Menstrual Cups Comparison Chart

12 min read
Menstrual cups in different shapes and sizes for comparison

Choosing a menstrual cup is about more than selecting a small or large size. Cup length, diameter, shape, firmness, capacity and removal design can all affect how a cup fits, opens and feels.

Use the menstrual cup comparison chart below to compare the cups available from Period Shop. Begin with your cervical position and the cup's dimensions, then consider shape, firmness, capacity and the features that will make insertion and removal easier for you.

Cup sizes are not standardised across brands. A small cup from one manufacturer may be longer, wider or firmer than a small cup from another, so compare the actual measurements rather than relying on the size name alone.

Menstrual cup comparison chart

For the most useful comparison, consider the features in approximately this order:

  1. Cup length and cervical position
  2. Diameter and overall shape
  3. Firmness
  4. Capacity
  5. Stem and removal design

Use the search box to find a particular brand or model, or select a column heading to sort the table. On smaller screens, swipe horizontally to see all specifications.


About the chart: Sizing guidance reflects information supplied by the manufacturer and may use factors such as age, flow or birth history. These recommendations are starting points rather than universal rules. Product measurements and specifications can change, so check the current product page and the instructions supplied with your cup before purchasing or using it.

How to use the menstrual cup comparison chart

There is no single menstrual cup that will suit every body. The chart is designed to help you narrow down the options by comparing the features most likely to affect fit, comfort and usability.

Start with the physical space available for the cup. If a cup is too long, too wide or too firm for you, a larger capacity or popular brand name will not make it a better fit.

Once you have identified cups with suitable dimensions, compare the features that matter to you personally. These might include a softer feel, a cup that opens readily, a higher capacity, a particular stem design or a material that meets your preferences.

Understanding cup measurements and features

Feature What it means Why it matters
Cup length The length of the cup body from the rim to the base, excluding the stem Helps determine whether the cup body will fit comfortably beneath or around the cervix
Total length The cup body and stem measured together Can affect whether the stem sits fully inside the vagina and how easily the cup can be reached
Diameter The width across the cup, usually measured at the rim Can influence how substantial the cup feels and how it opens against the vaginal walls
Shape The overall profile of the cup, such as tapered, bell-shaped, rounded or anatomical Affects where the widest part sits, how much space the cup occupies and how it feels during wear and removal
Firmness How much resistance the cup has when squeezed Firmer cups may open more readily, while softer cups may feel gentler for people who are sensitive to pressure
Capacity The amount of fluid the manufacturer states the cup can hold May affect how frequently the cup needs to be emptied, particularly on heavier-flow days
Stem and removal design The grip feature at the base, which may be a stem, tab, loop, ring or stemless design Can affect how easily you locate, grip and remove the cup
Material The material from which the cup is made, as stated by the manufacturer May matter if you have a material sensitivity or a personal preference

Manufacturers do not always measure capacity or firmness in the same way. Use these specifications to compare likely differences rather than treating them as precise clinical measurements.

Choosing for a high, average or low cervix

Cervical position can help you estimate how much room is available for a menstrual cup and how easy it may be to reach the cup for removal.

Your cervix may move during your cycle, so check it during your period and, if possible, on more than one day. Read our guide to measuring your cervical position before comparing cup lengths.

High cervix

If you have a high cervix, a longer cup or a cup with an easy-to-reach removal feature may be helpful. A very short cup may travel higher and be more difficult for you to reach.

Total length matters, but do not rely on the stem alone. The stem helps you locate the cup; the seal should be released at the cup's base before removal.

Average cervix

If your cervix is neither particularly high nor low, you may have a broader choice of cup lengths. Diameter, shape and firmness may become more useful points of comparison.

Low cervix

If your cervix sits relatively low, a shorter cup body may fit more comfortably. A longer cup may feel crowded, press against the cervix or sit too close to the vaginal opening.

Many cup stems can be trimmed if the cup body fits but the stem rubs or protrudes. Check the manufacturer's instructions before trimming and remove only a small amount at a time. Trimming the stem will not solve the problem if the entire cup body is too long.

Cup shape and firmness

How shape can affect fit

Menstrual cups come in different profiles. Some are tapered, some have a classic bell shape and others are more rounded, bulbous or anatomically shaped.

Shape can affect where the widest part of the cup sits and how much space it occupies. A rounded cup may provide useful capacity without being especially long, while a tapered cup may feel narrower during insertion and removal. An anatomical or asymmetrical cup may suit some people whose cervix sits at an angle.

Shape descriptions are not standardised, so compare the cup's measurements and images alongside the description.

Softer or firmer?

A firmer cup may spring open more readily after insertion. Some active people or those with stronger pelvic floor muscles find this helpful, but a firm cup may feel more noticeable if you are sensitive to pressure around your bladder, urethra or rectum.

A softer cup may feel gentler, but it can require more care during insertion to make sure it has opened fully. No firmness is universally better.

Our guide to soft and firm menstrual cups explains these trade-offs in more detail.

Choosing a menstrual cup for heavy flow

If you have a heavier flow, capacity is worth comparing—but only after identifying cups that are likely to fit comfortably.

