Menstrual Cups

Menstrual cups collect menstrual fluid inside the vagina rather than absorbing it like pads or tampons. The flexible cup sits low in the vaginal canal, below the cervix, creating a seal against the vaginal walls. Once inserted, the cup collects blood for up to 12 hours depending on flow, then you remove it, empty the contents, rinse, and reinsert. Many people find cups more comfortable than tampons, less messy than pads, and significantly cheaper over time since one cup lasts years.

Why Choose Menstrual Cups

1. Long Wear Time: A single cup holds menstrual fluid for up to 12 hours depending on your flow. This means fewer bathroom trips during work or school, and sleeping through the night without leakage concerns on heavy days.
2. Cost Efficiency Over Time: One cup costs less than a month's supply of tampons or pads but lasts 5-10 years. If you menstruate for 40+ years, switching to a cup saves significant money across your lifetime.
3. Eliminates Odour: Menstrual fluid only smells when exposed to air. Inside a sealed cup, there is no odour. This makes cups particularly useful if you're sensitive to scents or prefer discretion.
4. Less Irritation: Cups don't absorb vaginal moisture like tampons do. Many people report less dryness, fewer infections, and no toxic shock syndrome risk, since cups carry no TSS association.
5. Environmental Impact: Unlike disposable products that end up in landfills, one reusable cup replaces thousands of tampons or pads over its lifetime.

Types of Menstrual Cups

Standard Cups

The most common design features a bell or tulip shape with a stem at the base for removal. Standard cups work well for people with average vaginal depth and moderate flow. They fold for insertion, then open inside the vagina to create a seal. Available in small and large sizes, standard cups are the best entry point for most people new to menstrual cups and period care products.

Firm vs Soft Cups

Firmness affects how the cup opens inside the vagina and how much pressure you feel. Firmer cups are easier to insert and create a seal faster, making them better for active people. Softer cups feel more comfortable during wear but require more technique to open fully. Some people need to try both to find their preference.

Low-Cervix Cups

These feature a shorter overall length and smaller capacity, designed for people whose cervix sits lower in the vagina. Standard cups sit too high and can cause discomfort or won't seal properly. A low-cervix cup positions at the right depth for comfort and leak prevention without adjustment.

Ring-Style Cups

Instead of a stem, these cups have a flexible ring at the base that you hook your finger under to remove. The ring sits lower and doesn't protrude, making them more comfortable for some people, especially during physical activity. The wider contact area can also feel more secure during movement.

Disc Cups

Shaped like a shallow disc rather than a traditional bell, these sit differently in the vagina and don't require the same folding technique. Some people find discs easier to insert, and they can be worn during sex since they sit behind the pubic bone rather than protruding into the vaginal canal.

Menstrual Cup Selection Guide

Who Buys Menstrual Cups

People With Heavy Periods: Tampons and pads require frequent changing, even at night. A large-capacity cup holds blood for 12 hours, reducing bathroom trips during work or school and eliminating the anxiety of leakage during sleep or important events.

Athletes and Active People: Cups don't shift, slip, or create visible lines under tight clothing. Swimmers can wear cups without string visibility. People doing gymnastics, yoga, or contact sports find cups stay in place through intense movement without the worry of tampon strings or pad movement.

People Sensitive to Chemicals: Some people react to the chemicals in bleached tampons or the adhesives in pads, developing rashes or irritation. Medical-grade silicone cups eliminate those chemical exposures entirely.

Budget-Conscious Menstruators: Those who calculate the cost of tampons and pads across 40+ years of menstruation see cups as a significant financial saving. One cup costs less than a single box of premium tampons but lasts a decade.

Environmentally Conscious People: Those reducing waste find cups eliminate the need for disposable products. One cup prevents thousands of items entering landfills across its lifetime.

Choosing a Menstrual Cup

• Cervix Position: Check your cervix height by inserting a clean finger into your vagina. If you can't touch your cervix, you have a high cervix and need a standard cup. If your fingertip reaches it easily, choose a low-cervix design to avoid discomfort or poor seal.
• Flow Volume: Light flow (changing tampons every 4-6 hours) suits a small cup. Heavy flow (changing every 2-3 hours) needs a large cup. Medium flow works with either depending on comfort preference and how often you want to empty it.
• Firmness Level: First-time users often benefit from a firmer cup that opens easily and creates a reliable seal. If you have pelvic floor sensitivity or discomfort with pressure, try a softer cup once you've mastered insertion technique.
• Stem Preference: A traditional stem pulls the cup down for removal. A ring provides a wider grip point. A flat or disc design doesn't protrude. Choose based on what feels most comfortable during removal—this varies between individuals.
• Material Compatibility: Medical-grade silicone is hypoallergenic and the most durable. TPE is slightly softer but less long-lasting. Latex works well but isn't suitable if you have latex sensitivity. Check material content on packaging.

Looking After Your Menstrual Cup

Rinse your cup with cold water each time you empty it. Once daily, wash with mild soap and warm water, cleaning both inside and out. Boil the cup for 5-10 minutes at the end of your period to sterilise it before storing. Some cups come with sterilising pouches for boiling. Store in a clean, dry place in a breathable pouch—avoid sealed plastic containers which trap moisture. Do not use bleach, vinegar, or harsh chemicals as these degrade silicone. Replace after 5-10 years or if the cup cracks, stains heavily, or loses its seal.

Goes Well With

Vibrators for Menstrual Comfort

Many people use vibrators to ease period pain. Vibration can reduce cramping intensity. Some use a vibrator externally on the lower abdomen or internally on the vaginal wall to relax muscles and manage discomfort while wearing a cup, since cups don't interfere with vibrator use.

Read Up

New to cups? Our menstrual cup guide covers cervix location, insertion techniques, creating a proper seal, troubleshooting leakage, and when to choose a different size or firmness.

Shop Menstrual Cups

Our menstrual cup range includes standard small and large sizes, low-cervix designs, soft and firm options, and disc-style cups from trusted brands. Silicone and TPE materials suited to different sensitivities. Sterilising pouches and storage cases included with most models. Discreet delivery Australia-wide with plain packaging.