You have discovered the menstrual cup for yourself and want to know which menstrual cup sizes are available and which is the right one for you? We'll tell you!
Once a month, everyone has to go through it: your period. Instead of pads and tampons, you chose to use a menstrual cup. It should last you a long time and is ideal in everyday life or during sports.
You don't have to worry about a bloody surprise in your panties - provided you use the right size.
Find out which menstrual cup is right for you and what to look out for here.
Much about my experience with the menstrual cup I have already told you in a separate blog post.
Table of contents
How big does my menstrual cup need to be?
Men's cups come in different sizes. They range from S to XL. Whether your menstrual cup is big enough depends on many factors, such as how heavy your period is, where your uterus is located, how trained your pelvic floor is and whether you have already had a child.
How heavy is your period?
First of all, it is important to know how much you bleed during your period. This can be a little or a lot.
If you have a light period, you probably use small or normal tampon sizes and thin pads. You change them a few times a day. In this case, a smaller cup is sufficient.
If you have a heavy period and use super or super plus tampons and thick pads and also change them several times a day, then you should reach for a larger cup, otherwise a small one is quickly full.
However, the strength of the bleeding is not the decisive factor for the choice of your menstrual cup size. You can simply empty the cup more often.
Much more important are the following points.
Where is your cervix?
The cervix can be in different positions. Depending on the woman or the cycle, and depending on the day, this position can change. The best time to observe the position of your cervix is on the last day of your period or shortly after. On these days it is at its lowest.
You can feel the position of the cervix with your finger. Wash your hands thoroughly and insert your finger into the vagina. You will find the cervix at the upper end of your vagina. Rather, it's on the front side. You will feel a round, soft circle with a hole in the middle.
If your longest finger is completely inside your vagina without feeling your cervix, then you have a very high cervix. If you can feel your cervix before your finger is completely inside your vagina, then you have a lower cervix.
Why you should know your cervix?
The position of the cervix determines how long your menstrual cup should be.
So that you now know which size fits you, we have a guide for you, which will help you to find the right size according to your period and the position of your cervix.
| Period strength | Position of the cervix | Menstrual cup size |
| Easy | High | Medium |
| Easy | Deep | Small |
| Strong | High | Medium |
| Strong | Deep | Medium as well as small |
In the latter case, if you choose a small cup, you will have to empty it more often. If you choose a medium cup, more blood will be collected and you will have to empty it less often. However, you may have to shorten the stem a bit.
In this example, a menstrual cup that is 65 mm high and 40 mm wide is considered a small cup. The medium menstrual cup is 68 mm high and 45 mm wide.
How trained are your pelvic floor muscles?
The strength of your pelvic floor muscles plays an important role in finding the right cup size. The pelvic floor muscles hold your menstrual cup in place.
If your pelvic floor is well trained, then a small cup will hold very well. If your pelvic floor is rather weak, a small cup may not hold well.
In this case, it is better to choose a cup with a wider diameter from the menstrual cup sizes. If you use a cup that is too narrow, the blood may run past.
However, the same also applies to a meniscus cup that is too wide, as it can be dented.
You can find out whether your pelvic floor is trained by observing whether you hold a few drops of urine in your pants when you sneeze or jump, for example, or whether you urgently need to go to the toilet afterwards.
Or you try to stop urine when you pee. Can you do that?
Have you already had a birth?
Also, after childbirth, your pelvic floor may not be as strong as before and the position of your cervix may have changed.
Therefore, you may need a larger cup after giving birth.
Attention: Every woman is different. That is why the best way to find the right cup is trial and error.
If you're still unsure about which menstrual cup to use: I have chosen the Lunette menstrual cup* and I am very happy with them. It is very tight, fits well and is not noticeable.
If you're still unsure, you can read the many good reviews on Amazon.
Can a menstrual cup be too big?
When it comes to the menstrual cup, it depends on the right size. With the different menstrual cup sizes, it is often not so easy to find the right one.
But in fact, a cup that is too small or too large can become problematic.
A menstrual cup that is too large cannot unfold completely, which can cause the blood to run past. In addition, a menstrual cup that is too large can cause a feeling of pressure or pain.
Cups that are too small also do not seal properly. In addition, they can twist and slide down, making removal difficult.
How to insert the menstrual cup correctly?
There are different folding techniques for inserting the menstrual cup. These techniques not only make insertion easier, but also ensure that the cup fits.
The 7-fold, the S-fold and the C-fold are the most used techniques.
7-fold
Hold your menstrual cup firmly with your index finger and thumb and press the rim flat.
Fold one end of the rim down 90 degrees. Hold the cup together with your index finger and thumb and then insert the cup.
S-fold
Hold your cup with your index finger and thumb, then press the edge flat. Fold the edge inward by forming an S shape with your left index finger and right thumb.
Hold the cup together again with your index finger and thumb and insert it.
C-fold
Hold your menstrual cup with your index finger and thumb and press the rim flat.
Using your index finger and thumb, press the two ends of the rim together to form a C shape. Hold the cup together again with your index finger and thumb and insert the cup.
How deep do I need to insert the menstrual cup?
The menstrual cup must be inserted so that it is flush with the cervix or catches the blood below the cervix.
You'll know if the cup is properly seated when a short plop causes it to spring back to its original shape, creating a slight vacuum in your vagina.
Don't worry, over time you'll develop a feel for it.
You can also test with your finger on the vaginal wall to see if the cup has pulled vacuum and can be moved.
What to do if the menstrual cup does not fit properly?
You have found the right menstrual cup size for you, but somehow the cup does not fit properly? If your cup doesn't fit properly, blood may still flow past it and out of your vagina.
If it won't open, it may only need a few quick adjustments:
- Grasp the cup at the lower end and turn it slightly. As soon as it is in the right position, it will pop open by itself.
- Make a circle around the cup with your finger. This will help it find the right orientation.
- Make sure that the cup is positioned correctly and is not inserted too deep or far.
If nothing works, take the cup out again and put it back in. Maybe another folding method will help you?
How long can I wear the menstrual cup?
One of the main advantages of a menstrual cup is that it can be worn for longer periods of time.
But how long can you really wear them?
Your menstrual cup can stay in your body for up to 8 hours because the cap catches more blood than other menstrual products.
During your period, you lose an average of 30-70 milliliters of blood. A menstrual cup, on the other hand, can absorb 15-35 milliliters of blood. Therefore, most women only need to change it two to three times a day.
However, you should not wear the cup for more than 8 hours. Bacteria can form on it, which increases the risk of infection. Therefore, after this time it should be changed, or more precisely, emptied.
It is possible that your menstrual cup is leaking for a number of reasons:
- The cup is too big.
- Your menstrual cup is too small.
- It did not open properly.
- You pushed it past the cervix.
If you already have the right size, then try different folding techniques. And take your time! One day you'll get the hang of it and insertion will be quick.
Our conclusion
Before you buy a menstrual cup, you should definitely get an overview of the different menstrual cup sizes. They are available from S-XL. Only if you choose the right size for you, you can be sure that no blood ends up in your panties.
To browse further:
* Advertising & affiliate links: Our website is financed by advertising and affiliate links. As a partner of linked stores (e.g. Amazon) we earn from qualified sales.
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