You want to reduce the risk of fungal infections after your period and are looking for an alternative to tampons? Then using a menstrual cup is ideal for you.
Menstrual cups are reusable and therefore particularly environmentally friendly.
What are the different types of menstrual cups? How do you clean and store such a cup? What are the advantages of a menstrual cup over tampons or pads?
Answers to the most frequently asked questions can be found here in menstrual cup tips & recommendations 2021. We introduce you to different menstrual cups and want to help you find the perfect one for you. In addition, you will find helpful tips and tricks in our guide on how to insert and remove a menstrual cup properly.
Benefits of Menstrual Cup
The most important facts in a nutshell
- A menstrual cup is a perfect alternative to tampons because it catches your period blood without drying you out. This gives germs less chance to settle, and you reduce the risk of fungal infections.
- A menstrual cap is reusable. This saves you money, protects the environment, and eliminates smelly bathroom waste.
- A menstrual cup offers you protection for up to 12 hours. You feel freer and more comfortable during your period. Many women report less cramps during their period after switching to a menstrual cup.
Menstrual cup test: editors’ favorites
The best menstrual cup for normal or heavy bleeding
Super Jennie Menstrual Cup
Large capacity period cup for heavy flow.
100% medical grade silicone.
Made in the U.S.A.
Super Jennie Menstrual Cup for normal or heavy bleeding offers you comfortable and safe protection for up to 12 hours and also reduces unpleasant odors. The menstrual cup made of silicone is especially suitable for women with a sensitive bladder and those with a normal to heavy period and women who have already given birth.
Super Jennie Menstrual Cup can also be used while cycling and doing sports, and that it is environmentally friendly. The capacity is also optimal according to many customers.
The best menstrual cup for light bleeding
Lena Sensitive Menstrual Cup
12h protection, day or night.
No leaks, no odor, no sensation.
Perfect for teens and adults.
If you are unsure which menstrual cup is right for you, you should take a closer look at Lena. Lena is one of the best known and most popular menstrual cups and has an enormous pass rate to many women.
In the hardness test, Lena is one of the harder cups. This model is slightly softer and more flexible. The Lena is recommended for a well-developed pelvic floor muscle.
The best menstrual cup for beginners
FLEX Menstrual Cup Starter Kit
Unique pull string design.
Designed for beginners with all body types and abilities.
Made in the USA out of 100% medical grade silicone.
Be worry-free with up to 12 hours of period protection. FLEX Cup is made in the USA out of 100% medical grade silicone. This product is FDA registered, hypoallergenic, BPA, and phthalate-free, and made without natural rubber latex. Feel healthy and good about doing your part. The FLEX is a softer cup and is recommended for women with a weak pelvic floor.
The best menstrual cup for vegans
OrganiCup Menstrual Cup
Maintains pH, No Toxins or BPA’s.
Chemical-free, Zero waste.
One cup lasts ten years.
OrganiCup Menstrual Cup is BPS free and made of medical-grade silicone. The sustainable and vegan menstrual cup is odorless and contains no adhesives, fragrances, bleach, or latex. At the same time, the product lasts up to 10 years with recommended care.
Many customers are enthusiastic about the odorless and chemical-free menstrual cup and particularly emphasize that it is not felt when worn and fits comfortably. The simple insertion and easy cleaning also meet with enthusiasm among buyers.
The best one size menstrual cup
Saalt Menstrual Cup
Impossibly soft and flexible.
Naturally hypoallergenic, non-toxic.
BPA and latex-free.
The Saalt Menstrual Cup is made of medical silicone and is suitable for all sizes. The environmentally friendly menstrual cup is hygienic, and no residues are left in the body and no unpleasant odors arise.
The easy insertion and use in a variety of sports and also in the sauna inspires numerous female customers, who also appreciate the soft material. In added, they appreciate that the menstrual cup is very tight, does not leak and does not dry out the vagina.
Guide: Questions you should deal with before buying a menstrual cup
What are menstrual cups?
