What is a menstrual cup?
A menstrual cup is a small, foldable, reusable device made from silicone, rubber or plastic that collects, rather than absorbs, the menstrual blood when inserted into the vagina. Mooncup® is the brand name of the first medical grade silicone menstrual cup in the world.
What is a Mooncup?
The Mooncup® is a soft, silicone menstrual cup that you can reuse every time you get your period.
Tried and trusted since 2002 by millions around the world, the Mooncup menstrual cup offers an end to the waste, discomfort and expense of disposable sanitary protection. We’re so sure you’ll love your Mooncup that we’re offering all our customers a satisfaction guarantee.
It was designed by women as a convenient, safe and eco-friendly alternative to tampons and pads. The Mooncup was the first ever menstrual cup to be made from medical grade silicone; a hypoallergenic alternative to rubber which had previously been linked to latex allergies.
Thanks to Mooncup® users worldwide, over 3 billion tampons and pads have been diverted from landfill and our oceans.
Who invented the menstrual cup?
The first menstrual cup, made from rubber, was invented in 1937 by an American woman named Leona Chalmers. Unfortunately for Chalmers, a wartime rationing of rubber during World War II impacted the production of her menstrual cup.
Her cup was met with resistance from the public. Perhaps ahead of its time, the idea was shelved due to the rise in the popularity of disposables and the invention of the applicator tampon.
Thankfully, the concept has gained more widespread popularity and recognition since the early 2000s when the Mooncup menstrual cup was invented.
Who invented the Mooncup?
Su Hardy is to thank for the invention of the Mooncup menstrual cup.
Su first came across a menstrual cup when she was travelling around Australia in 2000 and started to import and distribute it to friends and friends of friends when she came home to the UK. But discovering that some had a reaction to the latex in this rubber cup, she researched hypoallergenic alternatives and invented the world’s first reusable, medical grade silicone menstrual cup, trademarked as the Mooncup® in the spring of 2002.
Su built up the company from her spare room, working around the clock with a few friends, and it became an award-winning, international, employee-owned business based in Brighton.
In 2023, Mooncup officially join the &SISTERS family, a family-run sustainable period care brand specialising in compostable pads, tampons and liners.
Read more about the Mooncup story.
How does the Mooncup menstrual cup work?
Once the Mooncup is inside it opens up and forms a light seal with the vaginal wall which holds it in place.
The Mooncup sits lower than a tampon and works by collecting the menstrual blood. The Mooncup is held in place by the vaginal muscles and can be emptied, rinsed and reinserted every four to eight hours. It can be used safely when travelling, swimming or exercising.
Frequently Asked Questions about using a Mooncup
We have over 40 Mooncup FAQs on our website. Here are a few of the most asked questions:
How do I remove the Mooncup?
Is the Mooncup comfortable?
How do I clean my Mooncup menstrual cup?
How do I use a Mooncup in a public toilet?
Is the Mooncup easy to use?
Where can I buy the Mooncup menstrual cup?
Make sure your Mooncup is the real deal
If you’ve looked through the questions and can’t find the response you’re after please get in touch with our friendly support team at [email protected]. And don’t worry about your question being TMI, there are no embarrassing questions here at Mooncup!
