If you’ve forsaken plastic straws but still use tampons, hello, have you met the menstrual cup? It’s exactly what it sounds like: a small, rubbery cup you insert into your vagina during your period. It nestles up against your cervix and collects all the blood and uterine lining, and because it doesn’t soak up the blood, it doesn’t have to be thrown out with each use and can be worn for way longer than most tampons. So it checks two boxes—environmentally friendly and largely hassle-free.
As Renee Allen, MD, an ob-gyn from Atlanta, explains, menstrual cups can usually hold one ounce of fluid, which is around twice the amount a super-absorbent tampon or pad could hold. Because of this, they’re often advertised as wearable for a maximum of up to 12 hours inside your body. Dr. Allen says you should be able to wear a menstrual cup overnight, as long as you change it every 8 to 12 hours.
If you’ve always wanted to try a menstrual cup but don’t know where to start, have no fear!
First, a few background things: Dr. Allen says these cups can last up to 10 years. So it’s not a lifetime investment of $40—you’ve still gotta throw it out at some point. As for cleaning, Dr. Allen recommends sterilizing the cup between cycles using boiling water. Sherry Ross, MD, an ob-gyn and author of , recommends using warm water and unscented soap. Dr. Ross says you can also use a vinegar solution (one part vinegar, nine parts water) to clean your cup.
Both Dr. Allen and Dr. Sherry say the cups are safe to wear with IUDs. “Recent studies that have looked at IUD expulsion and menstrual cup use have been reassuring in that they have found no increase in the IUD expulsion rate between pads, tampons, and menstrual cups,” Dr. Allen says. That being said, if you still worry your cup might interfere with your IUD, talk with your ob-gyn just to be safe.
Another thing worth picking up:
Now that menstrual cups are becoming more and more popular, companies are also releasing new ways to clean and sterilize your menstrual cups, like the Pixie Cup Steamer. A few years ago, the most common way of sterilizing was boiling your cup, or using pre-packaged cup cleaner that was sold by specialty brands, but now, you can find tons of handy menstrual cup steamers on Amazon. You simply pour water into the unit, place your cup inside, and turn it on. These steaming devices tend to be faster than boiling, and you’ve got a bonus way of keeping your cup sterilization contained as opposed to having to mix it with your cooking pots and pans.
Menstrual Cup Sterilizer Pixie Cup amazon.com $29.95 Shop Now
And now onto the recommendations:
1. If you want a cup that's as easy as pulling a tampon string out: Flex Cup
Discovery Kit The Flex Company amazon.com $39.99 $32.50 (19% off) Shop Now
The Flex Cup has a unique string design that makes removal as easy as pulling a tampon string out. If the idea of pulling on a stem freaks you out or you're a beginner, this is a great entry way to menstrual cup usage. The discovery kit also includes two of their signature Flex Discs, basically a soft cup that also allows you to have mess-free period sex.
2. If you’ve tried other cups but could *feel* them and want something softer: Intimina Lily Cup
Lily Cup Intimina amazon.com $26.09 Shop Now
The Lily Cup has an ultra soft design that feels more flexible and malleable than many other silicone menstrual cups. It also features a slanted design and leak-proof rim, so if you're squeamish about blood or making a mess upon removal, this nixes those problems.
3. If you want a pretty cup: Peachlife
Peach Swirl Cup Peachlife amazon.com $25.99 Shop Now
If you're a menstrual cup veteran at this point but just want a prettier looking cup to switch things up, the Peachlife cups come in a variety of cute tie-dye designs (personally, I think the orange/pink is the cutest colorway I've seen in a while), all while maintaining the same menstrual cup standards of medical-grade silicone found in other cups, and boasts a 4.3-star review over 55 Amazon reviews. Cute and functional.
4. If you have a tilted uterus: Ksruee Cup
Small and Large Menstrual Cup Set Ksruee amazon.com $6.99 Shop Now
Those with low cervixes due to gravity, age, or those with tilted uteruses (more common than you’d think, as about 1 in 4 women is estimated to have a tilted uterus) may find that the rounder shape of the Ksruee cup works better for them than the taller, traditional menstrual cups. Plus for $7 with two cup sizes, you really can’t afford not to see if it’s more comfortable
5. If you’re a beginner: Lena Cup or Lunette Cup
Lena Cup Lena amazon.com $24.90 Shop Now
Kim Rosas and Amanda Hearn, who run the menstrual-cup blog Put a Cup in It, recommend these two as the best options for beginners. They both have average firmness and length and work for most people. But while an average cup might ~get the job done~, Rosas and Hearn still recommend taking into consideration your body and flow to find the cup that’s perfect for you. Dr. Sherry also likes the Lunette cup, another option by Lena.
