184 Responses

1. This is very useful in determining which brand to go with. Sometimes with so many options out there it can be really confusing! =)

2. Would a cup work well for after child birth? I’m due in October and considering this instead of those huge ‘mommy Pampers’ pads they gave me for my son… (I’ll probably be having a repeat c section, so I don’t have to worry about vaginal healing or anything)

   1. It is not recommended by any of the manufacturers, and I wouldn’t use one for lochia. Perhaps after a some weeks when the bleeding slows, but I would ask your physician or midwife before doing that.

      I hated the awful pads too, even the store bought ones. They chaffed and were very uncomfortable. You might consider cloth. You could even DIY. This pattern is super easy to use and is a great way to use up scrap fabrics.
      https://theecofriendlyfamily.com/2011/06/mama-cloth-plus-free-patterns/

   2. You also can’t use tampons after birth until your 6 week check up so cups would be the same. Nothing is supposed to go up there until then because your cervix doesn’t close immediately after delivery, and you are opening yourself up to infections if you use things. Not to mention, ouch!! I could not imagine putting anything inside for a while after birth. I’m going with some type of postpartum cloth. I’ve heard they are super comfy. I really don’t know about a c-section though, you would think that your cervix and all that would still be sensitive for a few weeks, I’m not really sure though. I would ask your doctor

      1. I know this was forever ago but even after a c-section( i had one recently) you still cannot use tampons.

   3. Your cervix will change as part of the process of labour, regardless of what type of birth you have. Even though vaginal birth didn’t occur, you would have still dilated (had you gone into labour and not had an emergency premature c-section) and over the course of the pregnancy, your vagina changes in preparation for passing a baby.

   4. I realize this is no longer relevant to the initial commenter but for anyone else who stumbles across this, I saw on one of the baby message boards that some women were using Depends.

      I had used the giant hospital pads and mesh undies with my first. I tried the Depends with my second and they were sooo much better. I highly recommend them for post delivery, though I’m not sure if they would be uncomfortable after a c-section because I think they do come up higher but are nice and stretchy.

   5. I would not recommend it !! to be frank if you cant put a penis inside you can’t put a cup inside. and lochia is pretty dense

3. This was so informative! I had no idea that there were so many brands from which to choose. It’s nice to know there are options, but it can also be a little overwhelming. Glad you broke it down for us!

4. Thank you for all the information! I had no idea there were so many possibilities!

5. These tables were really useful when I decided to buy my first one. I got the right size, but there are more details, such as curves, that make the cup fit better or worse and the only way to find out is to try them.

6. How about MeLuna cups they ship to the US!
   I think meluna size S is the smallest cup on earth (15ml cappacity), which is great for teenage girls.

   1. I’ll check out their website, thank you!

7. I really want to try this out, but I don’t know how about going to do this. I don’t have a clue what size I would need. I remember once my doctor telling me I had a tilted uterus and a narrow cervix, but that was several years ago. I’ve had two children and I my flows start out SUPER SCARY HEAVY (like, I have to wear a jumbo tampon and an over night pad if I just want to function for an hour)….granted, it gets better by day two or three were I can just get away with wearing a tampon then. Also, what is the time frame on these? Can you sleep in them? I am a tampon wearer (except for that first day or so like I mentioned), but I wear pads at night because I am terrified of TSS. Also, how hard are they to remove? I have trouble just removing tampons sometimes and I am scared to try the “birth control cups” because I don’t know if I would able to remove it! What do you think? How do I go about figuring out which brand or which size.

   1. I also have a tilted uterus, and I use the cup just fine. I know several women that use cups with a heavy flow, they simply need to empty them more often on the first day or so of their period.

      With a heavier flow, I would likely choose the larger size cup of any brand you’re interested in, since it would hold more, hopefully making your first day or two easier.

      All of the women I know wear their cup overnight. I empty my cup 2-3 times per day, total. It’s quite convenient and safe.

   2. Lunette made a great informative video that goes over removal, tss and comparison to pads and tampons.
      

8. Thank you so much for this article and guide. I have been wanting to try these and with the price I was apprehensive without knowing which size would work for me.

9. Thank you so much! I think I have decided on the Diva Cup and will be ordering it (and a few washable pads) on Monday. I feel like a hypocrite using cloth of my baby and still using “paper and plastic” on myself!

   1. I actually made the switch the other way around–I started cloth pads for myself before I was married or had kids, and I was like, “Wow! These are so much more comfortable than disposable! There’s no way I can put disposable on a baby now!”

   2. I actually made the switch the other way around–I started cloth pads for myself before I was married or had kids, and I was like, “Wow! These are so much more comfortable than disposable! There’s no way I can put disposable on a baby now!”

10. Fleurcup ships their cups to the US.
    http://fleurcup.com/default-en.html

    It’s a lovely brand, very well made, and suitable for users who have a low cervix.

11. I’ve used the Diva Cup for several years. Two years ago I moved up to the larger size. I always have trouble with leaks – have a super heavy flow – and have to empty every 3 hours or so. Do you recommend a different brand??

    1. compare your Diva to other cups here: http://sizecharts.livejournal.com/ you’ll see that the large Diva holds about 25mls to the airholes. The Large Fleurcup, Large Si-Bell, Large Yuuki and XL Meluna hold about 30mls to the airholes, and 35-42mls to the rim. a cup like one mentioned above that has a ’round bottomed’ shape can hold more than one with a ‘pointy v’ bottomed shape like the Diva, Lunette or Mooncup. 🙂

12. I’m looking into getting another cup. I’ve used the Diva (model 1) for years but I can get the Lunette through my pharmacy so I’m leaning towards model 2 of that. Can you give me any information on how to know if the circumfrence would be too big? It’s only a 3mm difference in diameter. Would it only be a problem on insertion and then I wouldn’t feel it anyhow?
    Thank you!

