When looking for the right reusable period product for your body you’ll want to understand the differences between menstrual cups and menstrual discs, as well as the pros and cons for each. We break it down for you here, let’s get started:
What is a menstrual cup?
A menstrual cup is what it sounds like it is. A cup-shaped reusable receptacle for catching period blood. It’s folded, inserted, placed inside the vagina and sits below the cervix. It works by creating a leak-free seal all around the rim and in most cases creates a suction when sealed.
What is a menstrual disc?
A menstrual disc is also a lot like it sounds like, it’s a disc or bowl shaped receptacle for catching period blood. It’s folded longways to insert, placed inside the vagina, and sits below the cervix. It works by opening and catching the blood and taking up the space around the cervix which is like a “tent” and unlike cups, does not create a suction.
What are the differences between cups and discs?
While they appear at first glance to be very similar they are quite different in some very important ways.
At a glance:
| | Disc
| Cups
|
Higher capacity than tampons? | Yes | Yes |
Wear time 10-12 hours | Yes | Yes |
Comfortable | Yes | Yes |
Good for exercise | Yes | Yes |
Suction Free | Yes | No |
Mess Free Removal | No | Yes |
Sex During Wear | Yes | No |
Can Auto-Dump | Yes | No |
Works for Nights | Yes | Yes |
Works for Teens | Yes | Yes |
Learning Curve | Yes | Yes |
Menstrual Cups
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Menstrual cups tend to be easier to insert and remove than discs when you’re new to reusable products.
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Menstrual cups tend to be less messy to remove than menstrual discs for new and experienced users.
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Menstrual cups come in far more size and style varieties compared to menstrual discs at present and more people know about them, thus tend to try them first.
Menstrual Discs
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Menstrual discs are messier to remove when compared to menstrual cups for new and experienced users, exception begin new discs with removal aids like Hello Disc.
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Menstrual discs have fewer brand and size options at present and are less well known than cups, but this is changing rapidly with new brands in 2022.
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Menstrual discs can sometimes auto-dump which gives those with a heavy period a longer wear time. They also have a higher capacity than cups in theory (the crumpling of the basket likely reduces the actual capacity by some % based on each person’s anatomy.)
If they’re different, which is best?
Now, what do these differences mean to you when trying to pick which product is best?
While it’s fairly easy to help you select the best cup for you based on a number of factors, including age and your physical activity level, choosing between a menstrual disc vs. cup is a bit more tricky.
The Period Nirvana Quiz has been designed to account for all of the individual factors that can best determine which reusable period product is best for you.
When Menstrual Cups May Be a Better Choice
Cups rely on your muscle tone to stay in place, and since they sit below the cervix you can reliably place them without error easier than a disc. You need to know less about your anatomy and you don’t need to reach far inside to place or remove a cup. This alone makes a cup more appealing to first time reusable users who are trying to choose. I know for me I was introduced to a cup before I had ever even seen or heard of a disc, and once I saw a disc I had a hard time imagining how it worked, fit, or why in the hell I’d like it.
I don’t want you to get the impression discs are bad, in fact, I am a huge fan of them and would now say I like using a menstrual disc better than a cup! That said, I’m still cautious to say they’re something to try when you’re new, but I have some exceptions to that opinion.
The variety of cups is overwhelming and that can be good for finding your perfect cup, such as low cervix models, various firmness levels, different shapes, and different rims or stems. It’s a smorgasbord of options in design and in colors! Many times people can get a cup to work on their first try but find their perfect goldilocks cup on their second cup, mostly because they can suss out what they don’t like about the one they’ve tried and then pick a cup that suits them even better.
When Menstrual Discs May Be a Better Choice
Reusable discs are a horse of another color. With just a handful of brand options in the US you might assume it’s hard to find a good fit. On the contrary, because discs are so simple in how they work it’s really just about finding what you like to insert and remove above sizing or firmness. If you have a lower cervix you may want to look for discs like Saalt Disc Small or Lumma Short.
Discs sit in what is called the vaginal fornix, this name comes from latin meaning “arch” because around the cervix there is a tented area that’s wider than the actual vaginal canal. If you’re using a disc, it’s not a concern if you’ve had a baby or not, if you’re active or not, if you are prone to sensitivity or not, because this cavern is a vast wasteland of nothingness that’s practically identical to anyone you know. For this reason, it’s actually easier to pick a disc for efficacy because they all work about the same and are about the same design and size. What differs is that the disc’s design may have a springier rim with more firmness, which can make it easier to tuck into place and insert. With more interest in reusable discs has come more innovation. To assist in reducing messy removals brands like Cora Disc and Hello Disc have designs that make it easier, and less messy, to remove.
It’s mostly preference, but…
In practice, the right menstrual cup or disc for you should both be comfortable and leak-free. Cups are far more finicky and for this reason, can be harder to succeed with than discs if you aren’t careful about choosing your cup based on your needs and anatomy. Discs are just less finicky; if you are comfortable with the entire process of inserting and removing them, especially because of their messier nature, you could reach your period nirvana state sooner than with a menstrual disc.
