A menstrual cup is a small, flexible, bell-shaped cup that you fold and insert into your vagina during your period. Instead of absorbing blood like a tampon or pad, it collects it. You empty it, rinse it and put it back. A Lunette cup is made in Finland from 100% medical-grade silicone, holds 25 or 30 ml depending on the size, and lasts up to 10 years with proper care.
How does a menstrual cup work?
You fold the cup, insert it rim-first and let it open inside the vaginal canal. Once open, the rim rests against the vaginal walls and forms a light seal, so blood collects in the cup instead of leaking past it. The small holes under the rim help release that seal when you take the cup out.
The cup sits lower than a tampon, below the cervix. If you want to know exactly where, read how far up a menstrual cup goes.
How much does a menstrual cup hold?
A Lunette cup holds about as much as three medium tampons. Size 1 holds 25 ml and Size 2 holds 30 ml. Lunette compares this with tampons, which absorb 6 to 18 g; one ml of menstrual blood is comparable with a gram.
| Size 1 | Size 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Flow | Light to medium | Heavier |
| Capacity | 25 ml | 30 ml |
| Rim diameter | 41 mm | 46 mm |
| Length with stem | 72 mm | 72 mm |
| Stem | 25 mm | 20 mm |
| Silicone | Softer | Firmer |
| Also suits | Low cervix, teens, strong pelvic floor, sensitive bladder | Higher cervix |
Not sure which one is yours? The menstrual cup size guide takes three questions.
How long can you wear a menstrual cup?
Lunette can be worn for up to 12 hours before you empty it, including overnight. Most people empty it about 2 to 4 times a day. Local rules can be stricter: in France the limit is 6 to 8 hours with no overnight use, and in Australia and Germany it is up to 8 hours.
How do you use a menstrual cup?
- Fold: flatten the cup and fold it in half into a C-shape.
- Insert: keep it folded and guide it rim-first into the vaginal canal, aiming toward your lower back, not straight up.
- Check: run a clean finger around the cup. It should feel round and firm, which means it has opened.
To take it out, pinch the base to break the seal and ease it down. The full walk-through is in how to use a menstrual cup and how to remove a menstrual cup.
How do you clean a menstrual cup?
During your period, wash it with warm water when you empty it. Boil it for 5 minutes before first use and after each completed cycle, and make sure it doesn't touch the bottom of the pot. More in how to clean your menstrual cup.
Are menstrual cups safe?
A 2019 systematic review in The Lancet Public Health of 43 studies concluded that menstrual cups are a safe option for managing your period. In the studies that compared them directly, leakage was similar to or lower than with disposable pads or tampons. The review also found that getting used to a cup takes several cycles. Lunette is TÆNK-tested with no unwanted substances detected, and free from BPA, latex and PFAS.
Menstrual cup FAQ
Can you pee or poo with a menstrual cup in?
Yes. You don't need to take it out to use the toilet. After a bowel movement, check that it is still sitting properly. See can you pee with a menstrual cup in.
Can you sleep with a menstrual cup?
Yes, for up to 12 hours where local rules allow it. See can you sleep with a menstrual cup.
Can you swim with a menstrual cup?
Yes. There are no strings, so it works in pools and at the beach.
Is a cup or a disc better?
They sit in different places and suit different bodies. Compare them in menstrual cup vs disc.
Try one
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. Choose your Lunette menstrual cup, or see all Lunette menstrual cups in six colours.