13. Pingback: There Will Be Blood. Alt title- The Most TMI Post Ever About The Diva Cup | Dirty Diaper Laundry

14. What keeps the blood from leaking back into the uterus , through the cervix? I am imaging that when I would lay down it could leak backwards and I don’t imagine that would be a good thing. I always though the cervix was somewhat open to allow the blood to leave the uterus/ So what keeps it from going back up into the uterus?. I never saw anyone ask that question and somehow I have the wrong picture in my mind especially if someone was diving, or tilted upside down like a gymnast. thanks for answer.

    1. I see what you’re saying but I think of the cervix is more like a valve. The uterus has cramps and contractions that help move the fluid down and out through the cervix. To go back up would require force.

       This is a totally crazy analogy but my kids have these silicone squeeze food containers that sort of work for this illustration. I fill up the container (uterus) with food, put the lid with valve on (cervix) and when I squeeze (cramps/uterine contractions) the food will come out, but it’s nearly impossible for food to go in through the valve without serious help from outside forces.

    2. If you think about it, it would really be no different than wearing a pad overnight or while upside down or anything like that. Nothing to stop the blood from flowing up the vagina instead of down and into the pad – and yet that’s never caused problems. The cervix is pretty darned good at its job, and it is quite closed during your period.

15. Pingback: Menstrual Cups: What Every Woman Should Know | Dirty Diaper Laundry

16. I’ve been using a Diva Cup size 2, (I’m 37 years old and have had 2 kids. My youngest is 1 1/2 years old) on and off for the past 4 years. I’m 5feet 1 inch tall and about 110lbs.
    At first I found it worked really well, but since having my second child it slips and leaks and is in general a pain in the vag. Literally! I know my insertion hasn’t changed (and I went back and re-read the instructions), and I’ve done some trouble shooting. I’ve stopped using it for the past couple of months, just because it’s so frustrating!!
    My question is: Do I need a shorter cup? A narrower cup?
    Thanks!

    1. Any cup is going to ‘slip’ if your muscles aren’t what they were pre-children etc. I would suggest getting some ben wa kegel balls and wearing them around the house while you do the washing up etc and gradually increase how long you keep them in for over a couple of months. you should see some changes after 12 weeks of using them, but you need to combine kegels with squats too as all the muslces work together.

       I would also have a look to see where your cervix is on your period (it tends to move down then and you want the cup to be right underneath it to prevent leaks) as it’s possible your cervix is lower down than it used to be, so flipping your Diva inside out to temporarily shorten it or getting a cup with a shorter body could work. or your cervix could be more to one side than before and you just need to aim the cup underneath it more.

       I hope this helps! 🙂

    2. You may want to try a different size cup. While most cups fit similarly, in my opinion, the slight differences can make a difference if you are experiencing slipping, leaking, poking (from a cup too long), etc.

    3. I’ve read that sometimes flipping them inside out following birth can work wonders.

    4. You might want to try a cup with a larger diameter. That would help your muscles keep it in place better because they don’t have to squeeze so much. I found that a shorter cup with a larger diameter was better for me postpartum because my cervix is much lower and muscles weaker. I am doing levels and squats, but it takes time to see results from that.

       1. Kegels, not levels lol!

17. Pingback: Menstrual Cups and Mama Cloth – It’s Life Changing! | Diapershops Blog

18. Thanks for the info!

19. This was an interesting post – Thank you for all of the information provided. I studied it forever before deciding on the Luna cup size 2… I would say that I have a love/hate relationship with it. Some days, I get it in perfectly and I never know it’s in there, and other times, I feel it ALL day long and it leaks. I still always wear a liner when I have the cup in, and I would like to feel comfortable enough to not need one at all. I’ve tried inserting it several different ways/times, but I’m guessing from reading the comments that maybe I just need to try a different brand/size, turn it inside out or something. I’m hesitant to spend more money on another brand or size and have it not work at all. I made some pads from your patterns – I may just stick to those!! 🙂

    1. I bought a diva cup because it’s available at pharmacies. Had the same problem as you – I could feel it and it leaked. Turns out, after some feeling around, that during my period my cervix is super low. Not only does the cup almost poke out (uncomfortable), the opening is actually past my cervix. I’m about the order a meluna shorty to see if that solves the problem. The divacup is about the lgest cup out there! Even turned inside out it’s too long for me.

20. Your charts with the lengths and diameters are very helpful! I have only tried the Diva, but I can use this info to try some other brands that might be an even better fit. Thanks!

21. Pingback: Menstrual Cups | Gourmet B.C.
22. Pingback: All the Good Blog Names are Taken » TMI Series: The Moon Cup Menstrual Cup

23. Though most cup companies ship to the USA (I’ve gotten Fleur, Femmecup and MeLuna directly from their respective sites) I want to recommend femininewear.co.uk – Teresa Francis is knowledgeable and so helpful. She stocks MANY brands of cups and has comparison pictures as well as other reusable period options and accessories.

24. What about the Lily cup and how do you suggest cleaning it and are there some things to watch out for, any safety issues?

25. Oh! And are these made of same or different materials and does that matter?

26. Pingback: TMI Post of the Month | Natural Doctor | Stone Naturopathic

27. First, thanks to Amanda and all of the contributors. This information is very helpful.

    Here is my problem: I have used my size 2 Diva cup for one night and one day now. And both times that I attempted removal, it was a frustrating struggle that caused a cold sweat and a lot of anxiety. I tried implementing the tips on the Diva FAQ (ie push cup down with pelvic muscles and squeeze base to release suction), but this did not help. I just could not get my index finger and thumb gripping the stem enough to pull it out. I am fairly sure that insertion was done correctly. The second time, I made sure it was not inserted too far, but it seemed to insert further as the day wore on. I have had some problems using a diaphragm, so perhaps this is not the right option for me. Here are my questions:

    (1) Is there something obvious that I am doing incorrectly?
    (2) It’s still a day or two until I am supposed to start my period, but I am spotting. Is it possible that removal is easier once my period has fully begun?
    (3) Is there a brand that is known to be easier to remove? I looked for a longer device but can see that that Diva is the longest listed.

    Any advice is much appreciated as I am eager to give up tampons. Aside from the removal, the cup is far more comfortable than any tampon I have tried.

