Best Tampons & Menstrual Cups
Moxie
Absolute piece of **** – Impossible to insert! I've used cups for 8+ years. I've never had any issue with insertion with previous brands. This one however, absolutely… Read more
impossible. The cup will not unfold properly once inserted. And if you do manage to unfold it, it stays suctioned flat so I'm not sure if it's going to collect properly. I've attempted to use through 2 cycles now and insertion takes several attempts before I give up and hope for the best. Due to the suction, it's uncomfortable to wear.
Avoid!
Lunette
Comfortable cup, not durable – It was a good cup, easy to use and comfortable. However, mine developed a crack within a few months (only about 6 uses) making it unsafe to use due… Read more
to a risk of bacterial build up. I was surprised because the product is advertised to be used for years, so I contacted customer service but they said they don't cover normal wear and tear. It's disappointing that a company doesn't care that it's product becomes unsafe within a few uses and this is considered normal.
U by Kotex Super
Protected – Any u by Kotex pads doesn’t leak and feel so protected especially night long pads. I have heavy period so I need to use good quality pads every month… Read more
and was searching which is the best for me when night time because Everytine period come I get worried if my period doesn’t soak to my bed sheets but u by Kotex is the only one I can feel safe and sleep well even heavy time. I wish the products get cheaper because for women we use every months and essential, thanks
The Diva Cup Model 1
Worst menstrual cup that I have ever used. Constantly leaks – I've used a different brand of menstrual cup before I purchased diva and have not had any issues with it. HOwever using Diva has been a really… Read more
terrible experience and I would not recommend it to anyone, please purchase Luna cup instead.
I am constantly having leaks with diva, it does not open up properly when inserted inside, even if you try to adjust it. It's embarrassing because a number of times I have inserted it and went out only to find out I was having a major leak and has a blood spot on my pants.
I know this is not because I am using it incorrectly as I never had this issue with other menstrual cups.
I don't know what is wrong with it, but it is certainly not suitable for its intended purpose.
GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK!
Tulip Menstrual Cup
I bought the Tulip menstrual cup hoping for the usual eco-friendly period solution everyone raves about. Soft silicone, cute tulip shape, easy to… Read more
fold… perfect, right? Well, let me tell you how my experience went completely off-script.
One lazy evening, curiosity got the better of me. Instead of the intended route, I decided to see what it felt like in my rectum. I folded it nice and small (the punch-down fold worked best), lubed it up, and gently slid it in. Holy hell. The moment it popped open inside, the soft rim pressed right against all the right spots. It felt incredibly pleasurable—like a perfectly shaped, flexible plug that hit every sensitive nerve without any discomfort. I ended up wearing it for hours just because the subtle fullness and gentle pressure felt so damn good. Way better than I ever expected from a “menstrual” product.
But here’s the story you actually came for: the time it got stuck.
I was feeling bold and left it in during a long solo session. Everything was amazing until I tried to remove it. The stem was slippery, the cup had suctioned itself in beautifully, and no amount of bearing down or tugging would budge it. I panicked a little, imagining an awkward ER visit. After twenty minutes of awkward squatting, deep breathing, and finally using a mix of warm water and gentle pulling while relaxed, it finally released with a satisfying “pop.” I was equal parts relieved and strangely turned on by the whole ordeal. Lesson learned: trim the stem shorter next time and don’t get too carried away.
Overall, the Tulip cup is surprisingly versatile. Great quality silicone, holds its shape, and apparently doubles as an unexpected source of anal pleasure. Just be careful—once it opens up in there, it really doesn’t want to come out easily. Would I recommend sticking it in your rectum? Only if you’re adventurous and prepared for potential stuck-cup drama. 4/5 stars.
