The best menstrual cup for a beginner is one that is soft enough to insert easily, matches your flow and comes with a way to change size if the first one doesn't fit. With Lunette, that is usually Size 1, the softer and slimmer of the two sizes. Give yourself two to three cycles to learn it: needing practice is normal.
What makes a menstrual cup good for beginners?
No single cup suits every first-time user. A 2023 review in Obstetrics & Gynecology points out that cup size and firmness vary considerably between brands, and that there are no formal data for matching a person to the ideal cup. So look for these five things instead.
1. A size that matches your flow
The most common cup sizes are small and large. The FDA describes the small size as intended for lighter flow days and the large for heavier flow days. Start from your flow.
2. Softer silicone
Softer silicone adapts to your body more easily. Lunette Size 1 is softer than Size 2, and Lunette often recommends it for first-time users because it is easier to insert and remove while you learn.
3. A stem you can find
The stem helps you reach the base of the cup. You don't pull on it: you grasp the base, pinch it to release the seal and ease the cup out. If the stem feels uncomfortable, you may trim it with scissors.
4. Medical-grade silicone
The FDA notes that cups are generally made from silicone or rubber, and that anyone sensitive to latex should choose silicone. The Lunette cup is made in Finland from 100% medical-grade silicone, free from BPA, PFAS, rubber and latex, and independently tested by Danish TÆNK, with no unwanted substances detected.
5. A way to change size
The FDA lists finding the right size among the difficulties of cups, so a first cup should come with a safety net. If your Lunette cup clearly doesn't work for you after a fair try of two to three cycles, Lunette refunds it or sends you the other size. There is nothing to return.
Which Lunette size is best for a first cup?
| Size 1 | Size 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Flow | Light to medium | Heavier |
| Capacity | 25 ml | 30 ml |
| Diameter | 41 mm | 46 mm |
| Silicone | Softer | Firmer |
| Stem | 25 mm | 20 mm |
| Best for | Teens, low cervix, strong pelvic floor, sensitive bladder | Heavier flow, higher cervix |
If you're unsure, start with Size 1. Choose Size 2 if your flow is heavier: it holds 30 ml, so you can go a little longer between emptying. Both sizes hold more than two to three tampons. The menstrual cup size guide settles it with three quick questions.
Once you know your size, choose your Lunette menstrual cup, or see all Lunette menstrual cups in six colours.
What to expect in your first cycles
A cup takes practice. A review of 43 studies in The Lancet Public Health found that getting used to a cup took several menstrual cycles, and that across 13 studies, 73% of participants wished to continue using it. The review concluded that menstrual cups are a safe option for managing your period, with leakage similar to or lower than disposable pads or tampons.
Cleveland Clinic notes that about 10% of new users report leaks while wearing a cup, and that this can usually be resolved with a little practice.
Your first try, step by step
- Pick a calm moment. Practise at home, on a lighter day, with no deadline.
- Wash your hands and fold the cup. Flatten it and fold it in half into a C-shape. A little water or water-based lubricant on the rim makes it easier to insert.
- Insert it rim-first, aiming towards your lower back, not straight up.
- Check that it has opened. Use a clean finger: the cup should feel round and firm.
- To remove it, relax, grasp the base (not the stem), pinch to release the seal and take it out slowly. Many people find this easiest sitting on the toilet or in the shower.
The Lunette cup can be used for up to 12 hours. Local restrictions may apply: legislation in France, Germany and Australia may limit use to 8 hours, and in France no overnight use is allowed. Depending on your flow, it may need to be emptied 2 to 4 times a day. The full guide is on how to use a menstrual cup.
You shouldn't feel pain when you insert a cup. Cleveland Clinic advises stopping and talking to your healthcare provider if you do, and the FDA says the same about itching, a rash, swelling or discomfort while using a cup. If you have an IUD, the FDA advises consulting a gynaecologist before you use a cup.
Back-up and care while you learn
A cup that sits right doesn't leak, but while you are learning the fold and the seal, back-up helps. Lunette Period Panties look and feel like everyday underwear and can be worn with your Lunette cup in the first cycles while you learn.
During your period, wash your cup with warm water using Lunette Cup Wash or Lunette Cup Wipes. Before first use and between cycles, you boil it: the steps are on how to clean your menstrual cup. With proper care, a Lunette cup lasts up to 10 years.
Menstrual cups for beginners: frequently asked questions
Which menstrual cup is best for beginners?
A soft cup in medical-grade silicone that matches your flow. Lunette often recommends Size 1 for first-time users, because it is softer and easier to insert and remove while you learn. Choose Size 2 if your flow is heavier.
Are menstrual cups hard to use at first?
They take practice. The FDA notes that it can take practice to insert and remove a menstrual cup, and the Lancet Public Health review found that people needed several cycles to get familiar with one.
Can I use a menstrual cup if I have never used tampons?
Yes, though it may take longer to learn. Cleveland Clinic notes that people who have never used tampons might have trouble learning to insert or remove a cup. The NHS says menstrual cups are safe and suitable if you've just started your period, and that tampons and cups can take some getting used to.
Will my cup leak while I am learning?
It can. Cleveland Clinic notes that a leak can be a sign that the cup was inserted wrong, or that it has been in too long and is full. Check that the cup has opened fully, and wear period panties as back-up in the first cycles.
Sources
- van Eijk AM, Zulaika G, Lenchner M, et al. Menstrual cup use, leakage, acceptability, safety, and availability: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Public Health, 2019.
- Liberty A, Samuelson Bannow B, Matteson K, Edelman A, Colwill A. Menstrual Technology Innovations and the Implications for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2023.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Menstrual Cups.
- Cleveland Clinic. Everything You Need To Know About Menstrual Cups.
- NHS. Starting your periods.
This article is general information and is not medical advice.
