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Femmecup is “a reusable (they last for up to five years) menstrual cup worn internally just like a tampon except it collects menstrual flow instead of absorbing it”.
It has the benefit of being able to be left in place for up to 12 hours with no risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome. It can be left for so long as it holds three times more than tampons or towels.
I was eager to try the Femmecup, having recently read about a similar product in a magazine. It seemed like an ideal product for me that would fit well with my frantic lifestyle and help me to do that little bit more for the environment.
I struggled with Femmecup initially: it took several attempts to insert (but then I recall having the same problem with tampons and also with a contraceptive cap many years ago!) but, once in position, I was surprised how quickly I got used to the feel of it, and soon forgot it was there.
However I also found it difficult to get the Femmecup in place correctly. It should form a seal with your vaginal walls so there are no leaks, but during the heavy days I had to use a pad as a back-up. On lighter days I seemed to have no problems with leaks and loved the fact that I could pop it in before dawn and not have to worry about regular trips to the loo at work: I could just forget about my period until I got home.
Having got the Femmecup in, I was then terrified that I wouldn’t be able to get it out again! It is actually really simple due to the stem at the base, but the knack is to get it out without spilling any menstrual flow before it is emptied in the toilet!
Notwithstanding the teething problems, I will definitely keep on using the Femmecup as it an eco-friendly, cost-effective and convenient substitute for tampons for much of my cycle.
Femmecup is available online from www.femmecup.com as well as various online retailers, priced at £14.99.