Carefree FLEXIA
Flexia is bestia – Tried this brand and style years ago and have never looked at changing. Comfortable and super absorbent. No pain or discomfort. Unfortunately like all woman’s products it is expensive but I personally prefer over cheaper brands. Show details
Tampax Pearl Unscented
2nd trip to the ER because the string fell off – Came home to change my tampon and the string just fell off. This is the second time in 3 years I’ve had to go to the hospital to have a Tampax tampon removed from my body. It’s such an inconvenience and so embarrassing. Do better Tampax. Show details
My Mimi Next
Have used the my mimi menstrual disc for a year and a half now. I love it! Purchased this black when it was released last year. It is so good and has… Read more
reduced my cramps - I like that this reusable menstrual disc has the double rim which is a bit firmer so it holds in place while I’m running at the gym etc. have reccomended to so many people. I wear it all day from morning to night. Rinse it in the shower and then can wear it over night without any leaks
Does the job – These tampons come in nice packaging and easy to use, absorb well but once you open them and pull the string, the back of it usually fluffs up, not… Read more
as easy and smooth to insert as the pro comfort ones which have a silky cover on them.. Overall a fairly average product that does the job Absorbs well, nice packaging, inexpensive Harder to insert, falls apart at times
Tampax Regular / Super
Same as other reviews – After hour or so, hurts. Expands in length/starts to exit and hurts 'pelvic floor' muscles. Made the mistake of buying two boxes. Didn't think to look for reviews first, who would; design issue. Show details
Tampax Compak
Poorly designed, does not work and the tampon itself did not stay in one piece. Dangerous Show details
Hey Zomi Reusable Menstrual Disc
Unfortunately like others I have found this product very disappointing. I have used menstrual cups for years and was sucked in by marketing to try… Read more
the disc. It leaks all the time while just walking around but today it leaked out standing up from the toilet and dripped on my legs and pants! Literal bloodbath. Even if it didn’t leak, taking it out is hugely messy. Unlike a cup that you pull out and can hold upright and all stays in tact until you’re ready to tip it out, this comes out and immediately goes everywhere including your hands. I have persisted and tried different suggestions but it is not worth the hassle (or risk) for me after today
Pureste
Excellent – Been using them for a number of months now. They functioned just like any other tampons. Plus it is fully sterilised compared to other tampons out… Read more
there. They stay in as they should, absorb as they should. I have used all three sizes available depending on my flow rate. Would continue to use these from now on :) They are reliable
TOM Organic Regular Tampons
I've been using their tampons for years, after trying lots of brands, this was the best for me, but over the last two months they've been coming… Read more
apart of not completely soaked, and this month I got 2, one from different boxes with no string, I even took it apart to see if it was just hard to find, but no string found. I noticed they changed the plastic packaging, so I am also assuming they changed something on their processes, I will be trying other brands from next months, as missing pieces of cotton is not what you desire when using tampons.
Not cool – I tried these tampons and i was left with the "fluff" after removing it... the coating doesn't stop it from leaving unwanted cotton in your lady… Read more
bits, it basically started "shedding", i had it in for half an hour before i removed it :( Not cool, this product used to be good when i first started my period when i was 13, now they have done something to ruin it. Cute packaging.. that's it. cotton comes away :(
NOt good – It makes me sooo itchy and uncomfortable. Never happened with any other sanitary pad.
De Jour
This was a nightmare – These tampons were of terrible quality. They were frail and easily broken. I did not feel safe putting them inside me. They are a disgrace to the… Read more
industry and i really hope De jour can make a comeback from this. I hate downtrodding on peoples businesses but i would rater use crepe paper then these De Jour tampons. The zip lock bag was far from satisfactory.
Should I use tampons or a menstrual cup?
Tampons and menstrual cups are both effective ways of handling your menstrual flow, so the choice is up to you - some people even use both.
Tampons
A tampon is a plug made from a soft material that is inserted in the vagina to absorb menstrual blood.
Menstrual cups
A menstrual cup is a reusable, bell-shaped cup that is inserted inside your vagina to collect menstrual blood.
Factors to consider when choosing a tampon or menstrual cup
Ease of use
Tampons
Because they have a more sleek shape, tampons are generally thought to be easier to insert and remove than menstrual cups. For tampon insertion, use a fingertip to push the tampon up the vagina as far as you can. Although they aren’t as common in Australia, some tampons come with a tampon applicator to help with insertion without needing to dirty your finger.
Tampons should never be left in for more than 8 hours, and most tampon manufacturers recommend you change them every 4-6 hours. This means you need to change them more frequently than menstrual cups. It also means that if you sleep for more than 8 hours every night, you may need to get up at some point in the middle of the night to change your tampon.
Although you change them more frequently, disposing of your tampon is relatively straightforward. You simply need to pull on the string to remove the tampon from your vagina, wrap the tampon in toilet paper, and dispose of it in the appropriate sanitary bin.
