Women’s Guide to the Best Menstrual Cup and TOP 20 Period Cup Reviews

Menstrual and period cups are becoming more and more popular, and why not? They are economical, eco friendly and they can be used for a longer time frame than pads or tampons.

If this is your first time purchasing a menstrual cup this guide will point you in the right direction.

Following the guide we give recommendations including 20 period cup reviews to help you choose what is the best menstrual cup for beginners, athletes, moms and more.

How to Choose the Best Menstrual Cups

You may be asking yourself, “What is the best menstrual cup for me? It’s a valid question; there are literally hundreds of cups, styles and sizes available.

Let’s go over some items that will help you decide.

Check Your Cervix Location/Height

Stand with one foot up on the edge of the tub or similar surface. Insert your index finger into your vagina until you feel the tip of your cervix. It should have the same firmness as the tip of your nose.

The Flow

The next step to deciding on a cup is figuring out your flow, which can vary on different days. If you regularly have to change tampons every few hours, you have a heavy flow.

If you only have one heavy day, and can go 3-4 hours between changing, you have a regular to light flow.

Firmness

Menstrual cups have different levels of firmness. Try and consider your bladder. A firm cup may stay put better, or be easy to insert, but for some sensitive ladies, they can push on the bladder. If you have a very sensitive bladder, try a softer cup.

Try a cup with a less prominent rim if you have bladder issues because a thick heavy rim will press on the bladder.

Some ladies prefer the larger rim because it is more secure and less likely to leak, so this type may work for you; you just need to be aware of your body.

Also, a harder cup, or more prominent rim may be the best choice for those who are physically active, as they can withstand more movement.

Menstrual Cup Hacks

How Do I Keep My Menstrual Cup from Leaking?

Is your Cup Open Completely?

When you insert the cup you need to fold it and allow it to pop open, covering your cervix. If the cup does not pop open, the menstrual fluid will leak.

The cup is held in place by pressure from the rim of the menstrual cup, working together with inward pressure from your vaginal walls.

The rim of the cup needs to create a seal against the wall of the vagina in order to prevent leaking. To check the cup, insert your finger and run in along the entire rip of the cup to make sure it is open and not still folded.

Use Lubricant

Lubricant such as KY Jelly, water, or a water based lubricant will make the process of inserting the menstrual cup more successful and comfortable. It will help the cup pop open from the folded position and take its place.

Squeeze the Tip

Push or squeeze the tip of the cup to expel some air and cause a vacuum, so the cup will stick to your cervix using suction from the vacuum created.

Other Reasons Your Cup May Leak:

Your cup is too big or too small

If the cup is too small, it will not be able to cause enough outward pressure to stick to the wall of the vagina. Similarly if it is too big, it will not have enough room to expand or pop out and can remain folded, due to the compact space.

The cup is too soft

If you have strong vaginal muscles, or you are tighter or smaller, a very soft cup will get too compressed and will fold, allowing fluid to leak.

Cup is the wrong shape

Shape can affect fit. Many ladies prefer a bell shape over the cone shape because they say the pressure is evenly distributed.

Your cervix has dropped into the cup

If your cervix has dropped into the interior of the cup, the cervix will take up space in the cup, and the cup will not be able to hold as much fluid. This is a case where a thick rim cup may solve the issue.

How Do You Clean a Period Cup

You will need to remove and clean the cup every so often during the day when you are wearing the cup. You can leave a cup in for up to 12 hours, but may need to empty it more often during heavy flow periods.

First wash your hands well. Then remove the cup. It is important to minimize exposure to bacteria, so wash your hands as the first step.

Empty the fluid into the toilet. Take the cup to the sink and run some cold water. Rinse the cup with the cold running water and your finger.

Use cold water to avoid premature discoloration.

You may use warm water after the fluid is rinsed out.  You do not have to use only water, you can use cleaner made for this purpose as well. Some folks also used vinegar, mixed with 9 parts water, to rinse the cup, which works as a natural cleaner.

This is not the same process as sanitizing, which should be done at the end of your period each month.

After you have rinsed the cup, you need to check that the air holes are cleared. They take a special thin brush for this purpose. You can also try a brush meant to clean braces, or even a toothpick.

Clean out the holes while you have the cup under running water.

