They also took into account how comfortable they were to wear for the recommended amount of time, how confident they felt in public, and how easy it was to clean and re-insert. Absolutely – you can still use a menstrual cup if you've never had sex! "You can start using a menstrual cup from your first period," advises Stephanie. "It may feel uncomfortable at first, but don’t force it. It’s best to choose a brand which offers smaller sizes if you're a beginner with menstrual cups."

You sure can. In fact, Stephanie points out: "Menstrual cups can hold up to 5 times more blood than towels and tampons. Some come with measurement lines to tell you whether you’re having a light, medium or heavy flow. They can also help diagnose endometriosis which affects 1 in 10 women in the UK, as very heavy periods can be a tell-tale sign. How we test The length of the cup or stem you want (which differs slightly between brands) depends on how low your cervix sits during your period. This is where you might need to experiment with fit a bit. You can also use your fingers to judge how low your cervix is sitting. Mooncup The Mooncup is designed by women for your comfort and convenience. Made in the UK, the soft medical grade silicone Mooncup holds three times as much as a tampon, making it great for heavy days. And, because it’s non-absorbent, it won’t cause dryness when your period’s light. You only need one Mooncup, which lasts for years. Suitable for women with sensitive skin and allergies. Unlike tampons, the Mooncup won’t expose your body to pesticides or bleaches, leave fibres behind or dry you out. And because there’s no string, the Mooncup is completely discreet, whatever you’re wearing. Ideal for travelling, swimming, and exercise.In December 2021, we asked 382 people who had used a menstrual cup in the past two years to tell us whether they thought the brand or brands they used were good for comfort, durability, value for money, and protection from leaks.

Plus, we reveal how users rated popular brands including Mooncup, Divacup, Tampax and Boots for things like comfort and leak protection, based on our unique survey of menstrual cup users. Good value for money/saves money over time (46%) 'They are just like using sanitary towels and pads but cheaper – a good money-saving option.' In our survey, people were overall more positive about their experiences with menstrual cups than negative – 61% said they liked them compared with other sanitary products. The Mooncup is designed by women for your comfort and convenience. Made in the UK, the soft medical grade silicone Mooncup holds three times as much as a tampon, making it great for heavy days. And, because it’s non-absorbent, it won’t cause dryness when your period’s light. You only need one Mooncup, which lasts for years. Suitable for women with sensitive skin and allergies. Unlike tampons, the Mooncup won’t expose your body to pesticides or bleaches, leave fibres behind or dry you out. And because there’s no string, the Mooncup is completely discreet, whatever you’re wearing. Ideal for travelling, swimming, and exercise. The last few months I have been plagued with really heavy menstrual cycles, so much so I would soak a pad every hour. As I never got on with Tampons I took to sleeping in the bath. Since I discovered Mooncup I have managed to get a good night’s sleep! As the cup holds a lot more than a pad and for me has not leaked I can safely say these last 3 days have been the happiest I have been, not to mention well rested. I would recommend this to anyone with heavy periods.” – NicThere are also menstrual discs that are shaped more like a shallow bowl, without a stem. These tend to be one size fits all, and some can be worn during sex. It may take a bit of trial and error to get the hang of inserting and removing them. Cost

Most brands have at least two sizes, one that's a bit smaller for users who are under 30 and have not given birth vaginally, and one that's slightly larger for those who have given birth vaginally, or are over 30. Some brands offer a specific smaller teen size, too. Awkward/difficult to wash when not at home (34%) 'Great for reducing waste but not ideal for when you need to change it as some changing rooms don't have sinks to clean. But great for lighter periods.' The Mooncup sits lower than a tampon and works by collecting the menstrual blood. The Mooncup is held in place by the vaginal muscles and can be emptied, rinsed and reinserted every four to eight hours. It can be used safely when travelling, swimming or exercising. Frequently Asked Questions about using a Mooncup The best menstrual cup for you will come down to personal preference, and will depend on your body and how you feel using one. So don’t be discouraged if it takes a few tries to find the right one, or to get in the swing of using it.With that in mind, we answer some of the most common questions about menstrual cups, including how to use one, and we test and suggest some of the best menstrual cups to try for anyone who has periods, whether you're a beginner or a pro. Su first came across a menstrual cup when she was travelling around Australia in 2000 and started to import and distribute it to friends and friends of friends when she came home to the UK. But discovering that some had a reaction to the latex in this rubber cup, she researched hypoallergenic alternatives and invented the world’s first reusable, medical grade silicone menstrual cup, trademarked as the Mooncup® in the spring of 2002. But it was the real Mooncup users who helped to smash the menstrual taboo. We have long known that word of mouth recommendation has been the key to the Mooncup® menstrual cup moving from ‘hippy’ alternative to the go-to period product. We know that there is no such thing as a typical #RealMooncupUser: each one of us is unique, united by a mission to have a more positive, healthy and eco-friendly period. Some respondents in our survey said it took a while to get used to their menstrual cup and find a comfortable position, but overall 61% told us they liked or loved their menstrual cup.