    1. I think I have mastered it, or at least figured out how to get it out. Thanks agin for the great post!

28. I can’t tell you how many times I looked at this chart when deciding what to get. Awesome resource! I’m amazed at how many brands there are, and it seems like there’s a new cup on the market all the time! Ruby Cup is another great one that I considered, with great company ethics. They donate a cup for every cup purchased to a school girl in Africa so that she doesn’t have to miss or drop out because of her period.

29. this is an awesome resource for cup newbies! Thanks!

30. Pingback: Meet Vera the Vagangelist! {Episode 1} | Dirty Diaper Laundry

31. I tried a version from the store, they were disposable, years ago. They were round and flat. One thing I noticed was it seemed to make urination more difficult. When I removed it, it seemed easier to ‘pee’. I worried about causing a UTI. any thoughts ? I’m excited to try one of these newer types. I’m over tampons. And trying to move into a healthier means of maintaining my moon :). Thanks!

32. Pingback: Do Menstrual Cups Leak? - Trimester Talk

33. Thank you for all this informations, this is really helpfull, you should review on each one.

34. This chart would be so much easier and more helpful if you didn’t have ads covering the right side.

35. I have a Diva Cup size 2 that I’ve used, but switched back to tampons because it was uncomfortable for me. It seemed to be putting too much pressure on the vaginal wall. I am 33 and have had one child via c-section. Have you ever heard of anyone using the size meant for younger women even though they “fit” the size 2 parameters? I don’t want to spend the money on a new cup just to find out that it won’t work. Thanks!

    1. Definitely YES!
       Most brands recommend women my age (over 40) use the larger size, but I opted for the smaller and found they are still too big. (It took me an hour, pain, tears, and some tearing to remove the Diva cup. It created suction that I couldn’t break – I could see and feel the flesh from inside me in the cup, but couldn’t get the seal to break.)
       I have tried the small sizes of Diva and Sckoon, and can’t use either. I had no intention of trying another cup, but Tampax just stopped making the slender cardboard applicator tampons (pink box), so I’m reconsidering. [Tampax still makes “lite” tampons, but only with plastic applicator or in a combo pack that includes 10 lites (ok), 20 regular (can use sometimes), and 10 super (can’t use!).]
       I came across this site with its fantastic comparison chart/tool (thank you, Amanda!) and will try the “teen”/petite Femmy Cycle next, as it has the smallest measurements. (Meluna small would be next on my list.)

       (Sorry this is a few years late, but might be helpful for others reading later.)

36. Pingback: Getting Pregnant Naturally

37. All other things being equal, I went with the Ruby Cup because of their efforts to help girls in undeveloped areas cope with their periods. Menstruation is inconvenient for most of us, but when you don’t have access to sanitary toilets, or the means to purchase expensive disposable products, it can be debilitating. Ruby Cup works with agencies like Femme, Red Cross, and SIDA to distribute cups to girls and educate them about menstrual health and hygiene. They have a “Buy One, Give One” policy: for every cup sold, they donate one to a girl in Kenya. The cup itself is great! So easy to use, much cleaner and tidier than I ever imagined. I thought it would be a mess to remove and empty, but it’s not at all. In fact, I find it much less messy than using tampons. I wish I had started using a cup years ago!

    1. I should add that I’ve had 3 children, and the one-size-fits-all Ruby Cup suits me just fine. Perfect seal, no leakage whatsoever (even at night!).

38. Hi i wonder if that happens to everyone.
    I’m thinking of switching to cups over pads and tampons, but I’m afraid it will slid out my vagina.
    Sometimes when I’m wearing tampons and I go toilets, depends on how much I push it comes out… I’m 36, 2 natural births. Doesn’t mean my cervix muscles are not strong enough to hold the cup in place?
    Thank you

    1. Cups fit differently than tampons in some ways. The rim helps hold it into place against the vaginal walls. That doesn’t mean that it can’t be pushed down, but if you have a cup that fits it shouldn’t come out entirely on its own. I’d suggest looking at a cup with a larger circumference if that’s a concern.

39. Hey Karen
    I just checked out the Ruby cup website and order one cup!
    I now realise they don’t have a choice of sizes… Bummer!
    But I thought was very touching the way they are sending a free cup to Kenya!
    Hope that cup fits me well and the girls who is getting it too!

40. I have had 2 csections im 30yrs old. I have no clue
    Where to start with this chart other than look at one for 30/after childbirth. But i’ve never had vaginally births. What is recommended?

    1. Generally brands recommended their larger size if you are over 30 (or) have had a vaginal birth (because as we age our pelvic floor can become weaker). It’s not a rule, but a general guideline. If you’re unsure, you might consider going with a brand that meets your needs (or preference) on length and capacity and has a smaller difference in circumference so that it will be less of a factor.

       Please feel free to email me if you’d like more personal help choosing and don’t want to post here.

41. I am super new to menstrual cups and have a Lunette model 1. I am young, have a low cervix, am pre children, and have a light flow because of my BC. I can feel the Lunette! It feels like a balloon in me and seems to put pressure on my bladder. Does this mean my body just isn’t suited to cups? Or can anyone suggest a potentially better fit? I am really keen to have menstrual cups work for me and be comfortable.

    1. Hi! I know it is a year later but I personally would look into Meluna Classic Small. It is, I think, the smallest cup out there with a 1.5″ inch diameter, as well as being the softest cup which is important for you since you feel your cup. I also am young (am 22), have low cervix, and am pre children as well, I had the meluna since I was 18 – and I could never feel it – is is sooo comfortable. I just felt its capacity was too small for me, as I had to change it more frequently than I would like, and wanted a cup with stronger suction. Now I have just bought a small Lunette ironically, haven’t tried it yet. If you want an even softer cup Meluna has a Soft cup often if you want that, not the classic. Good luck! 😉

42. Hello, I just tried the Diva cup too. It works great when I’m sitting or lying down and I’ve had no leaks. However, it slips when I’m standing, walking. I tried inverting it, and that does help (it’s not sticking out) but it still drops a bit and I feel pressure. Is there another brand you would recommend or perhaps something else I’m doing wrong?

