Best Menstrual Cup

The Luna Set is our pick for the best menstrual cup, which comes in a set of 2 and also comes with carry bags. They are comfortable to wear and have a soft feeling so that they will be okay to use for those who are first-time users. They are made with quality materials that do not contain harsh chemicals.

Our step-up pick is the LENA Small and it bears a turquoise color while having a soft but durable design. It can be worn for up to 12 hours like most of the same kind, and can be very simple to insert and removed. It is made with pure medical grade silicone.

The budget pick is the ULG 2-pack and it is also made of quality medical grade silicone and is FDA certified. It comes in 2 sizes and colors and can last for up to 12 years in its lifespan. It also comes with 2 air vents as a unique feature.

A Little Background

The menstrual cup is a kind of menstrual stopping device that works to stop the period of a woman much like a tampon. They take on the shape of a cup and they look similar to that of a funnel that collects the period of a woman as she goes throughout the day. They are relatively a new type of product today for women so they are not very much in circulation just yet.

They tend to be an alternative to tampons and pads because they are more eco-friendly due to being reusable instead of being disposable. Medical grade silicone is used for making them, hence they are acceptable into the human body without adverse effects. Adding the costs of tampons and pads each year, you can actually feel that they are much more expensive in the long run versus the upfront cost of this kind of period product.

In addition to that, landfills with (un)sanitary napkins and wasted tampons don’t really make the world a better place. This is why many scientists and women agree that this kind of alternative solution as a period product can be helpful not just for women but also for those who really care about the environment (and feel disgusted at the sight of bloody napkins in the trash can).

These period products work by collecting the period of a woman instead of absorbing it like pads and tampons do. Unlike pads, they are removed on a daily basis when the cup is somewhat full, depending on the menstrual flow of a woman. It is then inserted back to do its business, hence, making it reusable. The collected period is, well, thrown away – you don’t fill up your trash can with dirty tampons or period-struck sanitary napkins in this way.

If you’re dumbfounded as to how this thick cup will be able to fit into a woman’s vagina, it is actually folded first and then inserted because it will eventually unfold when it reaches its destination to catch all the bad blood that there is. If you are familiar with using tampons, however, you might have less of a problem compared to those who have just used regular pads to save their underwear.

For those who are having trouble with this kind of product, you might want to use a lubricant (yes, you know what I mean). However, keep in mind that the lubricant should be water-based because some lubricants aren’t very good with the silicone structure of your period product. You may also need to consider reading the instructions of the product, such as how to insert and clean it properly.

A good reason that most people prefer this kind of period product over tampons and pads is that they can accurately measure the amount of menstrual blood flow in their cycle, mostly for the purposes of, well, science! This is mostly done by scientists or for people who are conducting studies or are simply curious as to how much bad blood they tend to leak out every month.

One of the problems with this kind of technology is its availability and cost. Since it is a type of product that has only been introduced around 1995 and was not completely popularized yet, people have yet to try them. The initial cost is also something, and the way it is supposed to be inserted in a woman’s vagina is something that might sound uncomfortable for some, especially those who have not really used a tampon and resolving to pads.

How we Picked

When you do want to have the best menstrual cup, you should check out the following criteria in making your decision:

FDA registered: consider a period product that is FDA registered so that it will be deemed safe to use and friendly towards the environment and humans. This ensures that your product is not going to be some fake and dangerous cheap market product that might harm your health.

Hypoallergenic: you should consider one that is hypoallergenic or skin friendly so that it will not harm your skin and your, well, private parts in the long run, especially if you have really sensitive skin down there, and if you are prone to rashes and itching.

Ease of insertion: nothing feels more uncomfortable than inserting a tampon or any kind of period product in their vagina for those who are first-time users, so this kind of period product should be at least user-friendly when it comes down to inserting it, so that women who aren’t used to tampons may be able to adjust accordingly.

Organic materials: make sure that the manufacturer has disclosed the materials used in making them and that they are organic materials so that they will not be irritating your skin and your inner linings anytime soon. They should be made out of food grade and human grade materials.

