Menstrual Cups: What They Are, Why People Use Them, and How to Figure Out Which One Might Work for You

If you’ve ever felt curious about menstrual cups but stopped short of actually trying one, that’s pretty understandable. On paper, they sound a bit… different. Reusable? Inserted? Worn for hours at a time? That can feel like a lot to take in if you’ve spent years relying on pads or tampons. Especially if those products work “well enough,” even if they’re not exactly comfortable or affordable or particularly eco-friendly.

More and more people are switching to them, and many never look back. Not because they’re perfect - but because they offer a new kind of ease, one that sometimes takes a little getting used to but is, in the end, worth it for a lot of folks.

Starting With the Basics

A menstrual cup is a small, flexible cup made from medical-grade silicone or a similar safe material. Instead of absorbing your period like pads or tampons do, it collects the fluid inside your body. When it’s full - or after several hours - you remove it, empty it, rinse it, and insert it again.

Some people describe it as surprisingly low-maintenance once you get the hang of it. Others need a few cycles to feel comfortable with the process. Either is normal.

You might not obtain it properly on the first try. But if you're like many people, it could end up being one of the most practical shifts you’ve made to your period routine.

Why Bother Changing What Already Works?

That’s a fair question. If what you're using feels fine, switching might not feel urgent. But cups offer a very different experience - one that tends to be less about urgency and more about long-term benefits.

Here are a few reasons people choose to use a menstrual cup:

1. Fewer changes during the day. You can usually wear it for up to 12 hours without worrying about leaks.

2. Long-term cost savings. One cup, when properly cared for, can last for years.

3. Less waste. No wrappers, no applicators, no monthly piles of used products.

4. Surprisingly comfortable. Once it’s in place correctly, most people can’t feel it at all.

5. No daily trips to the store. You always have your period product on hand.

6. Good for sensitive skin. No added fragrances or absorbent chemicals.

It’s not that it solves everything. But for many, it simplifies the cycle in a way they didn’t expect.

What Makes Choosing a Cup So Complicated?

Here’s the part that tends to trip people up. There’s no universal menstrual cup size. No one-size-fits-all option. Cups come in different shapes, lengths, firmness levels, and capacities. Some are better for low cervixes, others for higher ones. Some are softer, which can be great for comfort, but maybe not ideal if you have strong pelvic floor muscles that make the cup collapse.

Even things like your age or whether you’ve given birth can influence what cup is your best menstrual cup. It’s not always intuitive.

And for people who just want to try something new without doing hours of research... it can feel like a lot.

An Easier Way to Start

Rather than guess - or spend a long time comparing measurements you’re not sure how to interpret - it helps to take a menstrual cup quiz. They’re usually short and simple, but they ask the right questions. Things like how heavy your flow is, how active you are, if you’ve ever had trouble with tampons, or how high your cervix tends to sit.

The result? A small list of cups that are likely to work for your body and your needs. Maybe not a perfect answer, but something close enough to make the choice feel doable.

And that, for many people, is the step that makes this change actually happen.

So if you've been curious but unsure, a quiz might be the easiest, lowest-pressure place to begin. Just a little clarity, a little direction - and maybe a lot more comfort waiting on the other side.