6. If you’re a beginner with a heavy flow: Super Jennie
Menstrual Cup for Heavy Flow Super Jennie amazon.com $39.95 Shop Now
Kim and Amanda recommend the Super Jennie for those with heavier flows. The smaller Super Jennie holds 32 milliliters, while the large holds 41.6 milliliters. By comparison, both sizes of the Diva Cup (which I’m using here as the standard just because it’s the most widely available, mainstream version) only hold 30 milliliters.
7. If you have vaginal pain: Lena Sensitive
Lena Sensitive Menstrual Cup Lena amazon.com $39.95 $24.90 (38% off) Shop Now
If you have painful Pap smears or just know your cervix is sensitive to pressure, the Lena Sensitive is a potentially great option. The cup is much softer than its regular counterpart, and enthusiastic Amazon reviewers praise it for being super easy to use—so it’s also a great beginner option. The softness means it’s super moldable, so you won’t have as hard of a time getting it up around your cervix.
8. If you hate feeling the stem: JuJu Cup
Menstrual Cup by Juju JuJu US amazon.com $44.97 Shop now
If you’ve tried another cup and were bothered by the stem (it’s soft but can be painful!), the JuJu Cup might be a good alternative. It’s shorter and has a smaller stem, so you’re less likely to feel it poking you in the vagina.
9. If you’re super brand-loyal: Tampax Cup
Menstrual Cup for Heavy Flow Tampax amazon.com $38.80 Shop Now
Maybe you’re ready to try a cup but don’t want to totally branch out. If that’s the case, meet the Tampax cup. The brand behind all the boxes you see in the tampon aisle also makes a cup that comes in a plastic carrying case and with free liners (in case of cup spillage or leaks).
10. If you want something you can take on the go: Lily Cup Compact
Lily Cup Compact Intimina amazon.com $24.13 Shop Now
Is there anything worse than getting surprised by your period, like, a DAY earlier than it’s supposed to arrive? And then you have to use the scary, archaic cardboard tampons from a vending machine or sit in a makeshift toilet-paper diaper all day. Sure, menstrual cups are all well and good, but if you don’t want to sacrifice precious tote bag real estate for a silicone cup “just in case,” try the Lily Cup. The handy-dandy collapsible cup folds into an included case that’s smaller than a foundation compact, so you’re always covered.
11. If you don’t know what size you are: Fun Cup Explore Kit
Fun Cup Menstrual Cup Set of 2 Fun Factory amazon.com $39.99 Shop Now
Most menstrual cups come in two sizes. One for women younger than 30 or who haven’t given birth, and a larger size for women older than 30 or who have given birth. If you aren’t sure where you’d fall on that spectrum, you can try the Fun Cup Explore Kit. The kit contains one of each size, so you can take both for a test drive and decide in the comfort of your own home. There’s also no overly feminine packaging, so it’s gender neutral. Fun cups are also tilted so potentially more comfortable than the traditional non-tilted cups.
12. If you wanna go out and buy one right now: Diva Cup
DivaCup Model 1 DivaCup amazon.com $24.41 $18.10 (26% off) Shop Now
You can pick up a Diva Cup—probably the most widely available menstrual cup—at your local drugstore or Walmart. The tried-and-true Diva Cup is made of hypoallergenic silicone and comes with a special bag for storage. Dr. Sherry also likes it. The Diva Cup is only available in the clear color, which will discolor with time, so be aware!
13. If you still want something disposable: Softcup
14 Disposable Menstrual Discs (Pack of 2) Softcup amazon.com $29.55 Shop Now
The Instead brand Softcup isn’t quite a menstrual cup, but it’s not a tampon either. If you want to try out menstrual cups but are uneasy with the whole washing-it-out-and-reusing-it part, try the Softcup. It’s disposable, and instead of being a silicone cup, it’s more like a VERY sturdy Ziploc bag with a flexible rim (if that makes sense?). There’s also no stem to pull for removal. Instead, you hook one end of the rim and pull it out. You can also have mess-free period sex with a Softcup inside you (something you can’t do with regular menstrual cups and definitely not tampons), so, bonus! Dr. Allen recommends these disposable cups as a good option for women on the go and says to wear them for four hours, then throw away. Basically like a tampon.