Unscented: having scents can be okay for some women, as with feminine washes, but staying in your internal linings for too long can make the scents react differently to your natural fluids and can cause disruption of your period. Therefore, some people just prefer unscented ones.

Color: while not a major issue, some women just like pink or purple so that they will be able to tell apart which is theirs if they are sharing a room with a board mate or if there are other girls in the house who are using this kind of period product.

Size: the size is important as not all women may have a similar sized vaginal opening. For instance, those who have gone through childbirth or have gone through intercourse many times may have a wider opening so they may require a larger sized one so that they won’t leak bad blood.

Ease of cleaning: consider one that is easy to clean. Most of them can have the cleaning solution right next to the product as a freebie so that you do not have to worry about having to clean them in the first place. Most of them are made with food grade silicone, which can be tough to clean without a quality product that will not damage it.

Our Pick

Luna Set

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As our top pick, the Luna Set is a great period catcher to count on because of its ease of insertion and removal. It is made with pure medical grade silicone and has a soft feel so it does not make you uncomfortable in any activity during the day.

Flaws but Not Dealbrakers

The only small drawback that is not a big deal with the Luna Set is that it can be small for some people, but you can always pick a bigger size for your needs.

Step-up Pick

LENA Small

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For our step-up pick, the LENA Small is a good choice because of its soft but durable design. It can be worn for up to 12 hours without changing and can accommodate all user ages due to its compatible size. It has an odorless or unscented design so it gives a clean feeling all throughout the day.

Budget Pick

The ULG 2-pack is our budget pick, which comes in 2 sizes and colors and can last for up to 12 years of regular usage. It is free from BPA, latex and dioxin so it is good for your skin, being made of pure medical grade silicone. It is also CFDA certified as a feminine care product.

Best Menstrual Cup with a Small Size

Blossom Small

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The Blossom Small is a small sized catcher that can also be a great beginner’s tool for catching their period. It comes in a small size and with a variety of colors to choose from. It is made with skin friendly materials and can equate up to 22 tampons or pads in one cycle.

Best Menstrual Cup for Pre-Childbirth

Dutchess Small

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The Dutchess Small can be a good choice for those who haven’t given birth yet, as well as for those who had a c-section. It is made with medical grade silicone and is free from latex, phthalates and other harsh chemicals. It also comes in 2 colors.

Best Menstrual Cup with a Regular Size

The Hesta Feminine Hygiene is good for those needing a regular sized one. It is made with medical grade silicone and is free from harsh chemicals like BPA. It is also FDA registered and ISO certified so it is quality made without the uncomfortable side effects. The design is also made not to ruin the natural pH levels of your vaginal lining for a less dry feeling.

Best Menstrual Cup with a Cleanser

The Diva Model 2 is a well known brand and comes with a cleanser for you to wash not just your private parts but also the period catcher itself. It does not contain harsh chemicals such as latex, plastic, BPA, phthalate, dyes, elastomer and many others. It comes in a pack along with the cleanser containing 6 ounces of liquid.

Best Menstrual Cup for Heavy Periods

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Lunette Violet

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For those who have heavy periods, the Lunette Violet can be a great choice for you. It has 6 colors to choose from and is very comfortable to use overall. It can last for many years and is ideal also for those with medium flow. It can be a great alternative to other period products.

Best Menstrual Cup as a Combo Pack

Pixie Cup

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The Pixie Cup comes in a set of 2 and is easy to use, containing a small and a large one. There are also cleaning wipes along with the package for ease of maintenance. It is made with medical grade silicone and is eco-friendly with its materials. It is also FDA registered for safety.

Best Menstrual Cup with a Carrying Bag

The CaliCup is yet another great alternative for periods that comes with its own drawstring bag. It is made with a soft material that is able to catch period with less likelihood of leaks. It can also be worn up to 12 hours straight and is very eco-friendly in its design.

