What Is a Menstrual Disc?

A menstrual disc is a reusable period care product that is made of medical-grade silicone. Instead of soaking up blood like tampons or pads, it collects it until you pull it out and empty the blood. Menstrual discs can be safely worn for 8-12 hours, depending on your usual flow rate or which day you’re on.

Menstrual discs were actually invented back in 1994, but they had a cult following until recently.

You might have heard of or even used menstrual cups, which are made of the same material and also collect blood. But instead of being shaped like cups, menstrual discs look like shallow domes. When you first see a menstrual disc, you’re probably thinking it’s way too wide and totally the wrong shape to go into a vagina. Don’t worry–we’ll get into all that.

How to use a menstrual disc

Fact: Menstrual discs are much wider than menstrual cups. So how do you even use a menstrual disc, then? The rim is somewhat firm to keep its shape, but since menstrual discs are made of soft silicone, they are made to be folded. 

To insert a menstrual disc, you’ll just fold it in half, pinching it in the middle so you have a figure 8. Then make sure the open end faces up, and insert it so it’s angled toward your tailbone. Make sure it stays folded, and push until it reaches the back wall. Then you’ll tuck the front rim up pretty high so it stays in place.

Menstrual discs are supposed to go right below your cervix, and not in the vagina like a menstrual cup. Think of it as a little shallow dish collecting blood that drips down from the uterus. I should tell you now that it can’t get lost inside, since the cervix opening is so small, and we already know that menstrual discs are pretty wide and easy to find.

Now for the removal. If the disc has a loop, you can just pull it out that way. If not, use a finger to find the front rim, and pull down and out.

Can anyone use menstrual discs?

In theory, yes, everyone can use a menstrual disc, whether you’re a virgin, a teen, or someone with an IUD. The main thing is whether you are comfortable using one or not. 

Let’s start with the question of whether virgins can use menstrual discs. The whole question of virginity is problematic to begin with, especially since 1) hymens come in many forms and many have some sort of opening, and 2) many people have worn away their hymens by the time they menstruate, whether they are virgins or not. So yes, as long as it is comfortable for you, you can use a menstrual disc.

What if you’re pretty young–can you wear a menstrual disc? Again, it’s all up to you. If you’re comfortable taking care of and cleaning a menstrual disc, and possibly emptying it at school, then you can definitely use one.

And what if you also have an IUD? Menstrual discs don’t create a suction like cups do, so there’s no fear of suctioning out your IUD during removal. You’ll just have to be careful not to pull on the strings of your IUD.

Menstrual discs vs. tampons and pads

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Now let’s find out how menstrual discs compare to the old standards–tampons and pads. Here are the biggest differences:

• The most obvious one is that discs are reusable and better for the planet than disposable tampons and pads.
• Menstrual discs are worn higher up inside than tampons, so you’ll need to be comfortable with the insertion and removal. It might take some getting used to, but so does everything new.
• You can wear discs for 8-12 hours, much longer than tampons or pads.
• Menstrual discs hold 30-80 milliliters of blood, where a super tampon holds 10 milliliters, and an overnight pad can hold up to 15 milliliters.
• You can have penetrative sex with a disc in, but not really with a tampon or pad.
• Swimming is also easier with a disc because it won’t soak up water like cotton does.
• You have way less of a chance of getting toxic shock syndrome than with tampons.
• You will need to clean a menstrual disc, unlike disposable period products.

Menstrual discs vs. menstrual cups

Should you go for a menstrual cup or disc? Or maybe you’re thinking of switching from a cup to a disc. Here’s how they size up against each other:

• Heavy period? Menstrual discs hold way more blood; the smallest disc holds as much as the average-size cup.
• A menstrual disc sits up even higher inside than a cup, so keep that in mind.
• If you wear an IUD, you might want a disc, since it doesn’t create suction like a cup.  
• Penetrative sex with a menstrual disc = yes. Not so with a cup.
• The rim of a disc is much wider than a cup, but that’s because it sits below the cervix and not in the vagina.

What to look for in a menstrual disc

If you’re ready to try out a menstrual disc, you’ll need to know what to look for so you can find the perfect fit for your body. There are a lot of factors that go into finding your period nirvana with a disc, including:

• Age
• Whether you’ve been pregnant
• Exercise and activities
• Cervix height
• How heavy your periods are
• How often you want to empty it
• Whether you have an IUD

To help you out, I created a quick and easy menstrual cup and disc quiz that matches you with the right product. You can also go right to the menstrual cup and disc comparison chart and search for “disc” to only look at disc options.

Happy searching!