We’ve gathered feedback from real users and healthcare professionals to give you a clear picture of the menstrual cup experience. Here’s a summary of the most common opinions, so you can decide if it’s the right period product for you.
Why many women love it
- Super comfortable to wear 🥰
- More freedom during your period 🕊️
- Great for the planet and your wallet 🌱
But it's not for everyone
Some users find insertion or removal tricky, especially at first.
And if you have an IUD, many experts advise against using a menstrual cup due to the higher risk of dislodging it.
Shop your medical-grade silicone menstrual cup now!
Why Switch to a Menstrual Cup?
The menstrual cup is a bell-shaped internal protection that’s inserted into your vagina (just like a tampon). Your menstrual flow collects directly into the cup. After 8 to 12 hours max, you can empty, rinse, and reuse it.
Menstrual cups have become incredibly popular in recent years, millions of women now use them daily and swear by them.
Here are the main benefits of using a menstrual cup:
- 🌱 Eco-friendly & budget-friendly: One cup can be reused for up to 5 years.
- 🥰 Comfortable: Many women find it more comfortable than tampons.
- 🧪 Body-safe: Most are made from 100% medical-grade silicone, free from chemicals or toxins.
- 🩸 High capacity: Can hold the equivalent of 2 to 3 super tampons.
- 🩱 Discreet: Great for beach days, working out, or wearing overnight.
But despite all these benefits, as you’ll see in real user reviews, menstrual cups aren’t the perfect fit for everyone.
User Reviews on the Menstrual Cup
To give you a clear and honest overview, we’ve gathered feedback from our own customers as well as real reviews found online from Reddit, Amazon, Trustpilot, and official brand websites.
Positive Reviews of the Menstrual Cup
This woman has been using a menstrual cup for 5 years and says she’ll never go back. For her, comfort, not having to change it as often as tampons, and the eco-friendly aspect are major benefits. However, she does mention a few downsides like occasional leaks, figuring out the right fold, and the removal process being a bit messy.
This woman used a menstrual cup for 8 years and would never switch back, her cup makes her forget she’s even on her period. She also finds it much more eco-friendly and cost-effective than tampons.
This user has been using a menstrual cup for over 16 years. While she admits it’s not perfect, she loves not having to change her protection as often as pads or tampons and says she experiences almost no leaks.
However, menstrual cups don’t work for everyone, and some women simply can’t tolerate them.
Negative Reviews of Menstrual Cups
This user tried several cup sizes, but no matter the size, she always had trouble removing it. It also didn’t fully open once inserted, leading to constant leaks.
Another woman also struggled with using a menstrual cup, she experienced frequent leaks and eventually went back to using tampons.
If you're experiencing leaks too, check out our guide on how to fix leaking issues with your menstrual cup.
Summary of Menstrual Cup Reviews
After reading hundreds of reviews on menstrual cups, we found that for many women, switching to a cup is a total game changer compared to tampons and pads.
They love being able to wear their protection longer throughout the day, find it fairly comfortable, and appreciate the eco-friendly and cost-saving benefits. ♻️💰
However, cups aren’t for everyone. Some women find insertion too tricky, or the shape of the cup just doesn’t work well with their anatomy, leading to leaks for some users.
That’s why many women are making the switch from menstrual cups to menstrual discs, which offer the same benefits but are often more practical and easier to insert.
Here are a few Reddit reviews from women who made the switch:
These two women tested the menstrual disc and loved how much easier it was to insert and remove. Plus, it’s more convenient and lets you have mess-free sex. According to them, it’s totally worth trying!
👉 Click here to read more customer reviews on the Cup&Co menstrual disc.
Customer Reviews of the Cup&Co Menstrual Cup
At Cup&Co, our mission is to offer you the very best for your period.
That’s why we created a high-quality menstrual cup made from medical-grade silicone, along with helpful accessories to make things easier, like an menstrual cup applicator to assist with insertion and a sterilizer for quick and easy cleaning.
But Cup&Co is more than just products, it’s also a caring team that’s here to support you as you transition to a new kind of period protection.
Our customer service team answers all your questions within 24 hours (Monday to Friday) and shares helpful videos and articles to guide you step by step as you get used to your new cup.
It’s this commitment that makes our customers love Cup&Co!
Here are just a few of the reviews we’ve received:
These two customers love our menstrual cup because they no longer have to worry about changing their protection throughout the day. For them, the menstrual cup is incredibly convenient and comfortable.
A large majority of our customers used to rely on menstrual cups before switching to the Cup&Co menstrual disc.