The Competition

There were others that did not make the cut because they are prone to leaks, they had issues with skin sensitivity and were very hard to insert, even for those who are used to using tampons. It is important that this kind of period product be user-friendly, since it is usually much more expensive and less popular among those who often use tampons and pads.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the benefits of using this period product?

A: There are many ways that this period product can give you a lot of advantages, such as the following:

1) You can reuse it as much as you like. Most of these menstrual cups can last up to 10 years on the average.

2) You don’t have to spend tons of tampons and pads each year when you can just buy one menstrual cup and then use it again and again.

3) You don’t need to frequently shop for period products because you already have a single period product that lasts longer.

4) You don’t have to change more often, depending on the size of your period product and your flow. Most women can wait for up to 12 hours before actually changing, compared to 8 hours of tampon and 2-5 hours for pads.

5) It holds more of the bad blood than your average tampon or pad.

6) While pads and tampons may contain harsh chemicals, menstrual cups don’t. They are made of food grade silicone so they won’t irritate your skin and your other stuff underneath.

7) They are less likely to leak if you place them properly.

8) TSS or Toxic Shock Syndrome can be avoided altogether. The TSS is a common problem with tampon users because of bacteria potentially getting back into your system due to prolonged wear.

9) Compared to tampons, these period products don’t dry up the lining of your vaginal walls so they don’t have the dry feeling compared to when you use a tampon.

10) If you want to have an intercourse with someone or...well, do it yourself, the juices in your vaginal wall also get sucked, leading to a not-so-good time at trying to climax. In fact, there are some of these period cups that do have the capability to be worn while doing it with someone (and without leaking!).

11) Tampons will tend to fall out of your bag or purse, causing embarrassment, but carrying just one single cup is much neater and simpler.

12) There’s no more worrying about rashes, which can happen with regular sanitary napkins or pads. This is especially the case if you’re often in a physical activity, you sweat a lot, you sit and stand a lot and your pads reek worse than a dumpsite.

13) Changing tampons depending on the amount of your flow for each day or stage of your period is always a tough task. With this kind of new and innovative period product, you just pop it underneath and it will catch bad blood in any period stage or day, whether it’s your first or heavy second day.

14) Using this period product makes sleepless nights less of a thing. There’s nothing like unintentionally leaving blotches of red on your bed, sheets or couch. This kind of period product solves the problem of night leaks.

15) People who just gave birth or about to give birth can also use a size that is right for them, since giving birth requires a larger size than those who are in their normal stage.

16) The worst thing that can happen with tampons is potentially go along with your urine or slightly slide off when you’re taking a bath or at the beach. That doesn’t happen with this kind of period cup.

17) This kind of period product also helps you determine the actual amount of blood flow you have for your entire cycle, which is kind of an amazing thing. Most certainly, tampons and pads can’t do that.

18) Contrary to popular belief, they aren’t that scary because they can be just as comfortable as your tampons and pads if you do get used to them.

Q: What are the differences between this kind of period product and regular sanitary napkins or pads and regular tampons?

A: Compared to these two types of average period products, this new period product has the following differences:

Q: What advantages do these kinds of period collecting products have over tampons?

A: Compared to average tampons, these period products have a ton of advantages over them, such as the following:

1) Eco-friendliness – instead of filling a landfill with over 9,000 tampons for your entire life of periods, you just need a single product that can change your life forever.

2) Age-friendly – any woman of any age can find this kind of period product just right because there are many sizes available for them – even before or after childbirth.

3) Skin-friendly and TSS-free – one of the biggest advantages of switching from tampons to this new kind of period product is the fact that it does not give you TSS or toxic shock syndrome that can potentially spread bacteria in your system.

4) Resilience – they can be worn up to 12 hours straight compared to 8 hours for the tampon, which means less time changing for women.

5) Overall cost – you may tend to spend less in one go when you invest in a single period product, which can be around $20 to $40 and some maybe even less than that, while you can use it all year round or even for 10 years or so. Compared to that, tampons and pads can cost you about $50 to $150 a year, which is surprisingly more costly.

Q: What advantages do these period collectors have over pads?

