Menstrual cups · 8 min read
Menstrual cups: All about types, use, benefits & what else you need to know
When you think of period products, you probably think of pads or tampons first. No wonder – these disposable products are still among the best-selling. But have you ever thought about how many pads or tampons you have used in your life so far? That is not only a lot of waste, but also a lot of money that can be saved simply by switching to a menstrual cup. Everything you need to know about the menstrual cup, you can find out here.
What is a menstrual cup?
A menstrual cup – also called a period cup or menstruation cup – is a sustainable alternative to tampons and pads that can be used again and again for many years without constantly creating new waste.
How does a menstrual cup work?
The collection cup made of silicone is folded and inserted into the vagina, where it collects the period blood. Unlike a tampon or pad, the blood is not absorbed but collected – which is probably where the name cup comes from. The fact that the liquid is only collected rather than absorbed is also a major advantage of the menstrual cup: unlike a tampon, it does not dry out the vagina.
How do I use a menstrual cup?
The menstrual cup is folded and inserted into the vagina. There are various folding techniques for this, such as the C-fold, S-fold, punch-down fold and 7-fold. We explain all folding techniques in our guide “Menstrual cup folding techniques: inserting and removing without pain”.
Tip: Moisten the period cup with water before inserting it – that makes insertion easier.
The menstrual cup does not sit as deep as a tampon – placing it 1–2 cm past the vaginal opening is completely sufficient. Here, the folded cup needs to pop open, meaning it unfolds fully. The vacuum this creates gives the cup a secure fit and nothing can leak. This is where the cup collects all the period blood.
Once the cup is full, you simply empty it and then reinsert it. So no waste is created. High-quality menstrual cups made of medical-grade silicone are extremely durable – on average, one cup will easily last you 10 years or more.
How do I find the right size?
The right size is very important with a menstrual cup. A bigger cup can hold more liquid, i.e. period blood, but a cup that is too big can also press against your uterus, which is uncomfortable.
That is why we offer our SELENACARE menstrual cups in three different sizes.
S: 58 millimetres long
M: 62 millimetres long
L: 67 millimetres long
What types of menstrual cups are there and what are the differences?
Menstrual cups now come in all sorts of colours, shapes and firmness levels. While the shape and colour of a menstrual cup are negligible, the firmness plays an important role. There are firmer and softer menstrual cups. Depending on how strong your pelvic floor muscles are, you should reach for a firmer or softer cup.
If you have strong pelvic floor muscles – for example because you do a lot of sport – and a well-trained lower abdomen and legs, a firmer cup is probably better for you. In that case, our SELENACARE Active menstrual cup is exactly the right choice.
A somewhat softer cup like our SELENACARE Premium is suitable for normal to weaker pelvic floor muscles. As a rule, the pelvic floor muscles are weaker after a vaginal birth – you can read all about using a menstrual cup after giving birth in our guide “Menstrual cup after giving birth: yes or no”.
If you are not sure whether your pelvic floor muscles are stronger than usual, we recommend starting with the softer cup anyway. If you find that a little leaks now and then, try the firmer cup. In that case your pelvic floor muscles are too strong, so the soft cup cannot unfold properly or gets squeezed or shifts when you move.
What should I bear in mind with a menstrual cup?
Menstrual cups made of medical-grade silicone are particularly well tolerated and only very rarely cause allergic reactions. Medical-grade silicone is produced under strict quality controls to meet the applicable FDA and EU regulations. Besides our menstrual cups, contact lenses and implants, for example, are also made of medical-grade silicone.
Of course, inserting and removing the menstrual cup feels unfamiliar the first few times. But that is the case for almost everyone. Be brave and take your time – practice makes perfect. Try different folding techniques and find out which one works best for you. You will see: once you have got the hang of it, you will soon find inserting and removing the menstrual cup just as easy as a tampon.
You can also read everything about folding techniques and inserting and removing the menstrual cup in our guide “Inserting a menstrual cup: the best folding techniques for pain-free insertion & removal”.
What is a menstrual cup suitable for?
You cannot feel a menstrual cup at all once inserted. Many customers speak extremely positively about how it feels to wear and say it is so comfortable that many of them even forget they are on their period.
