A menstrual cup is bell-shaped, sits in the vagina and stays in place with a seal, which you release by pinching the base. A menstrual disc is wider and shallower, has no suction and is removed by reaching its rim with a finger. Both collect your flow instead of absorbing it, so the choice comes down to your body, your flow and how you prefer to take it out.
Menstrual cup vs disc at a glance
| Menstrual cup | Menstrual disc | |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Bell-shaped cup with a stem | Flexible rim with a wide, shallow basin |
| How it stays in place | Opens and forms a seal | No suction |
| Rim width | Lunette: 41 mm (Size 1) or 46 mm (Size 2) | 53 to 80 mm |
| Capacity | Lunette: 25 ml (Size 1) or 30 ml (Size 2) | 30 to 79 ml |
| Removal | Pinch the base to release the seal, then ease it out | Reach the rim, or a tab on the rim, with a finger |
| Wear time | Lunette: up to 12 hours; local restrictions may apply | Follow the manufacturer's instructions |
| Material | Lunette: 100% medical-grade silicone | Rubber or silicone rim, plastic or silicone basin |
Disc figures come from a 2023 review in Obstetrics & Gynecology. Cup figures are Lunette's own.
What is a menstrual cup?
A menstrual cup is a small, flexible cup, generally made from silicone or rubber, that is inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual fluid, as the FDA describes it. A review of 43 studies in The Lancet Public Health concluded that menstrual cups are a safe option for managing your period, and that leakage was similar to or lower than with disposable pads or tampons.
The Lunette menstrual cup is made in Finland from 100% medical-grade silicone and comes in two sizes. It can be used for up to 12 hours (local restrictions may apply, see the questions below) and lasts up to 10 years with proper care.
What is a menstrual disc?
A menstrual disc has a rubber or silicone rim like a cup, but its collection basin is usually wider and shallower. The 2023 review puts disc diameters at 53 to 80 mm and capacity at 30 to 79 ml, and compares cups to a contraceptive cervical cap and discs to a diaphragm.
Lunette specialises in cups, so the disc facts here come from published research.
Five differences that matter
1. A seal or no suction
A cup opens inside the vagina and forms a seal. A disc has no suction. The 2023 review notes that bearing down can tilt a disc and make it more likely to leak, and that some users get leaks when they urinate.
2. Size and capacity
Discs are wider and can hold more: 30 to 79 ml in the 2023 review, against 10 to 38 ml for cups in the Lancet review. A Lunette cup holds 25 ml in Size 1 and 30 ml in Size 2, about as much as three medium tampons, and is emptied about 2 to 4 times a day. If you regularly fill or overflow a cup or a disc, mention it to your doctor: the authors of the 2023 review recommend asking about this when checking for heavy menstrual bleeding.
3. Removal and mess
To remove a cup, you grasp the base (not the stem), pinch it to release the seal and ease the cup out. To remove a disc, you reach the rim, or a tab on the rim, with a finger. The 2023 review says discs are generally seen as more challenging to use, because spills are more likely on removal. Both take practice.
4. Comfort and fit
According to the 2023 review, a disc collapses and flexes more, which may make it more comfortable for some users. Lunette cups come in two firmnesses: Size 1 is softer silicone and Size 2 is firmer. The menstrual cup size guide shows which one fits you.
5. Sex and IUDs
Some disc users wear a disc during sex, for hygiene rather than contraception, the 2023 review reports. The Lunette cup is not a contraceptive and should not be used during sexual intercourse.
If you have an IUD, talk to your doctor before you use either. The FDA advises this for cups, because a cup could interfere with the IUD strings and placement, and the 2023 review found no data on discs and IUDs. With a cup, always break the seal before you remove it.
Which should you choose?
A menstrual cup may suit you if you:
- like the idea of a seal that holds it in place,
- want a stem that helps you find the base,
- want one product that lasts up to 10 years with proper care.
A menstrual disc may suit you if you:
- find suction uncomfortable,
- want the larger capacity of a wider basin,
- want to wear a period product during sex.
If you choose a cup: which Lunette size?
Size 1 suits a light to medium flow, a low-sitting cervix, teens, strong pelvic floor muscles or a sensitive bladder. Size 2 suits a heavier flow. If your 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.
During your period, wash your cup with warm water using Lunette Cup Wash or Lunette Cup Wipes. To sanitise it between cycles, you boil it: how to clean your menstrual cup has the steps.
See the Lunette menstrual cups in six colours and two sizes, or go straight to the Lunette menstrual cup.
Menstrual cup vs disc: frequently asked questions
Is a menstrual disc better than a menstrual cup?
Neither is better for everyone. A cup has a seal and a stem. A disc is wider, has no suction and holds more, but spills are more likely when you take it out. Your anatomy, flow and comfort decide.
Which holds more, a menstrual cup or a disc?
Usually a disc. The 2023 review in Obstetrics & Gynecology gives 30 to 79 ml for discs. A Lunette cup holds 25 ml (Size 1) or 30 ml (Size 2), about as much as three medium tampons.
Can I use a menstrual cup or disc with an IUD?
Ask your doctor first. The FDA says to consult a gynaecologist about using a cup with an IUD, because cups could interfere with the IUD strings and placement. The 2023 review found no data specific to discs.
How long can you wear a menstrual cup?
A 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. For a disc, follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Sources
- Liberty A, Samuelson Bannow B, Matteson K, Edelman A, Colwill A. Menstrual Technology Innovations and the Implications for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2023.
- 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.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Menstrual Cups.
This article is general information and is not medical advice.
