Menstrual Disc vs Menstrual Cup: Which Is The Best Option For Me?

Women used to dread the shark a week-long back. Now women have different options to choose from including sanitary pads, tampons, menstrual discs, menstrual cups, etc., which will help them with period management. Not wearing any option and allowing menstrual fluid to flow freely is also a trend now in an attempt to destigmatize menstruation. 

Women have now been placed in different positions of power, and the markets have started finding newer ways to support women in their pursuit of success and achievements. Given the variety of options in menstrual care, it is pertinent to see who turns out to be the winner in the menstrual disc vs menstrual cup tug-of-war.

Menstrual Disc vs Menstrual Cup: What Are The Difference?

Menstrual discs are insertable products of menstrual care. It has a flat design which looks more like a shallow dish. It can provide protection for up to twelve hours, minimize cramps and even let us have mess-free sex. 

Menstrual cups are bell-shaped intravaginal devices that are placed in the vaginal canal. 

Both are designed to collect menstrual fluid, but the designs and workings are different. While the menstrual discs boasts of reducing menstrual cramps, the menstrual cups take a pass. Menstrual discs are available in reusable and disposable options while menstrual cups are reusable.

Both of them can be worn for twelve hours, and both the menstrual cup and the reusable menstrual disc have a lifespan of 10 years.

Menstrual Disc vs Menstrual Cup: Position 

Menstrual discs sit at the base of your cervix at a place called the vaginal fornix. This area is the end and the widest part of the vaginal canal. This explains why the discs are wider than cups. The menstrual cup sits in the lower part of the vaginal canal.

Comfort Level In Menstrual Discs vs Menstrual Cup

Winner- Menstrual Discs

The lower part of the vaginal canal has more nerve endings than there are in the vaginal fornix. As the menstrual cups are placed in the lower part of the vaginal canal (a little deeper than where the tampon rests), and the menstrual discs are placed deeper inside the vaginal canal at the vaginal fornix. Hence, people find menstrual discs to be comfier to wear. 

Eco-friendly- Menstrual Disc versus Menstrual Cup

Winner- It’s A Tie!

Menstrual discs are available in both disposable and reusable options, while menstrual cups are reusable only. If you are environment conscious and want to minimize the waste put into mother earth, you can go with reusable menstrual discs or menstrual cups. Menstrual cups and reusable discs should be washed before reinsertion. Menstrual cups need to be boiled or wiped down with 70 percent isopropyl alcohol, after the period ends every month, in order to disinfect them. In menstrual discs Vs menstrual cups, both turn out to be environmentally friendly.

Menstrual Disc vs Menstrual Cup: Travel Friendly 

Winner- Menstrual discs

If you are always on the go, menstrual discs are the best option as it is more travel friendly and convenient as you can dispose them after use, without having to bother about cleaning them in public restrooms. Cleaning the cup in public restrooms can be a messy affair.

Messiness Factor

In menstrual discs vs Menstrual cups, the removal of the Menstrual discs is said to be messier as the blood may spill when you take the disc out. But the menstrual disc needs to be taken out only once in twelve hours. This will make sure that you have to deal with the messiness at the end of the day.

Materials

Disposable Menstrual discs are made from body-safe polymers, which are medical grade. Medical-grade polymers are used in medical products as it is FDA regulated materials. The menstrual cups and reusable menstrual discs are made from medical-grade silicone, with an exception of the use of latex or rubber in some brands. Medical-grade silicone or polymers are biologically inert, which means to say that they will not react with human tissue and cause a reaction.

Size 

Winner- Menstrual cups

In menstrual disc versus menstrual cup, the size element matters. Most menstrual cups range from 40 to 48 mm in diameter, while menstrual discs have a universal size with a diameter of around 60 mm. 60mm may sound really large for many, hence it is not preferred. Many brands like Nixit state that this is not a problem as their ultra-soft silicone is designed for a snug fit. If you find that size intimidating, there are brands like Lumma disc which come in three different disc sizes. Menstrual cups are firmer, hence seen as more comfortable by women.

Menstrual Disc vs Menstrual Cup: Insertions 

To insert a Menstrual disc, do give your hands a good washing as you are going to touch the highly sensitive ground. Then you get to a comfortable position. That will help you insert the disc with ease. This could be standing with a leg up, squatting, or sitting over the toilet like how you would insert a tampon. Squeeze the sides of the disc to bring it to the size of a tampon and insert the disc which is pinched, into the Vagina pointing downwards to make it sit at a vertical angle that completely covers your cervix. Push it further in, past the public bone that it tucks above the bone. You did it!!

While the menstrual cup also needs to be inserted, after washing your hands clean. Fold it and insert the menstrual cup into your vaginal canal. Make sure it sits snug inside, fully open. You can confirm that it is fully open by running your fingers along the rim. You could rotate it a bit to make sure it is sealed within the vaginal walls.