Here’s what they had to say after testing this new form of protection:
Jessica, for example, used to rely on menstrual cups—and now says she wishes she had made the switch to a menstrual disc sooner.
She finds the disc easier to use, loves that there's no suction effect like with a cup, and reports having zero leaks since switching.
And Jessica isn’t alone. Today, the majority of women who’ve purchased a Cup&Co disc were actually former menstrual cup users.
Many of them made the switch after struggling with leaks, discomfort, or difficulty using their cup. And once they tried the disc, most said they’d never go back.
👉 Interested? We’ve got a special offer going on right now: Buy 1 Menstrual Disc, Get 1 Free! 🎁
Health Experts’ Reviews on Menstrual Cups
The feedback from medical professionals and health specialists is generally positive when it comes to using menstrual cups:
Dr. Andrea Braden, a member of the Medical Expert Board, explains: “Menstrual cups are a great hygienic and eco-friendly alternative to tampons or pads. There’s definitely a learning curve, but once my patients understand how to choose the right size and how to clean the cup, they’re usually very satisfied with the results.”
Professor Helen Weiss, from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, adds: “Most studies report positive outcomes with menstrual cup use, less stress about leaks and fewer changes throughout the day compared to tampons or pads.”
⚠️ A 2018 U.S. study (link) raised concerns about the risk of IUD expulsion when using a menstrual cup. This was also mentioned by many midwives and gynecologists we interviewed during our research on menstrual discs.
👉 More information on the risk of IUD expulsion with menstrual cups in our full article
Key Takeaways from Doctors:
- ✅ Excellent alternative to tampons
- ⏳ May take time to learn how to use properly
- 🥰 Requires comfort with your own body
- 🧼 Proper cleaning and sterilization are essential
- ⚠️ Higher risk of dislodging an IUD compared to other products
How to Choose Your Menstrual Cup
If you're thinking about trying a menstrual cup, here are a few tips to help you choose the right one:
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Try before you commit: If it’s your first time using a menstrual cup, we recommend choosing one that’s free or comes with a satisfaction guarantee, just in case it’s not the right fit for you. At Cup&Co, we offer a 90-day trial period, so you can test your cup for up to 3 cycles. 🩸
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For beginners: A menstrual cup with an applicator can make insertion much easier and more comfortable, especially during your first few uses.
- Pick the right size: In general, small sizes are better suited for people under 25 who haven’t given birth vaginally. If you’re over 25 or have given birth, a larger size is usually more appropriate.
Where to buy your menstrual cup?
You can buy your menstrual cup online (on the websites of specialized brands), at pharmacies, or in some supermarkets. Some brands sell it in Target, Whole Foods Market, Walmart, CVS Pharmacy, and Walgreens.
Prices typically range from €15 to €30 depending on the model. 💰
Discover our ranking of the 8 best menstrual cup brands to buy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Menstrual Cups
What are the risks or side effects of using a menstrual cup?
While medical-grade menstrual cups are generally safe, there are a few potential risks to be aware of:
- Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)
- Risk of IUD displacement
- Vaginal irritation or discomfort
- And a few others...
👉 Want to learn more? Check out our full guide on the risks of menstrual cups and how to avoid them.
Can I swim or exercise with a menstrual cup?
Yes! Menstrual cups are great for physical activity and swimming. Many users report that their cup stays in place even during intense workouts, with no leaks or discomfort.
Does a menstrual cup hurt?
If it’s the right size and properly positioned, a menstrual cup shouldn’t hurt.
However, if you’re feeling discomfort or pain with your menstrual cup, it might be a sign that the cup is too big, too firm, or not positioned correctly.
In that case, consider trying a different size or switch to a menstrual disc, which doesn't create suction and is often more comfortable for some users.
How long can I wear it?
You can wear your menstrual cup for 8 to 12 hours, depending on your flow.
It’s important not to exceed this time to reduce the risk of TSS.
Empty it regularly, especially on heavy flow days for optimal hygiene and comfort.
Can I sleep with a menstrual cup?
Yes, but make sure you don’t wear it for more than 12 hours overnight.
Empty and clean it before bed and again when you wake up to stay safe and comfortable.
How do I clean and sterilize my cup?
- Rinse your cup thoroughly before and after each use.
- Let it air dry before storing it in its cotton pouch, this helps prevent odors.
- Sterilize your menstrual cup in boiling water for about 5 minutes, at the start of each cycle. 👉 Check out our step-by-step guide on how to sterilize your cup.