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Menstrual cups have been taking the world by storm over the last few years, as fewer and fewer women want to be tied down to buying tampons or pads every month. Since menstrual cups are largely reusable, they are both far more cost-effective, and (according to millions of actual user reviews) – far more comfortable.
However, there are also thousands of bad products out there – so we did the legwork, and separated the wheat from the chaff. After aggregating millions of user reviews, and testing the top products – we can confidently tell you the best menstrual cup on the market.
Our Top Pick
Lena Menstrual Cup
Choosing a menstrual cup is a very personal process, but the Lena cup has some of the best user reviews on the planet. Thousands upon thousands of stellar reviews note how comfortable it is, as well as how flexible it can be.
Ultimately, you should make sure that whichever menstrual cup you choose, fits well for you. But chances are – the Lena is your best option. Our top pick, and highly recommended.
Other Great Picks
Pixie Menstrual Cup
The Pixie cup is another great menstrual cup, and it will last for years. With thousands of great buyer reviews, it’s also extremely reliable.
You won’t need tampons or pads when you have a menstrual cup, and this is one of the best cups on the market. Highly recommended.
DivaCup
With thousands of great buyer reviews, and a fantastic reputation, the DivaCup is another sold choice, when it comes to menstrual cups. There are also different sizes available, depending on what your individual needs are.
Many women over 35 have noted that it works great after you’ve given birth, but there are also models for narrower vaginas. If you are looking for a reliably, long-lasting menstrual cup – the DivaCup is an excellent choice.
OrganiCup
Thousands of glowing user reviews note how great the OrganiCup is. It’s also made with no known allergens, and is constructed with medical-grade silicone.
The OrganiCup has also won multiple awards for “product of the year”, and is greener than other menstrual cups. Ultimately, you can’t really go wrong buying this product – highly recommended.
Dutchess Cup
The Dutchess cup is another great choice, and it also has thousands of stellar buyer reviews. It’s also BPA free, and registered with the FDA.
Many reviewers note how comfortable it is, with some suggesting that you will even forget that you have it in. If comfort is important to you in a menstrual cup, this may be the perfect choice.
Luna Cup
The Luna Cup is well-regarded, and for good reason. It’s flexible, easy to use, easy to clean, and works well for everyone.
It doesn’t offer any frills, but it does come in at an excellent price points. With thousands of five-star reviews, it’s hard to argue with public opinion. Definitely recommended.
Softdisc
The Softdisc was formerly called the Softcup, and offers great coverage during your period. With thousands of great user reviews, as well as an affordable price point, it’s a perfect solution for those who don’t want to deal with pads or tampons.
It works just as well with heavy or light flows, and it’s also extremely comfortable. If you want a great alternative to tampons or pads, the Softdisc is a perfect solution.
Blossom Menstrual Cup
The Blossom is another great option, when it comes to menstrual cups. It’s very affordable, comfortable, and is easy to use.
Users have noted that it’s also long lasting, meaning it’s much cheaper than buying tampons. It’s also better for the environment, and comes in multiple color availabilities. Definitely recommended.
Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup
If you have a sensitive vagina, or any kind of condition that means some extra delicacy in that area – this is the menstrual cup for you. With thousands of 5-star reviews, and a well-designed product – the Saalt is truly unbeatable.
While it does cost slightly more than some models, it is well worth the extra money. Soft, comfortable, and perfect even for those with the most sensitive feminine area – this is a perfect purchase.
Bodybay Menstrual Cup
This affordable (and extremely well-reviewed) menstrual cup is another great option. It is noted for its comfort, as well as for it’s long-lasting ability to be used over and over again.
While there are pricier options out there, this cup will definitely get the job done. We can’t recommend it enough.
What Is A Menstrual Cup?
Menstrual cups were somewhat obscure, at least until about a decade ago. They are – as the name might imply – meant for that time of the month, and are an alternative to tampons or pads. Inserted directly into your vagina, menstrual cups hold all the blood from your period, and you must empty it periodically throughout the day.
The best arguments for switching over to a menstrual cup are rooted in both comfort, and eco-friendliness. There are no two ways about it – menstrual cups are much better for the environment, than either pads or tampons.
Menstrual cups are also much more affordable – costing only 1/5th to 1/6th of what the average woman spends every year on pads or tampons – plus they rarely need to be replaced. As you might imagine, it’s also important to frequently clean a menstrual cup, especially if you want it to last a long time.
To put it in perspective, you might only spend $40 on a menstrual cup, one time, while the average woman spends over $100 each year, on tampons or pads. After 4-5 years, that’s a savings of $400 dollars (or more).
An additional factor that makes menstrual cups a great buy – the amount they can hold. Without getting too graphic, menstrual cups can hold more than even the strongest tampons, and they are also more comfortable. Sounds like a win-win, to us!