    1. *Diva cup 2

    2. You might try a slightly wider cup and that may help. Before investing in a new cup, you might try kegals and squats to strengthen your pelvic floor to see if that helps. (Says the woman who never remembers to do them.)

43. Thank You!

44. Hi,
    I am a 30 yr old w/no children and a tilted uterus. I have been wearing the diva cup 1 for years. I love it, but because I also have a copper IUD and a very heavy flow for a few days things can get messy. At times I have woken up twice in a night to empty my overflowing cup! I wear a pad for safety.
    On my lighter days things are mostly fine. On my heavier days I feel like it will leak even when the cup isn’t nearly full. I was thinking my tilted cervix may be to blame and or the string from my IUD may be causing me issues. Do you think I may be better if with a bigger/wider cup?
    Thank you!

    1. You might try the next size up, it’s slightly wider and that may help with a better ‘seal’.

45. Pingback: Lunette Cup and Luna Pads~ How I Changed My Way of Thinking – How To Be Myself
46. Pingback: Menstrual Cup Comparison Chart & Visual Tool | #Vagangelist
47. Pingback: Copa menstrual: Lo que todas deberían saber | SexoFacto

48. Hello all, Amanda, thanks so much for this helpful information. Your chart and insight has really convinced me to invest in my first feminine cup. I have been interested for a while but am just recently hearing more feedback from women that are satisfied with the products. Like someone else mentioned, I have no idea where to start with brand and size? I am 35 with a 1yr old by vaginal birth. I have recently increased my water intake to mo less than a half gallon a day & my menstrual cycle has drastically changed. No cramps and a much lighter flow and no odor at all. Any suggestions on where to start? I was thinking of the Ruby cup bc it’s one size & they donate to a great cause…

    1. Thank you so much, and that’s awesome about your cycle. I can’t speak to the Ruby cup, since I haven’t tried it yet, but I am very happy with the Juju cup and Diva. I think I use them most right now, but preference will vary for different women. If you choose a sized cup, I would get one geared towards women who have given birth.

49. I am 26 and have had 1 natural childbirth. I am very petite, 5’5 and 100 lbs. I am considering the Lily Cup Original but not sure if I should go with size A or B. Based on my age and size I would choose the A but since I have given birth they would recommend the B. What is it about giving birth that would make me need a larger cup? My vagina is just as tight if not tighter than it was before giving birth.

50. Pingback: Which Menstrual Cup is Right for YOU? | Learning to Love Yourself

51. How can you tell how low your cervix needs to be to be considered a low cervix? Does that make sense? Is there a chart somewhere that can specify?

    1. Hi Kayla,

       There’s not really a chart, but you can easily find out feeling for the position during your cycle – and specifically during your period (because the position moves throughout the month). If it’s hard to reach (or you can’t reach it at all) your cervix is high and you may want a longer cup. If you have a cervix that is easy to reach but not extremely low, you may be just fine with most lengths. If your cervix sits just inside of your vagina (you barely have to reach to touch it) you have a low cervix and will want to choose a shorter cup.

       I hope that helps!

52. Fleur cup from France is my favorite. Lunette my second. I ordered it online just fine and it came by mail.

53. Hi! Great post. I use a moon cup size A (I am 38 and 2 kids). Unfortunately it often leaks a bit and the moon cup always end up very high which make it tricky to remove. I also have a tilted vagina and not very strong muscles I believe! Would you recommend another cup that might troubleshoot the issue? Many Thanks

54. i’ve used the lunette cup model 1 and the me luna classic small (with easy removal ring). with both of these cups they seem not to be able to open fully and then slip up so far before they make a seal, that it’s nearly impossible for me to remove. i’ve considered getting a smaller cup so it can open fully, but am afraid it will slip too far to reach at all, but a larger cup i can barely get in there and then it won’t open. i feel like I’m either built wrong for using a cup or i must be doing something wrong. it seems like i have a narrow yet long vaginal canal. any suggestions?

    1. You might try the Lily Cup (original, not compact). The smaller size is a slender cup, but longer. The silicone is also silky soft.

55. Thank you for providing this information. I bought my Diva cup last November. I love that it has changed my life literally but I find it a little long and irritated me some. This chart has helped me select my next cup. Again thank you!

56. Pingback: Why I Switched to a Menstrual Cup - Family Sprouts

57. Hi! This is a great resource! I’m new to cups and I have a Lunette 2 and have to change it every 2-3 hours (very heavy flow). I’m looking for something with a higher capacity to give me a bit longer window but that’s not super super wide. I saw the Yuuki 2, Ruby Cup 2 and Ladycup but didn’t see any of them in the pictures in your chart. Do none of them ship to the USA or am I just missing them? Do you have any experience with any of them? Thanks!!

    1. Thank you so much 😀 I hope to add more cups to my visual chart, but I am generally only able to add them as they are provided to me. I would love to order them all, but that would be quite an investment! I do update this any time I get a new cup, so definitely check back for that.

       As for a larger capacity cup – if you find that your cup is completely full, you do probably want to look for a cup with a higher capacity if you’re hoping to empty less often. If you are getting leakage without an entirely full cup, you might want to just try flipping yours inside out to see if it makes a difference – or try another brand that has a differently shaped cup.

58. Hello! I really want to make these work! I tried Diva cup and the handle that hangs down was *really* uncomfortable, poking me! Which ones do you recommend for folks like me? I might try Softcup, but I really want something that is truly re-usable, and I don’t necessarily want something going all the way up to my cervix.

    Thanks!

    1. Have you tried trimming, or even entirely removing, the stem? I’m not a fan of stems and generally cut them all of the way off. I’d give that a try and see if you find it more comfortable. If after cutting, you still aren’t in love, try flipping it inside out too.

       1. Thanks! I give that a try. I also ordered a Femmycup with just a ring. We’ll see how that goes…

59. Omg whos would ever use one of these!! So gross!!

    1. They are truly much better than you might imagine. When I was younger, I didn’t even want to buy my own tampons, let along talk about menstrual products. Ever.

