Everything You Need To Know About Using Menstrual Cups

Maybe your like

HealthlineSubscribe

Sexual Health

Everything You Need to Know About Using Menstrual Cups

Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.D., MSN — Written by Annamarya Scaccia — Updated on April 9, 2019

How to use
Pros
Cons
Cost
Takeaway

Menstrual cups are an alternative to traditional pads and tampons for collecting period blood. They come in different sizes, and many are reusable.

A menstrual cup is a type of reusable period product. It’s a small, flexible funnel-shaped cup made of rubber or silicone that you insert into your vagina to catch and collect period fluid.

Cups can hold more blood than other methods, leading many people to use them as an eco-friendly alternative to tampons. And depending on your flow, you can wear a cup for up to 12 hours.

Available brands of reusable cups include the Keeper Cup, Moon Cup, Lunette Menstrual Cup, DivaCup, Lena Cup, and Lily Cup. A few disposable menstrual cups, such as the Instead Softcup, are also on the market.

Keep reading to learn more about inserting and removing a menstrual cup, cleaning it, and more.

How to use a menstrual cup

If you’re interested in using a menstrual cup, talk with a gynecologist or other healthcare professional. Although you can buy a cup online or in most stores, you’ll first have to find out what size you need.

Most menstrual cup brands sell small and large versions. To figure out the right menstrual cup size for you, it’s important to consider:

your age
length of your cervix
whether or not you have a heavy menstrual flow
firmness and flexibility of the cup
cup capacity
strength of your pelvic floor muscles
if you’ve given birth vaginally

Smaller menstrual cups are usually recommended for people younger than 30 years old who haven’t delivered vaginally.

Larger sizes are often recommended for people who are over 30 years old, have given birth vaginally, or have a heavier period.

Before you put in your menstrual cup

Using a menstrual cup for the first time may be uncomfortable, but “greasing” your cup can help make the process smooth.

Before inserting your cup, wet the rim with water or a water-based personal lubricant. A wet menstrual cup is much easier to insert.

How to insert your menstrual cup

If you can put in a tampon, you should find it relatively easy to insert a menstrual cup. Follow these steps:

Wash your hands thoroughly.
Apply water or a water-based lube to the rim of the cup.
Tightly fold the menstrual cup in half, holding it in one hand with the rim facing up.
Insert the cup, rim up, into your vagina like you would a tampon without an applicator. It should sit a few inches below your cervix.
Once the cup is in your vagina, rotate it. It will spring open to create an airtight seal that stops leaks.

If you’ve inserted the cup correctly, you shouldn’t feel your menstrual cup. You should also be able to move, jump, sit, stand, and do other everyday activities without your cup falling out.

If you have trouble putting in your cup, consult a healthcare professional.

When to take your menstrual cup out

You can wear a menstrual cup for 6 to 12 hours, depending on whether or not you have a heavy flow. This means you can use a cup for overnight protection.

You should always remove your menstrual cup by the 12-hour mark. If it becomes full before then, you’ll have to empty it ahead of schedule to avoid leaks.

How to remove your menstrual cup

To take out a menstrual cup, follow these steps:

Wash your hands thoroughly.
Place your index finger and thumb into your vagina. Pull the stem of the cup gently until you can reach the base.
Pinch the base to release the seal and pull down to remove the cup.
Once it’s out, empty the cup into the sink or toilet.

Menstrual cup aftercare

Reusable menstrual cups should be washed and wiped clean before being reinserted into your vagina. Your cup should be emptied at least twice a day.

Reusable menstrual cups are durable and can last months to years with proper care. After removal, throw away disposable cups.

What are the advantages of using menstrual cups?

Many people choose to use menstrual cups because:

They’re budget-friendly. A reusable menstrual cup costs one-time money, unlike tampons or pads, which must be continually bought and can cost upward of $100 a year.
Menstrual cups are safer. Because menstrual cups collect rather than absorb blood, you’re not at risk of developing toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare bacterial infection associated with tampon use.
Menstrual cups hold more blood. A menstrual cup can hold about one to two ounces of menstrual flow. Tampons, on the other hand, can only hold up to a third of an ounce.
They’re eco-friendly. Reusable menstrual cups can last a long time, so you’re not contributing more waste to the environment.
You can have penetrative sex. Most reusable cups need to be taken out before you have penetrative sex, but the soft disposable ones can stay in while you get intimate. Not only will your partner not feel the cup, but you won’t have to worry about leaks.
You can wear a cup with an IUD. Some companies claim a menstrual cup could dislodge an IUD, but a 2012 study debunked that belief. If you’re concerned, though, check with your doctor about using a menstrual cup.

What are the disadvantages of using menstrual cups?

Menstrual cups may be an affordable and environmentally friendly option, but you still need to keep a few things in mind:

Cup removal can be messy. You may find yourself in a place or position that makes it difficult or awkward to remove your cup. That means you may not be able to avoid spills during the process.
They can be tough to insert or remove. You may find that you’re not getting the right fold when you put in your menstrual cup. Or you may have difficulty pinching the base to pull the cup down and out.
It can be hard to find the right fit. Menstrual cups aren’t one-size-fits-all, so you may find it difficult to find the right fit. That means you may have to try out a few brands before finding the perfect one for you and your vagina.
You may be allergic to the material. Most menstrual cups are made from latex-free materials, making it a great option for people with latex allergies. But for some people, there’s a chance the silicone or rubber material can cause an allergic reaction.
It may cause vaginal irritation. A menstrual cup may irritate your vagina if the cup isn’t cleaned and cared for properly. It may also cause discomfort if you insert the cup without any lubrication.
There can be an increased chance of infection. Wash the menstrual cup very well, rinse it, and let it dry. Don’t reuse a disposable menstrual cup. Wash your hands afterward.

How much do menstrual cups cost?

Menstrual cups are more cost-effective than tampons and pads. On average, you may pay $20 to $40 for a cup and not have to purchase another one for several months.

Tampons and pads can cost an average of $50 to $150 a year, depending on how long and heavy your period is and how often you have your period.

Menstrual cups aren’t covered by insurance plans or Medicaid, so using a cup would be an out-of-pocket expense.

The bottom line

For many people, using a menstrual cup is an easy choice. Before you make the switch, make sure you know what you need in a menstrual product:

Will a cup cost you less?
Is it easier to use?
Do you want to have penetrative sex during your period?

If you answered yes to these questions, then the menstrual cup could be right for you. But if you’re still unsure, talk with your gynecologist about your options and what product may work best for you.

Read this article in Spanish.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

North BB, et al. (2011). Preclinical, clinical, and over-the-counter postmarketing experience with a new vaginal cup: Menstrual collection.https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/jwh.2009.1929
Periods products: Information about tampons, pads, and more. (2022).https://youngwomenshealth.org/guides/period-products/
Wiebe ER, et al (2012). Does using tampons or menstrual cups increase early IUD expulsion rates?https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22464406/

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.D., MSN — Written by Annamarya Scaccia — Updated on April 9, 2019

Health Conditions

Condition Spotlight

Wellness Topics

Product Reviews

Featured Programs

Featured

Lessons

Newsletters

Lifestyle Quizzes

Health News

This Just In

Top Reads

Video Series

Find Your Bezzy Community

Follow us on social media