With a menstrual cup you can do anything – even swimming. It gives you absolute security day and night and during sport.
What do I need to bear in mind if I use a copper IUD?
If you use a copper or hormonal IUD for contraception, you need to be careful when removing the menstrual cup so that you do not trap the IUD string between the vaginal wall and the cup. The suction created by the menstrual cup could also shift the original position of your IUD. It is best to discuss with your gynaecologist whether there is any reason not to use a menstrual cup. As an alternative, we can recommend our washable period underwear or our cloth pads and panty liners.
How long can a menstrual cup stay in?
In principle it is just like a tampon: you change – or rather empty – it when the cup is full. Since a menstrual cup can hold considerably more liquid, you may only need to empty it once a day, depending on how heavy your period is. For hygiene reasons, however, we recommend emptying it at least every 8 hours, regardless of how full it is.
How should I clean the menstrual cup?
Pay attention to hygiene with your menstrual cup – not only while you are actively using it, but also between periods.
If you are using the cup for the first time or have not used it for a while, you should wash it thoroughly with soap and water and then sterilise it in boiling water for five minutes. You can do this in a pot on the hob or in the microwave. Our SELENACARE menstrual cups “Premium” and “Active” even come with a special sterilisation cup for exactly this purpose.
While you are using the cup, it is enough to clean it regularly with water and a little soap. As long as you wear it daily, you do not need to sterilise it in between. Once your period is over, wash the period cup thoroughly with soap and water again and store it in a breathable container or similar. Especially practical: all our SELENACARE menstrual cups come with a cotton pouch. Your cup is in good hands there until your next period.
You can find detailed instructions on cleaning and caring for your menstrual cup in our guide “Cleaning menstrual cups [care instructions]”
Menstrual cups have many advantages over disposable products, including:
- Can hold more blood than pads or tampons
- Gives you good self-awareness of how heavy your period is and any changes
- No unpleasant odours and no drying out of the vagina
- “Invisible” – no tampon string, no pads, wings or rustling
- Zero Waste
If you would like to know more about the individual benefits, we recommend our guide “5 benefits of the menstrual cup”.
Saving with the menstrual cup
Saving money with the menstrual cup
As already mentioned, switching to a menstrual cup does not just save a huge amount of unnecessary single-use waste that would otherwise be created by tampons and pads.
On average, every menstruating person has their period around 500 times in their life. If only disposable products such as tampons and pads were used, that would add up to 10,000 – 17,000 hygiene products each – in euros, roughly 3,500 – 4,000 euros. And people still say menstrual cups are expensive….
Avoiding waste with the menstrual cup
That is an unbelievable amount of waste for one person – and it gets much worse when you consider that the vast majority of menstruating people worldwide still use disposable products. Against the backdrop of increasing environmental pollution, and knowing the alternatives we have today, disposable products no longer feel up to date or justifiable with a clear conscience.
So simply give it a try and order your menstrual cup online now, or pick one up on your next shopping trip – you can find our products in stores in Germany, Austria and Switzerland at: dm, Müller, Rossmann, BIPA, Budni, denn’s Biomarkt, Globus, Kaufland, coop and MIGROS.
