Menstrual Cup vs Menstrual Disc: Which one is better?
I’ve been a menstrual cup user for three years now. I started using it during the start of the pandemic, when there wasn’t a lot of certainly about getting tampons and pads from supermarkets with supply issues. Since then I’ve never looked back. Menstrual cups are simply superior to pads in every way - well, not counting the learning curve one needs to go through to properly place it inside the vagina. But once that’s sorted out, it’s a lot, lot less shitty dealing with menstruation as a woman.
Recently though I’ve gotten on the menstrual disc train and it is even better than menstrual cups. Here’s a quick comparison, and why I ultimately decided that a disc is better for me!
Menstrual Disc
Menstrual Cup
Menstrual Cups are:
Typically bell or cup-shaped, with a stem
Sits low in the vaginal canal, in the same area as a tampon
Creates a light suction to stay in place
Holds 2-4 tampons worth of fluid, depending on size
Can be worn for up to 12 hours
Made of 100% medical-grade silicone and are reusable
High-quality cups can last up to 10 years with proper use and care
Menstrual Discs are:
Available in reusable and disposable versions
Worn just underneath the cervix, within the vaginal fornix
Rests behind the pubic bone to stay in place
No suction required to stay secure
Holds 3-6 tampons worth of fluid or 30-50 mL
Can be worn for up to 12 hours
Reusable options are made of 100% medical-grade silicone and can last up to 10 years with proper use and care
Can be worn during sex for a mess-free experience (though I personally haven’t tried this and it doesn’t super make sense to me!)
The biggest difference is the insertion process. I have both the Compact Lily Cup and the Ziggy Cup (disc) from Intimina, my favorite brand. I have to mention it’s the best brand I’ve tried simply because the silicone is so smooth and soft so it’s more pleasant to work into my body. I’ve been using the Compact Lily Cup for about two years now and the Ziggy Cup for a few months at this point.
With the Lily, I need to kind of angle it just so and shimmy it around to get it into position. I’ve gotten used to it over time but there are still instances when it doesn’t sit right and I just know it’s going to leak, so I do it all over again. It’s a hassle. With the Ziggy though, that problem no longer exists! I just pinch it into a narrow shape, stick it in and tuck it into that upper bone. AND IT’S DONE. No need to redo it!
I’ve not once gotten a leak using the Ziggy. I have to say though it is a lot messier to clean than the Compact Lily as it’s a disk so the stuff is all over both sides of it, as opposed to the the straightforward cup shape of the Lily.
So yes, if you’re familiar with menstrual cups already and want to try an even better option, consider the Intimina Ziggy Cup. I’m totally a convert!
Intimina is available on Shopee and selected Mercury Drugstores.
