The 5 Best Menstrual Cups for Beginners

Making the switch from pads and tampons to a menstrual cup may seem like a leap of faith at first. But not to fear, the experts here at Ruby Cup have three important tips to make that switch easier for first-time menstrual cup users:

• Start with a smaller-sized cup.
• Look for a cup with the right balance of softness and flexibility for your body — very soft isn't always easier.
• Keep trying. Finding the right fit for you may take a few tries.

Lots of disposable period product users are considering their options these days, with higher prices on period products and the state of the planet’s health. Reusable menstrual cups are safer, cheaper, and more eco-friendly than traditional period products like tampons and panty liners. But there’s a learning curve. Somewhere between 10-45% of women find it tricky to use one when first starting. We’re here to make sure you're not one of those people.

If you’re a beginner, it’s important to choose the right cup for you.  Ruby Cup did the research for you and came up with the 5 best menstrual cups for beginners. Check out this helpful chart to find your best fit.

The benefits of menstrual cups 

Once you get used to it, a menstrual cup is more comfortable than traditional period products, and you’ll barely notice it’s there. Here are some of the other benefits of menstrual cups that turn beginners into lifelong menstrual cup users:

• Menstrual cups hold more period blood than other period products, so you can go longer between changes.
• Menstrual cups are more convenient than pads or panty liners for activities like sports or swimming.
• Menstrual cup users may have fewer cramps, according to some Ruby Cup fans.
• Menstrual cups are safe. Menstrual cups are made from hypoallergenic 100% medical-grade silicone. They don’t contain any harmful substances, unlike the chemicals found in tampons and sanitary pads. They collect menstrual flow, not absorb it. They also don’t absorb other fluids in your vagina or alter its natural pH. Menstrual cups are less likely to make you sick with toxic shock syndrome (TSS) compared with tampons.

And when it comes to the health of your wallet and our planet, menstrual cups overflow with benefits because:

• Menstrual cups will save you money over the long run. The initial cost of menstrual cups vs tampons or menstrual cups vs reusable pads is higher, but you save money over time because you aren’t buying disposable products every month. Researchers estimate that the average woman will have over 400 cycles in her lifetime, so imagine the cost savings!
• Menstrual cups allow you to have a zero-waste period. For example, a 27-year-old switching from traditional menstrual products to a reusable menstrual cup could save €869 and 6,210 disposable products over their lifetime. Try our impact calculator to see how much money and waste you could save by making the switch today.

Some menstrual cup brands offer a way for your period products to do good in the world. If you buy from a brand that supports reputable donation and period education programs, your menstrual cup purchase can help:

• Give menstrual cups to people with periods in low-resource settings to decrease global period poverty.
• Increase school attendance and daily activity participation for women and girls without access to period products.
• Reduce the risk of infections from unsanitary menstrual products.
• Help end period stigma and taboos.

Many users say they feel happier, freer, fresher, and more confident, without the odor and bulkiness of tampons or panty liners. 

One happy Ruby Cup customer affirms using a menstrual cup makes her feel “like all those people in tampon ads who look like they’re about to conquer the universe.”

How to choose your first menstrual cup

Every body is different, especially when it comes to vaginas, so you may have to experiment a bit to find the right cup for your body and lifestyle. 

We’ve included what we think are the other important factors to consider when choosing your first cup in our table, but they are:

• Size
• Consistency (soft or firm)
• Cost
• Stem or ring for easy removal
• Refund or size guarantee policy and ongoing support for beginner users

Most menstrual cups come in at least two different sizes. The right size for you depends on:

• Your age
• Your activity level
• Whether your menstrual flow is light or heavy)
• The position of your cervix (high vs low cervix)
• Whether you’ve given birth. 

Your vaginal canal gets bigger after giving birth, so people who've given birth tend to do better with larger-sized cups. Pelvic floor tone can also change with age, which is why age is worth factoring in separately from childbirth history. That said, many beginners find smaller cups easier to insert and remove, regardless of age or childbirth history — so treat these as starting points, not fixed rules.

Menstrual cup consistency refers to how soft or firm a menstrual cup is. Beginners often do best with a cup that balances softness and firmness, rather than the softest option available — very soft cups can be easier to insert but harder to get to "pop" open and form a good seal. A big part of finding a comfortable menstrual cup as a beginner is figuring out where your menstrual cup should sit in your vagina.

As there’s a learning curve, look for a brand with an easy-to-follow menstrual cup sizing guide, detailed instructions on how to insert, remove, and clean your cup, and ongoing support or a money-back / size-exchange guarantee, so you can try it risk-free. 

What to look for in a beginner-friendly menstrual cup

Are there any gynecologic conditions that prohibit using a menstrual cup?

Yes. If you have recently given birth or had an abortion, you should wait at least 4-6 weeks before returning to your menstrual cup. This is to prevent infection. If you have had a vaginal infection, wait until you are no longer having any symptoms and check in with a healthcare provider before returning to your menstrual cup.