       You can read more about why and how I changed my mind here, if you are interested:
       https://theecofriendlyfamily.com/2012/04/how-i-came-to-love-menstrual-cups-diva-cup-giveaway/

       The bottom line, for me, is that these are much healthier and *so* much more convenient! I find that they work better and I don’t have to deal with any of the things that I did with tampons.

60. Hey! First, thanks for this useful and complete review! The pictures really helps! I have a question for you girls: First time I tried the ”petite” diva cup size. It was a nightmare, it stucked really high inside my vagina, it was kind of stucked into the flesh. After several minutes trying to get it off, I finally trowed it into the trashcan. What kind of cup should I try? I find it a little bit difficult to put on tampons, I think I got really strong pelvic muscles or something. Thanks! (sorry for my bad english, it’s not my first language!!)

    1. Diva is one of the longer cups, but there are certainly others that are longer because of their stems. The Lunette’s tail is longer, as is the MCUK, the new LENA Cup, and the Lily Cup — just to name a few.

       If the cup is ever up high, the best thing to do is try to relax and/or get into a more relaxed position. Squatting or propping one leg up could help too. You can use the stem to gently pull the cup down to where you can more easily reach it. Then use your finger to push in the side of the cup just enough to release the suction, and you can pull it out the rest of the way.

       It can take a little time to get use to it. I’d encourage giving it a few cycles to be a pro. It’s worth it, and once you’ve got the hang of it and are comfortable and confident with it, you’ll be glad not to have to deal with tampons.

       Your English is great btw 🙂 I hope this helps!

61. wow,you made this huge chart which answers my question under your video…sort of. I have fibroids and clot very badly…I have been fearful of trying some of these and having very bad leaks.

62. I’d love to see comparisons for softness. The diva was way to long, big, and firm for me-same with the Lunette. I was finally diagnosed with a cystocele so I think that is why I have had excruciating pain using any cups for the 6 years I have tried them (with the few years of with two more kiddos). Hoping that the Meluna will work for me but I had to buy one from Europe because they don’t sell soft ones in the U.S. I debated the Femmycycle one too though.

63. I have been using my diva cup 2 for a little over a year and love it! My 10 yr old daughter is showing signs of starting her period soon and I dont want her using tampons or chemically laden pads. Im not sure she would be ready to deal with keeping up with reusable/washable pads while at school either. Is it advisable to have a young girl use them or should we just start with “all natural” disposable pads when the time comes?

    1. It depends on how mature she is and if she’s interested. Young girls can use them for sure, though it’s easy to keep up with pads- you just slip them in a wetbag.

    2. I’ve known girls that used cloth pads without problems (the make great wet bags that are small enough to tuck in a purse), but organic disposable pads are a safe option as well and may be easier to handle at school. I don’t personally know anyone with a young girl that has used a cup, but I have read comments from women who do. I would talk with her and see what she’s comfortable with. If you need to go the disposable route in the beginning, there are some great brands available now.

64. I have tried the soft cup and then became pregnant with my first child…trails are on hold! I did notice a lot of leaking. Does this improve with the rubber/ silicone styles?

    1. The softcup leakes a lot when going to the bathroom. Yes the silicone cups have a completely diferent shape and don’t do that.

    2. I found that it did make a world of difference. I think that the Softcup is great for women who love it, but I’m a fan of the silicone style of cup.

65. http://keeper.com/ isn’t on your list

    1. The Keeper is on the chart, but I haven’t added it to the visual guide – yet! I’ll definitely work on that. Thanks!

66. I have no idea which size or brand to get. I am 21 years old and a virgin, i havent even had a gyno check up yet. I have tried the soft cup before and it just seemed to big for me. Any suggestions for the brand and size?

    1. If you want a very small cup the meluna makes a very small one, but very little capacity. I think a good beginner cup is the lunnete 1 though, but keep in mind what’s said above in the blog post.

    2. So far, the ones that I’ve love the smaller versions of the most are the Juju Cup, LENA Cup, and Lunette. I think any one of them would make a great first cup for a younger woman. Good luck!

67. Awesome post! I am writing a blog post about how to choose a cup as well and will be linking here. The photos are awesome. Thanks! 🙂

68. Awesome post! I am writing a blog post about how to choose a cup as well and will be linking here. The photos are awesome. Thanks!

69. Pingback: Lena Cup Intro and Review (plus enter to win 1 of 5 cups!) | Dirty Diaper Laundry

70. I have been searching for days for an answer to this and I was wondering if you’d mind recommending a cup solely on the stem. I came across your blog from Pinterest. I recently got a Keeper Moon Cup (highly recommended from a friend who loves loves it). I wore it for a cycle and it was fine except for the stem was not comfortable at all. The edge of it poked and rubbed and caused whatever skin it was touching to become very sensitive. My husband cut it twice for me and even filled the edges. After the second cut, it felt a little better but still was not pleasant to the point I had to take it out to sleep at night because it really bothered me and I couldn’t fall asleep. I do need at least a little something to grab onto as the cup was to high to just grab the base (with what little stem was left after cutting I had to grab the tip with my fingernails to pull it down a tad) My flow can be medium to heavy for the first two days then every day it gets lighter. I’m in my early 30’s no childbirth (yet 😉 ) Also, by the end of my period my vaginal opening hurt from taking it out. Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated! Thank you and God Bless you!

    1. Hi Lin, The new LENA cup (made in the US) has a stem that is surprisingly comfortable. I always cut my stems off, but I left this one on for the full cycle to give it a real chance. It’s soft, flexible, and most of the time I didn’t even know it was there. If you aren’t comfortable with removing the stem entirely, I think that the LENA is a great choice.

       1. Thank you for answering me so quickly. I’ve been doing some research since I haven’t heard of the LENA. If you don’t mind, I do have a few questions. Before I asked, I was considering a Me Luna with a ring or ball stem so I’m curious why you recommended the LENA. From your recommendation and the reviews I’ve seen, I’m pretty much sold on it, but I just want to make sure. Also, do you know how the firmness of the LENA is compared to the Keeper Moon Cup, as this hurt when I took it out because of the stiff rem, but maybe there’s an easier way to take it out that I’m not familiar with since I’m very new to the Menstrual Cup World. Thank you again!

