How to Buy a Menstrual Bowl: 3 Steps (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 10:50

A menstrual cup is a bowl made of silicone, TPE, or latex that collects menstrual blood, rather than absorbing it like a tampon. There are many different brands of menstrual bowls, so there will be several factors to consider before buying one.

Step

Step 1. Find the information

If you grew up in an environment where there's not much use of a menstrual cup, this may seem odd to you. However, this menstrual cup is healthier, more economical, and more comfortable to use than normal sanitary products. Read the article How to Determine the Use of a Menstrual Bowl for more information about this bowl.

Step 2. Decide on the brand of menstrual cup you want to buy

Once you know your desired length and capacity, check the list of bowl sizes. Menstrual bowls are not something that only comes in one size for everyone. Because even though you can use all sizes of bowls, adjusting the size can guarantee that the bowl is comfortable to use, and has the right capacity for you.

• Length: Some brands provide bowls from 4 cm to 6 cm. You will place the menstrual cup under the cervix while using it. If your cervix is low, you may need to purchase a shorter bowl such as the Ladycup, Lunette, Fleurcup, or Yuuki for more comfort. If your cervix is low, the size of the bowl without the rod should be no longer than the distance from your cervix to your vaginal opening (this rule is a little loose, as your cervix may partially fit into the bowl). If you have a high cervical position, a longer menstrual cup such as the Divacup, Naturcup, or Shecup will be more suitable because you can easily grab it when you want to remove it. So before deciding which menstrual bowl you will buy, pay attention to the height and low of your cervix first.

  • Wait until you have your period, because the position of your cervix changes throughout the menstrual cycle. In addition, you may also need to measure the position of your cervix on several different days during your period, as the position of your cervix may not be exactly the same every day.
  • Gently and slowly insert your clean finger back, not up, into your vagina, through your pelvic bones, muscles, and the "empty" space.
  • Turn around to find the part that resembles the tip of the nose. Your cervix is shaped like a round lump, with a slight indentation in the middle.

  • Notice how far your finger goes before it touches your cervix, and measure your finger length with a ruler to find out how many centimeters or millimeters your cervix is back. If your cervix is too far back that you can't find it, expect it to be slightly longer than your finger.

• Capacity: Also consider how much of your menstrual blood that comes out. Some menstrual bowls can only hold about 11 ml and others can hold up to 29 ml. Pay attention to how many pads or tampons you use, as well as how often you change them on a typical day. Then, using the tampon capacity listed below, calculate the volume of blood lost over 12 hours. This calculation will be the reference capacity in choosing your bowl. In general, it's better to expect more volume than less, so you don't have to change your menstrual cup too often. The pads have a capacity of between 100 - 500 ml, but the pads will usually be oversaturated and leak at this point. If you're using sanitary pads, there's no exact way to calculate the capacity you'll need, so consider a small (10 - 16 ml), medium (17 - 22 ml) or large (23 - 29 ml) capacity bowl.

  • Light/Regular: 6 - 9ml
  • Super: 9 - 12 ml
  • Super plus: 12 - 15 ml

  • Ultra: 15 - 18 ml

• Appearance: Menstrual bowls are available in a variety of colors. The surfaces are textured and untextured, and with or without grip rings. The stems may be hollow, flat, or cylindrical; some bowls even have handle rings or spherical rods. It all depends on the brand of the bowl, and this is one of the things you need to consider when buying a menstrual cup.

Step 3. Buy your menstrual cup

Most menstrual cups can be purchased online and delivered to your address. You can also look online for a list of stores that sell a particular brand to see if there are stores in your area that sell it. (Look for a menstrual cup brand manufactured in your country.) For example, in the US, Lunette, DivaCup, and Keeper brand menstrual cups are sold in stores. In the UK, the menstrual bowls sold in stores are mainly the Femmecups and UK Mooncup brands. Check out the "Main Brands" of menstrual bowls below.

Main Brand

Below are basic explanations and pictures of all menstrual cup brands. Click on the menstrual cup brand to visit the manufacturer's website. The images here do not represent actual sizes, and unless otherwise stated, the menstrual cup is made of medical grade silicone. Dimensions are expressed in millimeters (width x length), and the length of the rod must be added to the measurement to determine the total length. The capacity in question is the functional capacity of the bowl to the hole.