A: If you have been using pads all your life and want to make the big switch, here are benefits that can convince you:

1) They can adjust to your first or second day period.

2) They don’t go through bleaching so they won’t irritate your skin.

3) For the same reason, they won’t harm Mother Nature.

4) Changing less often makes you worry-free.

5) You’ll know more about your period cycle if you measure it.

Q: If you use any period product that you should insert into your vagina, does that make you lose your virginity?

A: Not necessarily true – most people think that breaking the hymen is the only thing that defines a girl’s virginity, but that is not always the case. There are many different ways that a woman’s hymen can potentially break or stretch naturally, such as any of the following activities:

a) Using menstrual cups or tampons

b) Masturbation (yes, women do it too, okay)

c) Strenuous activities (e.g. cycling or gymnastics)

d) Sexual intercourse (or any form of penetrative intercourse for that matter)

Remember girls, virginity is only “lost” once you “do it” with someone – not when your hymen breaks naturally! It’s only a stereotype that most societies think, but that’s not always the definitive standard to a woman’s virginity. And with that said, any kind of period product that you insert into your vagina is A-okay!

Q: What are some of the most common problems that girls encounter during their period?

A: There are many really frustrating things that only girls will understand when they are having their period, such as the following:

1) Even if you’re wearing tampons to the beach, there’s a likely moment that they might poke out, which can be a disaster.

2) Periods can come unexpectedly, which is frustrating. For instance, you prepare by wearing panty liners for days upon days and it hasn’t arrived, then when you started getting itchy and you take it off – bam! It leaks into your panty like a surprise party (hey, that rhymes!)

3) The difficulty of finding appropriate lower clothing is the worst when you’re on your period. Light colors are a big no, which is why you should save all of your dark colored stuff for when you know you’re about to leak red. Fun fact: you can actually buy black panties – they’re easier to clean!

4) Bouts of unexpected instantaneous appetite boost happen during periods. There’s a time when you suddenly just want to grab everything at the table or drink fluids endlessly but you’re worried about having to go to the bathroom twice as much, because the yucky period feels make you feel like urinating all the time.

5) Tampon users worry the most about tampons flying out of the bag. Unlike sanitary napkins which do have some weight, tampons are super lightweight so they’ll be a big embarrassment if they decide to jump off your purse.

6) The fact that you need to buy them every month is already a chore, especially if you’re a heavy shedder.

7) Added to that fact, a whole pack of pads or box of tampons may not be enough for you at times, so you need to go back to the pharmacy and buy another pack.

8) Menstrual cramps! They usually come about a week before or sometimes on the period week itself, and they hurt like hell. No, really. Most women actually absent on their work or class just because of the excruciating pain of your ovulation cycle.

9) PMS a.k.a. Premenstrual Syndrome – which is not a myth at all! It happens and it’s been clinically proven. It happens to every woman and it’s absolutely normal!

10) You decide to go to the gym, play in the arcade with friends, jog in the morning, take some Zumba classes, go for a fun run event and later on take the kids to a theme park. You suddenly felt the annoying itch because you have totally forgotten to change your pads.

11) Sleeping at night is the worst when you’re on your period – unless you have a properly placed menstrual catcher. Better yet, place a thick clothing beneath your bottom and your bedding so that it will not leak (make sure the thick clothing is of a dark color so it’s a lot easier to clean).

12) You think your period’s over and boom – you have yet to see the last of it on your underwear. For this “after-period” feel when you think your period’s about to say goodbye (and you don’t want to keep using pads because they irritate you a lot), use panty liners. They’re more breathable and they can also be used before you expect to have a period.

Q: Which size of this period product is appropriate for me?

A: Here is a chart that can help you determine which size of this period product will be the best for you to wear to avoid leakage:

Q: What makes up this kind of period product?

A: Among the different kinds of materials that can make up this product for catching periods are:

a) food grade silicone – most of them use this kind of product for elasticity and easy period catching without the effects of bleaching from tampons and pads.

b) medical grade TPE or thermoplastic elastomer – this is a new material that is an alternative for those with silicone allergies.

