2019’s Best Menstrual Cups – Reviews
Feminine hygiene products for personal menstrual care have come a long way since the time where the only option was for women to use rags. These days, the menstrual cup has triumphed over products used for “period protection” such as tampons and sanitary napkins. Menstrual cups are an environmentally-friendly, comfortable, convenient, and cost-effective solution that are rapidly becoming the most preferred choice by women all over the planet.
With the rising popularity of the menstrual cup, there are more and more brands, varieties, and models being manufactured today. Because of the overwhelming amount of menstrual cups offered on the market, it can be very daunting to sift through dozen of brands to find which ones will accommodate you best.
Venus ® Menstrual Cup
Limited Offer! Get 10% OFF your order. Coupon Code: SAVE10MCR
The Venus Cup is a menstrual cup that is manufactured in USA. It is made out of 100% Medical Grade Silicon and comes in two different sizes, small and large. It was specially designed to accommodate a heavy flow, but it is still suitable for those who have a light flow as well. With its streamlined body and round base, it has a greater capacity in both small and large sizes than the majority of menstrual cups on the market without the added length (please check our detailed Venus cup review for more unique features and info).
Small Venus – Who is it meant for?
- Teens, virgins, new users, or those who have a medium to low cervix may find this size to be comfortable (how to determine your cervix height?).
- The small Venus Cup may be used for discharge, spotting, or a normally light to moderate flow.
- This size MAY be suitable for those that are under 30 years of age or those who have not had any pregnancies.
- Please only use this as a general guide if you are still unable to choose a size based on the details above.
- Using this method to choose a cup size is not very reliable.
- If you are unsure, the Double Pack is a great way to try both cups at a reasonable cost.
Large Venus – Who is it meant for?
- Those with a medium to a high, or a very high cervix will find this size easier to reach (how to determine your cervix height?).
- The large Venus Cup has high capacity for those with a moderate to very heavy flow.
- May be used to prolong wearing time for up to 12 hours for those who have a lighter flow.
- This size MAY be suitable for those that are over the age of 30 or those who have been pregnant.
- Please only use this as a general guide if you are still unable to choose a size based on the details above.
- Using this method to choose a cup size is not very reliable.
- If you are unsure, the Double Pack is a great way to try both cups at a reasonable cost.
Not sure which size to get? Try Venus Starter Kit (Double Pack)
- This double pack includes both sizes of the Venus Cup to suit your comfort and needs.
- Some people find a significant difference in the height of their cervix on different days. Having both sizes available may be a big benefit.
- Use one regularly and have a back up in your “Emergency Period Kit”.
- You save 50% on the second model
- Share the other with a friend!
Quality Control
There is no second guessing the quality of the Venus Cup!
- It is manufactured in the USA
- FDA registered (3003270419)
- Has proper ISO certificate
- Made of 100% Medical Grade Silicone and FDA compliant colorants
- Each cup is closely inspected and is sealed in a bag directly from the machine to eliminate chances of any type of contamination. It is then packaged and shipped to you with care
Competitive Price
The Venus Cup believes that everyone should have access to affordable menstrual health care. Although the price is comparably low ($19.99) to other menstrual cups on the market, feel assured that the quality was not sacrificed in any way. No matter what Mother Nature throws at you, the Venus Cup will have you covered! Additional information can be found on their official website venuscup.com.
Limited Offer! Get 10% OFF your order. Coupon Code: SAVE10MCR
LaliCup ® Menstrual Cup
A well made and well rounded cup that offers three sizes. Unique design that allows this cup to fold up smaller and easier as well as helps the cup unfold when it’s released. The two larger sizes have an impressive capacity.
This cup is Made in Slovenia with 100% Medical Grade Silicone and is available in colors Clear, Blue, Red, Green, Black, and Wine.
Yuuki Cup ® Menstrual Cup
This cup is Made in the Czech Republic with 100% Medical Grade Silicone and comes in two different sizes – Small and Large. The Yuuki large is slightly longer than other large-sized cups on the market. This may be useful for those with a high to a very high cervix. The capacity is on the higher side as well.