CupLee

• Russian brand, only available locally at the moment.
• Cylindrical, hollow rod with a grip ring that extends the bottom of the bowl.
• Translucent, with a glossy texture.
• Available in green, blue, pink, yellow, and vibrant colors.
• Four holes for releasing suction under the rim of the bowl.
• Includes satin pouch and wooden case.

• Size:

  • Small (currently unavailable): 44 x 53 mm, 17 mm stem, 25 - 30 ml capacity.
  • Large: 40 x 47 mm, stem 21 mm, capacity 20 - 25 ml.

DivaCup

• Canadian Brand; available in the US, Canada and many European countries.
• Measuring lines in ounces and millimeters; brands listed inside.
• The handle ring and hollow rod are cylindrical.
• Four suction holes, located near the rim of the bowl.
• Translucent, blurry display.

• Size:

  • Model 1: 43 x 57 mm, 10 mm stem and 20 - 23 ml capacity; recommended for women under the age of 30 who have never given birth.
  • Model 2: 46 x 57 mm and 10 mm stem, 26 - 27 ml capacity; It is recommended for women over the age of 30 who have given birth either vaginally or by caesarean section.

Femmecup

• UK brand.
• Clear appearance, from stretchy silicone.
• 4 angled holes to release suction under the rim of the bowl.
• Hard edges and elastic base.
• The grip ring is spiral in shape at the base and stem.
• Solid cylindrical rod.
• Measuring line in the bowl at 5 and 10 ml.
• There is no writing on the rim of the bowl.

Only available in one standard size; 45 x 50 mm, 25 mm stem and 15 ml capacity

Fleurcup

• French brand.
• Four angled holes to release suction; located up near the edge of the bowl; two on each side.
• It looks almost opaque, with a "peach skin" texture.
• The grip ring on the stem, which is flat, not round.
• Softer than some other brands; often recommended for novice users.
• Available in a choice of clear, red, pink, violet, green, orange, blue, and black colors.

• Size:

  • Small: 41 x 47 mm, 23 mm stem and 15 ml capacity; recommended for young women, or those with light menstrual flow.
  • Large: 46 x 52 mm, 18 mm stem and 29 ml capacity; recommended for women who have given birth, or those with heavy menstrual flow.

JuJu Cup

• Australian brand.
• Clear and glossy silicone bowl.

• Available in green, purple and black satin pouches.

  

• Four holes for releasing suction, angled on the second edge.
• Easy-to-clean logo inside the bowl.
• The stem is pyramidal in shape, and the base handle is butterfly-shaped.

• Size:

  • Model 1: 40 x 46 mm, 20ml capacity.
  • Model 2: 46 x 50 mm, capacity 30ml.

Instead of Softcup

• Disposable menstrual bowl; worn in a different position than the menstrual cup described earlier.
• Available at most pharmacies.
• Made of heat-sensitive plastic bag and ring.
• Recommended for use during sexual intercourse.
• See the article How to Use a Bowl Instead of a Softcup for more information.

Iriscup

S (left) and L (right) Iriscups

• Spanish brand; only available in Spain.
• Available in clear or pink color options.
• Hollow cylindrical rod, with grip ring.
• Angled holes to release suction, at different heights.

• Size:

  • S: 40 x 45 mm, stem 20 mm and capacity 15 ml; recommended for women under the age of 25 who may have had a cesarean delivery.
  • L: 45 x 50 mm, 15 mm stem and 20 ml capacity; recommended for women over the age of 25 years, and/or women who have given birth vaginally.

Keeper & US Moon Cup

Keeper

US Mooncup

• They are s.
• Keepers have a cloudy appearance and are made of natural rubber (latex). The Moon Cup is the same size, made of clear silicone.
• Hollow cylindrical rod.
• Smooth surface, without grip ring.
• Double ring to protect the liquid from spilling in the bowl.
• Six holes for releasing suction under the rim of both bowls

• Size:

  • A: 44 x 54 mm, 25 mm stem and 15 ml capacity; recommended for women who have ah gave birth normally.
  • B: 41 x 54 mm, 25 mm stem and 10 ml capacity; recommended for women who bhave never given birth vaginally, or have given birth by caesarean section; a little harder and smaller.

