The story of Leia Menstrual Cup began in 2020, when Lena Dolgan, a practicing OB/GYN, was preparing for maternity leave. As a women’s health specialist, Lena had long recognized the lack of effective menstrual care solutions for people with weakened pelvic floor muscles, a low cervix, or a tilted cervix.

Convinced that she could create something better, Lena teamed up with her brother Konstantin Dolgan  to design a new and more functional good menstrual cup for low cervix users. Their goal was to combine medical expertise with innovative design to develop a cup that truly meets women’s needs

“Being a woman is not easy, and as an obstetrician-gynecologist, I understand this deeply,” Lena shares.

“I often see women who want to make their lives easier and healthier. That’s why I created Leia — a product designed to offer protection, comfort, and confidence.”

Konstantin is an entrepreneur, certified product design specialist, and CEO of the product development company LA New Product Development Team (LA NPDT). 

“I always take on new projects with great interest. Creating innovative products that improve and simplify our lives is particularly gratifying. The realm of women’s hygiene products was uncharted territory for me, but I am not afraid of challenges — the more complex the project, the more exciting it is. With each new product, I discover a new ‘world,’ and that makes me grow even further. Working with my sister is especially enjoyable, because family is the most important.”

Together, Lena and Konstantin created Leia — an innovative menstrual cup that combines engineering expertise with medical care. This collaboration has resulted in what many consider the best menstrual cup: soft yet reliable, eco-friendly, and suitable for all cervical positions. It is not only a good menstrual cup for everyday use but also an ideal menstrual cup for low cervix, ensuring comfort and safety for every woman. The unique blend of two seemingly different specialties has brought to life a product that truly makes a difference.

Under Lena and Konstantin’s direction, LA NPDT conducted extensive market research utilizing the product discovery process. This research revealed that, in addition to the challenges Lena outlined, there were many other issues which a redesign of the menstrual cup needed to solve.
Most menstrual cups are very difficult to remove, are prone to leaking, are too large, and have a rubber-like texture. They lack sensitivity for the individual circumstances of the people who use them. The designers of LA NPDT were tasked not only to solve the practical engineering challenges, but to think empathetically about the product’s users.
The result of their hard work is the ultimate menstrual care solution: the Leia Menstrual Cup.

A low cervix cup that is also suitable for women with a tilted cervix and those with weakened pelvic floor muscles, Leia is more than just a menstrual cup — it’s a product created with empathy, expertise, and a commitment to women’s well-being.

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prototype good menstrual cup
creating period cup
low cervix period cup prototype

THE LEIA MENSTRUAL CUP HAS GONE THROUGH A RIGOROUS ENGINEERING PROCESS. OUR TEAM WAS DETERMINED TO ENSURE IT IS THE VERY BEST MENSTRUAL CARE PRODUCT ON THE MARKET. TO THAT END, WE SPENT TWO YEARS EXTENSIVELY TESTING AND REFINING EVERY ASPECT OF OUR DESIGN.

First and foremost, we wanted to be sure the cup was comfortable. So we used a variety of different materials in our prototype testing to determine which would provide a gentle and comfortable experience. Our comprehensive examination of designs ultimately yielded a compact and velvet-like cup made of silicone rubber, and treated with a special coating for an even softer feel.

3 menstrual cups

The resulting menstrual cup is soft enough to be comfortable while providing enough elasticity to both fit the body and hold its shape. Considered by many users as a good menstrual cup, it combines comfort with reliable performance. The firmness of the material allows for the slanted rim design, an essential element integral to the success of the cup. This slanted rim, which can fold during insertion and removal without spillage, naturally fits the vaginal shape with ease and comfort. Unlike most other products, this option is often described as the best menstrual cup thanks to its innovative features. It is also specifically designed to accommodate all cervical positions, making it an ideal menstrual cup for low cervix as well as for medium or high positions.

Another critical consideration was ensuring the cup would be easy to remove when full. We designed the grip rings to be thicker than usual and extend further than other cups on the market. This encourages an easier removal process and also aids adjustment for positioning.

We also wanted to ensure the cup would be just as easy to insert. So we designed the slanted rim and larger-than-usual
seal ring to sit comfortably within the body and be held in place naturally.

Finally, we wanted to ensure the cup would not leak. The firmness of the silicone rubber prevents the cup’s body from collapsing on itself during the removal process, while the flexible rim folds shut to prevent leakage when the cup is removed from the body.

To make identifying the sizing of each Leia Menstrual Cup easy, we have included the size indicator directly inside each cup so that the proper cup can be selected at a glance.

Sustainability was also an important consideration. Most menstrual care products are single-use and generate significant landfill waste. But due to its quality materials and design, each Leia Menstrual Cup is guaranteed to last for 15 years.

leia period cup

After two years, fifty prototypes, and over one hundred case studies with users, Lena and Konstantin were ready to make their product reality. In 2022, the Leia brand was launched and is now available to you!

It is our hope that people around the world will use and benefit from the Leia Menstrual Cup, recognized by many as a good menstrual cup designed for comfort and reliability. This product is the result of Konstantin’s rigorous design and engineering process combined with Lena’s dedication to her patients. Created to accommodate all cervical positions, it is especially effective as a menstrual cup for low cervix, while still fitting medium and high cervixes with ease. Above all, we are proud to bring to market what we believe to be the best menstrual cup, combining medical expertise with user-centered innovation.

SO, THAT’S THE LEIA MENSTRUAL CUP:

A PRODUCT OF RIGOROUS ENGINEERING AND SUSTAINABILITY.