Menstrual cups
At first, it may take a bit of time to get used to menstrual cup insertion and removal. To insert the cup, fold it in a way that’s most comfortable for you - the most common folds are the C or U fold, the punch down fold, and the 7 fold - and insert it into your vagina.
Many menstrual cup manufacturers recommend you to keep them in for up to 8 hours, although some say you can keep them in for up to 12 hours - so you should be emptying the cup at least twice a day.
Removing a menstrual cup can be fiddly, as you have to pull on the stem or pinch the base, ensuring you keep it upright as you remove it so your menstrual flow stays in the cup.
You’ll also need to empty the contents of your cup into a toilet and rinse the cup before reinsertion. Some people may be uncomfortable doing this, particularly in public bathrooms.
At the end of your period, you’ll also need to sterilise the cup per the manufacturer’s instructions (this usually involves boiling it for at least 5 minutes). Your cup has two air holes at the top of the cup, making it easier to remove - you’ll need to take extra care when cleaning your cup as blood can get stuck in these holes.
Ensure you wash your hands with soap and water before and after you insert and remove your tampon or menstrual cup.
Comfort
Being on your period isn’t an easy gig, and it doesn’t help that on top of all the cramping, bloating, muscle aches, acne (the list goes on), you also might experience a rollercoaster of emotions before, during, and right after your period. That’s why it’s important to choose the right products that don’t add to your stress, and are comfortable for you.
Both tampons and menstrual cups shouldn’t be able to be felt, and so should be comfortable - however because everything happens internally, ensuring it's placed right can be tricky.
No two vaginas are alike, and no two vaginas bleed alike, which is why tampons and menstrual cups come in different sizes to accommodate different internal sizes and flows. Finding the right cup or tampon size can help you on your way to being comfortable.
For tampons, most brands offer regular tampons for light to regular flows, as well as super tampons for heavy flows. You can also get mini tampons that are shorter and narrower - these are usually marketed as for girls who are starting menstruation and using tampons for the first time.
Like tampons, menstrual cup brands will also often offer at least 2 sizes. Smaller cups often hold around 25mL of fluid, and are said to be better for teens, those with lighter flows, and people with a low-sitting cervix. Larger cups will usually hold at least 30mL, and are advertised as well-suited for those with heavier flows.
You don’t need to take these recommendations as gospel - try whatever you think would suit you, and if it’s comfortable, feel free to stick with it.
For some menstrual cups, you can also trim the stem with a pair of scissors to make it more comfortable. Those with a higher-sitting cervix may not want to remove more of the stem, while some with a lower cervix may find that the stem of their cup sticks out a bit from their vagina and may therefore want to trim it.
Health and hygiene
With proper use, both tampons and menstrual cups are safe and hygienic. Menstrual cups are said to not disturb your vagina’s pH level or natural flora as they collect menstrual blood rather than absorb it as tampons do. They’re also usually made from medical-grade silicone that doesn’t leave any residue in your vagina.
Because of their absorbency, tampons are thought to promote vaginal bacteria growth. Leaving a tampon in for too long also increases the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Although TSS cases have occurred with menstrual cup use, these incidences are much rarer than those associated with tampon use.
Environmental considerations
It’s estimated that most people who use tampons will use around 10,000 of them in their life. While tampons are more eco-friendly than pads, they’re still disposable and will end up in landfill. Menstrual cups are reusable, and when taken care of, can last up to 10 years.
The manufacturing process and materials used in menstrual cups are also more environmentally friendly than those for tampons. The plastics used to wrap tampons are made from polyethylene, which don’t break down easily and release chemicals into the ground when they do.
Price
You should expect to pay between $2 and $5.45 for a 16 pack of tampons. You’ll generally pay at the higher end of this spectrum for organic tampons or super-sized tampons.
Menstrual cups usually cost between $35 and $65. While this is a higher upfront cost, they can last up to 10 years and during this time there are no ongoing costs. To put things into perspective, 12 packs of pricier tampons cost the same as a pricier menstrual cup.
A lot of menstrual cups can also be bought in twin packs, reducing the cost per cup, so you can score a deal if you rope a friend in to buy one too, or if you just like to be prepared for the future.
Wrapping up
Every person with a period is different. Embrace whatever your choice in menstrual hygiene product is, knowing that it suits your routine and helps you live your life to the fullest.