Buying feminine hygiene products in bulk

ZombieBride

Since I'm going to be bleeding from my womb for another few decades and the cost of tampons is crazy, I wondered if there was anywhere I could order them in bulk.
Does anyone have any idea, I tried google but came up with squat.

Posy

You could buy a mooncup instead.
Only costs about €30 and then no need to buy feminine hygiene products for the next few years.

shinikins

One more recommendation for the mooncup-it's fantastic!! I've never had a more comfortable period since I stopped using tampons.

twirlagig

Moon-cup? Never heard of this.... What exactly is it and where can it be bought?

Posy

You can get them in Boots and most major chemists.

http://www.mooncup.co.uk/

The Big Red Button

I've never used the mooncup myself, but I've heard nothing but good things about it, and it definitely seems to be the most cost-efficient option.

twirlagig

God, I never knew this existed! Very keen to try it out. Can't see it working out though when you're out on a Saturday night with pub/club toilets etc
One question - and this may be TMI, but... how well does it stay in place, especially after peeing? I find with tampax if I go to the loo, it always feels as if it has 'slipped down' a bit afterwards and feels a bit uncomfy.

Eve_Dublin

The one problem I found with the Moon Cup when I used it was rinsing it out in public places or at work. How do you guys get around that?

The Big Red Button

twirlagig wrote: »

God, I never knew this existed! Very keen to try it out. Can't see it working out though when you're out on a Saturday night with pub/club toilets etc
One question - and this may be TMI, but... how well does it stay in place, especially after peeing? I find with tampax if I go to the loo, it always feels as if it has 'slipped down' a bit afterwards and feels a bit uncomfy.

I get what you mean about going out - but sure you could still use tampons for that sort of thing, but have the mooncup for everyday use - you'd still be saving money in the long run!

Otherwise, where you can't use a public sink to wash it, you could always use babywipes? I know I usually have a packet of them in my bag all the time, anyways!

Hmmm as regards going to the loo - would you not just be changing it in the loo, anyways? Sure you'd hardly be going to the loo, more often than you'd be changing tampons ...?

shinikins

Just tip it down the loo and wipe it with tissue-it's perfectly safe!!


You fold the cup to insert it, and when you release it, it forms a natural suction, so it doesn't slip or move until you remove it yourself.

ZombieBride

I heard about the moon cup, haven't tried it, must after these recommendations. Cheers all.

twirlagig

chatterpillar wrote: »

... Sure you'd hardly be going to the loo, more often than you'd be changing tampons ...?

I'm on a big water drinking buzz at the moment, and it just runs through me...

shinikins wrote: »

Just tip it down the loo and wipe it with tissue-it's perfectly safe!!


You fold the cup to insert it, and when you release it, it forms a natural suction, so it doesn't slip or move until you remove it yourself.

I think ye've sold the idea to me though ladies! Thank you

Lia_lia

chatterpillar wrote: »

Sure you'd hardly be going to the loo, more often than you'd be changing tampons ...?

LOL. I pee every half an hour. Damn you normal bladdered people!


Must try that mooncup thing myself actually. Been meaning to for years!

Teyla Emmagan

I bulk buy tampons in Asda when I'm up the north. They're way cheaper up there. The cost of a pack of Lil-lets in a chemist is actually scandalous. They should be set at a fixed (low) price. It's madness that it ends up costing you 15 euro or something everytime you have a period once you pack in massive pads for sleeping, 3 sizes of tampons over 5/6 days and a ton of painkillers.

I have never tried the mooncup, it just looks like it has the potential to be very messy to me..

dearg lady

I can't get the mooncup in place, so annoying, I'd love to use one!

Lucyfur

dearg lady wrote: »

I can't get the mooncup in place, so annoying, I'd love to use one!

Did you buy the right size? There's what appears to be minimal difference between the two sizes but apparently it makes a huge difference.

I'm going to get one, I've heard nothing but good about them.

Princess Peach

Every time I hear about the mooncup I decide to get one then forget all about it! Hope I remember this time.

I also pee frequently :pac: Its very environmental too!

dearg lady

Lucyfur wrote: »

Did you buy the right size? There's what appears to be minimal difference between the two sizes but apparently it makes a huge difference.

I'm going to get one, I've heard nothing but good about them.

yup, it's an issue actually getting it in place. I haven't tried now for a few months, so must try again! I have a feeling that once I get the knack I'll wonder how I ever had difficulty!

