-near-you/308093/15 "2005-06-14T15:06:28Z")
> [@irishgirl](#): > > **adam yax** - I assume from you’re name you’re a man. It’s only men who think that tampons are clean, hygienic and hassle free. Women know better. They’re uncomfortable, messy, leaky, difficult to dispose of satisfactorily, expensive and that damn string is not nice. I am a man, yes. I guess that I never really considered wether tampons were hygenic or not, but I am a wee bit ooged out by the reuse factor of the cup. This is one of those things that make me glad I am not female. ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mooncup-now-available-at-a-pharmacy-near-you/308093/16 "2005-06-14T15:20:29Z")
> [@adam yax](#): > > I am a man, yes. I guess that I never really considered wether tampons were hygenic or not, but I am a wee bit ooged out by the reuse factor of the cup. This is one of those things that make me glad I am not female. _Periods_ make me happy that I"m not female. ---
**Author:** ![AngelicGemma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/439d5e/32.png) [@AngelicGemma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelicGemma)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mooncup-now-available-at-a-pharmacy-near-you/308093/17 "2005-06-14T15:34:27Z")
And yet I will continue to buy and use tampons. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mooncup-now-available-at-a-pharmacy-near-you/308093/18 "2005-06-14T16:14:11Z")
So, if you’re at work when you want to empty one of these babies, how do you contrive to clean it when you’re inside the stall? I’m assuming here that one rinses them out before reinserting. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Bird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Little\_Bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Bird)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mooncup-now-available-at-a-pharmacy-near-you/308093/19 "2005-06-14T16:59:30Z")
> [@teela brown](#): > > So, if you’re at work when you want to empty one of these babies, how do you contrive to clean it when you’re inside the stall? I’m assuming here that one rinses them out before reinserting. I always do it at home. It holds a lot more than a tampon so I really only have to change it once or twice a day. I usually do it in the shower, no muss, no fuss! 😃 If I had to change it in a stall, tho, I would bring a bottle of water to rinse it off, then wipe with TP. ---
**Author:** ![Marlitharn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@Marlitharn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marlitharn)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mooncup-now-available-at-a-pharmacy-near-you/308093/20 "2005-06-14T22:07:03Z")
> [@adam yax](#): > > I am a man, yes. I guess that I never really considered wether tampons were hygenic or not, but I am a wee bit ooged out by the reuse factor of the cup. This is one of those things that make me glad I am not female. I’ve reused my husband’s penis a million times, it’s probably not as clean as my divacup. 😉 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mooncup-now-available-at-a-pharmacy-near-you/308093.md?page=2)