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Want a cheaper, eco-friendly alternative to disposable period products? inserting menstrual disc
Menstrual cups are becoming increasingly popular, and it's not difficult to see why. They don't dry out the vagina like tampons can, nor do they contain any harmful substances. They're also reusable, eco-friendly and don't create any waste – and, if we're talking money, they're cheaper in the long run. A convincing argument, right?
With that in mind, we answer some of the most common questions about menstrual cups, including how to use one, and we test and suggest some of the best menstrual cups to try for anyone who has periods, whether you're a beginner or a pro.
What is a menstrual cup (also known as a period cup)?
"A menstrual cup is a small cup made from flexible and body-friendly plastic which you insert into your vagina instead of using a tampon or towel," explains Stephanie Taylor, Founder and Managing Director of pelvic health company Kegel8 . "It sits just below your cervix and collects any blood or lining you lose for up to 12 hours," she adds. The main difference between a tampon and a period cup is that the cup collects your blood, whereas the tampon absorbs it.
Rest assured, no! A major scientific review published in the Lancet Public Health journal, which assessed 43 studies involving 3,300 women and girls, concluded that menstrual cups are just as reliable as tampons in the leak-prevention stakes. Leakage rates were found to be similar between tampons and menstrual cups in three of the studies that were analysed, and were actually found to have significantly less leakage than tampons in one other study.
How do you use a menstrual cup?
It's actually pretty simple to use a menstrual cup. "Make sure both your menstrual cup and your hands are clean, then hold the base of your cup and flatten the opening. Fold it in half vertically, so that the opening forms a 'C'," explains the expert. Next, you need to find a comfortable position to insert the cup - "you can even squat or raise one leg," suggests Stephanie." The biggest thing to remember is to relax and take things slow. A menstrual cup doesn’t sit as high as a tampon; you should have approximately 1.5cm clear at the base. Check the cup has fully opened by giving the stem a gentle pull – if you feel some resistance then you’re good to go."
Can I use a menstrual cup if I’m a virgin?
Absolutely – you can still use a menstrual cup if you've never had sex! "You can start using a menstrual cup from your first period," advises Stephanie. "It may feel uncomfortable at first, but don’t force it. It’s best to choose a brand which offers smaller sizes if you're a beginner with menstrual cups."
Can I wear a menstrual cup swimming?
Just like tampons, it's a goer. You can wear menstrual cups while swimming, and for every other form of exercise. "You wear a menstrual cup completely internally, so you don’t need to worry. However, if you’ve experienced leaks and haven’t quite mastered the art yet it’s best to resolve this first," suggests the female health expert.
Are menstrual cups better for you?
While tampons are very commonly used, they do hold some possible risks that menstrual cups just don't have. "Most tampons are treated with chemicals to bleach the cotton and even contain plastic," says Stephanie. "Tampons strip your vaginal walls of its lining and soak up the healthy discharge you need to keep your body's natural flora at the optimum levels. A menstrual cup takes the blood and leaves everything else. "Using a body-friendly cup can also reduce your risk of bacterial infections and contracting Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)," the expert adds.
Is a menstrual cup eco-friendly?
If you suffer from eco-anxiety, that's another reason you might want to make the change and start using period cups. "Switching to a menstrual cup can save the environment from approximately 16,000 tampons, panty-liners and sanitary pads in your lifetime, which can take between 500-800 years to fully decompose," says Stephanie." Most sanitary pads are also 90 percent plastic (who knew!?) and tampons are made from the world’s thirstiest crop – cotton. In comparison, silicon is a much greener material which slowly goes back to its original state (sand) as it degrades."
How do I keep my menstrual cup clean?
If the thought of rinsing away your own period blood freaks you out, you'll have to get past that to make the switch – cleaning is essential. But luckily, it's very easy. " Just give it a quick rinse with hot soapy water or use a cleaning spray. Rinse thoroughly to remove any soap or cleaner residue as this can cause irritation after insertion. For a more thorough clean, boil your cup," advises Stephanie.
How often should a menstrual cup be replaced?
"With proper care and cleaning, a menstrual cup can last over a decade, saving women thousands of pounds on sanitary products over its lifetime." Way to avoid the tampon tax...
Can I use a menstrual cup if I have heavy periods?
You sure can. In fact, Stephanie points out: "Menstrual cups can hold up to 5 times more blood than towels and tampons. Some come with measurement lines to tell you whether you’re having a light, medium or heavy flow. They can also help diagnose endometriosis which affects 1 in 10 women in the UK, as very heavy periods can be a tell-tale sign.
Our panel of 110 testers tried several leading brands of menstrual cups, rating each one on how comfortable and easy they were to insert, wear and remove during their period.
They assessed how clear the instructions were before use too, and whether they experienced any leakage.
They also took into account how comfortable they were to wear for the recommended amount of time, how confident they felt in public, and how easy it was to clean and re-insert.
The Cosmopolitan editors have also suggested some fool-proof cups, find them under our tested picks below.
