There are a lot of menstrual cup brands out there. What makes the Mooncup different or better from other cups?
Let’s find that out, shall we?
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Contents
First, What is the Mooncup?
Before we get to the Mooncup review, let’s take a look at what exactly it is.
A Mooncup is a silicone menstrual cup from a company in the UK that goes by the acronym MCUK. There is also a different company in the US that began selling its ‘Moon cup’ in 2006, but that cup is not the subject of this review.
MCUK as it is known in the US, and Mooncup as it is known elsewhere, have won several awards for being an ethical business, and have the Vegan Society’s stamp of approval.
The company was formed in part because the only available cup at the time was made of Latex. Many women had latex allergies so a new material was needed. MCUK started selling silicone Mooncups.
Two Sizes of Mooncups
Mooncup Model A
The size “A” Mooncup is designed for women who have given birth naturally or for women who are over 30.
Length: 1.97″
Diameter: 1.81″
Mooncup Size B
The size “B” Mooncup is for women under 30 who have never given birth vaginally.
Length: 1.97″
Diameter: 1.69″
Both cups are the same length, but the size B has a slightly smaller diameter.
How Does a Mooncup Work?
The Mooncup sits just inside the vagina. The cup is folded and inserted rim first into the vagina. The rim of the cup creates a seal with the walls of the vagina, capturing menstrual fluid.
The cup is removed anywhere between 4 to 8 hours, depending on the flow. The fluid is poured out, usually into the commode. The cup is then cleaned and reinserted. It can be used for about 5 years and allows the user to be free from buying and tossing disposables.
There are many Mooncup reviews online, here is one from a girl who uses it and is brave enough to share her experience with the rest of us.
Why is The Mooncup Menstrual Cup So Popular?
Mooncup has been around for a while. They began selling in 2002, which was the early days of silicone menstrual cups. They are soft and comfortable. Mooncup UK is not quite as well known in the US, but it does have a loyal following in the US as well.
How is The Mooncup Different from Other Menstrual Cups?
The Mooncup is on the soft side, compared to other menstrual cups. It has a thick rim which helps it stay in place. The softness is good if firmer cups cause discomfort, or you happen to be very tender ‘down there’.
Since the rim is thick and medium-firm, the cup creates a good seal with the vaginal walls. It is important to break this seal by squeezing the tip of the cup, before removing the cup.
Be careful, the sizing on these cups is odd. For Mooncup the size “A” is larger than the “B”, and in this case, size “A” is for women who have had children naturally or are over 30.
This is the opposite of most brands where the larger cup is “B” or “2”.
Where the Mooncup really shines is with its company philosophy and real-life practices. The cup itself is great and works well for many women, but so do other cups made by other companies. So why choose Mooncup UK from among the vast sea of awesome menstrual cups?
The values of the company match your own is one good reason.
The Mooncup UK company manifesto states they believe in making a woman’s period a positive experience that is greener, more sustainable, healthier than the other options that are available.
They were one of the first companies to bring this vision to life and sell the silicone menstrual cup. They have not given in to consumerism and compromised what they believe by adding dyes and glitter to the cups.
They made the cup to last for 10 years. 10 YEARS!
They stand by their values and manufacture the cup in a way that they believe truly benefits the woman using it. If that is not a great reason to choose them, I don’t know what is.
Is The Mooncup Better than The DivaCup?
Better is not really the right word. It may be better for some women, and not so much for others.
Diva cup is firmer and longer, 7mm longer to be exact. The Mooncup is 50 mm (cup only) and the Diva cup is 57 mm (cup only, not including stem).
The Diva cup has a narrower rim and ever so slightly narrower in diameter, 41 and 45mm. The Mooncup is 43 and 46mm.
For more on the Diva Cup, read my full Diva Cup Review.
One thing the cups do have in common is their philosophy on dyes and tints. Both companies agree the benefits of coloring the product are not worth the downsides.
MCUK website states that the company believes the tint may compromise the health and environmental impact of the cup, contribute to consumerism and goes against the simplicity the Mooncup UK brand stands for.
Both Diva cup and Mooncup UK have stems with hollow centers, which may make them a challenge to clean.
Final Verdict
Pros
- Includes carry/storage pouch made from 100% organic fair trade cotton.
- The company is registered with the FDA and does not include dyes, latex, BPAs, plastics or bleaches in their cups.
- The Mooncups are 100% silicone and nothing more.
- Thick medium-firm rim, softer cup.
- The rim pops open very easily and stays in place.
- The stem is quite long, so if you have a high cervix, this cup will work.
- The stem may also be trimmed or removed if it is too long.
Cons
- Vent holes are lower than other brands, reducing capacity.
- Not the best beginner cup, due to the large rim.
This cup is great for an experienced user who can manage the rim. It takes some practice, but for the lady who has the process down pat, this cup is fast to insert and place, and comfortable once it is positioned due to the cup softness.
If you’re a beginner and don’t know how to get the thing in, no worries, I’ve written a separate article on the best menstrual cup folds, so you know the different ways how to insert a menstrual cup!
Also, cleaning doesn’t have to be difficult, not if you read this article on how to clean a menstrual cup (wherever you may be).
Final Rating: 8/10
I hope this Mooncup review helps you decide if the Mooncup is right for you.
If you’re not ready for a menstrual cup yet, then please at least think of going towards the reusable life of menstrual products, for example, try reusable period pads. You may come to adore them better than regular pads!
Cynthia Stalde
I’m the girl behind Miss Coty. Here I talk about the struggles of womanhood – from hair removal all the way to deep facial wrinkles in your 20s. More about me.