A higher-capacity cup may reduce the number of times you need to empty it. However, a cup that is too long, wide or firm for your anatomy is unlikely to be a good choice simply because it holds more.

Capacity figures may be measured to the rim or to the cup's air holes, depending on the manufacturer. Check how the stated figure has been calculated when comparing products.

You may need to empty your cup well before its maximum stated wear time on heavier days. If your bleeding is unusually heavy, prolonged, has changed or is affecting your everyday life, speak with a healthcare professional.

Age, birth history and manufacturer sizing

Some menstrual cup manufacturers recommend sizes using age, birth history or menstrual flow. These recommendations can be useful starting points for that particular brand, but they are not universal rules about anatomy.

Being over 30 or having given birth does not automatically mean you need a larger menstrual cup. Likewise, a younger person or someone who has not given birth may still prefer a wider or higher-capacity model.

Your cervical position, available space, sensitivity, pelvic floor function, flow, previous experience and removal preferences can all be relevant. Compare the product's actual dimensions and features alongside the manufacturer's guidance.

Wear time and menstrual cup safety

Follow the instructions supplied with your specific cup.

In Australia, menstrual cups must be supplied with information about use, cleaning and hygiene and a stated maximum duration of use that does not exceed 12 hours. This does not mean everyone should wait 12 hours before emptying their cup. Your flow, comfort and the manufacturer's instructions may mean you need to empty it sooner.

Wash your hands before insertion and removal, clean the cup as directed and release its seal before removing it. Inspect the cup regularly and replace it if you notice damage, deterioration or changes that concern you.

Toxic shock syndrome is rare but serious. Remove your cup and seek urgent medical help if you develop symptoms such as a sudden high temperature, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, confusion or a widespread red rash.

For more detailed safety information, read Are Menstrual Cups Safe? What the Science Says and our step-by-step guide to using a menstrual cup.

Using a menstrual cup with an IUD

If you have an intrauterine device, discuss menstrual cup use with the healthcare professional who fitted or manages it.

Evidence about menstrual cup use and IUD expulsion is still developing. A 2023 systematic review found that the available studies were limited and disagreed about whether cup use was associated with higher expulsion rates. A later analysis of a copper-IUD trial found different results for the two IUD designs studied, so the findings should not be generalised to every IUD.

If you use a cup with an IUD, always release the cup's seal before bringing it down and take care not to catch the IUD threads between the cup and the vaginal wall.

Read Can You Use a Menstrual Cup or Disc with an IUD? for a fuller explanation.

How to create your menstrual cup shortlist

Once you have reviewed the comparison chart, use this checklist:

  • Cervical position: Do you tend to have a high, average or low cervix during your period?
  • Cup length: Is there likely to be enough space for the cup body?
  • Total length: Will the cup remain fully inside while still being easy to reach?
  • Diameter: Does the cup's width look appropriate for your comfort?
  • Shape: Where is the cup widest and how might that sit in your body?
  • Firmness: Do you prefer a gentler feel or a cup that may open more readily?
  • Capacity: Is it likely to provide enough capacity for your flow?
  • Removal design: Will the stem, loop, ring or base be easy for you to locate and grip?
  • Material: Does the manufacturer's material information meet your needs?

The aim is not to find the cup with the most features. It is to identify the combination of dimensions and characteristics most likely to suit your anatomy, flow and preferences.

If you are deciding between product types, see our comparison of menstrual cups and menstrual discs.

Frequently asked questions

Are menstrual cup sizes standard across brands?

No. Size names such as mini, small, regular or large are specific to each manufacturer. Always compare the actual length, diameter and capacity.

Does someone over 30 need a larger menstrual cup?

Not necessarily. Some manufacturers use age in their sizing guidance, but age alone does not determine cup fit. Cervical position, anatomy, flow, sensitivity and personal preference may be more useful.

Do you need a larger menstrual cup after giving birth?

Not automatically. Birth history may influence some manufacturer recommendations, but it does not tell you your cervical position, vaginal dimensions or preferred cup firmness. Use it as one consideration rather than the only sizing rule.

Is a firmer menstrual cup better for exercise?

A firmer cup may open readily and remain resistant to compression for some active users. However, it may also feel more noticeable. Fit and comfort still depend on the individual.

Should capacity be the first thing you compare?

No. Start with dimensions and fit. Capacity becomes useful once you have narrowed the options to cups likely to sit comfortably in your body.

What if the cup I choose is uncomfortable?

Remove it rather than pushing through pain. Discomfort may relate to the cup's length, diameter, firmness, position or stem. Read What to Do If Your Menstrual Cup Is Hurting for troubleshooting guidance.

Need help choosing?

Use the Find Your Best Fit Quiz for personalised starting guidance based on your anatomy, flow and preferences.

You can also visit the Menstrual Products Comparison Hub or compare the dimensions and removal features of menstrual discs.

Not sure what is causing the problem?
Our interactive menstrual cup troubleshooter checks technique, capacity, placement and fit before suggesting what to try next.
Start troubleshooting →

This comparison chart and article provide general information and are not substitutes for individual product instructions or medical advice. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional if you have pain, symptoms or concerns about your health.

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