The reusable menstrual disc is a revolutionary product that has become widely popular in the United States and is now starting to grow in France and across Europe.
However, due to a lack of reliable information on the topic, and at the request of consumers, we decided to interview healthcare professionals to get their expert opinions on this new protection.
Our goal is to provide more reliable and solid information to help reassure and guide consumers.
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Why and How We Conducted This Study
Today, there are very few studies or professional opinions available on menstrual discs. During our search for midwives and obstetricians to consult, we realized that many healthcare professionals either weren't familiar with this new period product or didn’t know enough about it to give informed advice.
It was therefore important for us to carry out this study in order to gather more precise information directly from health experts and to share it with as many people as possible, to help normalize and democratize the use of menstrual discs.
We selected the most common questions and concerns raised by menstruating women, especially those that required expert opinions from gynecologists, midwives, and other healthcare specialists.
We then submitted these questions to 7 experts (including midwives, a gynecologist, an osteopath, and a sex therapist) who kindly agreed to participate.
After collecting their answers, we analyzed all the responses to draw solid conclusions and provide clear, reliable information for women seeking guidance.
Thanks to their insights, we are now able to share these results with you.
Synthèse des résultats des professionnels de santé
We were able to easily draw clear conclusions because, for most of the questions, all 7 healthcare experts gave very similar answers.
This consistency reinforces the reliability of the results.
Here are the different topics we covered in our questionnaire:
Menstrual Cup and Disc with an IUD
Question: Is it compatible with an IUD? Are there any risks? Is it more compatible than a menstrual cup?
Result: The responses were unanimous: the menstrual disc poses no risk when used with an IUD. In fact, the majority of healthcare experts believe that menstrual discs are even more compatible with an IUD than menstrual cups.
According to the experts, there are two main reasons for this:
- Pinching a menstrual cup during removal can accidentally catch and pull the IUD strings, potentially dislodging it. This is much less likely with a menstrual disc, as its shape and removal method do not involve pinching.
- The suction effect created by a cup could, although rarely, also cause expulsion. This does not happen with a disc, which stays in place naturally without suction.
👉 Find All the Information About Using a Menstrual Disc with an IUD
Wearing Time and Risks Associated with a Menstrual Disc
Question: What do you think about wearing a menstrual disc for 12 consecutive hours? Are there any risks other than Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)?
Result: Wearing a menstrual disc for 12 consecutive hours is considered too long.
It could increase the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), although discs and cups carry a lower risk than disposable tampons.
It is recommended to change your menstrual protection every 6 to 8 hours to minimize any risk of TSS.
Proper hygiene is also crucial:
- Rinse your disc after every use
- Sterilize it at least once per cycle
If you follow these rules, there are no other health risks associated with using a menstrual disc.
Learn about other potential risks of menstrual discs in our article!
Sex During Your Period with a Menstrual Disc
Question: Is the menstrual disc compatible with sexual intercourse?
Result: Yes, this protection is compatible with sex, including penetrative intercourse.
However, keep in mind that it is not a contraceptive device.
Each person should try and see if this protection is comfortable for their sexual activity.
More information about having sex with a menstrual disc here!
Menstrual Disc After Vaginal Birth
Question: Why do some women switch to menstrual discs after giving birth vaginally? Is the disc better suited for them than a cup?
Result: Some women prefer using a reusable menstrual disc after childbirth for two main reasons:
The body changes after childbirth:
- The pelvis widens, and the vaginal canal becomes more spacious. Traditional protections like tampons or menstrual cups may no longer fit properly, leading to leaks. The menstrual disc adapts better to the body’s new shape, sitting higher in the vaginal canal and offering more comfort.
- Menstrual flow often becomes heavier after birth: For some women, postpartum periods are much heavier. Menstrual discs, with their larger capacity, are a better fit for these heavier flows.
Menstrual Disc for Teenagers and Young Women
Question: Can teenagers (15–18 years old) use a menstrual disc?
Result: There are no medical restrictions against young women using a menstrual disc.
However, it is important that they feel comfortable with their body to insert and use the protection correctly, something that often comes with age and experience.
Other Questions About the Menstrual Disc
Question: Is a menstrual disc compatible with a tilted (retroverted) uterus?
Result:
Yes, having a retroverted uterus is completely compatible with using a menstrual disc.
However, there’s one exception: menstrual discs can be more difficult to use with a retroverted uterus 👈 Learn more in our article here!
Question: Can you use a menstrual disc if you have pelvic organ prolapse?
Result: No, in theory, it’s not recommended.
Changes in the vaginal structure due to prolapse may prevent the disc from staying in place properly.
Additionally, inserting foreign objects could increase the risk of infections in such cases.
Question: Can a menstrual disc help relieve cramps?
Result: No, the menstrual disc itself does not reduce cramps.
Menstrual cramps are caused by prostaglandins, which trigger uterine contractions to shed the lining.
However, sexual activity can sometimes help relieve cramps, and because the disc doesn’t create suction, it may feel more comfortable compared to other internal protections.
Summary Table of the Responses Collected in the Study
| Features/Questions | Menstrual Disc |
|---|---|
| Compatible with IUD | ✅ |
| Risk of expelling IUD | ❌ |
| Works without suction | ✅ |
| Safe for 12-hour wear | ❌ (recommended 6–8h) |
| Needs to be rinsed after each use | ✅ |
| Needs to be sterilized at least once per cycle | ✅ |
| Compatible with penetrative sex | ✅ |
| Suitable after vaginal childbirth | ✅ |
| Suitable for teenagers (15–18 years old) | ✅ (if comfortable with their body) |
| Compatible with retroverted uterus | ✅ |
| Recommended for pelvic organ prolapse | ❌ |
| Helps relieve menstrual cramps | ❌ |
General Opinions of Midwives on Menstrual Discs
We also asked these healthcare professionals for their overall feedback on menstrual discs for periods.
Here are the responses from three midwives regarding this new, improved version of the cup, the disc:
"I believe this protection can be very beneficial in terms of ecology, as it significantly reduces menstrual waste. However, it's important to properly educate women on how to use it, as it's not completely risk-free and requires good self-awareness and knowledge of one's body."
"Eco-friendly, practical, requires being comfortable with your body, but easier to use than a cup and safe to use with an IUD."
"A very good alternative to traditional period products, with an advantage over the cup thanks to the lack of suction and a larger collection capacity. To be further evaluated in practice."
