Australian women's health organisation Jean Hailes describes menstrual cups as reusable and more environmentally friendly than other products, while being upfront that reusables cost more at the start. healthdirect says your choice of period product may depend on cost, comfort, sustainability and how heavy your period is.
Those four factors are a useful way to weigh up period cups vs tampons before you change what's in your bathroom cupboard.
Quick answer: A period cup is a reusable alternative to tampons: it collects blood rather than absorbing it, and you wash it and use it again for years, while each tampon goes in the bin. The Lunette period cup can be worn for up to 8 hours, the same ceiling healthdirect gives for a tampon.
Is a period cup better than a tampon?
It depends on which of those four factors matters most to you. Here is how the two line up on the basics, using Australian health guidance and Lunette's own product information:
| Period cup | Tampon | |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Uses suction to stay in place and collects blood | Absorbent plug that soaks up blood |
| Changing | Lunette: wear for up to 8 hours | healthdirect: every 3 to 4 hours, never more than 8 |
| After use | Washed and reused | Wrapped and binned, never flushed |
| Lifespan | A Lunette cup lasts up to 10 years with proper care | Single use |
On the healthdirect menstruation page, tampon guidance also suggests it may be best not to use tampons overnight. Whatever you choose, the page's broader advice applies: wash your hands before changing products and always follow the instructions on the pack.
How much does a period cup hold compared with a tampon?
A cup usually holds more. Jean Hailes notes that menstrual cups can usually hold more menstrual fluid than the average tampon.
The Lunette menstrual cup comes in two sizes that both take more than 2 to 3 tampons' worth of fluid: Size 1 holds 25 ml and Size 2 holds 30 ml. Size 1 is softer and suits a light to medium flow, a low cervix or teens, while Size 2 is firmer and suits a heavier flow or a higher cervix.
Can you get toxic shock syndrome from a period cup?
It's possible, though rare. healthdirect lists tampons, menstrual cups and diaphragms among the devices associated with menstrual toxic shock syndrome, and stresses that it's the bacteria, not the product itself, that can lead to it.
Jean Hailes says there have been a very small number of TSS cases in people who have used a menstrual cup, and that more research is needed to understand the risks. healthdirect's practical tip for cups is to follow the product instructions for removing it.
Can you swim or play sport with a period cup?
Yes. Jean Hailes says tampons and menstrual cups are both safe and suitable for activities like swimming and sport. You also don't need to take a cup out to go to the toilet, although doing a poo can sometimes push it out of place, so check it with clean fingers afterwards.
When to see a doctor
- If you think you have toxic shock syndrome, with symptoms such as a sudden high temperature, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, aching muscles, confusion or a sunburn-like rash, call triple zero (000) or go to your nearest emergency department.
- If you can't get a cup out after a few tries, visit your local health centre as soon as possible; a nurse or doctor can help.
- See your doctor if your periods are heavier than usual, last more than 8 days or cause severe pain that disrupts your day.
Your period cup questions
Can I use a period cup from my first period?
Yes, if you feel ready. Jean Hailes says you can use tampons or cups from your very first period or choose to wait a while, and that it's fine not to use them at all. Lunette recommends its softer Size 1 cup for teens and anyone with a light to medium flow.
How do I clean a period cup between uses?
Rinse it with cold water each time you empty it, then wash it with warm water and Lunette Cup Wash or a mild, unscented soap. Boil 5 minutes before first use and after each completed cycle. Let it dry and keep it in its breathable linen pouch until next month.
What is the Lunette period cup made of?
It's made of 100% medical-grade silicone and is free from BPA, PFAS, rubber and latex. The cup is made in Finland, where Lunette was founded in 2005, and the Danish testing lab TÆNK found no unwanted substances in it. With proper care, one cup lasts up to 10 years.
Thinking about making the switch? The Lunette period cup is reusable for up to 10 years with proper care and comes in two sizes. Our period cup size guide explains which size suits your flow and body.
This article offers general information only and isn't medical advice. For guidance about your own health, please see your GP.