Which Menstrual Cup Is Best For Beginners?
There is not one definitive answer here, but we like Lena brand as the best choice for beginners. Menstrual cups have a little bit of a learning curve, but overall it’s not too steep.
The exact method it takes to insert a menstrual cup is basically the only part some stumble on, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a piece of cake. You may also want to ‘grease’ the cup (using either water or a water-based lubricant), to make the whole process easier.
Which Brand Menstrual Cup Is Best?
We like Lena brand menstrual cups the best, but truthfully any of the brands from our list will make an excellent choice. You want to stick to well-known manufacturers, which have thousands of great user reviews behind their products.
Since a menstrual cup goes in a delicate area, it’s crucial that all cups are made from the highest quality materials. The cups should also be safe, registered with the FDA, and have no safety concerns.
You can also take it one step further, and opt for a product like the OrganiCup. This is even better for the environment, and will make a difference in sustainability, in the long run.
Why Menstrual Cups Are The Best?
Quite simply, everything is better with a menstrual cup – at least one compared to more traditional options (like tampons and pads). Menstrual cups are more comfortable, cheaper, better for the environment, and last far longer.
While there is certainly an on-boarding and adjustment process, once you become comfortable with a menstrual cup, it becomes second nature. In our review of millions of actual user reviews for menstrual cups, many consumers noted that they plain forgot they even had it in, after a while.
That’s not something you can say about either tampons, or pads. Most are clunky, cumbersome, and downright uncomfortable. Additionally, menstrual cups hold more than even the biggest pads – meaning they are more convenient.
About the only downside to menstrual cups, are that you must empty them a few times a day. While this is no doubt a slight annoyance, it is also far more hygienic, and should be performed regularly.
You definitely don’t want blood to stay down there for long, and it’s much safer to dispose of it as soon as possible. Menstrual cups are – frankly – better in almost every way, compared to tampons and pads.
So it’s a fairly easy switch to make, even for long time users of pads and tampons. If you take the time to read customer reviews en masse, most women note how much better they liked menstrual cups, once they made the switch.
Do Doctors Recommend Menstrual Cups?
Generally, menstrual cups are regarded as very safe within the medical world. Just as all products have, there are some small risks related to menstrual cups, but they are so minuscule it’s hardly worth mentioning.
Just make sure that you follow the instructions on how to properly use your menstrual cup, clean it regularly, and make sure you are inserting it properly. Of course, it should also be noted that all feminine hygiene products – whether it’s tampons, pads, or a menstrual cup – come with small risks associated with them.
It’s also important to consider that most menstrual cups are registered with the FDA – and we recommend sticking to well-known brands, which have been thoroughly tested. The odds of anything being an issue with your menstrual cup are basically zero, but you should still follow all the proper safety precautions – especially in regards to cleaning your cup regularly.
When To Take Your Menstrual Cup Out
Most menstrual cups will last about 6 to 12 hours, before you need to remove them. However, we recommend doing it a little more frequently, just to be sure things aren’t going awry.
The 12 hour mark is the absolute breaking point – you don’t want to go more than 12 hours without taking out your menstrual cup and emptying it. You should also wash your hands thoroughly before you remove your menstrual cup, as you do not want to spread any bacteria to your vaginal area.
How To Clean A Menstrual Cup
Cleaning a menstrual cup is fairly easy, but you should make sure to follow every step, as you do not want to be using a dirty menstrual cup, in any way, shape, or form (trust us). You will want to make sure you use a gentle, oil-free, and unscented soap for the process, firstly.
There are even dedicated products for cleaning menstrual cups, but if you don’t want to use one, the above-listed type of soap will work well. What you want to stay away from, is basically every other type of cleaning idea out there (i.e. vinegar, rubbing alcohol, baking soda, et al.).
Before first use, wash your hands and the cup, then lit the menstrual cup sit in a pot of boiling water for 5-7 minutes. After you use your cup, wash your hands before removing it, empty the blood into the toilet, then rinse it out using the same method described above (you do not need to place the cup in boiling water, however).
If you’re stuck in nature (or on a plane), use paper towels, toilet paper, or bottled water to rinse out the cup. And of course, wash it as soon as you are back in a place that will allow you to.
Once your period is over, refer back to our original instructions, and clean the cup, followed by placing it in boiling water for 5-7 minutes. And that’s it – nothing really to the whole process, just good hygiene and common sense.
The Best Menstrual Cup
There you have it – our top picks for the best menstrual cup. Whether you want to save money, feel more comfortable, or you just want to save the planet – there is definitely a menstrual cup out there for you.
Since there are so many products out there, and a menstrual cup goes in a…rather delicate place – be sure to thoroughly read user reviews, when you’re looking to make a purchase. The size, shape, and other parts of your female anatomy down there may place an important role in determining which product ultimately works best for you.