McChubbin

Heard about the mooncup before and I've heard it can be difficult to remove for some women, especially if like myself you have a tendency to become quite tense when *ahem* "foreign bodies" enter your hoo-ha.
Fortunately, I have no need for it as I rarely if ever get periods thanks to the mighty Mirena and when I do, a pantyliner is all that's needed.
I've bought a pack of pads once in the 4 years since having it inserted. :pac:
I highly recommend it.

shinikins

One thing I didn't mention-I'm a frequent piddler too (lol) and when I used tampons I would always have to replace it on each trip to the loo, but you really don't feel the mooncup in the same way. You don't get that full bloated feeling, so you don't have to go near it if you don't need to empty it! So you can pee in peace and not even have to think about it! I've only had my mooncup a few months and to be really honest, I'm raging I didn't get it sooner!!

The Big Red Button

I don't get why people have to replace tampons when they go to the loo though? I've never found that myself. Aren't they two completely separate ... passages?

ElleEm

chatterpillar wrote: »

I don't get why people have to replace tampons when they go to the loo though? I've never found that myself. Aren't they two completely separate ... passages?

They are, but sometimes the pressure can make it loose.
A lot of the time I go the loo with a tampon in, I could squeeze it out if I want to! The tampon is always in place properly and everything. The kegal exercises must be working!!

RacoonQueen

I'd have that problem with tampons slipping aswell. The idea of the mooncup always makes me wince, however, tampons are really uncomfortable in the pool. Anyone swim regularly with one. Be worth it even for swimming.

eviltwin

Tempted to use a mooncup but 30 euros is a lot to spend on something you might hate. I use tampons on my heavy days because it feels 'cleaner' but I hate how they feel so not sure if it would be the same. How do you remove a mooncup without making a mess? Does it not go everywhere?

shinikins

How much do you spend on tampons/towels in a year? I spent on average €6-7 each month. I'm already saving money by not buying sanitary products every, and I don't have my mooncup that long!

It's really easy to remove, and as long as your relaxed there's no spillages. If you're squeamish about or unfamiliar with your body I wouldn't say its the product for you. Its recommended that you practise placing and removing it mid cycle, so you become familiar with it before you actually have to use it, but when I bought it, my period arrived a few days early, and I just started using it. Zero problems!!

Posy

For anyone interested in getting a 'cup', there are not just mooncups available!

There's also fleurcups, lunettes, miacups, meLunas, femmecups, ladycups and I'm sure more brands.
They are available in a range of colours- some are quite dark, which might help the more squeamish!

The best thing is to do your research- some of the sizes vary a little, there's a range of colours- and prices can be anything from about €15 to over €30.

chickenbutt

Oh my God I need this in my life. I've been stock piling tampons in case of the apocalypse. Thanks, guys!

twirlagig

ElleEm wrote: »

They are, but sometimes the pressure can make it loose.
A lot of the time I go the loo with a tampon in, I could squeeze it out if I want to! The tampon is always in place properly and everything. The kegal exercises must be working!!

Thank you ElleEm! Everyone I have ever said this to has looked at me like I've 2 heads!


How has anyone suffering from heavy periods found the mooncup? I know my 2nd and 3rd days are crazy heavy

McChubbin

chickenbutt wrote: »

Oh my God I need this in my life. I've been stock piling tampons in case of the apocalypse. Thanks, guys!

:pac::pac::pac::pac::pac:

On a more serious note, I'm very squeamish when it comes to tampons. First time I tried using one it hurt so bad it put me off for a number of years. Last time I tried it I couldn't insert it right so I just gave up and up until I got my mighty Mirena (seriously cannot recommend it enough- virtually NO periods AT ALL for 5 years!) I largely relied on big bulky pads to deal with my overly heavy periods.
Only bad thing to say about the Mirena is this: For me at least, it was excrutiatingly uncomfortable getting it put in and for about 6 months afterwards you can expect your body to be in a state of "WTF?!" while it adjusts to having what is in essence a foreign body settle in your womb.
I experienced crippling cramps and bleeds so heavy I though I might die from blood loss but my doctor told me this is normal and it's different for everybody.
Once the 6 months were up, everything turned out peachy and my only regret is not getting it in sooner.
Just make sure you have a good sympathetic doctor- most won't put in the Mirena unless you've already had a vaginal childbirth. Something to due with it being easier to insert, or so I'm told...

Giselle

twirlagig wrote: »

How has anyone suffering from heavy periods found the mooncup? I know my 2nd and 3rd days are crazy heavy

Second and third days are like the parting of the Red Seas for me, but I'd still get at least ten hours straight out of the mooncup. It would probably last more, but I'd rather underestimate!

Quality

Moon cup is well worth it! Really stress free periods with it.


I am on the mirena now and haven't had a period In two months!

Thank god' they say the mirena and tampons shouldn't be used With it. For fear of pulling it out!

anniehoo

Posy wrote: »

You could buy a mooncup instead.
Only costs about €30 and then no need to buy feminine hygiene products for the next few years.