If you are in a public restroom and can not wait to get home to empty the fluid, carry a water bottle with you and rinse while you are in the privacy of a stall. It is also a good idea to have some personal feminine wipes to handle the cup, clean your hands and yourself before re-inserting the cup.

Or, if you don’t have a bottle of water you can remove it, quickly pour the fluid out and replace the cup. It does not HAVE to be washed each time. You can wash it again when you get home.

Just be sure to wash your hands before removing it.

How to Sterilize/Sanitize Your Menstrual Cup

There are several ways to clean your cup, and many opinions of how often to sterilize them.

You can sterilize them as often as you like, from once per period, to every three months, to once before and once at the end of your period. As long as you are sterilizing it regularly, it’s all good.

Boiling

Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Place the cup in the boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes. The cups will float so a good way to keep them from coming to the surface is to fold them and place them between the wires of a metal wire whisk, or use the slats of a metal spatula and place them in the boiling water.

Be sure the water does not run dry or the silicone is not touching the bottom of the pan, which can damage or compromise the integrity of the silicone.

How to Store Your Menstrual Cup

Many cups are sold as a set with a breathable cotton bag. This bag is useful because not only does it help you stay discreet, it is the perfect place to store your cup.

The cup should always be stored in a place where air can flow, and the cotton bag is great for that. If you don’t have a cotton bag you can fold it up in a dry washcloth or similar cotton material. Read our menstrual cup reviews.

TOP 20 Menstrual Cup Reviews

Lunette Cup Reviews

Best Cup for High Cervix

Best Menstrual Cup for Low Cervix

If you are looking for the best menstrual cup for low cervix positions, Femmy Cycle cup may have the answer for you.

Highest Capacity Cup

Of all the period cup reviews we have done, Yuuki stands out as a high capacity cup.

Menstrual Cup Reviews for a Very Low Cervix

A low cervix is when the woman’s cervix sits lower in the vaginal canal, or closer to the vaginal entrance than other ladies. A very low cervix is one so low or close to the vaginal entrance that you can only get an index finger inserted one or two knuckles deep.

Some women with extremely low cervixes are not good candidates for menstrual cups, but that situation is uncommon.

Conversely, a high cervix sits up high, farther from the vaginal entrance, and can be hard to locate. Different cervix positions call for different cups, generally.

Best Soft Cup for Sensitive Bladders

In general, those with sensitive bladders want to avoid cups that use hard silicone or that have thick rims; both these things can irritate the bladder, causing discomfort and possibly making it difficult to urinate with the cup inserted.

Best Menstrual Cup for Overnight

Our period cup reviews showed again and again that some ladies struggle with getting a cup that can keep them leak free overnight. The Fleur cup may be the answer. Use only the best menstral cup.

Best Cup for Low Cervix and High Flow

Best Period Cup for Low Cervix

Best Menstrual Cup for Teenagers

Best Menstrual Cup for an Athletic Woman

Menstrual cups are great for athletic active women. You can swim, run, do CrossFit, yoga, and more with the cup. Active women tend to prefer the firmer cups, as they stay in place and when inserted properly, make a strong vacuum suction, adding security.

Best Menstrual Cup for Woman Who Have Given Birth Vaginally

Best Menstrual Cup for Women with No Children Who Have a Heavy Flow

Women, who have not had children, often need a menstrual cup with a smaller rim diameter. Giving birth naturally, or vaginally, increases the diameter of your cervix and softens it slightly.

There is not a huge difference between the cervix of a woman who has had children vaginally and those who have not, it is less than a few centimeters, but the difference is just enough to change the way the cup fits, which is why most manufacturers sell cups in two sizes.

Keep in mind; this is not a hard and fast rule. Some women who have given birth naturally are smaller and need size one, just as some women who have no children need size two.

Menstrual cups are quite literally NOT one size fits all; there are over 100 styles and sizes to choose from because women’s anatomy is not identical.

Best Menstrual Cup for Heavy Flow

Summary

We hope that at least one menstrual cup review helped you on your way to finding the best menstrual cup that is just right for you. Please don’t be discouraged if the first one does not work out, try a different style.

The first few cycles, most women find there is a learning curve, so set your expectations and it will get better with practice. And remember: use only the best menstrual cups!