All You Need to Know About Menstrual Cups
Menstrual Cup Basics
A menstrual cup is a soft, reusable medical-grade silicone cup worn internally to collect period flow, not absorb it. It’s folded for easy insertion, forms a gentle seal to prevent leaks, and can be worn for up to 12 hours, including overnight.
Most users only need one cup for years, making it an eco-friendly, low-waste alternative to pads and tampons. Cups also help maintain natural pH balance and reduce dryness. When your cycle ends, simply sterilize, store, and reuse next month.
Why Use a Menstrual Cup?
Reusable & Eco-Conscious
One cup lasts up to 10 years, reducing waste compared to disposables. Learn why that matters.
12 Hour Protection
Wear comfortably for up to 12 hours, including overnight or while active. See how to use it.
Gentle & Safe
Made with medical-grade silicone, free from fragrance and dyes. See Cleaning Tips.
How Does a Menstrual Cup Work?
A menstrual cup sits comfortably below your cervix and forms a gentle, leak-resistant seal against the vaginal walls. Instead of absorbing fluid like pads or tampons, it collects it safely, offering up to 12 hours of protection without leaks.
When it’s full (or when you’re ready), simply:
- Wash your hands
- Remove and empty the cup
- Clean it properly
- Reinsert or store for next time
Tip: Most users only need to empty their cup twice a day: once in the morning and once in the evening.
How to Fold Your Menstrual Cup
Folding your cup makes insertion easier and more comfortable. Try a few techniques to see which feels best:
- Origami Fold – Great for beginners; folds down small.
- Diamond Fold – Offers a quick, spring-open seal.
- 7 Fold – Slim profile for smooth insertion. Works great for Lena's shape.
- Punch-Down Fold – Creates a pointed tip for extra ease.
- C-Fold – Classic, simple fold for experienced users.
Practice makes perfect – most people find their perfect fold within two cycles.
Origami Fold
Diamond Fold
7 Fold
Punch-Down Fold
C-Fold
How to Insert & Remove Your Cup
Once folded, gently slide the cup into the vaginal canal. When placed correctly, it opens up and forms a secure seal, so comfortable you won’t feel it at all.
To remove, pinch the base to break the seal and slowly pull the cup out. If it’s your first time, give yourself patience: practice really does make perfect!
Pro Tip: Use Lena Wash before and after use to keep your cup fresh, pH-balanced, and long-lasting.
How to Clean your Menstrual Cup
1. Rinse and Wash
After removing your cup, rinse it with cold water to prevent staining. Then gently wash it with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser like Lena Wash to remove buildup and keep it fresh.
2. Sterilize in a Cleaning Container
At the end of your cycle, place your cup in a Lena Cleaning Container and boil it for 5–7 minutes. This deep clean removes bacteria and ensures your cup is ready for reuse.
3. Boil on the Stove
Prefer a classic method? Simply place your cup in a pot of boiling water for 3–5 minutes. Make sure the cup does not touch the bottom of the pot and let it air dry completely before storing.
Start by choosing the cup that matches your flow, sensitivity, and lifestyle.
Find Your Perfect Lena Cup Match
If you’re new to menstrual cups, the Small Original is a great place to start. It’s designed for light to heavy flow and fits comfortably for most first-time users. Its balanced firmness makes insertion and removal straightforward, while still offering reliable leak protection.
Learn read more about how cups work.
Beginner favorite: Most first-time Lena users choose this size and over 90% say it was the right match for them.
If you have a heavier flow, have given birth vaginally, or simply prefer longer wear, the Large Original might be the best fit. It’s slightly larger and firmer, which helps it create a secure seal for up to 12 hours of leak-free protection.
See how to insert and remove a cup.
Highly rated: Users love the combination of comfort and long-lasting protection.
If you experience bladder sensitivity and pressure, cramping, or discomfort with firmer cups, the Small Sensitive is designed with you in mind. Its softer silicone makes it easier to wear, while still offering dependable protection for light to medium flow.
Learn how sensitivity affects cup choice.
⭐ Trusted for comfort: Over 95% of users with sensitivity say this cup made their experience more comfortable.
The Large Sensitive combines extra capacity with gentle softness, perfect for those with a heavier flow who also want a more flexible, body-responsive cup. It’s designed to adapt to your body as you move while still protecting for up to 12 hours.
Explore how to clean and care for your cup so it lasts for years.
Top comfort choice: Rated 4.9 ★ for comfort and leak protection, even on heavy days.
Can’t decide or want the flexibility of two options? The 2-Pack lets you mix sizes or firmness levels, so you’re covered for different flow days or comfort needs. It’s also perfect if you want one cup at home and another for your bag.
👉 Shop Original Lena 2-Pack
👉 Shop Sensitive Lena 2-Pack
Pro tip: Over 1 million Lena Cups have been sold around the world, and with more than 50,000 verified reviews, our users consistently tell us that switching was easier and more life-changing than they expected.
Why Lena?
For the past 10 years, Lena has supported a global community of menstrual cup users. More than 1 million cups have been sold and over 50,000 verified reviews show how much our users trust and love their Lena Cup.
Our mission is to make sustainable period care accessible, empowering, and kind to your body.
We’re here to guide you every step of the way into your cup journey.
💬 Contact us anytime, email us at hello@lenacup.com or DM us on Instagram and TikTok.
Menstrual Cup vs Pads & Tampons
Pads and tampons may feel familiar, but they create thousands of pieces of waste, require frequent changes, and cause irritation or dryness.
Lena Cup is a reusable alternative that lasts for ten years, offers up to 12 hours of leak-free comfort, and collects flow instead of absorbing it.
It’s also more cost-effective. Users save hundreds of dollars and prevent disposables from going to landfill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most people can comfortably wear their Lena Cup for up to 12 hours at a time, including overnight. The actual time will depend on your flow, on heavier days, you might prefer to empty it more often. Because the cup collects rather than absorbs, it won’t dry you out, and you can wear it longer than tampons or pads without irritation.
Yes! Menstrual cups like Lena are made from medical-grade silicone, a body-safe material that’s free from toxins, dyes, and fragrances.
They don’t disrupt your vaginal environment, which helps maintain your natural pH and overall comfort. If you have specific medical conditions or use an IUD, it’s always a good idea to consult your healthcare provider before trying a cup.
Cleaning your cup is simple and only takes a minute. During your cycle, rinse it with warm water and a gentle cleanser like Lena Wash. At the end of your period, sterilize it by boiling it in water for a few minutes or by following our step-by-step cleaning guide. With proper care, a Lena Cup can last up to 10 years – saving you money and reducing waste.
Yes! Because a menstrual cup holds more than tampons and can be worn for up to 12 hours, it’s perfect for overnight use. Most users find it more comfortable and secure while sleeping, and you won’t have to wake up to change anything during the night.
Yes, just start with the smaller size and practice the fold-and-insert technique.
It might feel a little unfamiliar at first, but most people quickly get the hang of it. Using a water-based lubricant or inserting it in the shower can help in the beginning. Over time, insertion and removal become second nature – and because the cup is soft and flexible, most users say they barely notice it’s there.
Explore our step-by-step use guide for beginner tips.
Absolutely. Once inserted, a menstrual cup stays in place no matter how active you are – whether you’re running, swimming, practicing yoga, or going to the gym. The seal keeps it secure, and many users forget they’re even wearing it. For tips on inserting it correctly before workouts, visit our how-to guide.
100% Satisfaction. Zero Stress.
Risk-Free, Worry-Free
We know switching can feel intimidating. That’s why Lena comes with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can try it with peace of mind.
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