Choosing a Menstrual Cup

Choosing The Best Menstrual Cup

It can seem very daunting choosing a menstrual cup there are so many choices and variables.  The female anatomy is very accommodating and many people can use any period cup without problems however like shoes some menstrual cups fit your feet a bit better than others.

Don't just buy a menstrual cup as you have heard of the menstrual cup brand instead have a read through our article below and we'll explain how to choose the right menstrual cup size for you. Then once you know your personal requirements use our menstrual cup comparison chart to find your perfect menstrual cup.

The key things to consider when choose a menstrual cup are:

• Height of Cervix
• Firmness of the Cup
• Menstrual Flow

Height of Cervix

This is one of the most important things to consider as it helps determine how much room you have for your cup length and if you should have a stem or should trim it for comfort.

Your cervix is at the end of your vagina and is the part that dilaltes in labour.

Your reusable menstrual cup will sit below your cervix or in some cases your cervix will sit just inside the cup. Your cup should push against your vaginal walls creating a seal and preventing leaks. You can of course buy a menstrual cup without knowing the height of your cervix but if you do know it will help get a better fit.

Your cervix can change in position and height throughout your cycle so it’s best to measure your cervical height during your period. Checking your cervix height is somewhat messy but once you know the height it’s not something you should need to check again unless you have any gynalogical changes. Sometimes the right menstrual cup for the start of your cycle can be different to the cup you need at the end of your cycle.

How To Measure

• Check while standing up so that it’s most accurate, lying down can alter the position.
• Do not check before, during or after sexual intercourse as the cervix can change position and your vagina can also change length and width.
• Wash your hands and ideally have short and clean nails, you don’t want any unnecessary scratches!
• A popular way is to raise one leg on the toilet seat.Insert your middle finger until you can feel your cervix. It will feel soft and squishy and you’ll possibly find a dimple in the middle a bit like a donut.

As a rough guide you have a:

• Low cervix if you can reach it by the first kuckle on your finger (the first bend at the top of your finger)
• Middle cervix if you reach it on your second knuckle or middle of your finger.
• High cervix if you can’t reach it or you have almost all your finger inside.

Firmness of Menstrual Cup

Menstrual Cups are generally all made of medical grade silicone but vary in firmness. Most menstrual cups are latex free which is great option for people with latex allergies.

A Firmer cup is better if you do a lot of exercise and/or have strong pelvic floor muscles as they pop open easier and won't collapse under the pressure of your internal muscles.  We have a full separate article where we discuss all options for "Exercise & Reusable Sanitary Products" However some people find firmer cups not as comfortable and can put pressue on their bladder making it harder to empty your bladder. An example of a firm cup is the Meluna Sport.

Softer cups are better for sensitive bladders and are easier to insert however a softer cup can be harder to pop open into position especially if you have strong muscles. They are not considered the best option for sporty people and younger girls who tend to have a stronger pelvic floor. The Saalt Soft cup is incredibly popular.

Flow

If you have a heavy flow of menstrual fluid you'll need a bigger capacity cup. Cup capacity and cup size are often more important than choosing a cup based on your age. Many cups suggest that people under 30 without children need a smaller capacity cup however if you have a heavy menstrual flow ignore this and go for the larger cup. Menstrual cup sizing usually involves two sizes one small and one large however some brands also offer XL options.

Menstrual cup sizes vary but they generally hold more than tampons.

If you've never used a tampon and haven't been sexually active then i'd start with a smaller cup until you get the hang of it. It's the same advice given when you first start with tampons to use the mini size. Meluna make some lovely small sizes ideal if this is you.

Now you're ready

Once you have all this information now visit our menstrual cup comparison chart here to choose your perfect cup.

Can i use a menstrual cup if I couldn't use tampons?

If you unsure about using a menstrual cup as you can't use tampons, read our article which explains why you shouldn't worry.

What happens if you use the wrong size menstrual cup?

If you use a cup that is too small you are more likely to get leaks or need to change far more frequently. If the cup is too large you may be able to feel it or find it makes your urine flow slower.