Menstrual Cup

Today, menstrual cups are leading the way in the menstrual product industry. Their main advantages are their compact size and ease of removal compared to menstrual discs. They’re also suitable for virgins. If you’re trying a silicone menstrual product for the first time and want something that’s easy to insert and remove, menstrual cups are definitely worth a try. Menstrual cups are also environmentally friendly and do not cause harm to the environment, unlike pads.

Menstrual Disc

Unlike a menstrual cup, a disc has a larger capacity but also a much wider diameter. It sits higher in the vaginal canal than a cup and takes some practice to use it effectively. This product might be a good fit for you if you’ve already used silicone menstrual products and are looking to try something new, or if you have a heavy flow and need a larger-capacity option. One big advantage of a menstrual disc is that it allows you to have sex during your period without needing to remove it.

Period Underware

Period underwear is an option for those who aren’t ready to use internal products. It’s better suited for people who prefer staying home during their period. However, its environmental impact is still up for debate. Considering the frequent washing, energy consumption, and use of detergents, it does leave a notable footprint on the environment.

Pads

Pads are the most popular and oldest type of menstrual product. Their main advantages are accessibility and ease of use. However, despite these benefits, pads are not always the best option for every woman.

In hot weather, using pads can be quite uncomfortable, and finding the right underwear to match them can be challenging. Additionally, pads have other drawbacks: they can cause skin and mucous membrane irritation, unpleasant odors, and have a negative environmental impact.

Tampons

Tampons have a number of advantages, including being invisible and comfortable with any type of underwear, as they can be worn inside and are ideal for an active lifestyle. In addition, tampons come in different sizes and absorbency, which makes them suitable for different levels of fluidity. However, there are some disadvantages. One significant risk is toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare but serious infection that can occur if a tampon stays inside for too long. Some users also experience irritation, dryness, or discomfort, especially with frequent use. Finally, most tampons are not biodegradable, which leads to environmental pollution.

With the growing number of brands offering menstrual cups for purchase, choosing the right one has become an increasingly important question. When selecting a menstrual cup, it is essential to consider your body's unique features and anatomy. The first thing I recommend to my patients when choosing a menstrual cup is to determine the height of your cervix and the heaviness of your menstrual flow.

Additionally, I always advise selecting cups that mimic the natural anatomy of the vagina, as this shape reduces the likelihood of discomfort and leaks. These factors were carefully considered when designing our Leia Menstrual Cup. Many of my patients often complained about being unable to use a menstrual cup after childbirth. Unfortunately, not all of them understood that this difficulty is often linked to pelvic floor muscle weakness and low cervix positioning.

This realization led me to the conclusion that a menstrual cup should be created to accommodate all women. It is also crucial that the cups come in various sizes. Larger and medium-sized cups are more suitable for women who have given birth, while the size S cup is ideal for those under 5'6" in height and without a history of vaginal deliveries.

By taking these anatomical and physiological factors into account, we can ensure that everyone finds a comfortable and reliable menstrual cup option.

If you have any difficulties choosing the size of the Leia menstrual cup, you can refer to our information page, which contains a size chart, as well as answers to frequently asked questions.

How does a menstrual cup work​?

A menstrual cup is a reusable, bell-shaped device made of medical-grade silicone or rubber that is inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual blood. Here's how it works:

Overall, menstrual cups are a sustainable choice that can be comfortable and convenient, especially for those looking for a longer-lasting and more environmentally friendly alternative to disposable products.

Cleaning your menstrual cup properly is essential for maintaining hygiene and ensuring it lasts a long time. Here’s how to clean it:

Before using your menstrual cup for the first time, it’s important to sterilize it to ensure it’s sanitized. Boil the cup in water for about 5-10 minutes to clean it thoroughly before use.

During your period, the cup should be emptied every 4-12 hours, depending on your flow. When it’s time to empty the cup, carefully remove it and rinse it with clean water to remove the collected menstrual blood. If you’re in a public restroom without access to a sink, you can use a wet wipe or a bottle of water to clean the cup as best as you can. After rinsing, wash the cup with a mild, unscented, non-antibacterial soap—preferably fragrance-free. Avoid harsh soaps that contain additives like perfumes or dyes, as they can irritate your skin. Once cleaned, dry the cup with a clean towel or let it air dry.

After your period is over, sterilize the cup again by boiling it in water for 5-10 minutes to kill any remaining bacteria. Ensure the cup doesn’t touch the sides of the pot while boiling to avoid damaging it. Once sterilized and cleaned, store the cup in a breathable cloth pouch or case to keep it safe and dry until your next cycle. Avoid storing it in plastic, as it can promote bacteria growth.

Sleep is an important component of our health. In the realities of modern life, unfortunately, we often neglect healthy sleep due to overwork, taking care of children, household chores, and so on. But the worst thing is when we want and are ready to maintain sleep hygiene, but someone or something interferes with it. In this case, the usual lack of sleep will go hand in hand with irritability.

Until I discovered the menstrual cup, my already short and shallow sleep was often disrupted by leaks or the rustling of pads. And if you remember those horrible, uncomfortable, long-like-a-train night pads, it's just terrible. Ugh...

Yes, the menstrual cup is just a salvation if you want to sleep soundly and without worrying about anything. I know many will wonder, won't the cup leak during sleep, as I often toss and turn and change positions? No, if the cup is the right size and made of quality materials, you shouldn't worry about it, your sleep and your sheets are under reliable protection. You just need to remember that after you wake up, you shouldn't get out of bed suddenly, sometimes the cup just doesn't have time to adjust to a sudden change in body position.

You can also find additional information regarding women's health, menstrual products, expert insights, and customer reviews through our social media:

1. The contents of the cup will "go bad," leading to infection and unpleasant odor.

Menstrual cups do not create favorable conditions for bacterial growth, as they don’t absorb fluid like tampons or pads. This helps prevent the growth of bacteria that can trigger infections, including toxic shock syndrome. There will also be no unpleasant odor.

2. When you empty the cup, its contents can spill everywhere, so it's better to do it in the bathtub to avoid having to clean the entire house afterward.

You can empty the cup anywhere it’s convenient for you and where you have access to water. When removed correctly — by the base of the cup (don’t pull by the stem) — the contents will never spill.

3. The cup must be constantly sterilized, which can lead to additional costs such as buying a sterilizer.

The cup doesn’t require constant sterilization. During the cycle, it’s sufficient to rinse the cup with running water, and if you want you can use soft soap. It is recommended to sterilize the cup before the first use and at the end of the cycle. It’s up to you whether or not to use sterilizers, but there are many other methods available.

4. Menstrual cups cause cervical cancer.

No, a cup cannot provoke cervical cancer. This is not HPV.

5. Menstrual cups are not for everyone.

Even virgins can use cups. If you haven’t been able to use a cup or found it uncomfortable, it just means you haven’t found the right one for you yet. We recommend the Leia cup.

When I finally tried Leia some time after giving birth, I wondered why I hadn’t done this sooner. It is so comfortable and convenient!

To improve our product and understand the menstrual cup market, I tried several other well-known brands, but I can say with absolute confidence that Leia is the most comfortable and reliable. Our hard work truly paid off.