You'll Forget Tampons Ever Existed Once You Try These Period Cups

best menstrual cups
You'll Throw Away Tampons Forever With Period CupsChristine Giordano

Look, we all know the pink tax and tampon tax make it difficult for those who menstruate to access affordable period products. So, that requires you to be a little more resourceful. Luckily, with the rise of menstrual cups, you have an eco- and budget-friendly alternative to traditional menstrual products like pads and tampons.

Peep some of the best menstrual cups you can shop right now, below:

It’s far from surprising why the popularity of menstrual cups has skyrocketed, but they’ve actually been around since 1937, according to Popular Science. Many period products have been found to include hidden chemicals, so many people who menstruate are reconsidering what they use. Not to mention all the waste that comes with using disposable products—think of all the layers of packaging and tampon applicators you have to throw out. They can all really add up over one person’s lifetime.

If you are looking for a more sustainable solution, consider switching to menstrual cups. Just know learning to use it may take a little trial and error, says Dr. Christine Greves, an ob-gyn at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies. But with enough use, you'll def get the hang of it.

Below, find a list of the 10 best period cups, per user reviews.


1.Most Soft Period Cup: Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup

This cup was designed with Put A Cup In It, a menstrual cup product and information platform. They created Saalt’s shape with a soft feel that’s ideal for beginners or those with a sensitive pelvic floor.

Seventy-nine percent of Amazon users gave it a five-star rating and love that its texture feels softer compared to others. “I have a more shallow and [tilted] uterus, which caused constant discomfort and leaking with [another menstrual cup],” one user said.


2. Best 12-Hour Period Cup: BThe Diva Cup

The Diva Cup comes in two versions: Model 1 and Model 2. Model 1 is recommended for those under the age of 30 who have never given birth, while Model 2 is recommended for people over 30 or who have given birth.

They’re made of silicone and have you covered for up to 12 hours. And, for the record, people who menstruate seem to love it. “Even on heavier days, I've never had the cup overfill in 12 hours,” one reviewer wrote.


3. Best Latex-Free Menstrual Cup: The Honey Pot

You may know the Honey Pot for some of their washes and wipes, but they also make a latex-free silicone menstrual cup approved for overnight wear. The cup comes in two sizes for those with different flows and in different life stages (ages 19-30 and age 30 or post-baby).

A recent reviewer wrote, "I have tried so many different ones, and I couldn't tell if it was the cup or just me, but with this cup right here it's perfect! A thin panty liner is all I wear just in case, but it's not needed. I really have nothing negative to say."


4. Best Menstrual Cup For Beginners: Lily Cup

There are three versions of the Lily Cup available: the Lily Cup, Lily Cup Compact, and the Lily Cup One (meant for beginners). The original Lily Cup has a soft texture for easy insertion and a unique shape (it looks like a Conch shell) that is meant to prevent leaks.

Reviewers love *this* detail about the cup: “The material of this cup is very nice. It's very smooth and soft. I find it to be comfortably pliable," one said.


5. Best For Both Light And Heavy Days: Lena

Lena gives you two cups in one package: one small, one large. According to LenaCup.com, you use the small cup for normal or light flow days and the large cup for heavier days.

Lena's reviews are pretty solid: “It doesn't leak when inserted properly and you can't feel it at all,” one person wrote. “It takes some trial and error getting it right, but once you get it right, you'll never want to go back to tampons!”


6. Best Disposable Menstrual Cup: Softdisc

If washing out your cup after you use it is not your idea of a good time, it might be worth looking into Softdisc. These little “menstrual discs” can allegedly hold five tampons’ worth of fluid, and you toss 'em when you're done.

Reviewers also point out that you can comfortably wear these during sex, if having some blood in the mix isn’t your thing. Just note this, per one reviewer: “You must be comfortable in your own skin," she wrote. "You will have to stick your fingers inside yourself to place this behind your pubic bone and you’ll have to reach a finger in to pull it out. When it comes out, it can be messy." Otherwise, people seem to love it.


7. Best Leak-Proof Period Cup: Pixie Cup

Reviewers on Amazon say the Pixie Cup creates a pretty decent leak-proof seal and stays in place during physical activity, just like all the others. Not everyone loves the stem, FYI, but there is one thing about the Pixie that pretty much every user can love: The fact that for every cup purchased, the company donates a cup to a woman in need.

“Bonus, I love the mission,” wrote one happy reviewer. “Knowing the struggle that other people [have] dealing with menstruation, I love the buy one, give one program.” If you like your period protection with a side of charitable giving, the Pixie is your best bet.


8. Best Cup For Easy Removal: Cora Cup

The Cora cup was designed by menstruators for menstruators, featuring an intuitive finger indent and soft silicone that make it easy to fold, then insert like a tampon.

Many users also love the fact that it has a textured base to help with removal. “Cora was much easier to remove with the grippy bottom part,” one fan wrote.

Some reviewers say there is a learning curve, though. "Preventing leaks was a little tricky. I haven’t quite figured it out yet. I’d say it worked 80 percent well and I probably need to learn a few tweaks to make it perfect," said one reviewer.


