A period cup is a soft, reusable cup that sits inside your vagina and collects blood. It’s washable and can be reused, which can mean less waste. This guide is unsponsored, and we don’t recommend any brand.
Good to know
| Period cup | |
|---|---|
| Wear time | Up to 12 hours |
| Reusable | Yes, after washing |
| Learning curve | Yes, it can take a few cycles to get used to |
| Best for | People comfortable with internal products |
How to use one safely
- Wash your hands before you insert or remove it.
- Fold the cup, insert it, and let it open.
- Empty it within 12 hours, or sooner if your flow is heavy.
- Follow the instructions that come with your cup for washing and storing it.
Cleaning and storing your cup
- Wash the cup before you first use it and before each reuse, typically with soap and water.
- The FDA says that at the end of your cycle, you can boil reusable cups in water for one to two minutes.
- Always check the instructions for your cup, as advice can vary by product.
What it’s made of
Cups are generally made from silicone or rubber. Rubber can trigger a latex allergy, so if you’re sensitive to latex, choose a silicone cup. Stop using a cup and contact a clinician if you have itching, a rash, pain, swelling or discomfort.
Cost and lifespan
Reusable cups cost more at the start than disposable products. Harvard Health says they begin to save money by around a year, and that a cup may last from 2 to 10 years with good care.
Getting used to one
It can take a while. Harvard Health describes a small study in which satisfaction was lower than with tampons after the first month, but higher in months two and three. You may also need to try more than one cup to find the right fit.
Toxic shock syndrome
TSS is rare but serious. Harvard Health advises not leaving a cup in longer than 12 hours to reduce the risk. Remove the cup and get urgent medical help if you suddenly feel very unwell, particularly with a high temperature, a rash, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness or fainting.
Who it may not suit
Ask a clinician first if you’ve had TSS before, have recently given birth or had gynaecological surgery, or use an IUD, as a cup’s suction could affect its position.
The FDA also says cups shouldn’t be used for vaginal bleeding or discharge that isn’t from a period, such as bleeding from an infection or after childbirth. If you have an IUD, ask a gynaecologist first, because a cup could interfere with its strings and placement.
Harvard Health says TSS is mostly linked to high-absorbency tampons, and that reports linked to cups are rarer still.
Other options
Not sure about internal products? Compare period panties and period swimwear.