On top of that, these kinds of period products do not contain the following:

a) BPA or bisphenol A

b) latex

c) phthalates

d) alkylphenol

e) any bleaching product

Q: I heard that these period products aren’t very popular. Is there a way for me to buy them? And where?

A: Even if they are less popular than pads and tampons, they are still available in some shops. You can potentially buy them from:

1) certain online retailers

2) pharmaceutical centers and some pharmacies

3) ask your local health center or hospital

Q: How much does a woman spend on the average in a lifetime for feminine care products?

A: A woman may spend more than what she thinks she should yearly because keeping up with hygienic mandates are important not just to live normally as a female, but also to keep you healthy. Here are some estimates on how much women tend to spend for feminine care products over the course of her entire lifetime:

Q: How do I know if my period cycle is healthy and okay?

A: If you’re curious to know if your period is just right and not abnormal or irregular, here are ways to figure out if your flow is on the right track:

1) One cycle should last somewhere from 25 to 35 days. Those with longer than 35 days can potentially suffer from Amenorrhea or Polycystic Ovarian System while those with period cycles shorter than 25 days might have a Luteal Phase Defect. Basically, they’re both called “irregular periods”.

2) The blood color should be a bright red color. If it tends to be a darker shade of red then that’s probably just blood clotting, in which case you can use a hot water bottle so that your period doesn’t clog up in your system like “sleeping grease” when you take out food from the fridge. You can also prevent blood clots by doing physical activities to initiate healthier blood flow.

3) When you release your cervical fluid, which is that egg-like fluid that gets released, it tends to get dry after your period and when you do get back to ovulating, it will go back to becoming sticky again.

4) PMS or premenstrual syndrome happens to women – and it’s most likely because of hormonal imbalance that is associated with periods. This can potentially cause women to crave sugar because of progesterone, so it is important to maintain a healthy and balanced diet, and maybe do some activities to whip out your bouts of anger.

5) If you’re bleeding when it’s not your period week, you are probably low on progesterone, and that could mean that your period might not be that regular.

Q: How do I cope with super heavy bleeding or periods?

A: There are some points in life that women may tend to have heavier bleeding than other times in their life. This happens most often during early adolescence up to early adulthood, around the ages of 16 to 21, but this varies depending on the person. Additionally, most heavy flows happen in the second period day for most women. Here’s what you can do to cope with heavy periods:

1) You can boost your iron intake so that you don’t get iron deficiency.

2) Add more fluids and juices into your diet, or take in more salt.

3) Take medicine for menstrual cramps such as ibuprofen to ease the pain and reduce the flow.

4) If you’re really dizzy and in pain, go to the doctor or seek medical help right away.

Q: What are the causes of smelling really badly while you’re on your period?

A: Being in a period is the worst, and it’s always the part when you try to mask away the odors so that your seatmate or crush won’t be put off. It can be really frustrating to keep those odors away and usually, most people will know that you are on your period because of a certain fish-like smell.

While this smell is usually because of the iron in the blood (hence it smells rust-like), there can also be other reasons for the off-putting smell. Here are some other reasons for smelling bad on your period:

a) Bacteria and fungi are some of the things that make your period smell bad.

b) There are some vaginal infections that may also make you smell bad on your period, such as bacterial vaginosis.

c) If you haven’t changed your napkin for a long time, that could make you smell bad.

d) Tampons that haven’t been pulled out for a while can also smell bad, like sanitary pads.

e) Last, but not the least, not washing your vagina often enough can also make you smell bad.

Q: What exactly is PMS or premenstrual syndrome? What are the signs and symptoms?

A: PMS or premenstrual syndrome is a common syndrome that is felt by a woman who is near her period. The range can be mild or severe depending on the genetic makeup of a person, and the following are the most common symptoms of PMS:

1) Bouts of depression

2) Irritability or easily angered

3) Cramps

4) Breast tenderness

5) Skin problems (a.k.a. acne)

6) Backaches

7) Headaches

8) Bloating

The main cause of PMS is not necessarily one thing, but it is usually a combination of hormonal changes every period so it makes things even more messed up other than a girl having her period. This is why periods are one the most difficult times for women.

