What Exactly Is a Menstrual Cup? A menstrual cup is a small, flexible cup—usually made from medical-grade silicone—that’s inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual fluid rather than absorb it.

Reusable menstrual cups reduce waste and are more cost-effective than single-use pads and tampons. But some people avoid the cups because they require thorough cleaning and are sometimes messy to ...

Unlike menstrual cups, which are held in place in part by suction, menstrual discs sit a bit higher in the vaginal canal and are held in place by tension. Discs generally have a higher capacity than ...