If you have a heavy period, the thought of one little cup catching your flow can be a tad hard to believe - but would you believe that there are some larger capacity menstrual cups that can hold as much fluid as 2-3 super plus tampons?!
One of the benefits of menstrual cups is that they can allow you to go a full 8 hours before needing to be removed and emptied (cue happy tears), and many people report that using a cup allows them to forget that they’re even on their period at all. But for those with a heavy flow, finding a menstrual cup that has a high enough capacity to allow them to go anywhere close to 8 hours before needing to empty their cup can be a challenge. But don’t worry - there are larger capacity cups on the market that will help those with heavy periods find more freedom and fewer bathroom breaks. And we’ve done our very best to track down some of the best high capacity menstrual cups for heavy periods at Period Shop.
How much do you actually bleed during your period?
It’s worth mentioning first up that a lot of us who are used to only using tampons and pads don’t truly know how much fluid we lose during our period. This is because tampons and pads absorb our flow so well that it’s impossible to get a good reading of just how much we lose. A lot of people are surprised to learn that they actually bleed less than they thought when switching to a cup! And keep in mind that the average menstrual cup holds more fluid than two super tampons, which usually hold around 10ml each.
The average person loses between 30ml and 45ml (equal to 2-3 tablespoons) of fluid during their entire period, and anything over 80ml is considered a heavy flow. If you have to change your ‘regular’ pad or tampon more than every 2 hours, it’s most likely you have what is deemed to be a heavy flow.
It’s also important to note that if you have excessive heavy bleeding (soaking a pad or tampon in an hour or less) you should always get it checked by a doctor to rule out any underlying health issues. Very heavy periods can be caused by anything from stress to endometriosis, PCOS, thyroid issues and more - so always discuss and investigate further with your doctor.
The best menstrual cups for heavy periods
If you have a heavy period, our biggest tip for making it more comfortable and a whole lot more convenient is to choose a high capacity menstrual cup. The higher the capacity, the closer you’ll be able to get to that magical convenience of emptying your cup every 8 hours!
Depending on the brand, size or model number, all menstrual cups hold varying amounts of fluid.
Our top picks for high capacity menstrual cups to suit a heavy flow are listed below. See our blog on Should you choose a soft or firm menstrual cup if you are unsure on what harness cup to choose.
Merula XL
The medical-grade silicone Merlua XL Menstrual Cup is a firm menstrual cup with a ladder-style stem which can be trimmed off. It boasts an impressive capacity of 40ml, making it ideal for those with heavier menstrual flows.
Classic Bell
The Large Classic Bell Menstrual Cup is also made of a soft medical-grade silicone. It has a cone shape with a rounded base and offers a generous capacity of 35ml making it suitable for medium to heavy flow days.
Curve
The Curve Menstrual Cup is made of soft medical-grade silicone and thoughtfully designed to provide a perfect fit for most users and features a curved shaped body. The Large Curve Cup boasts an impressive capacity of 30ml.
Canack
Made from high-quality medical-grade silicone, the Canack Cup is a cone-shaped cup also on the soft side. It features a solid stem with small grip lines and the Large Canack Cup has a capacity of 30ml.
Other Menstrual Cups
Check out our full menstrual cup comparison chart for detailed capacities of all the different menstrual cups in stock at Period Shop.
Preventing menstrual cup leaks with a heavy flow
Dealing with heavy periods can be challenging, but we’ve got you covered! The best combo we’ve found for managing a heavy flow is to choose a high capacity menstrual cup, and pair it with some absorbent period underwear to catch any overflow or leaking. It’s like a match made in period heaven.