Yuuki offers two different firmness levels for your comfort – ‘Classic’ and ‘Soft’. The ‘Classic’ is available only in clear color, while the the ‘Soft’ firmness available in both clear color and ‘Rainbow” & ‘Bohemian’ colors (a mix of colors) as well.
Monthly Cup ® Menstrual Cup
A “V”-shaped cup that is available in three different sizes. The medium size is narrow and may be comfortable for those with a smaller vaginal opening. The body of these cups are soft but the upper rim has a good firmness to help this cup open after it’s inserted.
This cup is Made in Sweden with 100% Medical Grade Silicone and is available in colors Clear, Blue Sapphire, and Pink Topaz (Has offered limited edition colors).
Saalt Cup ® Menstrual Cup
This cup has a very nice finish and packing. The two sizes offered are slightly shorter than the average cup and may be comfortable for those with a medium/low cervix.
This cup is Made in the USA with 100% Medical Grade Silicone and is available in colors Himalayan Pink and Ocean Blue.
Menstrual Cup Brand Reviews (A-Z)
Menstrualcupreviews.net has you covered. We have investigated, researched, and comprised a list of the best menstrual cups currently manufactured and sold. It will not only save you time and effort, but also assist you in how to choose a menstrual cup so you can make the most appropriate choice possible.
Menstrual Cups 101
Just follow 8 simple questions and see all menstrual cups that best match your needs. Each matching cup will have a matching score.
Unlike other quizzes online, the menstrual cups in our results are not sponsored in any way, shape, or form. The results of this quiz are solely based on the answers you will provide. We are constantly working to improve the database as we obtain and add cups.
Click here to start the quiz »
Menstrual Cups are an alternative menstrual product that is typically reusable. They are worn internally to collect the menstrual flow instead of absorbing it and holds a greater capacity than an average disposable pad or tampon. Most can be worn safely for up to 12 hours depending on the amount of the menstrual flow. Since menstrual cups aren’t absorbent, they will not interfere with the body’s delicate pH or bacterial balance and will keep the flow in a liquid state as to not cause foul odors. Read More about Menstrual Cups »
Like everything else in life, it may take some time and practice to learn how to use a menstrual cup correctly. Knowing what to expect and having some tips and tricks under your belt before you begin can make a huge difference in your experience.
Topics such as various sitting or standing positions that may give you easier access, folds that will make for a comfortable inserting process, how to place the cup correctly under or around the cervix, when to empty the cup, how to remove it without pain, and some common issues that new users may face, and more, can all be found under ‘How to use’ tab.
Choosing your first menstrual cup can be a daunting task with so many choices available on the market these days. First of all, with menstrual cups becoming more and more popular, an influx of them are being manufactured. However, not all are of the same quality. It’s up to you to determine if you are willing to risk your health by choosing a cup that may have been made of questionable material or a cup that has been registered with its respected countries health & safety agency, (FDA – USA, TGA – Australia, Canada Heath, EMA – EU, etc). If you’re in doubt, visit the cups website, read reviews from other users who have experience with that particular brand, and seek information about them in forums or social platforms.
Many companies will have a size selection printed on the packaging based on your age or how many births you’ve had. However, these ‘rules’ aren’t always very accurate. One cup will NOT fit all. We are all different and so are cups.
Locating and measuring your cervix is one of the easiest ways to eliminate many cups that might not be comfortable or easy to work with your body. Cups come in all sorts of various shapes and sizes and while one might fit someone perfectly, it might feel uncomfortably long or be hard to reach for the next.
You may also want to think about how light or heavy your flow is so that you can select a cup with a capacity to match. Even some shorter cups that are comfortable for a low cervix, have variations that allow for a higher capacity.
These topics and more can be found at ‘How to Choose a Menstrual Cup’.