Funny this is mentioned. I was in Boots the other day and came across the Soft Cup. The reaction at the counter was hilarious when i asked was it the same at the "moon cup"?! One assistant looked horrified and so did the other one but tried to correct herself quick smart when she realised i was asking her a serious question. I was tempted to buy it...its only €6.50 not €30 which is basically one or 2 periods worth of tampons for me.

Definitely going to research a bit more as the price of tampons is ridiculous.

Edit: one cup does one cycle...so deffo not the cheaper option. Environmentally friendlier though.

Morag

anniehoo wrote: »

Funny this is mentioned. I was in Boots the other day and came across the Soft Cup. The reaction at the counter was hilarious when i asked was it the same at the "moon cup"?! One assistant looked horrified and so did the other one but tried to correct herself quick smart when she realised i was asking her a serious question. I was tempted to buy it...its only €6.50 not €30 which is basically one or 2 periods worth of tampons for me.

Soft cups are not reusable like a moon cup.

Quality wrote: »

Moon cup is well worth it! Really stress free periods with it.


I am on the mirena now and haven't had a period In two months!

Thank god' they say the mirena and tampons shouldn't be used With it. For fear of pulling it out!

I am on my 3rd Mirena/IUS I have never been told I can not use tampons.

twirlagig

anniehoo wrote: »

....Definitely going to research a bit more as the price of tampons is ridiculous.....

I bought a box of tampons yesterday and the price sticker said €4.22 - whatever way the assistant looked at it she read it as €2.24. I didn't say a word but feel kinda bad since .... well, just a little bit!

Posy

Eve_Dublin wrote: »

The one problem I found with the Moon Cup when I used it was rinsing it out in public places or at work. How do you guys get around that?

I find one will last me pretty much all day (10-12 hours easily) so it's not really a problem.

I'm thinking of buying a different coloured one because the mooncup gets a yellowish tinge I find unpleasant looking. One of the brands (I forget which) even sell glittery menstrual cups! :eek:



Get one, chickenbutt, you'll be sorted if there's a zombie apocalypse now! :pac:

The Big Red Button

McChubbin wrote: »

Just make sure you have a good sympathetic doctor- most won't put in the Mirena unless you've already had a vaginal childbirth. Something to due with it being easier to insert, or so I'm told...

My doctor advised against it, for me ... she said that, if you haven't had kids, there's a good chance your body will reject it (and it's pretty expensive!) Also it'll be very painful to insert if you haven't had kids. And there's a chance that it could cause an infection that would cause infertility.

I also really don't like the idea of random bleeding, even if it's light. My periods are very regular, and I'd actually rather regular normal bleeding, rather than occasional light bleeding ... at least I know when to expect it!

Morgase

I wonder if there is still the high rate of tax on tampons? Maybe that's why they're still so expensive.

Sharrow wrote: »

I am on my 3rd Mirena/IUS I have never been told I can not use tampons.

There seems to be no consensus on this. One doctor I've seen said no, another says there's no problem. Luckily for me it's not been an issue as I had one period a few weeks after insertion and no bleeds at all since.

chatterpillar wrote: »

My doctor advised against it, for me ... she said that, if you haven't had kids, there's a good chance your body will reject it (and it's pretty expensive!) Also it'll be very painful to insert if you haven't had kids. And there's a chance that it could cause an infection that would cause infertility.

Again we seem to be given completely different information depending on which doctor we're going to! I have to wonder are they basing this on personal opinion rather than hard facts or statistics?

Anyway, my GP told me about Mirena when I asked about tubal ligation, and I had it inserted at the Well Woman in Dublin. By the way I have no children, but I was given a drug to loosen up the cervix a little to make insertion easier. Not saying it wasn't painful but it doesn't last long.

I was never told anything about infection risk that I recall either - I wonder if there is a significant risk or was your doctor trying to put you off for some reason?

The Big Red Button

Morgase wrote: »

Again we seem to be given completely different information depending on which doctor we're going to! I have to wonder are they basing this on personal opinion rather than hard facts or statistics?

Anyway, my GP told me about Mirena when I asked about tubal ligation, and I had it inserted at the Well Woman in Dublin. By the way I have no children, but I was given a drug to loosen up the cervix a little to make insertion easier. Not saying it wasn't painful but it doesn't last long.

I was never told anything about infection risk that I recall either - I wonder if there is a significant risk or was your doctor trying to put you off for some reason?

Actually it's not the pain that would put me off, not in the slightest.

As for infection - she did say it was a small risk. From reading up on it at the time, the risk seemed small enough that I was willing to take it.