The Stay-in Technology

In menstrual discs versus menstrual cups, the mechanisms that hold the menstrual disc and cup in place are different. The menstrual disc is propped up within the vaginal walls at the vaginal fornix. The pubic bone holds the disc like a shelf would. The menstrual cup uses suction to stay where it should. When the cup is inserted, it opens into the vaginal canal with the edges, creating a seal against the vaginal walls. This prevents leakage and places the cup safely inside.

Learning Curve

In Menstrual discs vs Menstrual cups, both require practice for proper insertion and removal. Both Menstrual discs and cups have a learning curve involved.

Menstrual Disc vs Menstrual Cup: Removal

To remove a menstrual disc, wash your hands and stand on your toilet seat, to avoid spillage elsewhere insert the index finger and hook it under the rim, pulling it out. If you find it difficult to reach the disc, try squatting so that you bear down the pelvic muscles which will dislodge the disc from behind the pubic bone. In a Menstrual Cup, you pinch the base of the cup to break the suction that is holding it in place.

In the menstrual disc versus menstrual cup, users testify that removing the cup is easier than the disc, as the disc is kept way up. There are few reports of users having to seek the help of gynecologists to remove it. The menstrual cup is placed way lower, hence deemed to be easier to be removed.

Sex On Your Periods- Menstrual Disc vs Menstrual Cup

Winner- Menstrual Discs

The menstrual disc allows us to have sex, especially because the menstrual discs are lodged at the base of the cervix just like a diaphragm. You and your partner are not going to even feel it is there as it is made of medical grade silicone and due to its placement up the vaginal fornix. Sex with a Menstrual Cup inside the vagina is not possible, as the cup blocks anything from barging into it. So, if you need to have penetrative sex, you will have to remove it to do it.

There is a disclaimer though- During a hot session perhaps you could cause it to shift and cause leakages in rare instances and with certain brands of menstrual discs. Menstrual discs also are not a contraceptive device and do not protect you from contracting sexually transmitted diseases.

Menstrual Disc vs Menstrual Cup: Physical Activities 

Winner- Menstrual Discs

In terms of physical activities, menstrual discs as they are placed way deep inside will not make you feel you are having your periods and you have something stuck inside of you. According to the University of Texas, they are even found to be more comfortable than menstrual cups. It is easier to remove and insert it with practice. You can wear it while swimming, having sex, hiking, sleeping, walking, running, and doing any physical activity. While using the menstrual Cup, the level of comfort will be a little less because of the placement of the cup at the lower part of the vagina where there are a lot of nerve endings.

Auto Dumping

Winner- Menstrual Discs

In menstrual discs vs Menstrual cups, the auto dump option in the discs is noteworthy. Menstrual discs can auto-dump, which helps those with heavier periods to have the discs inside for a longer period. They also have a reputation for having a greater capacity to hold menstrual fluids.

Cost

Winner- Menstrual Cups

Both the menstrual discs and cups are reusable. This will save you tons of money as it is a one-time investment in a menstrual care product that will last ten years. It is more cost-effective than tampons and sanitary pads. Menstrual reusable discs cost around forty dollars while menstrual cups can cost you anywhere between twenty and forty dollars. If you are using tampons and sanitary pads, you may spend around 50 to 150 dollars annually. So the math is self explanatory. While comparing menstrual disc vs menstrual cup, they are more cost-effective options than tampons or sanitary pads.

IUD Safe 

Winner- Menstrual Discs

For those of you using intrauterine devices, menstrual cups are not recommended. The suction from removing the cup may cause the IUD to move out of place, thus rendering it ineffective in preventing pregnancies. But menstrual discs are comparatively safer, as they do not use suction to hold themselves in place. So the chances of dislodging the IUD while removing the disc are negligible.

Menstrual Disc vs Menstrual Cup: What Is Best For Me?

The decision is made depending on your age, physical activity, ability to handle the mess, lifestyle, etc. The following table will give you a bird’s-eye view of how menstrual discs and cups are distinct. But if inserting the menstrual disc or cup is equally painful, your hymen may be covering the opening to your vagina. This may be the case for many teenagers and sex virgins!

So, now you know about the other options in dealing with your Aunt Flo. Menstrual disc vs menstrual cup, The decision to opt for one option or the other is entirely personal, and no amount of discussion can make it work for you. You have to try and see which option works well for you.

The trial and error method is the best judgment. But it will be advisable not to approach any product with prejudices. Everybody is unique and different. So are the body and lifestyles. You can try the option that sounds like a great deal for you. These are enabling technologies – to make our lives better and for the world to be cleaner! Cheers♥️