Already have some idea about the shape and size that you’re looking for? Visit the ‘Cup Comparison’ tool to view what brands might be within that range. You will also find some important information about the cup such as the material that it is made of, measurements, sizes, and some notes about that particular cup. Filtering or sorting examples:
- Menstrual cups for Very High Cervix »
- Menstrual cups for Medium/High Cervix »
- Menstrual cups for Medium/Low Cervix »
- Menstrual cups for Very Low Cervix »
- Menstrual cups with Higher Capacity (38 ml or more) »
- Menstrual cups with Medium Capacity (28-37 ml ) »
- Menstrual cups with Lower Capacity (27 ml or less ) »
- Menstrual cups that are Manufactured in the USA »
- Menstrual cups that are FDA Registered »
For many other filtering and sorting options Enter our menstrual cup comparison tool »
Everyone has questions about menstrual cups and we’re sure you will, too! In this section, you will find a plethora of common questions that are asked by both new and experienced users. Is it messy to use a menstrual cup? Can I trim the stem? Do I have to boil my cup? Can I still use a cup if I have long nails? How long will a menstrual cup last?
Find these and many other questions answered in an instant »
We understand that even though we tried to include a wide range of common questions and answers, you still may have one that is specific to your situation, or maybe we didn’t go into the details that you were searching for. In that case, the Menstrual Cup Review Forums might be the place for you.
Browse other questions that have been asked or submit a new one. Whether you use your name or submit your question anonymously, the admin or other Menstrual Cup Review members might be able to review and address your question personally.
I am trying to figure out which menstrual cup I should buy , and from what I read one of the biggest factors is if you have a high , low or medium length to your cervix. I did the finger test ( on the first and second day of my period), but I am still unsure, I wasn’t able to reach and maybe was just able to reach my cervix , but I have really short fingers, my longest finger is 2.5 inches long, so would that be considered a high cervix? I was reading a blog that mentioned 3-4 inches is what people where considering a high cervix . Also any suggestions for how I can try to see how far until I for sure can touch my Cervix besides my fingers, since they are too short?
Hi Kristen!
The questions I normally ask someone when they’re looking for a cup are:
-Cervix Height
-Physical Activities
-Bladder Sensitivity
-Light or Heavy Flow
If you’re having troubles finding or reaching your cervix, I would start with an “average” sized cup or a “medium” sized cup. Sorry to say, but you won’t know which way on the scale to choose until you at least try one. If you get a cup that’s on the longer side it will likely feel uncomfortable if it’s sitting too near the opening of your vagina. However, it’ll still have enough length for you to reach it easily (as a new user).
If you start off with a cup that’s too short for you, you might have troubles reaching it.
If you’re very active, you might rather have a firmer cup. A lot of people who do strenuous work outs find a firm cup stays open and in place better than a softer cup.
If you have a sensitive bladder, you might want to go with something softer or a cup without a flared rim. If you get a cup that’s too firm and you have a sensitive bladder, you might feel like you need to urinate more often or that you didn’t empty your bladder all the way when you do urinate.
If you have a light low, you can go with a size small. A heavy flow, then you’ll probably want something larger.
Some cups I would suggest looking into that are “middle of the road” are: Diva Cup, EvaCup, LaliCup, Casco Cup, Fleur, MeLuna Classic (large for heavy flow, medium for light flow), Lunette (on the shorter & firmer side), Yuuki (soft).
If you answer the other three questions that I normally ask, I might be able to narrow these cups down for you even further.
Good Luck and don’t hesitate to ask more questions 🙂
I just purchased my first cup and am not happy with it.
My friend gave me a softcup (unused of course) to try about a year ago and it was EXTREMELY uncomfortable and unbearable to wear.
It sealed fine and didn’t leak but man it pushed on everything and HURT, made cramps worse, and hurt even after taking out.
Some back story, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis so I have a swollen colon and anything that presses against my vaginal walls therefore presses against my colon and hurts. Cramps worsen the colon pain and then the pressing of the firm cup worsens it even more so …
I purchased the Lena Sensitive small because it stated it was designed specifically for “sensitive anatomies and bladders” so I imagined it would be super soft and perfect. It’s still too firm ! Has anyone used this cup and found an even softer one ? It’s a relatively new model by then though so it’s hard to find anyone that’s used it and had the same issue. And when I have to go to the bathroom (1 and esp 2) it begins to push itself out.
Also, the stem sticks out and is uncomfortable. I could trim it but I’m so paranoid that I won’t be able to grab it to take it out. The entire cup itself feels as if it’s too long to me.
