Cup-Curious? What Changes When You Switch to a Reusable Menstrual Cup
TL;DR: A reusable menstrual cup collects flow rather than absorbing it. It can reduce repeat purchases and disposable period-product use, but it also involves insertion, removal, cleaning and a learning curve. The best option is the one that suits your body, routine and comfort.
Maybe you have seen a menstrual cup online, in a bathroom cabinet or on a shop shelf and wondered what using one is actually like.
Does it replace pads and tampons completely? Is it hard to use? How do you clean it? And what happens if it does not feel right the first time?
Those are sensible questions. Switching period products is personal, and a reusable option is not automatically the best choice for everyone. The useful question is not whether a menstrual cup is “better” in every way. It is whether the changes it brings could work for your body and everyday routine.
What does a menstrual cup actually change?
A menstrual cup is worn internally during your period. Instead of absorbing flow like a tampon or pad, it collects it. You remove the cup, empty it, clean it and insert it again according to the product instructions.
That changes the routine in a few practical ways:
- You reuse one cup rather than opening a new disposable product each time.
- You need to feel comfortable inserting and removing an internal period product.
- Cleaning becomes part of your period-care routine.
- Fit, position and your individual flow affect how the cup works for you.
For some people, that trade-off feels worthwhile. For others, pads, tampons, period underwear or a mix of products may be more practical. There is no need to force an all-or-nothing switch.
If you are cup-curious, expect a learning curve
Using a cup is a skill, not a test you must pass on the first try.
Research reviewing menstrual-cup use found that familiarity, practical guidance and practice can affect whether people feel comfortable continuing. That makes sense. Folding the cup, finding a comfortable position, making sure it opens correctly and learning how to remove it may take time.
A little trial and error does not mean you are doing something wrong. It may simply mean you are learning a new routine. It is also completely reasonable to decide that an insertable product is not for you.
Stop if you experience pain. Follow the instructions included with your cup, and speak with a qualified health professional if you have concerns about fit, discomfort, an IUD or whether a menstrual cup is suitable for you.
Menstrual cup vs pads and tampons: what is different?
Each option manages menstrual flow differently. The right choice depends on what feels manageable and comfortable for you.
A menstrual cup collects flow
A cup is worn internally, emptied and cleaned for reuse. This can reduce how often you need to buy and throw away disposable period products. It also requires access to suitable washing facilities and comfort with insertion and removal.
A tampon absorbs flow internally
A tampon is inserted and absorbs menstrual flow. It is single-use, so each tampon is removed and disposed of after use. Some people prefer the familiar routine and wide availability of tampons.
A pad absorbs flow externally
A pad sits inside underwear and absorbs flow outside the body. It does not require insertion, which may make it easier or more comfortable for some people. Disposable pads need to be changed and placed in general waste after use.
None of these options can promise no leaks or suit every situation. Flow, fit, placement, movement and the time between changes all matter.
Why do some people switch to a reusable menstrual cup?
The most direct benefit is reuse. A cup can be emptied, cleaned and used again throughout your cycle. When it replaces a pad or tampon, that means one less disposable product is needed at that time.
It can also reduce the need to keep buying period products as often. We are deliberately not putting a dollar figure on that benefit because everyone’s cycle and product use are different.
Some people also like having a compact period-care option they can keep ready between cycles. The Zero Waste Co cup includes a storage pouch and an instruction manual.
What should you consider before switching?
A cup may be worth considering if you are comfortable with an internal period product and prepared to learn a new routine. Before you decide, think about:
- Insertion and removal: Are you comfortable learning how to use an insertable product?
- Cleaning: Will you have access to clean water, suitable soap and a private place when needed?
- Flow: Heavier days may mean emptying the cup earlier than the maximum stated wear time.
- Fit: Cup shapes and sizes vary, and a comfortable fit is personal.
- Health considerations: If you have an IUD, pelvic pain or another concern, ask a qualified health professional before use.
It is also fine to use a cup only when it suits you. You might choose one product at home and another while travelling, at work or overnight. Progress does not have to look the same for everyone.
Small or Large: start with the exact product facts
The Zero Waste Co reusable menstrual cup comes in two capacities:
- Small: holds roughly 15 ml to the rim.
- Large: holds approximately 28–30 ml.
The supplied size guide offers general guidance, but menstrual-cup fit is not universal across brands or bodies. Use the product instructions as your starting point. If you are unsure which option is appropriate for you, ask a qualified health professional rather than relying on a general online rule.
How long can this cup be worn?
The instructions for this exact cup state up to eight hours before removal, emptying and cleaning. Your flow may mean you need to empty it sooner.
Follow the included instructions and do not treat eight hours as a promise that the cup will suit every flow or remain leak-free for that entire time.
Care is part of the switch
During your cycle, the current product instructions say to wash your hands, remove and empty the cup, then rinse it thoroughly with cold water. Wash the cup inside and out with mild, unscented, water-based soap, clear the suction holes and rinse away all soap residue before reinserting.
Between cycles, submerge the cup in boiling water for three to five minutes and keep it away from the bottom of the pot. The product instructions advise against bleach, vinegar, tea tree oil, hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial soaps and harsh rubbing alcohol.
Always follow the care guide included with your cup.
You do not have to choose one product forever
Reusable period care should make life more workable, not create pressure.
You can try a menstrual cup without promising to stop using pads or tampons. You can keep a backup product while you learn. You can use different options on different days. And you can decide that another reusable or disposable product suits you better.
The goal is an informed choice that works for you.
Ready to explore the reusable option?
The Zero Waste Co Reusable Menstrual Cup is made from medical-grade silicone. It comes in Small and Large capacities, with a storage pouch and instruction manual.
This article provides general information only and is not medical advice. Follow the instructions supplied with the product and speak with a qualified health professional if you have pain, an IUD or questions about whether a menstrual cup is suitable for you.
Sources
- Zero Waste Co, Reusable Menstrual Cup product information and care instructions.
- van Eijk AM et al., “Menstrual cup use, leakage, acceptability, safety, and availability: a systematic review and meta-analysis”, The Lancet Public Health, 2019.
- Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australian product-regulation information for menstrual cups.
