Reusable period products: cups, discs and period underwear compared

The three categories

Menstrual cups

Silicone or TPE cups inserted like a tampon, worn up to 12 hours. Emptied, rinsed, reinserted. Sterilised at the start and end of each cycle. Popular brands: Hello Cup, Lunette, DivaCup, Saalt, JuJu.

Menstrual discs

Flat, flexible discs that sit against the vaginal fornix rather than the canal. Higher capacity than cups, can be worn during penetrative sex. Popular brands: Nixit, Saalt Disc, Hello Disc, Cora Disc.

Period underwear

Absorbent gusset built into normal-looking underwear. Machine-washable, air-dried. Popular brands: Modibodi, Thinx, Bonds Bloody Comfy, Knix.

How to choose your first cup or disc

Sizing depends on: - Age and childbirth history — many cups sell "small" (under 30, no vaginal birth) and "large" (over 30 or after vaginal birth). - Cervix height — measure with a clean finger on day 2 of your period. High cervix (past first knuckle) suits taller cups; low cervix suits low-profile discs. - Flow — heavy flows lean toward discs and larger cups; light flows can use any.

Most brands publish a fitting quiz. Read two from different brands to average the recommendations.

The learning curve

Most people need 2–3 cycles to become confident with a cup or disc. First insertions are awkward; leaks are almost always a sizing or seating issue rather than a product failure. Watch two YouTube guides before your first period with the product.

Period underwear as backup

Even confident cup and disc users often add one or two pairs of period underwear for: - Overnight heavy nights - First and last day spotting - Backup at the gym or on long flights

Modibodi and Bonds are the two Australian brands with the best local warranty support. Thinx (US) has had legal issues around PFAS in earlier product lines; recent versions are certified PFAS-free but check the specific model.

Sustainability payback

Average person in Australia uses 11,000+ tampons/pads over their lifetime. A cup lasts up to 10 years. A pair of period underwear lasts 2 years of monthly use. Both pay back environmentally after ~1 cycle vs disposables.

Financially: cup pays back after 4–6 months (assuming ~A$15/cycle on tampons). Underwear pays back after 8–12 months when replacing pads.

Care

Cups and discs

• Rinse with warm water between uses.
• Boil in a covered saucepan of water for 5 minutes at the start and end of each cycle.
• Replace after 5–10 years, or immediately if the silicone develops a sticky film.

Period underwear

• Cold rinse under the tap after removal.
• Machine wash cold with normal detergent.
• Air dry — dryer heat kills the absorbent layer.
• Replace after 1.5–2 years of monthly use.

Where to start

• First reusable, ever: Hello Cup medium or Saalt Regular. Both are Australian-supported, both have generous fit guides.
• Sensitive anatomy / cervix issues: try a disc first (Nixit or Saalt Disc).
• Nervous about insertion: start with 2–3 pairs of period underwear as a bridge, then progress to a cup.