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Which Menstrual Cup is Right for You?
There are a lot of reasons why you might want to make the switch from tampons to a menstrual cup. They are better for the environment, will save you lots of money, come with a lower risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome, and finally, they are better for your health because they don’t contain toxic chemicals in them.
Sounds great, right? It is! But, there are more than 100 menstrual cups to choose from, and new brands coming onto the market all the time.
Which one will work for your body type and budget? My goal is to help you figure that out. I’ll share with you a few of the things to consider when picking your first menstrual cup. Or, you could just start with this list of my favourites:
Best Menstrual Cups of 2018
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Menstrual Cup
Here are a few of the main things to consider when picking a period cup.
#1: Materials
The most important thing is to make sure the materials in your menstrual cup are medical grade. There are lots of cheap cups that use sub-par materials. Stick with a reputable brand; you can expect to pay around 20 GBP for a decent one.
Just a few of the brands to consider are the Mooncup, Diva Cup, Lunette, Lena Cup, Eva Cup, Ruby Cup, Saalt Cup and the Meluna Cup.
#2: Customer Reviews on Amazon
The next thing to consider are user reviews on Amazon. A good menstrual cup will have 100+ reviews and an overall rating of 4.5/5 or higher. The Lena Cup usually has some of the best ratings among all menstrual cups.
Most of the negative reviews will be related to menstrual cups in general (just didn’t like them) and not specially about that brand of menstrual cup.
#3: Cervix Height
The most important thing for fit is how high your cervix is. Reach into your vagina with your index finger.
Can’t touch your cervix? You have a high cervix and one of the average-long menstrual cups will work best for you (65 mm+).
Can you touch your cervix when your finger is mostly, or fully inserted? You have an average cervix height and a cup around 65 or 70 mm is what you need.
If you can touch your cervix with your finger only inserted a little bit, you have a low cervix. You’ll need a shorter menstrual cup around 50 or 55 mm.
#4: Age
Many menstrual cup companies have two sizes of cup: small and large. They often recommend the smaller one for younger people under the age of 30. Then, the large one is for people over 30.
This is a good general guideline, but I actually find the fifth factor (see below) is more important.
#5: Have you Given Birth Vaginally?
If you’ve given birth vaginally, you’ll need a larger cup. By “larger,” I mean a bigger diameter of 44 mm+.
If you haven’t given birth vaginally, then a smaller cup will probably work well for you. These ones are around 40 or 41 mm in diameter.
Most menstrual cups make it easy for you in this regard and only offer two sizes: small and large.
#6: Are you a Beginner to Menstrual Cups?
There are some very soft menstrual cups, some very firm ones, plus a whole bunch of average ones. Soft menstrual cups are very comfortable, while firmer ones are easy to insert.
In general, I recommend one with an average firmness, especially for beginners. Once you put it inside you, it’ll pop open without much hassle. It’ll also be soft enough that most people will find it comfortable.
One of the best average firmness menstrual cups to consider is the MoonCup which is made in the UK.
Take the Menstrual Cup Quiz
If you need some help deciding among all the options, then consider taking a menstrual cup quiz. There are a few simple questions that’ll take a minute of your time. Then you’ll get a few recommendations for some cups to consider. It’s a nice way to narrow down your options.
Check it out here:
Find the Perfect Cup with a Menstrual Cup Quiz
About the Author
Jackie Bolen is a friend of the Earth who hopes that a reusable period product will one day be found in the hands of every single menstruating person in the world. She can often be found paddling around Vancouver, Canada. You can find her on Facebook.