I never thought I’d be a menstrual cup person. Honestly, the idea used to make me a little squeamish. I’d heard about them, sure—mostly from eco-conscious friends or Reddit threads about sustainable period products—but it always seemed like too much. Too messy, too complicated, too… something.
Still, a few months ago, I found myself getting curious. I’d grown tired of tampons drying me out and pads that bunched up at the worst possible moments. There had to be a better way, right?
That’s when I started doing some serious Googling. I watched videos, read forums, compared brands. And gradually, the idea of a menstrual cup went from “no way” to “maybe?” What finally tipped me over the edge was realizing how many options there were. Different sizes, different shapes, even different materials. It wasn’t just the same cup repackaged over and over—it actually felt customizable.
I decided to try one from MeLuna. I liked that it came in different sizes and firmness levels, and it was made from TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), which I hadn’t heard of before. Most cups I’d seen were silicone, but TPE is more body conforming, from what I read, a bit more resistant to bacteria buildup. That made me feel a little safer, especially since this was all new territory for me.
There are definitely other great brands and materials out there—silicone cups are still super popular for good reason. I think what matters most is finding what suits you. But I’ll admit, I kind of fell in love with the one I chose. It just worked.
Trying it for the first time was… an adventure. I boiled it to sterilize, washed my hands like a surgeon, folded it three different ways, and stood in the bathroom squinting at diagrams on my phone. I won’t pretend it went smoothly. I dropped it once. I inserted it sideways at one point. But eventually, it popped open into place, and I stood there thinking, “Wait… that’s it?”
The first few days, I was hyper-aware of it. Was it leaking? Was it too high? Should I check it again? But then something shifted. I got more comfortable. I learned how to insert and remove it without needing a full YouTube refresher every time. And once I stopped overthinking it, I started to notice all the things I wasn’t dealing with anymore.
No more rushing to the store for emergency tampons. No more itchy dryness on lighter days. No more awkwardly hiding a pad in my sleeve at work. Just a single, tiny cup that quietly did its job in the background.
Emptying it the first time was… weird. Not gross, exactly, just unfamiliar. There’s something oddly personal about seeing your period that directly. But honestly? That faded fast. And on some level, it made me feel more connected to my body, more informed about how my cycle actually works.
I also realized just how low-maintenance it could be. For me, the cup only needed emptying every 8 to 12 hours, depending on the day. That meant I could go through a full workday—or even sleep through the night—without worrying. I didn’t expect that level of freedom.
And the comfort surprised me too. I expected to feel something, but once it was in, I often forgot about it completely. The TPE material felt gentle, even flexible in a way I hadn’t expected. I’ve had fewer issues with irritation, and honestly, fewer period-related gripes in general.
Of course, there was a slight learning curve. I had moments where I questioned whether I was doing it right. I second-guessed my sizing choice. And there were a couple of clumsy bathroom experiences early on. But nothing about it felt unmanageable. If anything, it made me wish I’d tried it sooner.
Now that I’ve been using a cup for a few cycles, I’m genuinely happy I made the switch. It’s not perfect, and I wouldn’t say it’s for absolutely everyone, but it’s made my period feel a lot more manageable. A lot less frustrating.
If you’re curious but hesitant, that’s totally valid. It’s a shift, and it can feel like a big one. But if traditional products haven’t been working for you, or even if you’re just tired of the waste or the hassle, trying a menstrual cup might be worth a shot.
There are numerous options available—different materials, shapes, and sizes—and finding one that suits your body and lifestyle can make all the difference. For me, it was kind of a game-changer. And honestly? I’d recommend it.
