The best menstrual cup for you will come down to personal preference, and will depend on your body and how you feel using one. So don’t be discouraged if it takes a few tries to find the right one, or to get in the swing of using it. In between periods, and before using your menstrual cup for the first time, you should boil it in a pan of water (which should only be used for this purpose) for 5-10 minutes. Menstrual cup manufacturers that offer two sizes usually suggest teens, younger people, and people who have never given birth select their smaller size, while people who have given birth and people over the age of 35 should choose their larger size. Still, make sure you read up on sizing for the specific cup you’re purchasing in case the criteria are different. Awkward/difficult to wash when not at home (34%) 'Great for reducing waste but not ideal for when you need to change it as some changing rooms don't have sinks to clean. But great for lighter periods.' We could only include user insights for brands where we received 50 or more responses in our survey, so while our list above covers the brands that the most people had tried, there are a number of other menstrual cups available to buy.

Dr. Taylor adds, “A menstrual cup can hold a good amount, and there should be less leakage with a cup than a tampon, but you still need a good seal and the right placement. Panty liners are a good idea if you’re self-conscious [about leakage].” When selecting menstrual cups, we started by speaking with three medical experts in the female reproductive system: If you’re still relying on uncomfortable maxi pads or disposable tampons to get you through your period, you may want to try an environmentally friendly alternative: the menstrual cup. Alexis May Kimble, DO, urogynecologist at The Kimble Center in Pasadena, California, explains that menstrual cups can be safely inserted for longer than tampons, requiring fewer trips to the bathroom, and are typically made from medical-grade silicone, so it’s totally fine to put them in one of your body’s most sensitive areas.

According to Dr. Kimble, the average menstrual cup holds about 29 mL, or 1 oz, of menstrual fluid at a time. That may not seem like much, but the average person will lose about 40 mL of blood over the course of their entire period—which means that most cups can contain nearly all of the blood from a single period at one time.

Personally most months I can put the cup in after a morning shower and I don't need to change it until the evening. On day 1 sometimes it feels "heavy" there so I'll change it after about 8 hours. A colleague has exceptionally heavy periods and day 1 and 2 they'll be changing every couple of hours on day 1 but this is far less than they had before they used a cup. No. You can go to the toilet as normal when wearing a menstrual cup. Some people prefer to remove their menstrual cup for a bowel movement but the choice is yours. Does a period cup smell? During your period, you can simply rinse your menstrual cup with water or wipe it with a tissue after emptying it, and reinsert it. Kecia Gaither, MD, director of Perinatal Services/Maternal Fetal Medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln The length of the cup or stem you want (which differs slightly between brands) depends on how low your cervix sits during your period. This is where you might need to experiment with fit a bit. You can also use your fingers to judge how low your cervix is sitting.Discreet (36%) ' It worked perfectly when I went on holiday and fit in my handbag and is discreet if I need it when I'm out and about.' Saalt started with a phone call Cherie made to an aunt in Venezuela, where pads and tampons had not been available in stores for years. She immediately thought of her daughters and what she would do if she found herself in the same situation. The dependence she and others had on disposables kept her up at night. The most common cause of discomfort is improper placement,” says Dr. Taylor. “If it’s touching the nerve fibers [of the hymenal tissue], it will probably be uncomfortable.” Most cups are shaped in a similar bell/funnel style, but there can be slight differences in width and length. Most brands have at least two sizes, one that's a bit smaller for users who are under 30 and have not given birth vaginally, and one that's slightly larger for those who have given birth vaginally, or are over 30. Some brands offer a specific smaller teen size, too.

Menstrual cups require more care than disposable pads and tampons. Your cup should be removed and washed with warm, soapy water at least every 12 hours. When your period is over, some manufacturers also recommend boiling your cup to sanitize it, then letting it dry before storing it in a clean location. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for sanitizing—some recommend boiling the cup for 5 to 8 minutes, while others suggest as long as 20 minutes. The Saalt menstrual cup is worn internally like a tampon, but collects—rather than absorbs—your period flow. The Saalt menstrual cup stays in place by creating a seal between the cup and your vaginal wall. Once your cup is filled, you simply empty, rinse, and reinsert the cup for another 12 hours of protection. A lot of cup manufacturers have different sizes for younger women versus older women or women who’ve had babies,” says Dr. Taylor. “After you give birth, your vagina is more elastic, and you may need a bigger cup [to prevent] leakage after having a baby.”

Saalt Period Cups

Then, we spent hours combing the web for the best and most effective products. After taking all of our options into consideration, we determined which to feature based on a few key criteria as recommended by the experts: material, reservoir size, wear time, comfort level, fit, and ease of use. The Lena Menstrual Cupis the gold standard of menstrual cups: It’s firm enough to stay in place but flexible enough for comfort. For true beginners, we like the style and ease of use of Intimina’s Lily Cup One, which comes in a petite shape for teens new to their period or anyone looking to make the switch from tampons for the first time. How We Selected the Best Menstrual Cups Based on first impressions, it was obvious that the company goes to great lengths to make the process approachable and pleasant for first-timers. Even the little bag they included to store the cup was adorable. Using The Saalt Menstrual Cup After your period has ended, clean the cup thoroughly with a cup cleanser and warm water. You may also sterilise your cup with a menstrual cup steriliser or baby bottle steriliser. You may let the cup sit near a sunny window to remove discolouration and odour. Store the cup in the cotton pouch or any breathable container or bag.