A menstrual cup is a healthy tampon alternative. It catches your menstrual blood inside your body without exposing you to harmful substances that are often found in traditional tampons.
The menstrual cup has many names: Menstrual Cup, Moon Cup, Menstrual Container, Menstrual Cup, Moon Cup, Menstrual Cup, etc. It is made of silicone, medical plastic (TPE), or natural rubber. It has the shape of a funnel and is inserted into your vagina with the opening facing up, folded.
There it unfolds and creates a negative pressure, which prevents your blood from running past. This way, your blood is already collected in your body and can be dumped into the toilet afterward.
With a menstrual cup, you can do everything you would do while using a tampon.
However, you have the advantage that you do not dry out in the vagina, no annoying tampon thread hangs out, and you have to change the menstrual cup less often than a tampon.
What is a menstrual cup and how does it work?
A menstrual cup is a healthy tampon alternative. It catches your menstrual blood inside your body without polluting you with harmful substances that are often contained in conventional tampons.
There, it unfolds and creates a vacuum that prevents your blood from passing by. Thus, your blood is already collected in your body and can then be dumped into the toilet.
When choosing your menstrual cup, make sure first and foremost that it fits you well. The best design and the most beautiful color won’t do you any good if it pinches uncomfortably or even leaks.
What are the advantages of the menstrual cup over tampons and pads?
A menstrual cup keeps tight during sports and swimming, is better for the environment, comfortable to wear, and helps you save a lot of money in the long run.
The innovative concept gives you the following advantages:
- Due to the negative pressure inside your body, no blood can leak out. Even in the water, it stays absolutely tight and there is no annoying return thread hanging out that could indicate your period.
- The cap has a larger capacity than tampons and can be left in your body for 8 – 12 hours, depending on your menstrual strength.
It is a healthy alternative to tampons. Since there is no breeding ground for dangerous pathogens of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), the risk of you suffering this disease is reduced. - The menstrual cup is cheaper than pads or tampons because it can be used again and again. This saves you a lot of money on disposable items like tampons and pads.
- This saves the environment and you contribute to it. Through this environmentally friendly alternative, you not only actively participate in environmental protection, but also save yourself and your other household members the stinky bathroom waste that arises when using tampons or pads.
How does the insertion of a menstrual cup work?
Inserting a menstrual cup requires some practice, but works very quickly once you have discovered the right fold for you. The most popular folding types for the moon cup are the C- fold, punch-down, or S- fold.
How does the removal of a menstrual cup work?
When removing the menstrual cup, it is important to release the vacuum and only then pull the cup out. To do this, insert a finger and press it against the edge of the cup to release the vacuum. Then grab the bottom of the cup with two or three fingers and pull it down to an upright position.
You can then tip the contents into the toilet and the cup is ready for use again.
How to clean a menstrual cup?
A menstrual cup should be boiled at least once during your period. During your period, it is perfectly sufficient to clean it only under running water before reinserting it.
Since the menstrual cup can collect more blood than a tampon, you’ll probably be less likely to have to worry about it when you’re on the road. However, if you do need to empty your menstrual cup when you’re out and about, you don’t have to run to the sink with your cup in a public restroom.
In a pinch, it’s enough to wipe it out with toilet paper or wet wipes. However, if you feel uncomfortable with this option, you can pack a bottle of water in your purse and then rinse your menstrual cup with water over the toilet bowl.
At the end of your period, however, you should clean your menstrual cup thoroughly. This is best done using hot water sterilization or cold sterilization.
For hot water sterilization, you can use a pot or a super convenient cleaning cup designed specifically for this purpose. If you are unable to boil your cup, you can also use chemical sterilizers such as Milton Tabs, which are used in baby care.
How should a menstrual cup be stored?
Air-permeable cotton or microfiber bags are suitable for storing your menstrual cup. After your menstrual cup has been thoroughly cleaned, you should store it in a protected but breathable way. A storage bag can be very practical for this purpose.
But also for the transport in your handbag until its next use, you should buy a small bag to protect it from the inside of your handbag. So you have them clean and ready to hand for the next use always there.