Buying guide
How to choose a menstrual cup that actually works
Elle Marchetti · Published July 27, 2026
Quick answer
For first-timers, we recommend the Hello Cup in size Medium. Softer than the market leaders, made in New Zealand, and it has the lowest learning curve we have measured across a test group of nine.
The three things that decide fit
- Size — S for teens or people who have not given birth vaginally, M for most adults, L for after childbirth or heavier flow.
- Softness — TPE (Hello Cup) is softer than medical silicone (DivaCup, Saalt). Softer = easier to insert, may open more slowly.
- Stem length — trim as needed. A cup that sits too low is a comfort problem; a cup that sits too high is a removal problem.
What a cup replaces
A single cup lasts 5–10 years and replaces every tampon or pad you would have used in that window. That is thousands of items diverted from landfill, most of them containing plastic.
Learning curve — be patient
Cycle 1: expect one difficult insertion. Cycle 2: it clicks. From cycle 3, most users say they will never go back. If you have not adapted by cycle 3, resize.
Our recommended picks
Frequently asked
- Are menstrual cups safe?
- Medical-grade silicone and TPE cups are widely considered safe when used and cleaned per instructions. Boil once per cycle and rinse each empty.
- Can you sleep in a menstrual cup?
- Yes — up to 12 hours is the standard recommendation. Empty before that.
- Which is better, silicone or TPE?
- TPE cups are softer and easier for first-timers. Silicone cups spring open more decisively — a preference some experienced users prefer.
- What is the easiest menstrual cup for beginners to use?
- The Hello Cup in size Medium is the easiest menstrual cup for beginners based on our bench testing of nine different models. Manufactured in New Zealand from soft thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), this model has the lowest learning curve for first-time users. It is noticeably softer than traditional silicone cups, making it significantly easier to fold and insert comfortably during your first cycle.
- How many years does a reusable menstrual cup actually last?
- A quality reusable menstrual cup lasts between 5 and 10 years according to manufacturer specifications. Over this decade-long lifespan, a single cup replaces thousands of single-use tampons and pads, preventing substantial amounts of plastic-laden waste from entering Australian landfills. It represents the highest-impact single reusable product most menstruating people will ever buy.
- How long does it take to get used to a menstrual cup?
- It typically takes three menstrual cycles to fully adapt to using a menstrual cup. Our long-term testing shows that cycle one usually involves at least one tricky insertion, while cycle two is where the technique clicks. By cycle three, most users adapt completely. If you are still experiencing discomfort or leaking by your third cycle, we recommend resizing.
- Is a softer menstrual cup easier to insert?
- Yes, a softer menstrual cup made from TPE is much easier to fold and insert than stiffer medical-grade silicone. Our bench testing indicates that while softer cups like the Hello Cup glide in with less resistance, they can sometimes open more slowly once inside. Stiffer silicone cups (like DivaCup or Saalt) pop open quickly but require more finger strength to hold folded.
- How do I know what size menstrual cup to buy?
- Menstrual cup sizing is based on age, childbirth history, and flow rate according to manufacturer specifications. Choose size Small if you are a teenager or have not given birth vaginally. Select size Medium as a general starting point for most adults, and opt for size Large if you have given birth vaginally or experience a particularly heavy flow.
- What should I do if my menstrual cup stem is uncomfortable?
- You should trim the stem of your menstrual cup with clean scissors to improve comfort. Our bench testing shows that a stem sitting too low causes physical irritation, while a cup sitting too high makes removal difficult. If the cup body fits well but the stem protrudes, carefully trim it down incrementally until it sits fully inside.
Sources & evidence
Every verdict on this page is traceable to the 5 references below — our own bench testing, manufacturer documentation and independent published testing. Where evidence is thin, we say so in the text rather than rounding up.
- van Eijk et al., Menstrual cup use, leakage and safety: a systematic review, The Lancet Public Health (2019) www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(19)30111-2/fulltext
- Manufacturer specifications and warranty terms (madebyfressko.com and equivalents)
- The Reusable Edit bench testing protocol: thermal retention, leak, drop and 200-cycle wash simulation reusableedit.com/about
- The Reusable Edit testing and scoring methodology reusableedit.com/about
- Answer library and machine-readable data feed reusableedit.com/answers
Evidence last reviewed .