You should do a bit of research on menstrual cups—and your own body—before trying to find the right one for you, explains Alessandra Taylor, MD, OB-GYN with Austin Regional Clinic in Austin, Texas. It’s important to consider shape and size, as we mentioned, but also how much menstrual blood the cup can hold, how easy it is for you to insert it, and how comfortably it fits you once it’s in place. We researched more than a dozen menstrual cups and evaluated them based on their materials, ease of use, wear times, reservoir sizes, and price.
Here are the best menstrual cups on the market today.
The Lena Cup comes in two sizes, small and large, making the overall fit and sizing of the cup one that should work for the majority of users. It comes in four different colors—from discreet gray to eye-popping turquoise—and they’re all made from medical-grade silicone for safety. The Lena Cup is a no-fuss, easy-to-use, flexible option you can rely on no matter how heavy or light your flow, making it perfect for regular usage.
Price at time of publish: $32
The cup’s silicone material is slightly softer than some other cups, which makes it easy to fold and insert. It’s perfect for menstrual cup novices, as it fits comfortably in the vagina and provides 12 hours of protection.
Price at time of publish: $22
Even at its smaller size, the Intimina Lily can hold 21 mL of blood, which might be just the right amount for teens or users with a light flow. Because it’s smaller, you should aim to empty the cup every 8 hours instead of every 12, and you may want to wear a backup mini pad until you really get the hang of it.
Price at time of publish: $25
The exception? People with a diagnosis of pelvic prolapse, which is a condition that can cause the cervix to lower to an uncomfortable level. If you’ve been diagnosed with pelvic prolapse or have been unable to find a cup that fits fully inside your vagina without pressing against your cervix, you might have better luck with the Intimina Ziggy Cup.
It only comes in one size, but it holds 76 mL of blood and is designed with a shallower, flatter shape that allows it to fit comfortably in the vagina even when the cervix sits lower than average, like in the case of prolapse. Dr. Kimble says that you should see your OB-GYN if you think you may have pelvic prolapse.
Price at time of publish: $40
While it is disposable and isn’t totally waste-free, it does hold more blood than a tampon would, allowing you to wear it longer and change it less frequently (i.e., creating less waste).
Price at time of publish: $20
That means you’re more likely to get a full 12 hours of wear out of your large Super Jennie since it holds roughly 10 mL more than most other large cups. What we love about the Super Jennie is that it doesn’t let its large size get in the way of your comfort: It still inserts easily, fits comfortably, and creates a strong suction to prevent leaks.
Price at time of publish: $40
We also like that the Saalt cup keeps users in mind its sizing options, offering teen, small, and regular sizes, so literally anyone with a higher cervix (which is pretty common pre-childbirth) can benefit from their design. Otherwise, Saalt checks all the important boxes: It’s made from medical-grade silicone, comes in a couple of colors, and lasts up to 12 hours. And if you find that the Saalt stem is a little too long for your liking, you can safely trim it with a clean pair of scissors for a more customized fit.
Price at time of publish: $29
Since then, DivaCup has grown and expanded its options, now offering three sizes—and the largest size, the Model 2, is perfect for postpartum.
After childbirth, your period changes in a lot of different ways, and many people find themselves with a heavier flow than they’re used to. If this sounds like you, it might be time to upgrade your cup to the Model 2, which holds 32 mL of blood without sacrificing any of the usual DivaCup comforts: You still get medical-grade silicone, 12 hours of protection, and security against leaks and spills. You just get it in a slightly larger package that’s made with post-childbirth periods in mind.
Price at time of publish: $40
Once we narrowed our options, we compared each cup’s benefits to its price tag. While some choices on our list may be more expensive, we wanted to give a wide range of options that would fit all needs and budgets. Based on all of these factors, we compiled this list of the best menstrual cups.
What to Look For in a Menstrual Cup
Size
This is one of the most important things to consider before choosing a menstrual cup. Many cups are offered in two different sizes, with the smaller size intended for younger people and the larger size intended for older people (though whether or not you’ve given birth before also plays a role here).
“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.”
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.
Comfort
No matter how carefully you choose a cup for yourself or how many glowing reviews it has online, some cups just won’t feel comfortable. Every person’s anatomy and menstruation are unique, and it’s not uncommon to dislike the way a certain cup feels once it’s inserted, even if it’s technically the right size, shape, and fit.
However, many instances of discomfort can be resolved with some basic troubleshooting.
“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.”
Before jumping to the conclusion that you need a different cup, she suggests changing the angle with which you inserted the cup to get a better fit or trying to insert it deeper, so it sits fully in the vagina. If you find that the stem of the cup is bothering you because it’s too long, you can trim it so it doesn’t stick out as far (be careful not to puncture the cup!).
Once you’ve tried a few different things, you might want to take a break and try again another time. Remember, there is a learning curve. But if you still can’t get a comfortable fit after several attempts, it might be time to change course.
“If you’ve adjusted it and still have discomfort, you may need a different size cup,” Dr. Taylor says.
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].”
Care
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.
You also have to make sure you can physically insert and remove the cup without damaging the sensitive tissue in and around your vagina and that you’re comfortable handling menstrual blood.
“[You need] manual dexterity in order to remove and insert the cup throughout your cycle,” says Dr. Kimble, “[as well as] the ability to handle menstrual fluid during these [cup] changes.”
Capacity
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.
Obviously, the 40 mL average changes if you have abnormally light or heavy periods, so you may need to consider using a specialty cup size to match your need or, at least, be prepared to empty and clean it more frequently to keep up with your flow.
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Basically, you fold to insert and turn the cup gently until it pops back open into its normal shape. As long as a strong seal is created and the cup feels comfortable in your vagina, you shouldn’t have to think about it again until it’s time to empty it, clean it, and put it back in again.
According to Kecia Gaither, MD, director of Perinatal Services/Maternal Fetal Medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln in the Bronx, the size of the menstrual cup you need is based on physical features such as your age, cervical length, intensity of flow, reproductive history, and the strength of your pelvic floor musculature. However, she adds that you should also consider the firmness or flexibility of the cup (you may want a softer or firmer feel) as well as the cup capacity (i.e., whether you need an extra-large cup that holds more than the average amount).
“Menstrual cups may be uncomfortable at first, but like tampons, the wearer becomes used to them and really shouldn’t feel them if inserted properly,” Dr. Gaither explains.