Empfohlene Produkte
Our latest innovation is a true game-changer in period underwear! Our brand-new, self-adhesive material allows for the combination of period panties with interchangeable inserts – a real change in the world of sustainable period hygiene has come! A revolutionary material In close collaboration with our product designers and textile experts, SELENACARE has developed a new technology that redefines flexibility during menstruation – a self-adhesive material! This material is sewn into the crotch of the SELENACARE Easy Comfort Basic Panties, as well as onto the accompanying absorbent inserts. This material makes changing the inserts easier and without slipping! So, the inserts can be changed easily without having to undress. The self-adhesive material allows the inserts to be inserted into the matching SELENACARE Easy Comfort Basic Panties and can be easily replaced when needed, like traditional pads. Unlike traditional pads, our inserts can be reused as they are washable! Say "Goodbye" to the uncomfortable moments of changing and "Hello" to a feeling of absolute flexibility during your period! The SELENACARE Easy Comfort Period Set The SELENACARE Easy Comfort Period Set consists of two parts. The SELENACARE Easy Comfort Basic Panties are the core of our system and are equipped with the self-adhesive material in the crotch – a brilliant base for the SELENACARE Easy Comfort Inserts, the second part of the period set. Absorbent Easy Comfort Inserts with Wetbag The Easy Comfort Inserts are equipped with the specially developed self-adhesive material on one side and are ideally matched to the Basic Panties. This makes inserting them into the crotch area of the panties incredibly easy. Thanks to this self-adhesive property, the insert stays securely in place and does not slip, without relying on uncomfortable or annoying attachment methods. With various levels of absorbency, they are ready to accompany you in every phase of your period – from light to heavy, we've got you covered. Once the Easy Comfort Inserts are fully saturated, they can be easily removed from the Basic Panties and replaced with a new insert. No need to take off the panties, as with traditional period underwear. Simply transport them in the Wetbag, wash, and reuse.
Feel completely protected and free with SELENACARE Free-Cut period underwear. Invisible under your clothes, it offers you comfort, discretion and maximum absorbency during your period. This underwear in sizes XS-M as well as L-XXL was specially developed for medium days and meets the highest demands. Invisible perfection for you Thanks to the innovative Free-Cut design and the thin material, SELENACARE Free-Cut period underwear does not leave any unsightly marks under tight-fitting garments. You can move freely and feel completely comfortable without worrying about visible marks. With this underwear you stay confident and secure in any situation. Maximum comfort and flexibility for you SELENACARE's Free-Cut period underwear offers you not only protection but also exceptional comfort. The super-stretch microfibre material fits your body perfectly and offers maximum flexibility. Whether you're working, exercising or just relaxing, this underwear ensures an optimal fit and freedom of movement for you. Reliable protection for medium days The period underwear has been specially designed for medium days to provide you with a high level of protection. The absorbent layers inside the underwear safely retain fluid and prevent unwanted leakage. You can trust its reliability every day of your period. It's your perfect companion during menstruation. Experience the comfort, discretion and protection you deserve. Be confident and enjoy your freedom no matter what the day brings.
The Period Panty Hipster convinces with its modern cut and super-comfortable fit. As with all our models, the integrated suction surface is discreetly and invisibly incorporated into the period panty. The menstrual underwear absorbs up to 25 ml of fluid. With its low-slung leg and medium waist, it hugs your body perfectly and gives a feeling of security. Light, medium or heavy days The strength of your period can vary throughout your cycle. The Hipster period underwear is ideal for the light and medium days of your period. It provides a dry feeling and does not allow fluid to leak out. On your heavier days, we recommend using the underwear in combination with a menstrual cup or tampon. If you have periods or spotting, you can use either a period slip or a washable pad, depending on the intensity of the bleeding. No restrictions, always well protected There are really no limits to the use of period underwear. You can use them in your free time, at work or on holiday. In addition to period blood, it also absorbs sweat and other fluids and reliably seals them in. Because the material is absorbent, it also gives you a very safe feeling during sports. After use, you can wash the panties out with cold water, air dry them and reuse them. This makes them a convenient, sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to tampons and disposable pads. Not only do you reduce waste, but you also save money because of their long life. Hygiene and freshness based on silver chloride (biocide active ingredient according to article 95 list) The absorbent layers of the SELENACARE products are equipped with the antimicrobial, biocidal protective finish SILVERPLUS® from RUDOLF GROUP. It prevents the proliferation of odour-causing bacteria. SILVERPLUS® is the leading silver ion technology and is certified according to the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. OEKO-TEX guarantees that all components have been tested for harmful substances and that the product is harmless to health.
And even if you decide that a menstrual cup is not the right thing for you, there are other, more sustainable alternatives to disposable pads and tampons – namely period underwear or washable cloth pads and panty liners. If you are interested in period underwear, we warmly recommend our article “The first time: period underwear for beginners”, where we cover the most frequently asked questions on the subject.
Others also read
The Hymen – What Is It Actually? And What's Really True?
Sex Without a Condom – Conscious, Close and Honest