Can anyone please help with this dilemma ?! I’m not sure how all these people can buy almost every cup on the market and try them when they’re around $30 a piece. I can’t manage to do that so I’d like to try to get it right instead of this trial and error buying.
Sadly, menstrual cups are not a “one size fits all” thing. It’s a rare thing when someone buys one blindly and it working out perfectly for them. You already know that there’s a big difference between the SoftCups by Instead/Flex Cups and the other type of cups like the Lena Cup.
A lot of it depends on the height of your cervix. If a cup is too long for you, it may sit right inside of the vagina and can be felt anytime you move around, or actually protrude from your body.
Normally a bell-shaped cup fits a low cervix better. A bell-shaped cup with a flared rim tends to ride up and sit higher. However, you may find a bell-shaped cup with a “regular” wide rim allows your cervix to sit inside of the cup better and still allows you the extra capacity.
Sometimes people find that a cup with a wider rim also helps to keep the cup in place. Others just feel more comfortable removing their cup to use the bathroom when they have a bowel movement, but can usually find a cup that is comfortable enough to use while urinating.
It sounds like you have a very low cervix since the Lena (bell-shaped w/flared rim) in a size small still feels, as you said, too long. You can trim the stem a grip ring by grip ring until you’re comfortable reaching it and comfortable wearing it. You can also try to flip your cup inside out and try it that way. If your cup is that low, you shouldn’t have any problems reaching for it though. If for some reason you can’t reach your cup at first, do a series of bear downing while squatting. This should bring your cup down little by little until you can reach it. Don’t forget to break the seal by pinching the cup or collapsing the rim before pulling. With some sensitivities I don’t want you to experience extra pain.
Double check to make sure, and try to do this while you have your period.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNoiRIMAhY0
There are several cups that are shorter than the Lena and some are softer.
Some cups that you can look into are:
Sckoon – small than most small cups, “gummy” silicone which makes it feel softer
Super Jennie – soft, wider rim, good capacity even for size small
Ruby Cup – smaller than most small cups, soft
MeLuna – Classic small or medium, or even the “Shorty” versions for a super low cervix
As for buying several cups, I wait for sales (almost every single holiday), I buy “destashed” cups and sanitize them to my liking, and/or I just save a bit here and there. I also have on going discount codes for certain sites that sell cups as well as other menstrual items.
FeminineWear.co.uk, MenstrualCup.co and/or SuperJennie.com = 10% off code: RedHerringTV
If you find that a cup doesn’t work for you, you can always resell them on one of the Menstrual Cup FB groups. There are people there that would be happy to find a deal and you recoup some of your funds back.
I hope that I covered all of your questions/concerns. Please let me know if there’s anything else I might be able to help with or elaborate on. 🙂
I bought a Lunnete size 1, I’m not completely happy with it… It’s really comfortable for me, after I cut a part of the steam I can no longer tell it’s there and it’s more or less easy to get out. During the day it didn’t support me as much as I could have wanted… had to change it between up to four hours (I guess I should have bought a size 2 but I was afraid it’d be too big, now I know better) but it did its job. My real problem is that it LEAKS A LOT AT NIGHT!! Part of the problem must be that I sleep upside down and the blood catches its holes.
Therefore I ask for your advise, do you know of a cup that is similar to the lunette cup (may be bigger but not much longer) that has no holes? Do you think that could be a solution? Sleeping at night with confidence of not leaking was my main motivation behind buying myself a menstrual cup in the first place…
Hi Mel!
I can’t think of very many cups that do not have holes; Lily Cup Original, Silky Cup (newer version), FemmyCycle. There’s a cup that has one single pin hole but it’s a “cheapie” cup and likely made out of food grade silicone if you’re worried. Mine doesn’t have a name, but it is known by several names as well as, “Ivita”.
Having no holes in a cup may or may not produce other problems. The most common is having the cup seal tightly around your cervix making it hard to remove. Some people can use them perfectly fine, others find it painful or too much trouble to deal with.
If you had to cut the stem on a size small, you probably have a medium to low cervix. You might find Bell Shaped Cups to “fit” better and supply you with a bit more capacity. The base of the cup is rounded and even if your cervix sits inside, there’s still space to collect. A better fit, and a higher capacity might help with leaking.
