Menstrual cups are more popular than ever these days. More people are using them for good reason—when compared to disposables, they’re much better for the environment. Not only are you replacing hundreds (and possibly thousands) of pads and tampons, but most menstrual cups can be recycled at your city’s local recycling facility when you’re done with it.
Menstrual cups will also save you money over the medium-long term. The average box of tampons or pads is about $5, and depending on how heavy your period is, you may use ½ to 2 boxes every single month. Reputable menstrual cups range from $15-40, which means that you’ll recoup your costs in half a year or less.
However, the most important reason to make the switch from disposables to something like a menstrual cup is our health. Pads and tampons contain toxic chemicals that are just plain bad for our bodies. Part of the problem is that in the USA, these products are classified as medical devices, and companies aren’t required to disclose what’s in them. Hopefully this will change, and the sooner, the better. Thankfully, there are healthier feminine hygiene options!
Drum roll please…
Here are the results for the Top 3 Menstrual Cups for 2018:
#1 Top Menstrual Cup: The Meluna Cup
Taking top spot on our list of the best menstrual cups is the Meluna Cup. It’s made in Germany from top-quality TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) and it makes an economical choice as it’s ½ to ⅔ the price of some of the more expensive cups. However, the best thing about the Meluna Cup is the huge variety of sizes available. There are two versions: Regular and Shorty, with four sizes (S-M-L-XL) of each one, for a total of eight cup sizes. Most companies offer only two cup sizes.
Meluna makes a cup for just about everyone. The shorty version is perfect for someone with a low-medium cervix. The small sizes are great for teenagers, or very small people because the diameter is only 38 mm, a full 10 mm less than some other cups. The regular L and XL have high capacities, which makes them a good choice for someone with a heavy period. There’s also a cup for everyone in between!
Meluna USA has recently started a program whereby people can purchase a cup for $10 (what the materials cost) to donate to someone in need from a select group of organizations. It doesn’t, however, appear to be fully up and running as of the time this article was published. Hopefully this will change soon.
For more details about the Meluna Cup, check out:
#2 Top Menstrual Cup: The Diva Cup
The Diva Cup is the most popular menstrual cup in the world and the name is sometimes interchangeable with “menstrual cup.” The Diva Cup is manufactured in Canada from top-quality, medical grade silicone according to strict manufacturing standards. It’s often the first cup that people try, and then end up sticking with for the rest of their lives. Because it’s so popular, it’s easy to find in stores, as well as online in most countries around the world. In terms of pricing, it’s one of the more expensive cups, at around $30 USD.
The Diva Cup comes in two sizes-small and large. The small is recommended for people under the age of 30 who haven’t given birth vaginally, while the large is for those over 30, or those who have given birth vaginally. Most people find it easy to insert because it’s so stiff. It usually just “pops” open by itself, without much struggle on your part! The result in no leaking.
The only real negative of the Diva Cup is that the small and large sizes are both pretty average. Both of them have a capacity of 30 ml, are the same length, and only have a difference of 4 mm in diameter. Most people will find that they work, but it may not be the best choice if you’re a teenager, have a low cervix, or a very heavy flow.
For more details, check out the Diva Cup website:
#3 Top Menstrual Cup: The Ruby Cup
The Ruby Cup takes third place on our list of the best menstruals cups because of their “buy one, donate one” program. For every Ruby Cup they sell, they donate one to a person in need and to date, they’ve given away more than 24,000 cups. However, this generosity comes at a price—it’s one of the most expensive cups on the market, but only by a few dollars. Maybe it’s worth it to you, maybe it’s not.
Programs like this have the potential to change the world for the better! Menstrual cups in the hands of women in the developing world means fewer days of work or school missed, which in turn means more economic opportunities. We wish that other companies would follow suit with similar programs.
As far as the actual menstrual cup goes, it’s a top-quality one that comes in two different sizes-small and large. It has a medium level stiffness that most people seem to like—it’s easy enough to insert, but it’s not so stiff that it’s uncomfortable once inside. We particularly love the large size, which has a higher than average capacity of 34 ml (some cups have capacities as low as 15 ml). This makes it perfect for someone with a heavy flow.
Finally, Ruby Cup offers a 120 day, no questions asked money-back guarantee on their cups. You can also exchange the small for the large cup, and vice-versa during that time. It’s the most generous return policy out of all the cups available. I love a company that stands behind their products!
If the Ruby Cup sounds like the one for you, check out the company website:
Where to Get a Top 3 Menstrual Cup
Menstrual cups are great for the environment, can save you a lot of money (no more pink tax), and also have a lot of health benefits when compared to pads and tampons. If you want to try a menstrual cup out, there are a couple of places to get them. If you would like to get the Diva Cup, you can usually find it at most larger drugstores in the feminine hygiene section. For anything besides the Diva Cup, take a look on Amazon. You’ll have all the models, colors, and sizes available to you.
Here’s to a cheaper, healthier and more environmentally friendly period using your favorite menstrual cup!
About the Author
Jackie Bolen is a tree-hugging, friend of the earth that can usually be found surfing a wave, on top of a mountain, drinking sour beer, or working on Reusable Menstrual Cups around Vancouver, Canada. She hopes that a reusable feminine hygiene product will one day be found in the hands of every single menstruating person in the world, because they have the potential to change it for the better. Connect with Jackie here.