LadyCup & Color Cups

• Czech brand.
• Glossy clear appearance and very smooth texture.
• 6 angled holes to release suction at different heights.
• Bumps along the base for holding; hollow cylindrical rod.
• The clear bowls are referred to as the LadyCup, while the other colored bowls are referred to as the LilacCup, PinkCup, BlueCup, OrangeCup, GreenCup, and YellowCup. A limited edition "LOTOS Cup" is also available in pink/orange.

• Size:

  • Small: 40 x 46 mm, 19 mm stem and 11 ml capacity; recommended for women under the age of 25 who have never given birth.
  • Large: 46 x 53 mm, 13 mm stem and 20 ml capacity; recommended for women over the age of 25 and/or women who have given birth.

Lunette

• Finnish brand.
• Four suction holes, located near the rim of the bowl.
• Grip ring at the base, and a flat flat rod.
• The brand is listed on the outside of the bowl.

• Clear display; available in clear (Lunette), blue (Lunette Selene), light green (Lunette Diana), purple (Lunette Cynthia), coral red (Lunette ine), and yellow (Lunette Lucia) options.

  

• Size:

  • Model 1: 41 x 47 mm, 25 mm stem and 20 ml capacity; recommended for women with light to moderate menstrual flow, virgins, or young women; made of soft silicone.
  • Model 2: 46 x 52 mm, 20 mm stem and 25 ml capacity; recommended for women with normal to heavy menstrual flow, made of rigid silicone.

MeLuna

• German brand.
• Made of TPE (thermoplastic elastomer); a rubber that is safe to use such as silicone.
• Hole to release suction near the edge.
• Grip ring at the base; cloudy and textured appearance.

• Has stems with different options:

  • Basic: stemless, best suited for experienced users.
  • Ball: rod shaped ball.
  • Traditional: a long rod composed of handle balls.
  • Ring: a flat rod.
• Limited edition glitter bowl available.
• Available in red, clear, violet, orange, green, blue, and black.
• "Softcups" are also available in cyan and pink. This bowl is made of 25% soft TPE.

• Size (stem length varies for all):

  • Small: 40 x 40 mm and 10 ml capacity.
  • Medium: 45 x 45 mm and 15ml capacity.
  • Large: 45 x 54 mm and a capacity of 24 ml.
  • Extra large: 47 x 56 mm and 30 ml capacity.

Miacup

• South African brand.
• Dark pink color and glossy murky look.
• 2 holes to release suction under the top edge of the bowl.
• Small logo inside the rim of the bowl (without writing).
• The grip ring at the base and the stem are flat horizontally.

• Size:

  • Model 1: 43 x 53 mm, 17 mm stem and 21 - 23 ml capacity; recommended for women under the age of 30 who have never given birth vaginally.
  • Model 2: 46 x 53 mm, 17 mm stem and 26 - 27 ml capacity; recommended for women over the age of 30 years or women who have given birth vaginally.

Miss Cup

• Brazilian brand (serving worldwide shipping)
• The bowl is long and slender.
• Smooth surface and made of cloudy silicone material.
• Size B: recommended for women in bunder the age of 30 who do not have children; 40 x 56 mm, 16 mm stem and 30 ml capacity.
• Size A: recommended for women who are abag 30 years who do not have children; 43 x 56 mm, 16 mm stem and 30 ml capacity.

Mooncup (UK)

• UK brand.
• Due to a name dispute with the Keeper company, Mooncup is now sold in the US under the name MCUK.
• The original Mooncup had a clear yellowish tint, but the latest version has a whiter color.
• Grip rings at base and stem (newer versions have handles along the stem); hollow cylinder.
• There is a measuring line.
• Six holes to release suction under the bottom edge of the bowl.

• Size:

  • Size A: 46 x 50 mm, 20 mm stem, and 12 - 13 ml capacity; recommended for women who have given birth vaginally, or are over 30 years old.
  • Size B: 43 x 50 mm, 20 mm stem and 14 ml capacity; It is recommended for women who have given birth by caesarean section or are under 30 years old.