PMS can occur in nearly 75% of women around the world, from mild to severe, and can be just one of the symptoms or a combination of them. Usually, you will just get one symptom per cycle (e.g. breast tenderness in one month cycle, then extreme cramps by the next month cycle) so there can be some variation depending on your hormones and other factors.

Q: What is menopause and at what age do women tend to have menopause?

A: Menopause simply means that a woman stops having periods for at least 12 months and usually occurs when a woman is around 51 years old. In some cases, people in their 30s or even in their 60s can also have menopause, but this is a case to case basis. When a woman gets in their menopause stage, they will not be able to make children anymore, since their ovaries will stop their function.

Menopause can be a stressful time for women, especially since it will be the time when they won’t be able to bear babies anymore. They usually occur to those who are near their senior years. Some of the most common menopausal symptoms include:

1) fatigue

2) hot flashes

3) changes in mood

4) itching and dryness of the vagina

5) stress and anxiety

6) easily tired

Q: Why do irregular periods occur in some women?

A: Irregular periods can potentially happen because of the following:

1) Women who get pregnant

2) Post-partum period of pregnancy

3) Perimenopausal period

4) Abortion or miscarriage

5) Use of contraceptives

6) Sleeping disorders

7) Work shift change

8) Time zone change with regards to traveling

9) Emotional stress

10) Too much exercise

11) Certain medications

12) Rapid weight loss

13) Certain medical conditions

Q: When do periods start in a girl on the average?

A: Periods usually begin at around age 8 to 14 years old, depending on various factors, so there’s no real standards. Just because your friend gets her period earlier than you doesn’t mean you’re abnormal – everyone starts off somewhere even in a different time. They will usually start after the initial signs of breast development in girls.

Q: What can cause a late period?

A: If you’ve been late on your periods, perhaps you’ve had that really stressful and anxious feeling that you might be pregnant, but you’re not (especially for those of you who are still virgins) – worry no more! There are a ton of other things that can be messing up with your period schedule and delaying it, such as the following:

1) Obesity can actually play a role with hormonal changes, so you should exercise a little.

2) Being underweight, on the other hand, also makes your period irregular, so it’s best to gain some weight for that matter.

3) Feeling stressful for a long period of time can contribute to the delay of your period due to the impact on your hypothalamus, a.k.a. the one that regulates your period.

4) Using birth control products can potentially also affect your period cycle, making it irregular.

5) PCOS or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a hormonal imbalance that can occur in most women, delaying their period.

6) An early perimenopausal period at around 40 can actually be the reason why your period is not coming anytime soon.

7) Certain chronic diseases such as celiac disease and diabetes can also affect your periods.

8) If you have problems with your thyroid gland then it can potentially make your period a little more delayed than usual.

Q: What are some of the most common period cycle disorders?

A: A girl’s period can potentially have the following disorders, which can be painful and stressful:

1) PMS or premenstrual syndrome – characterized by mood swings, breast tenderness and cramps

2) PMDD or premenstrual dysphoric disorder – a worse version of the PMS which can have depressive symptoms and can potentially impact a woman’s life badly

3) AUB or abnormal uterine bleeding – irregular bleeding during times when you’re not supposed to be bleeding because it’s not your period week

4) Dysmenorrhea – also sometimes called extreme period cramps, which is unbearable for most women

Q: How do I keep my period catcher from leaking?

A: There are many easy ways to keep your period catching mechanism from leaking, such as the following:

1) Get to know if the catcher makes a pop sound when it enters your body.

2) Try twisting it before you slip it in your body to make a better seal.

3) Try to wiggle the catcher to make it perfectly positioned once inserted.

Wrapping It Up

Overall, the Luna Set is our pick for the best menstrual cup due to its ease of wearing and taking off, its soft feel for first-time users and quality materials that aren’t harmful to your skin.