71. Pingback: Menstrual Cycling: The History of the Menstrual Cycle and How to Combat it Comfortably on the Bike | velolove

72. I had a REALLY hard time believing that something like this would work. After A LOT of persuasion by my sister I tried the Diva cup 2. I have an extremely heavy period. I used to bring a change of clothes with me on the first three days of my period in case there were any “accidents”. Just one period with the Diva cup and my mind had changed. I didn’t need to bring extra clothes with me. I could wake up in the morning without have to do crazy amounts of laundry. It made having my period not so stressful. I fully recommend the Diva cup it has been a blessing to me.

    1. Thank you so much for sharing your experience here, and I’m so happy that you gave a cup a try! ❤️

73. Hi Amanda,
    Thanks so much for all the info! I just started using the Diva Cup. The first time I used it, it felt great, no leaks, no problems. On day 2 – 3 of my cycle, however, it started to slip, the stem protruded, and I had lots of leaking. I finally gave up and used tampons for the rest of my cycle. I’m now on day 2 of my second menstrual cycle since starting to use the Diva Cup, and I’m having the same problems: cup sliding down, stem poking out, and plenty of leaks. I cut off about half of the stem, and have been trying your “bearing down” method, but still having issues. I have also tried inserting a finger between the vaginal wall and the menstrual cup to help it open fully, as well as rotating the cup. Some people have said that I should hear the cup pop open when it makes a good seal, and I never have. Also, I have NO idea what my anatomy should feel like, but I have felt a fleshy protrusion towards the front of my vaginal wall that does NOT seem to be covered by the cup when it is inserted. Is it possible this is my cervix? Any tips to help me get the hang of this? Thank you!!

74. Pingback: Lena Cup Intro and Review | Dirty Diaper Laundry

75. Hi,
    I recently bought a Lunette Cup (Size 1) and I love the idea of it and want to persist with it but there is a problem….I have used it for 2 periods now but whenever I insert it I have a pain in my tummy like it is pressing against something. I’m a 19 year old dancer, with a light flow, so I’m nervous to get a softer cup due to leaks. I did not cut the stem and I’m currently insearting it until to whole thing is inside my me. Am I inserting it too far? Is the cup to hard? (Can you recommend a softer cup?) I was thinking about the Lily Cup A, any thoughts? Thank you xx

    1. It’s possible that you are inserting it too high, so you can definitely try it lower and trim the stem if needed. Lunette is a fairly firm cup, so that could be part of the issue but I’d try different positioning first, to rule that out. The Lily Cup is pretty long, but it is a fairly soft cup with may help. It has a firm ring, but not in a pressing way.

76. Hello,

    Thank you for this website.

    My daughter is 14 and just texted me she got her period at school today! Luckily it happened after her dance class. She dances over 20 hours a week. 7 days a week. I myself own the DIVA cup but I doubt she will like the same brand. I know she worries a lot bc of ballet. A cup I think will be great for her. Do you know which one is best for an active dancer? Also I know it sounds like a stupid question but should she try to insert a tampon just to get comfortable and then try to insert a cup? When I first got my period many moons ago I couldn’t even insert a tampon!!

    I sound like I’m stressing out for her right? That’s bc I am!!! lol

77. Thank you! This is absolutely the most useful site to compare and choose a cup. I’ll be sharing a link.

78. Which cup would you suggest for IUD users?

79. I really liked Blossom Cup! You can get it on Amazon in the U.S.

80. Hello. I thought I’d write an update. My daughter tried the Lena cup and had a horrible experience the first time. Not bc of the brand. The cup seems great. Customer service was great. They got back to us right away with great advice and videos for teenagers. The first time it took her over an hour to get the cup in and about the same to get it out. Getting it out was so painful for her the first time.she was in tears. Also it had leaked.

    She tried it again a few days later. She was able to get it in much faster. Getting it is still tricky for her. She finds it uncomfortable and difficult to fit in to squeeze and release the suction.
    She hasn’t tried it yet to see if it was leaking again. She seems to be a heavy bleeder and might need bigger size.

    If there are any young teenagers here please share your experience with the cup.

    Instead of using store bought lubricant, we use organic aloe vera gel, it has less chemicals and it works really well for those who have some discomfort inserting the cup.

    Again, the Lena seems like a great cup. It has a nice stem for 1st time user. I was recommended MeLuna for young girls too bc it is small.

    1. There is a young girl named Bree from the UK that speaks a lot about menstrual cups on her YouTube channel. Her channel might be helpful for your daughter and other teens out there.
       https://www.youtube.com/user/preciousstarspads

       1. Here’s the link on choosing your first menstrual cup.

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_G87oBd6rOw

          Also, thank you Amanda for this great post!!

       2. Thanks. She’s watched her channel. It was recommended by the Lena cup customer service! It has been helpful for her I think! Thanks for responding though 🙂

81. Blossom Cups ships on Amazon http://amzn.to/1OxLLgV

82. My period has been very light for a month now…. Has anyone else had problems with this after switching to a cup?

    1. Traditional pads can contain chemicals which can increase the amount of bleeding. I can’t remember all the details of why though.

83. Thank you! I have been using the Diva Cup for over 10 years but it’s leaking all the time now. This was a super informative help to try a new brand and size. Thank you.

84. Amanda,
    Thank you thank you for this wonderful article! It’s nice to compare options side-by-side.
    Do you have any info on the firmness of the cups? For instance, I have the Sckoon size 2 and when it opens after insertion, it’s so springy it hurts. (It also may be too big in diameter, idk…I feel like I need to try each one for a day haha).
    I’d like to try a smaller cup that’s a little bit “softer” if that makes any sense. Any recommendations? Thanks! 🙂

85. I’ve tried the disposable Softcups and i like them, so I was looking into getting a reusable kind of thing. Is there any brands that you think would be comparable?

