Do your homework before choosing a menstrual cup that is right for you because there is no such thing as a universal perfect menstrual cup, they all have their pros and cons because every woman is unique.
The variety of cup choice available can quite overwhelming so I have carefully curated legit brands who offers different features in order to
cater most women. There are many factors to consider other than sizes. Read my tips below to help you pick the best possible fit.
Have a look at the Cup comparison table and focus onĀ the variations of a cup: its diameter, capacity, length etc… The difference in between sizes can be only a few millimeters, but it is important to use the right sizing to prevent leakage. Read the guidelines below to help you choose the menstrual cup thatās right for you.
Do take in account that your body size is a factor more important than your flow. Logic would suggest that If you have a light flow, you’d need aĀ cup with small capacity and vice versa.
A cup has to be snug in your vagina to seal properly. If you have a light flow but your body size suggest you need a larger cup, do not take a small cup. The most important is that it’s a good fit. Depending on your flow you will empty it more often if need be.
Wether you gave birth vaginally or not, the kind of delivery you had, and how strong or weak your pelvic floor are important factors to consider.
If you experience leaks with your cup after birth, you may want to up your cup size both in capacity and in diameter. The blood flow tend to increase after a pregnancy, your cervix may sit lower and your vaginal muscles may not be as strong as before. Again this is a general guideline, women recover differently.
You will often see menstrual cup brands recommend to choose your cup size according to your age: before 30, after 30, before or after kids etc.
I have known women in their early 20ās who wear a large size cup and women in their 40ās with 3 kids wearing a small size. Age can be a helpful indicator but it is not a factor to follow too literally. Your body frame and level of fitness is a better indicator of which size to choose.
As we age, our hips naturally widen and the vaginal muscles lose elasticity. Because the vaginal muscles hold the cup in place, it is important to use a bigger size, even if you have not had childbirth. Itās hard to predict when that body change occur. It can happen in your 30ās or in your 40ās, depending on your own aging process as well as in what shape you are in. A good pelvic floor health is key.
Your cervix, this little doughnut at the bottom of your vagina where the blood flows out while on your period plays a crucial role in the choice of your cup.
We all know that the cervix tends to sit a little lower than usual while on your period but it can really vary a lot from one woman to another. Read this article on how to assess your cervix height and come back to this page.
A cup that is too short for you will tend to ride up close to your cervix and will be more difficult to reach at removal. A cup that is too long for you will be uncomfortable and may slightly poke out at the entry of your vagina.
the right cup will just be snug in its right place and do its job just perfectly. This Cup comparison table will give you a good overview of the specific cup length in millimeters depending on your cervix.
Located at the bottom of the bell, it can be used to remove the menstrual cup out of the vagina. All menstrual cups offer different types of stem that range in shape, firmness, size, and design including short and long stems, flat, round stems and ring stems.
Some type of stem can be trimmed down and adjusted according to oneās needs (short cervix). Your cervix height should influence your choice of stem.
The shore of a cup that you can see in my cup comparison chart refers to the level of softness of the silicone. Ranging from 30 to 60, the higher the number the stiffer it will be.
The softness of a cup is to be chosen according to how toned your pelvic floor is. It is a bit counter intuitive but if you are very toned go for a cup that is stiffer as you want some resistance on your vagina walls for a better seal and vice versa.
Menstrual cups are affordable and durable making it the cheapest period protection on the market. Starting as little as 15ā¬ for something you can use for 10 years+.
Check out the Google map of menstrual cups to see where they are being manufactured and know more about who you are buying from. We recommend you go for legit cup brands who put in the hard work and have certified medical grade silicone.