Eco-Friendly and Comfortable: Best Menstrual Cups

Menstrual cups are a lifesaver for women around the globe. They are a mess-free solution that is also easy to use. These cups are also reusable, making them much more environmentally friendly than tampons or pads.

However, picking the right menstrual cup, especially for the first time, can be daunting. One of the reasons why is because there are so many different types and sizes of menstrual cups out there. Luckily, finding the right one for you is not that difficult if you take things one step at a time.

These are the factors that you need to consider and have a clear answer for if you want to find the best menstrual cup for yourself.

Length of The Cup

The length is one of the most important attributes of a menstrual cup. Choosing the wrong size can lead to leakage or discomfort as you move around throughout the day.

The best way to measure the length of the cup-you need-is to use the finger method. The distance between your vaginal opening and cervix is the key thing to note here.

You can use your knuckles as a rough estimate and buy a cup according to that measurement, but a better method is to use a ruler and note the accurate distance. Make sure to use this number when shopping for a cup.

Shape of The Cup

The ideal shape of the cup is heavily dependent on your personal preference, but your cervix distance is also an important consideration.

Low Cervix

If you have a short cervix, then S (small) cups are best for you. These are usually shorter than regular cups and are shaped like wide bells to provide adequate storage in a small form factor.

Medium Cervix

Medium cervix length gives you tons of options. You can go with small S-sized cups if you find their bell shape more comfortable, or you can even go with larger V-shaped ones. However, there are plenty of medium-sized cups available on the market, and you should be able to find one that fits you perfectly.

High Cervix

The high cervix offers even more choices when it comes to shape and size. However, large V-shaped cups are generally recommended as they are comfortable, as well as easy to reach.

Don't Forget About Vaginal Fornix

The vaginal fornix is the area around the cervix that is generally a little higher. The length labeled on the menstrual cup does not take this extra space into account. So, you can, but cups that are five to ten millimeters longer than your cervix distance as the cup sits a little higher.

Firm or Soft Cups

Menstrual cups come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and firmness levels, and this firmness level is more important than you think.

Just like every other parameter, your preference is the most important thing. However, there are some general guidelines you can follow when making a decision, especially for the first time.

Firm Cup

You should wear a firm cup if you move around a lot or do anything physically demanding. A soft cup might fail you in those situations and cause leakage.

Soft Cup

On the other hand, if you have a sensitive bladder, then a soft or medium-firm menstrual cup is the right pick for you.

Differences Between Brands

Keep in mind, though, that not every cup labeled as "firm" is going to be at the same level of hardness. There is a complete lack of standard among women's hygiene brands, and each one of them has its own definition of what counts as soft or firm. So, how do you find the one with just the right firmness?

You can obviously just buy a lot of different options and pick the one hands-on experience, but that does not make any financial sense. Instead, you should try to find a list on the internet that ranks different brands and cup models from softest to firmest.

Heavy or Light Flow

A lot of women ignore this factor when looking for the best period cup, but it is just as important as cervix length.

The normal recommendation is to go with a smaller cup for light flow and a larger one for heavier flow. However, these are just recommendations, and there is no real measurement of what counts as a "light" or a "heavy" flow. So, get the one that you feel comfortable with.

A bonus tip is to get the biggest size you're comfortable with, even if you have a light flow. This way, you don't have to worry about the cup for up to 12 hours or more.

Choose Reputable Brands

Although the size, shape, firmness, type of stem, and many other factors are completely up to your preference, choosing a brand is something that you should not take any chances with.

There are a lot of cheap brands lying about using "medical grade" silicone; they often have poorly designed cups that can cause severe discomfort.

So, your best bet is to go with a reputable brand that has tons of positive reviews on sites like amazon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a quick way to find the best menstrual cup?

The best method, by far, is trial and error as you will eventually find something perfect for you. However, if you want a quick size/shape recommendation, then look on the internet for menstrual cup quizzes. These websites will ask you a series of questions and then recommend the best match according to your answers.

What materials are menstrual cups made of?

The most common material for a menstrual cup is medical-grade silicon. It is completely non-reactive, non-damaging to your internal tissues, and easy to clean. However, some folks have silicon allergies. If that's the case for you, then look for a rubber or latex cup.

Should you own more than one cup?

Yes, if you can, then you definitely should. There are many benefits of owning more than one cup. You swap out different sizes as your cervix length changes during a cycle. You can also choose between firm and soft cups, depending on your schedule for a given day.