86. Pingback: Pottery thrones and UTI | Bios Tales

87. I need help! I really want to use a cup. I’m a petite girl in general.. 5’0 before my baby I always weighed about 115 and since having my son about 128. I bought the recommended size of the Diva cup and it is SO uncomfortable. I have heard everyone say that the cup is so great because you don’t even notice it. Mine is awful. Help! As far as my cervix I feel like it during my period it’s probably in a neutral position. Not to high not to low. The stem really bothers me. I also feel like I’m having trouble with inserting it. Maybe that’s because of the fit also?

    1. Hi Jessica, before trying a different cup I would try a couple of things with your Diva Cup. I would remove the stem (nail scissors work great for this) and retry it. Try wetting the cup (shake off excess water) before insertion. You may find that removing the stem does the trick. If not, I would next try turning the cup inside out. The way the Diva cup is made, doing this will actually shorten the cup a bit and that may help. It also slightly changes the shape of the cup.

       I would give these a try and see if that help. If they don’t, please feel to email me (amanda@theecofriendlyfamily.com) and I can help troubleshoot more and maybe help pick a cup that would avoid any issues you might be experiencing.

       Good luck!

88. I have loved the Femmy Cup…I have the regular and the one for girls with a short cervix. I use both depending on which one I happen to grab that day. But what I love most is the ring at the base so I have something to grasp when it’s time to remove the cup. The stems on other brands were too slippery and I felt like the stems also poked me.
    Femmy Cup also has a teen version which is a bit smaller sized cup. I haven’t tried it but so far I’ve been happy with their other two.
    It took a few tries to figure out how to fold it, but Inow I feel like I’m just as fast with the cup as I was with a tampon.
    Good luck, once you find one that works for you it’s so nice to feel free from the tampon world. 🙂

89. Pingback: Menstrual Cups: What to Know - Mary Vance, NC
90. Pingback: Everything You Wanted to Know About Menstrual Cups But Were Afraid to Ask | ..:: Frog in the box ::.. | ..:: Frog in the box ::..
91. Pingback: Everything You Wanted to Know About Menstrual Cups But Were Afraid to Ask – Iconic Moment
92. Pingback: Everything You Wanted to Know About Menstrual Cups But Were Afraid to Ask | Parallel Feed
93. Pingback: Everything You Wanted to Know About Menstrual Cups But Were Afraid to Ask | Lovehealth.science
94. Pingback: Everything You Wanted To Know About Menstrual Cups But Were Afraid To Ask | Lifehacker Australia

95. I’m 29 yrs old, mother to one 5 yr old, and due to labor (5 yrs ago) have a rectocele. I’ve tried “Instead Soft Cup” and found them HORRIBLY painful. They also didn’t really fit do to the diameter and my rectocele. Any suggestions? I’m so lost but would love to try a different type of cup.

    1. I didn’t find the Soft Cup to be comfortable, and I also found it to be a bit painful to remove. I don’t have that issue with the silicone bell-shaped cups. They are much smaller and softer (I felt like the rim on the Soft Cup was really firm).

       I would recommend trying the Diva Cup or perhaps even a softer cup, like the Sckoon – but keep in mind that a softer cup is a little bit harder to get open, so you’ll want to practice a bit. Once you get use to it, it’s really no problem but it may not “pop” open quite as easily as a firmer cup.

96. Hello Amanda!!

    I can’t believe that I am 31 years old and I haven’t used one yet. A friend of mine was looking to replace hers and it was then that I started my search for more information. I am so happy that you have put together an in-deep review and PICTURES! of the cups. Thank you so much and my cup is on its way!!! 🙂

    1. That’s awesome congrats on your first cup – I hope you love it!

97. So, I bought a femmy cycle. I’ve had terrific success with it, but at the end of my cycle, I found it extremely uncomfortable. I was thinking that I would try a softer cup. Any suggestions?

98. Help. I’ve been using the Diva size 2 for over a year. I’ve also tried Sckoon. Both have given me the same problem. They leak. I can’t wear them without a pad. When I am spotting before my period they fair better, with only a little leakage, and stay in place better. When my cycle officially starts, it moves up (way up especially at night) where I have to really bear down and fish it out. I use the punch down method, spin and twist like crazy, push on the sides on the walls to make sure it has popped open, etc… Nothing helps. I have had 2 vaginal births and am 42 years old. I do Kaegels but I’m not sure if my muscles have returned, but they don’t seem weak. How do you know if the size is right? Maybe I should go smaller? Maybe larger? I haven’t given up and I continue to wear even though I collect and leak. The cup is never over flowing when I remove. The leaks just seem to get by. Any suggestions?

    1. So after reading through this more I decide to look for my cervix. I can find it with my pointer finger, so since the diva cup is also that size I think I might need a shorter cup. I also think I might need a smaller diameter. When I pull out the diva I feel like it might be fully opening when it comes out even though I twist and wiggle when I insert. If a cup is too big…how do you really know?

99. Hello. I have the lunnette size 2. Im 31 and have no kids. I have not had any sucess in using ot as it seems to firm and painful to insert. Any suggestions on a cup that may be better

100. A few other commenters mentioned this, but I would love to see a comparison on softness/firmness level. As an almost 40 year old who has given birth to 6 babies, I tend to have a bit of stress incontinence (I need to remember to do kegels but that’s a whole other problem). Anyway, it would be really helpful to know which cups are softer than others.

101. Pingback: 13. Start using a menstrual cup – 101 ways to save the planet
102. Pingback: No Waste College Prep Pt. 2 – Dorm Shopping | no waste opera
103. Pingback: What is a Menstrual Cup?

104. Hello, I’m 16 years old and I’m rather tiny in overall body size. My periods can get pretty heavy in the beginning for 2 days, a Super tampon only lasting 3 hours or so. I have never tried these before and I don’t know what size/brand to get. I want one for light days and one for heavy. Any recommendations?

105. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for this. Great work compiling this data and the pictures are an amazing reference. *Internet high five. Still useful 3 years later.

106. I had used a Sckoon Cup (size 2) before I had my 2nd child. Now it is completely uncomfortable. I can always feel it and the bottom sits right inside the opening of my vagina. I’m nervous to spend more koney on one that doesn’t work right…I have no clue which one to get.