I’m not sure what you mean by “upside down”. I’ve know people to use inversion tables, yoga/handstands and aerial silk acrobatics and have been leak free.
Is this leaking happening every night that you use it?
You stated that during the day you have to empty it around four hours. If you’re sleeping for eight, then you’re probably just overflowing it. You’ll want to look into a higher capacity or bell shape.
Some cups you can look into would be Super Jennie small, Lena Cup small or medium, LaliCup medium, Ruby Cup medium, Fleur small, Sckoon large.
I recently picked up a Diva Cup size 1 and it’s currently getting its first “trial”. I wore a pad as backup the first two nights because my flow tends to be heavy then and it did overflow the first night. I practiced inserting and removing it a few days before the blood started and that really put me off on it, shoving it in and pulling it out hurt and I could feel it pushing on my bladder. I’m a 24 y.o. virgin and even large tampons can feel too big sometimes so this thing looked huge to me. It feels fine to wear during my actual period though, I guess I’m looser or more tolerant of foreign objects up there then, especially when the object isn’t drying like a tampon. It seems to open fine every time although I can’t always feel it do so (I run my finger around the bottom to make sure it’s round all around) and I haven’t had any leaks other than that one time it overflowed. I didn’t really have any cramps this time around, just an odd pressure that felt like the beginning of them, but that could have just been the cup suctioning to my cervix. My periods vary in whether they hurt or not so I can’t say whether the cup has anything to do with this, it’s just an observation. This is my first time using a reusable menstrual cup, I’ve used Instead soft cups before without problems and prefer them to tampons for swimming or other activities, but they’re messy to remove (even messier than Diva has been so far), a bit pricey per count compared to other disposables, and my local stores don’t consistently stock them, so when I saw a Diva Cup on sale for $20 US at a local supermarket, I decided to take the plunge and I’m glad I did. Personally this seems like a great investment, both for my clothing/bedding and my wallet, and I know it’s safe because it’s been made and tested in a country with good quality control (Canada) and I didn’t buy one of those Chinese knockoff cups made of lower quality silicon or plastic (or who knows what else) with no quality control or consumer safety concerns (although I know those can look very lucrative). I’d definitely recommend anyone curious about menstrual cups to do some research (such as on sites such as this one), look into your anatomy, and then shop around. Good quality cups come in the same price ranges as the Chinese ones do on some sites, so researching brands is more important than looking at prices. In fact, a lot of “brands” are just the cheap Chinese cups given a cute name and nice packaging, so be wary of any cup that’s made in China, or that looks just like the Chinese knockoff ones found on EBay or Aliexpress! (Or, on the other hand, if you really don’t care about where the cup came from, you can find the same exact cups on there for way less, sometimes as low as 50¢/cup.)
I’ve always got scared to try them because I have a Tilted uterus. nothing seems to stay in place! I am very curious if anyone else out there has similar problems and uses them? I would really appreciate your input thanks 🙂
I wish that you would put the different cups in a row, side by side, per size, so we could more easily see the shapes and differences between them. I currently use the disposable Softcup menstrual cup and absolutely love it because it is shaped like a diaphragm with a fairly rigid ring that easily snaps out and around the cervix and the collection area is basically a thin membrane that forms kind of a dish shape that is easily dumped out at removal (it is nice because it dumps into the toilet).
I am trying to figure out which shape would be the least irritating for me to try, it seems most of these are rocket shaped and pretty much the same. So having side by side comparisons would be helpful. Especially if you put the small sizes all together in one pic and then the large size together and then added the short or other options so they can be compared.
Check out previous star pads on YouTube. She does that.
Hi Vic,
Although a lot of menstrual cups look the same, there are slight differences in each. Those little things can make a big difference to certain people.
You can “spin the wheel” and buy any menstrual cup and give it a try. It may or may not work and fit with your body. The most popular cup for first timers is the Diva Cup. Only because it’s the one we hear about the most, might see on the shelf at the store and maybe even saw commercials of it.