Mpower cup

• South African brand; only available in South Africa due to legal issues with the Lunette company.
• An almost clear and smooth appearance.
• Flat flat stem.
• There is a grip ring at the base and stem.
• Two holes to release suction under the edges.
• Only one standard size is available; 47 x 54 mm, 15 mm stem and 27 ml capacity.

NaturalMamma

• Italian brand.
• Cloudy white appearance.
• Cone-shaped and made of fine silicone material.
• There is a hole to release the suction power.
• Handles on the base and stem of the bowl.
• Only one standard size is available; 44 x 56 mm, 15 mm stem and 27 ml capacity.

Naturcup

• Spanish brand; only available in Spain.
• Four holes for releasing suction.
• Three small grip rings and a spherical rod.
• Three lines of size and bowl size are printed on it.
• A stiffer ring and a softer base.

• Size:

  • Size 0: diameter 40 mm, and length 56 mm; recommended for women under the age of 18 who are not sexually active.
  • Size I: diameter 43 mm, and length 65 mm; for women between the ages of 18 and 30 who have never given birth vaginally.
  • Size II: diameter 47 mm, and length 65 mm; for women who have given birth vaginally and/or are older than 30 years.

Shecup

• Indian Brand.
• Bright pink color.
• Stems protruding.
• Hole to release suction under the rim of the bowl.
• The writing inside the rim of the bowl and the measuring line.
• A vertical grip line at the bottom of the bowl and a horizontal line at the bottom.
• Only available in one standard size; 44 x 54 mm, 5.5 mm stem and 16 ml capacity.

SI-Bell cup

• French brand.
• Clear, white appearance.
• Shaped like a bell of soft silicone material.
• Grip ring and ball at the base.
• Four holes for releasing suction under the rim of the bowl.

• Size:

  • S (small): 41 x 47 mm, bar 27 mm.
  • L (large): 46 x 52 mm, trunk 22 mm.

Yuuki

• Czech brand.
• Clear and glossy appearance.
• Grip ring at base and stem; hollow cylindrical rod.
• The brand is listed in the bowl.
• Four holes for releasing suction.
• Measure line and prevent liquid from spilling in the bowl.

• Size:

  • Bowl 1: small; 42 x 49 mm, 20 mm stem and 19 ml capacity.
  • Bowl 2: large; 47 x 55 mm, 20 mm stem and 29 ml capacity.

Tips

• If you find the rod on your menstrual cup uncomfortable, you can cut it all or part of it. Make sure that the ends are not tapered so they don't puncture you, and remember that after that you can only hold the bottom of the bowl as you take it out.
• Menstrual bowls sold on ebay may list the wrong brand, depending on the seller. Most of the menstrual bowls there are usually branded Green Donnas (a clone of Lunette) which are repackaged. Be sure to compare the product image for sale with other images before buying it.
• If you want to know how much blood comes out during your period, you can buy a menstrual cup with a measuring line.
• A stiffer menstrual cup will be easier to open, but you may be able to feel its presence inside your body. This of course depends on your sensitivity and body shape.
• Glossy and slicker bowl, can be a little difficult to remove; but this can be easily remedied by wiping your hands with toilet paper.
• Hollow rods will be more difficult to clean than solid rods. Similarly, any writing on the menstrual cup will be more difficult to clean than a flat surface, as most of the menstrual blood will collect in the bowl.

Warning

• If you are allergic to latex, you should not use the Keeper brand, as these menstrual cups are made of natural rubber (latex). If you have any allergies (such as dust, pollen, or certain foods, etc.) you are more likely to develop a latex allergy if you use the Keeper brand. (The Moon Cup produced by this company (in the US) is made of silicone, and has the same shape.)
• Some women choose to boycott the Keeper brand because of its bad business ethics. Keepers Inc. patented the Moon Cup brand in the US although Mooncup UK was the first company to use the name, to compete with Mooncup UK in the American market. Mooncup UK was finally able to solve this problem by selling its menstrual bowls under the acronym "MCUK" in the US.
• If you want to avoid plastic products that contain BPA, look for menstrual cups made of silicone. Naturally silicone does not contain BPA.
• If you are a virgin and have a heavy menstrual flow, a large, wide menstrual cup can be very uncomfortable to use. Look for a bowl with a large capacity, but with a smaller size.