What did put me off was the idea of my body rejecting it. From my own research on it, it seems it's rejected quite often in women who haven't had babies. And it's pretty expensive, so it just didn't seem worthwhile, at the time, spending that much money on something that mightn't even work!

I have issues with my blood pressure, and have always reacted horribly to any contraception I've ever taken. So the Mirena would be ideal for me - if I'd had kids already.

Morag

Morgase wrote: »

I was never told anything about infection risk that I recall either - I wonder if there is a significant risk or was your doctor trying to put you off for some reason?

Given that the strings of it exit the cervix it means it is slightly more open then if you didn't have one. So if you have a copper coil or a IUS you are at a slightly higher risk of PID (Pelvic inflammatory disease)

Pelvic inflammatory disease is a general term for infection of the uterus lining, which may cause infertility if you don't get it treated and ignore the signs like nasty discharges and pain.

But it really sounds like that dr was trying to put chatterpillar off.

I know several women who don't have kids who had it fitted and didn't have it rejected and one who has 5 kids and rejected it. After that she told himself to have the snip.

username123

chatterpillar wrote: »

My doctor advised against it, for me ... she said that, if you haven't had kids, there's a good chance your body will reject it (and it's pretty expensive!) Also it'll be very painful to insert if you haven't had kids. And there's a chance that it could cause an infection that would cause infertility.

My doctor discussed this with me, the rejection part, when I came back and said Id done more research but it was too expensive to risk she seemed totally surprised at the price.

On Mooncups. Im a tampon user, swim with them, find them totally comfortable, although I do tend to get a panic moment a day or two after my period finishes when I wonder frantically did I remember to remove the last tampon (never happened btw, I just like to panic).

What has kept putting me off Mooncup is the 'messy' aspect. One of the reasons I like tampons is that my period is practically invisible to me (especially if I dont really look when changing tampon!). I dont like the red bloody mess. I dont like the idea of handling a 'full' Mooncup. Is its awful or fine? I have visions of the blood adhering to the sides of it and it needing a full blown scrub to clean it.

The other thing is, Im allergic to latex so Id be worried about putting something rubbery in me.

TeletextPear

ZombieBride wrote: »

the cost of tampons is crazy

+1 to that. I was in Tesco last week and spotted that usual Tampax I buy were half price, around €2-something per box. I must have looked like a lunatic with the armfuls I had going up to the checkout!

eviltwin

Aren't sanitary products still taxed as non essential items rather than medical care ( which they should be imo )

Princess Peach

I just started on Nuva Ring which can't be used the same time as the mooncup, so I'll wait a few months and see what way my periods go. If it comes during the break I'm fine, but no point in me buying one just yet till I know! I do like how environmentally friendly they are though. I cop out and buy those tampax pearl, because they are comfortable, but so much plastic packaging!

I was super squeemish about the mirena :pac: But asked my doctor anyway. She said the same as above, its not usually recommended for women who haven't had a baby. And my insurance wouldn't pay for the procedure!

PhysiologyRocks

Morag

username123 wrote: »

The other thing is, Im allergic to latex so Id be worried about putting something rubbery in me.

It is made of surgical grade medical inert silicon, not latex or rubber.

Yes tampons are consider luxury goods and have vat of 23% on them.

Irish dr seem to keep saying ius/iud are not for women who have not had kids,
which I find funny cos they used to say the same thing about tampons.

pwurple

eviltwin wrote: »

Aren't sanitary products still taxed as non essential items rather than medical care ( which they should be imo )

Yup, they are in the luxury VAT range.
Facial razors though, are classed as a necessity, and are taxed accordingly. :rolleyes:

username123

Sharrow wrote: »

It is made of surgical grade medical inert silicon, not latex or rubber.

Thanks Sharrow.

Im on a mini pill now and no periods so far so Ill hold off for the moment, but definitely one to think about.

redappple

When I saw the second post mentioning Moon Cup I had to google it straight away. I happened upon a review on beaut.ie! This is hilarious - it's a review of Moon Cup from Amazon!!

http://beaut.ie/blog/2012/hilarious-mooncup-review-on-amazon-prepare-for-battle/

eviltwin

pwurple wrote: »

Yup, they are in the luxury VAT range.
Facial razors though, are classed as a necessity, and are taxed accordingly. :rolleyes:

Thats mad isn't it? Cannot understand that at all.

username123

eviltwin wrote: »

Thats mad isn't it? Cannot understand that at all.

Men made the tax laws

Morag

There have been threads on moon cups going back to 2008 on this forum
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=60899500
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055312167
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=63211445
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055312167

I'd suggest reading other boardsies experiences instead of a comic review written for hits on amazon.