9. Best Period Cup For Veteran Users: OrganiCup

OrganiCup is made of 100 percent soft medical-grade silicone, is certified hypoallergenic, vegan, and approved by the FDA. Many reviewers love it (it’s been around since 2012), with 75 percent of Amazon users giving it a five-star rating.

“No leaks, less waste in the landfills, cheaper than the alternatives, and less toxins in my body. I have recommended to my friends and family," said one fan.

A different reviewer noted this cup may not be the best for first-time users, though: “The OrganiCup is indeed so soft that it doesn't pop open automatically when I insert it. I have to spend a minute touching and feeling the base and inserting it higher so that it can pop open. If you're not intimately familiar with your vagina and how a cup should be properly inserted/positioned, it may be difficult for you.”


10. Best For Use During Sex: Ziggy Cup

Ideal for people with higher cervixes, the Ziggy cup takes the leak-proof nature and reusability of a menstrual cup and combines it with the high capacity of a disc. It covers all ranges of flows because it can hold a whopping 76 ml. It also comes with a discreet travel case to keep with you at all times. Another perk? You can have mess-free sex with the cup in because it sits higher.

Some users did report having difficulty removing the cup without it looking like a crime scene, though. “This cup DOES have a steep learning curve,” says one top review. “You MUST be comfortable with your body, on the inside (to know what's going on with the cup once it's inserted) as well as sometimes being very resourceful in weird situations.”


Btw, let’s go over some menstrual cup basics.

Basically, a menstrual cup is a flexible cup-shaped device that you wear inside your vagina while you’re on your period. Instead of soaking up your period blood, it collects it, leaving you in charge of disposing of it. According to the Mayo Clinic, this should be done every four to 12 hours, depending on how heavy or light your flow is.

They're typically made of silicone or rubber, and they come in reusable and disposable options. (Of course, reusable ones require you to wash and sanitize them between uses.) And they also come in different shapes and sizes.

Honestly, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to figuring out which will work best for your body. You might need to try a few to find one you really like. You will know it's the right fit if you insert it and don't feel it.

What should I look for in a menstrual cup?

With so many different options for menstrual cups, it’s important to know that it might take trial and error to figure out which one is best for you, says Greves. But, there are some ways to narrow down your search—and the amount of money you spend—based on your anatomy.

Size

Most menstrual cups come in different sizes. The three main factors that play into the size are age, whether you’ve given birth vaginally, and the placement of your cervix. Companies will recommend smaller sizes for teens and those who haven’t given birth, and larger sizes for those over 30 with heavier flows or people who have given birth.

People with higher cervixes might opt for a larger size as well, says Dr. Greves. “When the cervix is way up there higher, it may be a little harder to remove it,” she adds. “If you have a short, smaller cut, then you don't want to go through that fear of worrying ‘Did I lose it?’”

To determine the placement of your cervix, you can insert a clean finger (preferably your longest finger) into your vaginal canal. If you hit your cervix quickly, then you have a lower cervix and therefore can use a smaller cup. But if you have to insert your whole finger, that indicates you have a higher cervix.

Capacity

The size of the cup also leads to more cup capacity. Your flow will determine whether you need a high capacity cup or not, says Dr. Greves. If the smaller size fits better but your flow is heavier, then you’ll need to empty it more frequently. For those with consistently heavy flows, a menstrual disc might be better suited as it typically holds more.

Firmness

The firmness of the cup depends on how easy it is to fold and insert the cup and the rigidity of the lip. It plays a factor in leak prevention and bladder sensitivities. “One of the disadvantages of one that's not as firm is that it could leak a little bit more,” Dr. Greves says. But, if you have a sensitive bladder, a more rigid cup could lead to discomfort and unwanted pressure. Some people don’t know they have bladder sensitivity until they try a menstrual cup, so that’s something to test.

Use type

Almost all menstrual cups are reusable, which leads to less waste. If you opt for a menstrual disc, however, check to see if they are disposable or self-emptying.

Here's exactly how to use and insert a menstrual cup.

It may take you a bit to get used to inserting and removing a menstrual cup. Of course, you should read the instructions...but it also comes to knowing your vagina.

“Menstrual cup usage has a learning curve, like anything else,” says Jyothi Parapurath, MD, an ob-gyn at Caremount Medical Group in New York. She explains that cups are folded and inserted into your vagina, where they seal themselves against the vaginal walls and collect your blood, ideally without any leakage.

When it's time to empty, you’ll want to sit on the toilet for this part: Dr. Parapurath says to reach into your vagina, pull on the stem of the cup, grip its base, and keep pulling downward to break the suction keeping it in place. Once it slides out, dump the blood right into the toilet, rinse the cup off in the sink, and pop it back in.

Other things to consider: It's important to check in with your doctor if you have an IUD or a history of toxic shock syndrome, per the Mayo Clinic.

And now, here's how to clean a menstrual cup properly.

As far as maintenance of your cup goes, there’s good news—you’ve already got everything you need to keep it clean and sanitary. “Make sure the cup is thoroughly cleaned with soap and water at least once a day during the days of usage,” says Dr. Parapurath, who adds that the soap should be free of fragrances. “Clean the soap thoroughly off the cup before re-inserting and be sure to completely dry the menstrual cup before storing it away for next use.”

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