If you're a menstrual cup beginner and you’re finding the whole insertion process a bit daunting, try this one. We found it super easy to insert and it kept us dry for the full 12 hours. We even tried it while exercising and found it comfortable to wear, so you can enjoy that spin class in peace.
Key specs: Protection: Up to 12 hours Diameter: 4.5cm Length: 7cm Suitable for: Medium; pre-birth or under 25 yrs, large; post-birth or over 25 yrs.
The OG menstrual cup, we found the Mooncup didn’t cause any pain or irritation when it came to insertion, wearing or removal. It was even comfy to wear while exercising, so you can get stuck into whatever you're doing without any distractions.
Key specs: Protection: Up to 8 hours Diameter: Small/size B; 4.3cm, regular/size A; 4.6cm Length: 5cm Suitable for: Size b; pre-birth or under 30 yrs, size a; post-birth or over 30 yrs.
We’re already dealing with period cramps, so the last thing we need is for our sanitary products to cause us even more discomfort. We found this cup was the comfiest on test, and was such a great fit that we couldn’t even feel it during the day. It wasn’t the best when it came to leakage protection though, so you might want to wear a reusable pad underneath on heavier days.
Key specs: Protection: Up to 12 hours Diameter: Mini; 3.7cm, size A; 4cm, size B, 4.5cm Length: Mini; 5.8cm, size A; 6.5cm, size B, 7cm Suitable for: Mini; teenagers, size A; pre-birth, size B, post-birth
Periods shouldn’t be expensive. This affordable menstrual cup costs less than a tenner and with every product purchased, the brand donates one cup to girls and women in need, to help eliminate period poverty for good. It took us a few attempts to insert but once secure it was comfortable to wear and effortless to clean.
Key specs: Protection: Up to 12 hours Diameter: Small; 4cm, large; 4.5cm Length: Small; 7cm, large; 7.5cm Suitable for: Small; pre-birth or under 25 yrs, large; post-birth or over 25 yrs.
Saalt’s offering can hold up to three tampons’ worth of blood - impressive. It was created with the goal of eliminating disposable sanitary products (yes, we’re looking at you tampons and pads!) and we found it provided a seamless fit and managed to protect against leakages. It was a doddle to insert too, and was comfortable to wear for the full 12 hours. Key specs: Protection: Up to 12 hours Diameter: Small; 4.1cm, regular; 4.6cm Length: 7cm Suitable for: Small; pre-birth, regular; post-birth (separate teen cup available).
A smaller, more compact version of the Lily Cup, this one comes with a handy case to carry the cup around and keep it clean and safe. Its design means it can collapse down flat, too. Again, it's available in sizes A and B, depending on your pelvic floor.
Not a menstrual cup per se, but still a handy accessory to keep in your bathroom cabinet - this Saalt cup wash is perfect for keeping silicone menstrual cups clean and hygienic.
Available in three sizes, this Nudie menstrual cup will keep you leak-free for up to 12 hours. Made with non-toxic, hypoallergenic medical-grade silicone, this cup is perfect for everyone from beginners to experts.
Everyone on YouTube seems to be obsessed with the Diva Cup – and for good reason. Like the classic Mooncup, it's bell-shaped. This cup is model two, which is recommended for people over 30 and/or people with a heavier flow.
Need something to keep you covered during sex on your period? The Ziggy Cup menstrual disc is super thin, meaning it won't be felt no matter what you're getting up to. With two sizes to suit your flow and cervix, the Ziggy comes with a ribbed tab to help you remove it with ease. Leak-proof for up to 8 hours, this disc is also made from fairly traded natural rubber.
If you're unsure as to what size to go for, the Shordy Menstrual Cup option is a great bet. Coming complete with two sizes to choose from (small or large) it makes it easier than ever to get the right fit for you). It also includes a handy storage box and the cups are made from earth-friendly material.
This menstrual cup is specifically designed to be easy to use, soft and flexible enough to fold easily for insertion then pop open to create a leak-free seal.
Plus, Ruby Cup's ‘Buy One, Give One’ programme means that for every cup you buy, they'll donate one to someone without access to menstrual care products.
Made from soft medical grade silicone, Superdrug's Luna menstrual cup will be a staple in your cycle for years. Perfect for day or night, this cup will hold three times as much as a tampon. If you're over 30 or have given birth, go for size B.
Made with medical-grade silicone, this environmentally-friendly cup is great for all flows, including heavy periods. Coming in two sizes to suit bodies that have and haven't given birth vaginally, you can also shop a duo set to find your perfect fit.
We'll admit the design of this one is on the bulkier side, but once inserted it provided a pretty decent fit. It lasted way longer than our usual pad or tampon, making it a great option to have in your bag for those emergency situations, or for when you dare to wear white jeans... Key specs: Protection: Up to 8 hours Diameter: Size A; 4.2cm Length: Size A; 6.4cm Suitable for: Size A; pre-birth or under 30 yrs
Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
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