107. Pingback: Why I Ditched Tampons For Good | 365 Days Of Awesome

108. Thanks for all the pictures. They really helped me compare to what I already had, and seeing them visually helped me to decide between the Large and Xlarge Meluna shorty.

     Here’s hoping a smaller and wider cup will help. We’ll see.

109. Thank you for the pictures and dimensions. Was going to give up on using them since the 2 I bought didn’t work (diameter too big). Now I can find smaller diameter and possibly I need the low cervix which I didn’t even know existed. I still have hope!

110. Pingback: That Time of the Month? No Sweat, Just Cup It: The Ultra-Portable Personal Hygeine Device | PortAbout

111. My first cup was the BLOSSOM. I have a heavy flow, because it was full in 3 hours, I do leak with it and the cup would either slide up and I could hardly reach the stem or start to poke out and be uncomfortable. Even if it was not full, I would leak if I would move certain ways, squatting or laying down, and if I ran. I then tried the MOON CUP -low cervix. It flipped upside down and traveled up and that was very uncomfortable to retrieve, I did get it to stay in position, but it leaked as well. I am looking at the Lily Cup, because it is long and since the last two cups have traveled up, this may be the place that is where they are fitting and I need the long stem, because even when the blossom cup went up I could hardly reach the stem.
     I am 43, 2 natural child births and I have heavy flows 2-3 days and my period is 6-8 days long.

112. I switched to a cup back in December of 2015, my first cup was my Christmas present to me. I have a Super Jennie L and I love it! I personally can go for several hours without worrying about emptying it. Couple of months ago I went hiking on my first day of starting and was able to walk around and not worry about where the restrooms were. Where with tampons I would have to change every hour on the hour I was miserable. I just wish I had known about these years ago. You can place it and forget it. Sometimes my cup does not place properly and I have to keep going to the restroom to readjust. But most times I can put it in and forget it till my next restroom stop. Honestly the first few months were frustrating had to use panty liners just to be on the safe side. Just be patient you will get the hang of it.
     I also have a Blossom but don’t use it cause it always leaked no matter what and I only bought it cause it was cheap online.

113. This is THE BEST menstrual cup comparison. Thank you, thank you, thank you for doing the research and reviews and putting this together. It’s a great resource. Thank you!

114. I have tried both mooncup and Meluna XL shorty and still I find that they work their way down after an hour or so, no matter how high up I manage to put them. I have had two children (both vaginal deliveries) and have a retroverted uterus. Tampons won’t stay in either – my muscles seem to push them out after a short while of walking about. What next? It’s really starting to get me down as I want to use a cup so badly.

115. Hi there, i have used the femmecup for the first time last cycle and never before had i been looking forward to my period so i could test it out. I found it very easy to use. However, i have a day and night during my cycle where it is so heavy i would need to change a super sized tampon every 1.5 -2 hours and would need to wear a back up pad for leaks.
     This being my first time using the femmecup, i was hopeful that it would need to be emptied less frequently but found it to be pretty much the same. I chose the femmecup because it says volume capacity is 30 ml……yet I’ve just found out that the actual volume to the holes is only 18ml accordi g to your chart provided here. This leads me to ask, which cup holds the most volume before the holes? All the specs I’ve seen on varoius cups don’t have the same information.
     The cupp would leak when it gets to the holes so why advertise the volume capacity to above the holes.
     I’m now trying to find a cup that holds the most volume for this extremely heavy time in my cycle. Any help would be appreciated.
     Many thanks

     1. I actually was recently looking into this too (more due to a dangly cervix on my heavy day so I need more capacity) and found this livejournal that’s actually quite helpful for… everything. This section is about the high capacity cups. An upgrade to the post is in progress, but it’s a place to start. http://menstrual-cups.livejournal.com/2761581.html

116. In the last year or so it looks like the cup market has grown a lot. On Amazon I see many brands that I have never heard of and some that aren’t shown here. I am trying to get one for a friend to have her try it out, and I found Luna Cup on Amazon that sells both size 1 and 2 together. There is also a LolaCup and Cleo Cup. One of the main things I wish I could see is the measurements for them, like you have on your chart above.

117. Pingback: Know Your Options: The Best Choices for Your Period

118. I have no idea which to get. I have a medium flow, don’t exercise too much and I want a average length cup just in case my cervix is in the middle or low. At first I wanted a lily cup, then me luna, the lily cup compact, then the Lena cup. My fear is it will be too firm.

     1. I have a Lena (Small), this is my 2nd and a half cycle with it and I’m here because I have found it just slightly too firm, I think. Ever so slight cramping and discomfort with it, that may be because it’s very firm silicone. It’s possibly a combination of a lower cervix and the firm silicone, but that’s my two cents. 🙂

119. So, here’s my dilemma. How do we find out what legth and circumference we need?
     Also, I’m 34, never had kids, consider myself small in there so what size do I get? I’m special. 🙂

120. Pingback: Menstrual Cup Comparison Chart
121. Pingback: The Ins and Outs of Menstrual Cups – TINTE
122. Pingback: Plastic Free July – takehold(LV)
123. Pingback: Another Stride Toward Zero-Waste: First Experiences with a Menstrual Cup | Samantha A. Starkey

124. I’m 19 and a virgin. I’ve had so much trouble with tampons, that I just gave up on them. I have a very light flow, like even on my heaviest days I only use 1 or 2 pads. Due to my light flow, I had a lot of trouble removing tampons. I always had to remove dryish tampons which was incredibly painful and left me feeling sore. I feel like a cup would be a better fit for me but I don’t know which one to get. I’ve been looking a lot at the Lunette 1 and the Sckoon 1. I’m not really sure where my cervix is, but I don’t think its that low.

     1. I was the same way with a very light flow and hated tampons for that reason. You should try to locate your cervix, there are quite a few youtube videos on the topic, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find one to help. The site putacupinit.com has a great quiz to help point you in the right direction. On youtube preciousstarspads is one of my favorite for info on cups in general. BTW I love my Lunette size 1!

125. This is very useful in determining which brand to go for a menstrual. Sometimes with so many options out there it can be really confusing!