14. If you want a budget menstrual cup: Demesex
Menstrual Cups (Set of Large and Small, with reusable period cup) Demesex amazon.com $12.99 Shop Now
The Demesex cup gives you two sizes for $13, which makes it the easy choice for buyers who don’t want to throw down $40 on something they might not like right away. Made of medical-grade silicone and available with a free holding case, this is a great entry-level menstrual cup option. This is similar to the Fun Factory discovery set, only Demesex seems to be a more generic brand, whereas Fun Factory is legit with their body-safe claims (they also make very high-end-technology-based sex toys in the $200 range, so it's kinda like you get what you pay for.) If you want a softer silicone discovery option, try these puppies.
15. If you have a low cervix: FemmyCycle Low Cervix Cup
Low Cervix Size Menstrual Cup FemmyCycle amazon.com $39.00 $29.99 (23% off) Shop NOw
If you have a lower cervix than most, and the sight of these long menstrual cups is making you dizzy, try the FemmyCycle. The unique bulb-shaped cup is perfect for accommodating women who have lower cervixes. There’s also a loop design to make removal a breeze, and the cup has a specially designed lip to keep the contents from spilling out during removal. If you don’t have a low cervix but the loop handle and no-spill design are calling your name, then have no fear—there’s also a regular-size FemmyCycle and a petite FemmyCycle for you.
16. If you’re not into the idea of silicone: Fair Squared Period Cup
Natural Latex Rubber Period Cup Fair Squared amazon.com $28.28 Shop Now
If you’re looking for a cup that isn’t made of silicone, try the Fair Squared Menstrual Cup, which is made of natural gum (latex). One thing to be aware of: With this brand, sizing goes by Medium (small, for women who haven't given birth) or Large (women older than 30, or who have given birth vaginally) and the large is on a completely separate product page here. It’s not like other brands where you can choose the size on the product page itself, so double-check before hitting checkout!
17. If you want a reusable cup you can wear during sex: Ziggy Cup
Intimina Ziggy Cup Intimina amazon.com $34.99 Shop Now
If you like the concept of Softcup but want something reusable, try the Intimina Ziggy. Both cups resemble covered discs as opposed to the traditional bell-shaped design of other menstrual cups, but they differ in material. Where the Softcup is made with a flexible plastic ring and transparent plastic covering, the Ziggy is made of all medical-grade silicone. It also folds up neatly into a special carrying case, so you never have to worry about surprise leaks.
18. If you want a cup that gives back: Ruby Cup
Ruby Cup Small (incl. donation) Ruby Cup rubycup.com €1,000.00 Shop Now
For the ethical menstrual cup connoisseur, Ruby Cup gives one of its cups to a girl in East Africa for every purchase of a cup. You can also donate a cup to a girl in need for $14 without having to buy one for yourself through its site. It sells cups in small and medium sizes, as well as a “sisterpack” that includes one of each, and foldable cleaning kits to sanitize your menstrual cup on the go.
19. If you want a cup packaged with recycled materials: Organicup
Menstrual Cup OrganiCup amazon.com $27.95 Shop Now
If you’re looking to get a menstrual cup with as little environmental impact as possible, invest in an Organicup Menstrual cup. The actual menstrual cup is made with medical-grade silicone like many other brands, but the packaging and cotton carrying case are extra eco-friendly. The cotton bag is unbleached, and the packaging is made from recycled materials.
20. If you want the most bang for your buck: Furuize
Menstrual Cup Furuize amazon.com $6.99 Shop Now
At $7 with free shipping, you might as well throw one of these cup into your Amazon cart the next time you do a bulk order of toilet paper and other household goods. The cup is made of medical-grade silicone and does have four five-star reviews, to.
Carina Hsieh Sex & Relationships Editor Carina Hsieh lives in NYC with her French Bulldog Bao Bao — follow her on Instagram and Twitter • Candace Bushnell once called her the Samantha Jones of Tinder • She enjoys hanging out in the candle aisle of TJ Maxx and getting lost in Amazon spirals. Hannah Smothers Hannah writes about health, sex, and relationships for Cosmopolitan, and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