People with prolapse of their uterus or weak pelvic floor muscles may also have trouble keeping the menstrual cup in place and could have more leaks. If you have a pelvic pain disorder, such as vaginismus, inserting a menstrual cup could trigger more pain.

In general, menstrual cups are safe for almost everyone with periods, but you can always talk with a healthcare provider about whether a menstrual cup is right for you, especially if you are a beginner.

The 5 best menstrual cups for beginners

Here’s our pick of the 5 best reusable menstrual cups for first-time users. All are made from 100% medical-grade silicone, are vegan, plastic- and latex-free. They all also last up to 10 years with proper care and use, meaning lots of savings and less period product waste (up to 10 kg according to Ruby Cup’s calculations).

None of these cups should be worn longer than 12 hours to avoid infection. Changing your menstrual cup frequently (every 6-8 hours) lowers the already low risk of toxic shock syndrome.

1. Ruby Cup

Comfortable, discreet, and easy to use, Ruby Cup’s Small is a favorite among first-time menstrual cup users. Ruby Cups hold 3x the capacity of a super tampon and can be worn for up to 12 hours without increasing your risk of infection. Active, athletic people with periods rave about how well Ruby Cup stays in place, no matter how much they move, thanks to the four tiny rim holes that help create suction and hold it in place. Another benefit of choosing Ruby Cup is that the company also sells a convenient (and effective) cup sterilizer, period pants, and even a Kegel pelvic floor muscle strengthener. You can save big and try out a range of products from the curated collection of product bundles.

Why it’s good for beginners 

• Has the right balance of softness and firmness, so it’s easy to fold and insert.
• Has four tiny holes under the rim of the cup that improve suction, help hold the cup in place, and prevent leakage.
• Ribbed stem makes it easier to remove 
• Measurement lines let you track your flow.
• 120-day money-back guarantee and starter pack option with multiple sizes.
• Comprehensive first-time support: video tutorials, sizing guides, and step-by-step insertion, removal, and cleaning instructions.
  

Drawbacks

Lighter-colored cups may discolor over time, though this is normal and doesn’t affect how it works. Opt for black or red if it bothers you.

Impact 

What really sets Ruby Cup apart, though, is the Buy One, Give One programme that allows you to donate a cup to someone without access to safe menstrual care products. 

Unlike other brands, Ruby Cup is extremely transparent about how it measures the impact of donations. It only donates as part of sustained and sustainable initiatives that address stigma, taboos, and practical barriers to uptake through educational workshops run in collaboration with local community partners. It also requires detailed data collection and reporting to ensure at least 80% uptake and provides additional support if this isn’t achieved. To date, Ruby Cup has changed over 155,000 lives — one of the largest donation programs of any menstrual cup brand.

Pricing

£24.95 – 1 menstrual cup + 1 cup donated.

Ruby Cup also offers a range of bundles that let customers mix and match menstrual cups, cup accessories (such as the Steriliser), and period underwear. These bundles offer savings of up to 25% compared to purchasing the products individually. One of the best-selling options is the:

£48.64 Starter Pack – 1 Small Ruby Cup, 1 pair of Flow Freedom Period Underwear, 1 Steriliser, and 1 cup donated.

Ruby Cup also offers exclusive discounts for students, healthcare workers, and charity workers.

Shipping

Free UK shipping. Ships worldwide from the UK.

Refunds policy 

120-day refund or size-exchange guarantee.

2. Lunette Cup 

These Finnish-made menstrual cups come in two sizes: Model 1 (small) and Model 2 (large), sized by menstrual flow. The company uses pigmented silicone rather than dyes, for 5 brightly-colored cups plus a clear option.

Why it’s good for beginners 

• Softer silicone and a longer stem than Model 2 make Model 1 a common pick for first-time users, with a soft rim that helps with insertion.
• The rim has holes for airflow, allowing better suction and less discomfort during removal.
• Cups have measurement lines at 5 ml (0.17 oz) and 13.5 ml (0.46 oz), so you can track your flow.

Drawbacks

Sizing based on flow alone can make it harder to find your size. 

Impact
Lunette donates one menstrual cup for every cup sold, through its charity arm, The Cup Foundation, which works to address period poverty and stigma.

Pricing

£24.99, 1 cup, no donation program

Refunds policy 

Lunette doesn't publish a formal refund policy, but states: “If it clearly does not work out for you, after giving it a fair try, we can refund your purchase or even send you another size of cup, for example. We will not give up making it work for you.”

Shipping

Free UK shipping on orders above £40; otherwise a flat £4.99 shipping fee. Lunette ships worldwide (except for Russia).

3. Saalt Cup

Saalt menstrual cups offer an expanded range of size and softness options that beginner cup users like. Made in the US, trendy cup wearers appreciate the cute pastel color options of desert blush, seafoam green, mountain iris, and others. Saalt provides handy videos and instructions for insertion, removal, cleaning, and leakage prevention.  

