Best Menstrual Cups and Tampon Alternatives Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Menstruation Best Menstrual Cups and Alternatives to Tampons The eco-friendly tampon alternative is growing in popularity. Which one is right for you? By Aly WalanskyReviewed: August 17, 2018Fact-CheckedThese menstrual cups can be used as eco-friendly alternatives to pads and tampons. iStockAll products and services featured here are chosen for their potential to inspire and enable your wellness. Everyday Health may earn an affiliate commission on items you purchase. If you’re a frequent traveler or concerned about your own impact on the environment, you may want to consider trading in pads or tampons for a menstrual cup. A menstrual cup is a reusable alternative to the common menstrual hygiene products, pads, and tampons. “It’s usually made of silicone in a bell shape and its purpose is to collect the menstrual flow within, avoiding the flow to leak onto clothes,” says Lucia Gaitan, MD, an OB/GYN with TopLine MD in Miami. Menstrual cups have a stem that is used for insertion and removal, and there are different sizes to fit each individual’s size and flow. Menstrual cups have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and are safe, says Dr. Gaitan. As for who should consider a menstrual cup, it’s a personal choice. “Medically speaking there is not a specific type of patient that should consider a menstrual cup. It’s a personal decision and one that fits some lifestyles better than others,” says Gaitan. Reusable menstrual cups offer some advantages. They can be more cost-effective than tampons and pads, and are eco-friendly, according to Gaitan. There are cons to consider as well, such as they require maintenance and proper cleaning. And, much like with pads and tampons, there are many brands and features to consider. Thinking of switching to a menstrual cup? Here are a few factors to consider: Material “Most of them are made with medical grade silicone, however some could be made of latex. Of course, avoid a latex cup if you are allergic to it,” says Gaitan. Size Several factors need to be taken into account when choosing the right size for a menstrual cup. These factors include your age, whether or not you have had children, and the amount of menstrual flow, says Gaitan. Reusable or Disposable There are reusable and disposable models. A reusable menstrual cup are thicker and more durable and not meant to be worn during sex. Here are our top picks. Saalt Menstrual Cup The Saalt Menstrual Cup is a reusable soft silicone cup that collects, rather than absorbs your period. It’s reusable (for up to 10 years) and reliable: you can wear your cup up to 12 hours. This cup is made of 100 percent medical grade silicone, and maintains natural pH, is hypoallergenic, chemical, and odor free. This cup is created to mold to your own personal shape and comes in two sizes: small for light to normal flow and regular, for normal to heavy flow. See price on Amazon FLEX Disc FLEX is a disposable menstrual disc that provides 12 hours of period protection (it is not reusable). It’s made with medical-grade polymer and designed to comfortably form to the shape of the body, making it ideal for women with active lifestyles. And unlike tampons and reusable menstrual cups, the FLEX is designed to sit in the vaginal fornix, (which is at the base of the cervix) and not in the vaginal canal, so it can be worn during period sex. FLEX is available as a subscription in packs of four, eight, or 12 discs monthly, depending on the needs of your cycle. See price on FlexFits.com DivaCup The DivaCup is one of the most well-known of menstrual cups. It is made of soft silicone that softens with body heat, and forms to the body for comfort. It can be worn up to a maximum of 10 to 12 consecutive hours and should be emptied and rinsed a minimum of two to three times daily. The DivaCup is available in two sizes: Model 1 (recommended for women under the age of 30 who have never delivered vaginally or by C-section) and Model 2 (recommended for women age 30 and over and/or for women who have delivered vaginally or by C-section). See price on Walmart Lunette Menstrual Cup The reusable Lunette menstrual cup has a lot of fans due to being easier to use (just fold and insert). It also comes in a variety of sizes, colors, and is available in two capacities (Model 1 for light flow and Model 2 for normal or heavy flow). The “v” shaped, silicone and BPA-free cup can be used for up to 12 hours. Conveniently, the Lunette comes with a pouch to hold your cup, and fits into your bag. See price on Amazon Ruby Cup Because not every woman’s body is built the same way, the Ruby Cup is a smaller size than the average larger cup, and is good for smaller or lower cervixes. The reusable cup has three times the capacity of a super tampon, and can be worn up to 12 hours, depending on the heaviness of your flow. It’s designed to last up to 10 years and comes with an organic cotton bag for storage. Ruby Cup also helps promote menstrual health in developing countries such as Ghana, Nepal, and Kenya with its ‘Buy One, Give One’ program. For every cup they sell, they donate one to a girl or woman without access to menstrual care products. See price on RubyCup.com Intimina Ziggy Cup The Ziggy Cup is a reusable cup with a thin, flat-fit design that adapts to the body. It’s the only reusable cup that can be worn during sex. It’s made of medical-grade silicone and offers up to 12 hours of protection. Depending on your flow, the Ziggy Cup should be emptied two to three times per 24-hour period. Cleaning is also easy — wash the cup with mild soap and hot water after each use, there’s no need for a special cleaning product. See price on Amazon FemmyCycle Menstrual Cup Invented by a doctor, the FemmyCycle features a patented no-spill foldable rim, an easy removal ring for comfort, and offers up to 12 hours of leak-free protection. It comes in three sizes that are based on individual anatomy — Regular, Low Cervix (designed for women with lower than average cervixes or shorter vaginal canals), and Petite. It’s made of 100 percent medical-grade silicone and is vegan-friendly. See price on FemmyCycle.com Initimina Lilly Cup Compact The Lilly Cup is the first collapsible menstrual cup, and its compact design is ideal for travel. It can be worn for up to 12 hours and comes with a carrying case. It’s available in two sizes — Size A (for women who have not given birth or for those who have given birth by C-section) and Size B (recommended for women who have given birth vaginally or for those who have been diagnosed with a weaker pelvic floor). See price on Amazon NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Women' s Health Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The Latest in Menstruation How to Use a Menstrual Cup Set it and forget it — for several hours, anyway. 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