Period cups have become increasingly popular in recent years. These eco-friendly, reusable products are a great alternative to pads and tampons. Not only are they better for the environment, but they’re also often more comfortable.
But, with so many period cups on the market, it might get hard to find the right one. That’s why we rounded up the top ones and condensed their essential characteristics into a single, easy-to-read text.
So, if you’re trying to find the best menstrual cup, you’ve come to the right place.
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If you’re over 30 and looking for the best menstrual cup for heavy flow, you should opt for Diva International’s DivaCup Model 2 cup, which can hold up to 32 ml of menstrual fluid (1.08 oz).
DivaCups come in three different models — Model 0 (for girls under 18 with a lighter menstrual flow), Model 1 (for women between 19 and 30 with a medium menstrual flow), and Model 2 (for women over 30 with a heavy menstrual flow).
All DivaCups are made from foldable, medium firm, medical-grade silicone, and they come with leak-resistant air holes. Best of all, these cups can be worn for up to 12 hours.
DivaCups Model 2 cups are also good menstrual cups for a high cervix since they’re pretty large (45 mm diameter). They come in a V-shape and have two rims that keep the cup firm.
Next, in our menstrual cup reviews, we have the Keeper, a well-known brand that’s been around since 1987. The company recently created the Moon cups — period cups made from medical-grade silicone that serve as an alternative to their latex cups.
Besides being suitable for people allergic to latex, the Keeper’s silicone menstrual cup is easy to fold, and it won’t touch your cervix. It can also hold a full ounce of menstrual fluid.
The Moon cup comes in two sizes:
It also comes in three colors — transparent, ocean blue, and raindrop blue.
The brand’s website might not be as colorful as those of other menstrual cup brands, but don’t be put off by this. The Keeper’s reusable menstrual cups are fantastic products suitable for everyone, including women with a tilted uterus and IUD users.
DaisyCup created a reusable period cup that’s perfect for first-time users, teens, those with a low cervix, and women who have never given birth.
Despite its relatively small size (42.5 mm), DaisyCup can hold up to 28 ml of menstrual fluid, making it ideal for women with low menstrual period flows. Plus, this menstrual cup is extremely soft and comes in an adorable flower box.
Besides being the best menstrual cup for beginners, DaisyCup is also ideal for people with a low cervix, and the cup can last up to 12 hours.
If you’re not into small cups, you can order a regular cup (45.5 mm diameter). This cup is also ideal for women over 30 with heavier blood flow.
Finally, let’s not forget to mention the brand’s generous six-month money-back guarantee and the fact that DaisyCup donates one menstrual cup to a woman in need for every cup you buy.
The MeLuna created the best menstrual cup for a low cervix in four sizes:
Shorty Small is incredibly short and narrow, and it’s ideal for women with vaginal scarring due to certain medical issues, injury, radiation treatment, etc. Shorty Medium is suitable for women of all ages who haven’t had a vaginal birth.
A little bit larger cup, Shorty Large, is intended for women who haven’t had a vaginal birth or those who haven’t had more than one vaginal birth. And MeLuna’s largest cup, Shorty XL, is intended for users with a heavy flow or those who had at least one vaginal birth.
And if you’re still unsure which one would fit you best, you can use the brand’s menstrual cup size calculator to determine the right size for you.
The cups can hold from 15 ml to 28 ml of menstrual fluid (depending on the size) and can be worn for up to 10 hours.
Unlike other silicone period cups, which come with only the regular, straight stem handle, MeLuna offers you a choice of three different handles — a ball, a ring, and a regular stem.
Finally, these menstrual cups come in three attractive colors — amethyst purple, clear, and sapphire blue.
If you’re looking for a perfect menstrual cup for a heavy flow, you can’t go wrong with Venus. The large Venus cup has a 47 mm diameter and a 38 ml capacity. It’s also suitable for women with a medium or a high/very high cervix.
The cup also comes in a small size (42 mm diameter), which is suitable for teens and those with a low cervix.
What makes Venus Menstrual Cup stand out from the competition is its unique design. It comes with a rounded 15 mm stem that can be cut if needed, an inner ring, and an “invisible” secondary rim that’ll keep the cup firm enough and help it to open more easily.