Why it's good for beginners

• Available in Small and Teen sizes.
• Saalt's softer product range is comfortable for many first-time users, though the softest options can be trickier to get into a good seal (more on this below).
• The ribbed cup design makes removal easier.
• Duo pack available so you can try multiple sizes.

Drawbacks

• Smaller cups hold less, so there's a higher risk of leaks with heavy flow.
• Softer cup consistency without holes and an unridged stem could make it tough to get ideal placement and good suction on your cervix.
• Tricky return policy: 90-day refund only for unused cups; can exchange for a different size within the 90-day window.
• — and shipping to the UK and EU is a flat £26/€26, which adds significantly to the total cost.

Impact

Saalt commits 1% of its revenue to donating period care products to regions with the greatest need, and to funding initiatives in menstrual health, girls' education, and sustainability.

Pricing

£25–28, depending on retailer. 1 cup.

Refunds policy 

90-day refund or exchange option. Refund only if cup is unused.

Shipping

Saalt ships worldwide (except to Japan, Taiwan, Russia, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, or Israel) from the US, but shipping isn't cheap: £26 to the UK, €26 to EU countries.

4. AllMatters (formerly OrganiCup)

AllMatters cup is made in Copenhagen, Denmark. Users report that it has a soft-medium consistency, soft enough to be able to fold without too much trouble, but firm enough to stay in place. AllMatters cups come in three sizes: Mini, A (not given birth), and B (given birth), but in only a clear color option. Size A and Mini are recommended for beginners, teens, or lighter flows.

Why it’s good for beginners 

• Relatively easy to fold, which makes it easier to learn how to insert.
• Detailed instructions and videos for first-time users. 
• Users report not even feeling the AllMatters cup, once it is in place.

Drawbacks 

• With three sizes, you may need two cups per period, increasing cost and sterilization hassle.  
• Only comes in clear, so likely to discolor.  

Pricing

£23.95, 1 cup. No donation programme.

Refunds policy 

90-day money-back or size exchange.

Shipping

All countries in the EU, and most of the world. Some countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa are excluded. Free shipping on orders over the value of £65 (or equivalent). They do not ship period underwear to the US and Canada. Shipping to the UK is £5.

5. Mooncup

Mooncup has been making menstrual cups for over two decades. There’s a reason why these cups have stood the test of time – users appreciate their straightforward ease of use. Mooncup (based in the UK) was also the first menstrual cup company to switch from rubber cups to silicone menstrual cups.

Why it’s good for beginners

• Available in Beginner and Teen Sizes, made of softer silicone.
• Company offers multiple bundle options with period pants, cup sterilizing pot, and biodegradable, non-toxic period pads and tampons.

Drawbacks 

• Shorter, ball-tipped stem can be tough to grasp, making it trickier for beginners to remove.
• Beginner and Teen sizes are only available in one color (pink), and the Original Cup (size B) only comes in transparent version.
• Original Cup (Size B) has a thicker, double-ridged rim, which could cause uncomfortable pressure for beginner users.

Pricing

£23.50, no cup donation program.

Refunds policy 

Mooncup Satisfaction Guarantee is offered only after 90 days of use. The satisfaction guarantee cannot be claimed before 90 days have passed since your order or purchase date. You can claim your money back or an alternative size for up to six months post-purchase. The satisfaction guarantee can only be claimed once per customer.

Shipping

Ships worldwide from UK, free UK shipping on purchases of at least £30. International customers will have to pay taxes, import duties, and customs duty.

So which is the best menstrual cup for beginners?

Your most important takeaway as a beginner cup user should be to be patient and willing to experiment a bit before finding the right cup for you. That is why bundles of more than one cup size can be a good option — for comfort and for variable flow throughout your cycle.

There's a learning curve with a new cup, so look for a brand that provides comprehensive beginner support, a sizing guide, and a refund or size-exchange policy so you can try risk-free.

For most first-time users, that brand is Ruby Cup. The Small cup is the go-to pick for beginners — easy to fold, with a balance of softness and firmness that makes it easy to insert and helps it hold its seal — and it comes with complete beginner support: a step-by-step guide to using a menstrual cup, sizing help, video tutorials, and FAQs covering specifics like wearing a cup with an IUD. Its medium size range also means teens are less likely to outgrow it, so you get the full 10 years of wear out of one cup. If you'd rather get set up in one go, the £48.64 Starter Pack adds a sterilizer and a pair of period pants.

Ruby Cup's Buy One, Give One program adds another layer: for every cup sold, one is donated as part of ongoing educational initiatives run with local community partners, with data tracking to ensure at least 80% uptake. To date, that's added up to over 155,000 cups donated.

If a specific need matters more to you than an all-rounder: Saalt Teen is the smallest option available, and Lunette Model 1 has the softest, most sensitive-friendly feel of the cups we reviewed.