However, the Diva Cup is a longer cup and may not fit someone with a medium to low cervix. It also might be a little too firm, putting pressure on a persons bladder or cause cramping. It could be a combination of the two or even more features on the cup, that would make a person not be able to use a particular cup.
There are a few questions I normally ask someone when they’re looking for a menstrual cup of “this” type (not SoftCup/Flex).
1. How high or low is your cervix?
-Someone with a high cervix might be happier with a “V” shaped cup. Normally they’re a little longer making it easier to reach for insertion and removal. Some “V” shaped cups are: Diva, Eva, CupLee.
-Someone with a low cervix might be happier with a “Bell” shaped cup. The bell shape allows a persons cervix to sit inside of the cup with out compromising all of the capacity. These cups can ride up and sit higher around your cervix so that it doesn’t sit too low or even sit outside of the vagina. Some “Bell” shaped cups are: Super Jennie, LaliCup, Si-Bell, Fleur, Lena.
-Someone with a very high cervix might want the longest cups on the market: LilyCup “Original” or LuvUrBody
2. Is your menstrual flow light or heavy?
-Small: light to medium flow
-Large: medium to heavy flow
Some cups come in more than two sizes such as the LaliCup, MeLuna, SilkyCup, LuvUrBody
3. Are you physically active?
-If you do sports, yoga, cycling, Zumba…anything with a lot of movement or bending you might want a cup that’s more firm. This will help keep your cup from collapsing while doing these movements.
Some firm cups are: Yuuki both soft & firm are more firm than most cups, Lunette, Lena, AmyCup “Crystal”.
4. Do you have a sensitive bladder/urethra?
-If you do, then a softer cup might be best. It will eliminate the pressure that a firmer cup & rim can apply to the bladder & urethra. If a firm cup makes you feel like you have to urinate more often or that you can’t empty your bladder all the way when you do, then the cup is too firm for you. This can also cause discomfort and/or cramping. Some softer cups are: Si-Bell, Super Jennie, Sckoon, UniCup, CupLee.
So now the combinations…
I know this seems like a lot of things to think about but once you can answer those, you can narrow down the selection of cups that might work best for you for your first try.
Remember that even if a cup doesn’t work for you, you know what you want or don’t want in your next cup. There are Facebook groups that you can sell your gently used cups to others to recoup some of your funds back if you need to try another cup. If you are not oppsed to buying and trying a used menstrual cup for less cost, you can also check these the Facebook pages. You can boil or microwave the used cups to sanitize them, as well as soak them in peroxide/water.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNoiRIMAhY0
Good Luck!
Hi Vic,
Currently, the best solution we can provide you with is our on-site comparison tools – https://menstrualcupreviews.net/comparison/. You can sort the results by different size parameters.
Good luck 🙂
I am 36 YO, not married women. What size should I wear.?
Please post your question here – https://menstrualcupreviews.net/questions/category/menstrual-cups-size-and-features/
I really think the Lena cup should be on here, it’s an amazing cup! I own a large and have a low cervix but it’s perfect. I had trouble with so many cups especially the diva cup, after 3 years of trying different cups and almost giving up the Lena is perfect for me!
I am using the cup for the first time. No leakage, it was uncomfortable for a little while, then I cut most of the tail off, now I don’t feel it at all! I have emptied it twice, gross but neat in a weird way. Ew.
I practiced a few times before my period, never thought it was opening properly. It must be opening though, as I am not leaking and even the outside of the cup doesn’t seem to be messy.
I am 46, had one C-section 24 years ago and I have to wear the smaller size. I bought and tried both. So don’t let anyone tell you that just because your older, you will need the larger one. Not true.
Im pickled tink that this is working. Cool! No more tampons for me!!!
I am using the Diva Cup since several years. Just bought a new one. To me it is important that the menstrual cup is made from medicin silicon. Medicin silicon is easy to clean, i do that with toothpast and hot water. From time to time i cook it in hot water. So it is free from bacteria and clean. It saves a lot of money, because pads and tampons are expensive in germany. If you like to do sports (watersports) and if you like to wear modern fashion. Or if you be at areas where no tampons and pads get to buy, than a menstrual cup is the right thing. //// Kati