Due to its rounded base, the Venus cup has a higher capacity than other menstrual cups. It also prevents any potential irritation that may come from using a V-shaped cup.
You can wear this firm menstrual cup for up to 12 hours.
The Cora cup is the most comfortable menstrual cup on the market due to its firm rim and soft body. The cup is slightly flattened on the side, which makes it incredibly easy to fold and use.
The Easy-Does-It Cup comes in two sizes — size 1 and size 2.
Size 1 (42 mm diameter) is the perfect pick for women who haven’t given birth yet and those who don’t experience bladder leaks. This cup is also optimal for those with a light to moderate flow.
Size 2 (46 mm diameter) is suited for ladies who have given birth, those who have light bladder leaks, and those with a medium to heavy flow.
This soft menstrual cup is made of silicone. It’s also dye-free, BPA-free, and free of toxic chemicals. On top of it all, the cup offers up to 12 hours of leak protection.
Finding the right can be challenging if you don’t know what to look for. Should you opt for a large or small cup, firm or soft? And what about the shape?
Here’s a short buyer’s guide that’ll provide you with a ton of tips and tricks and help you make the right decision/find the best period cup for you.
A menstrual cup is a small, flexible cup made of silicone or rubber that you insert into your vagina to collect menstrual blood. Unlike tampons, a menstrual cup doesn’t absorb blood. It collects it.
To insert a menstrual cup properly, follow these steps:
To take a menstrual cup out:
As you can see from our menstrual cup reviews, period cups come in different sizes.
The right size for you will largely depend on:
There are typically two sizes — large and small.
Larger sizes are more suitable for:
Smaller sizes are more suitable for:
Menstrual cups come in two different shapes — bell shape and V-shape.
Menstrual cups are made of medical-grade silicone, natural rubber (latex), or thermoplastic elastomers (TPE).
Medical-grade silicone doesn’t contain any dyes or BPA. It’s a safe and eco-friendly alternative to tampons and pads and can be worn for up to 12 hours.
Tip — If you’re allergic to latex, you should avoid rubber and opt for a silicone cup instead.
The next thing you need to pay attention to when looking for the best menstrual cups is firmness. The cup’s firmness will affect the ease of insertion and whether you’ll be able to feel the cup while wearing it. In general, firmer cups are easier to use since they automatically open once inserted, while softer cups may not open as easily and could lead to more leaks.
Softer cups are a better option for those with sensitive bladders and those suffering from severe menstrual pain. However, if you’re an athlete with strong vaginal muscles, you should use firmer cups.
There are several benefits of using menstrual cups:
Are period cups better than tampons?
Yes! Period cups are better than tampons.
First, they can hold up to 1 oz (about 30 ml) of period blood, whereas a normal-sized tampon holds only 5 ml of blood.
Secondly, period cups are more environmentally friendly. Tampons and pads contain plastic and other synthetic materials that can take hundreds of years to break down. Period cups are typically made of silicone, which is a much more sustainable material. Not to mention how many sanitary pads are thrown away during just one menstrual cycle.
And lastly, menstrual cups are more convenient. Tampons need to be changed every few hours, while a period cup can last up to 12 hours.
Now that you’ve seen our list of some of the best period cups on the market, we hope you’ll be able to find the perfect one for you. Pay attention to the sizing, shape, material, and firmness when making your choice, and you’ll be sure to find a cup that meets your needs.
Menstrual cups are generally safe to use when bought from a reliable manufacturer. However, they could cause irritation, allergic reactions, urinary problems, and pain or minor injuries if not used correctly.
No. Menstrual cups don’t cause cramps because they don’t sit in the same area of your pelvis as the muscles that cause period cramps.
No. Menstrual cups can’t get stuck inside you since your cervix serves as a barrier between the womb and the vagina.
The cervix slightly opens to allow menstrual fluid to pass, but that opening is nowhere near big enough to fit a menstrual cup. So it’s basically impossible for your menstrual cup to get stuck in there.
Beginners should opt for a period cup made of silicone. This material is more flexible and makes the cup easier to insert and remove.
If you’re unsure which size to get, it’s usually best to go for a smaller diameter. You can always go a size up later if you find that the smaller one isn’t working for you.
In our opinion, DaisyCup offers the best menstrual cup for first-timers.