How often do I need to empty my menstrual cup?

One of the many joys of using period cups is the freedom it gives you to carry on with life without needing to find somewhere to change your pads or tampons every few hours.

Empty every 12 hours

The straightforward answer is that you can use your menstrual cup for up to 12 hours, after which it should be emptied and rinsed. That means that you can have a good night’s sleep without having to worry about leaks. Bliss.

Choose a menstrual cup that’s made from high-quality medical-grade silicone which means it’s safe inside you and will keep you fresh for extended periods of time.

The recommendation is that you avoid going over 12 hours as, no matter how clean your cup is, it makes sense to check and wash yours properly and regularly. 

We’re often asked how you can clean a period cup in a public toilet. Don’t worry. It’s much easier and subtler than you might think. We’ve got that covered in our article ‘How to Clean Your Menstrual Cup in a Public Toilet’.

For more information on how to best use your menstrual cup, take a look at our simple guide.

If, for whatever reason, you do go slightly over the 12 hours, don’t panic. Just empty it as soon as you can and carry on as normal. There’s no way that the cup can get lost or stuck inside you, but if you’re concerned that it’s been in for a very long time, or you’re experiencing any unusual symptoms, you may want to read up about Toxic Shock Syndrome or see your doctor.

There are exceptions to the 12-hour guidance as everyone experiences their periods differently. If you have a heavy flow, you might want to empty it more often. Start by checking it every couple of hours, then every four hours, for example, until you get a good sense of how full your cup gets.

Lunette menstrual cups come in two sizes, with The Lunette Cup Model 2 being more suited to heavy flows. Did you know, the Lunette menstrual cup can hold more than twice the amount of liquid than a super plus absorbency tampon. So, if you’re frustrated by heavy periods, check out our blog post for more information.