The pros and cons of menstrual cups

Learn about a planet-friendly period product

If your teen has started or is about to start their period, they might be asking you about menstrual cups.

This eco-friendly option is becoming increasingly popular, and understanding how it works may help you to help your teen make an informed choice.

What is a menstrual cup?

A menstrual cup is a small, flexible cup made of silicone or latex that is inserted into the vagina to collect period blood.

It can be worn for up to 12 hours before being removed, emptied, and reinserted.

Here's an idea of how it can be inserted:

There are many sizes available depending on factors like age, flow, or whether a person has given birth.

You can find menstrual cups in some pharmacies, supermarkets, and online.

Some educational institutions also provide them for free, so it’s worth asking your teen’s school if they have these available if you need.

Before we get into the pros and cons, if you’re comparing different period products for your teen and already aren't sure if menstrual cups are a good option, then luna's guide to choosing period products for tweens and teens can help you explore all the options.

Why might teens like menstrual cups?

Menstrual cups are becoming a favourite for several reasons:

• They’re environmentally friendly since they’re reusable
• They’re cost-effective in the long term – the average menstrual cup lasts around 10 years and you only really need one
• They can be kept in all day (up to 12 hours), though if they're nervous about leaking, it’s best to empty them during the day
• They can be worn while swimming or during most activities – for an alternative option in the water, you might also consider period swimwear, or tampons, which many teens find convenient
• If inserted correctly, you shouldn’t feel the cup at all

Why might teens avoid menstrual cups?

Although menstrual cups work well for many, they’re not for everyone. Here are some reasons why:

• They need to be sterilised before and after each period and rinsed between uses – this is a responsibility lots of teens may not want or be ready to take on
• They have a higher upfront cost (ranging from £10–£40), though this cost evens out over time compared to disposables
• Menstrual cups must be removed within 6 weeks of an IUD insertion, also known as "the coil" which is a form of contraception
• They can be difficult to use at first, especially for teens who haven’t inserted anything vaginally before – a small amount of water-based lubricant can help, and with practice, most people find a technique that works for them

What parents should know about safety

There is a very small risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) when using menstrual cups, but it’s less common compared to tampons (though in general TSS is very rare!)

This risk can be minimised by proper care and sterilisation of the cup and ensuring it’s not worn for longer than 12 hours.

What parents should know overall

Eco-friendly, cost-effective, and convenient, menstrual cups are becoming a go-to option for many people managing their periods.

They’re worth considering if your teen is comfortable with the idea and willing to practise insertion. Keep the conversation open and let your teen decide what feels right for them.

Finally, why not support your teen with luna premium?

Our app, luna, has dedicated advice on this topic as well as a period tracker which can help them feel more empowered through adolescence.

You can think of luna as a modern, digital version of the puberty books we had growing up – it’s cost-effective, verified by doctors and safeguarding experts, and has a direct line into the biggest concerns facing teens today – so it’s actually addressing what they need advice on, when they need it.

If you’ve been looking for an antidote to the misinformation and negativity shared on social media or forums, you can get luna for your teen via our luna premium page for the price of a coffee each month or manage their subscription by downloading luna yourself and signing up as a parent (it's "we are luna" in app stores).