Living with endometriosis is never exactly a walk in the park, but it can be especially difficult during your menstrual cycle. Painful periods are one of the hallmark symptoms of the condition, which affects approximately one in ten women during their reproductive years. In addition to severe — and sometimes debilitating — cramps, many women with endometriosis have an extremely heavy flow and periods that last longer than normal.
In recent years, menstrual cups have risen in popularity. The cup is inserted into the vagina but instead of absorbing menstrual blood like pads and tampons, it collects the blood. Many women are opting to use menstrual cups for a variety of reasons — they don’t need to be changed as frequently as pads and tampons, they’re eco-friendly, and are often more affordable than the more conventional alternatives.
You’ve probably heard one (or five) or your friends sing the praises of menstrual cups. If you have endometriosis and are considering trying a menstrual cup, there’s no shortage of options — in fact, it’s a bit overwhelming. So we’ve rounded up the best menstrual cups for women with endometriosis with recommendations straight from the women who use them.
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Lunette Reusable Model 2 for Normal or Heavy Flow Menstrual Cup
Made from soft, medical-grade silicone, this Lunette menstrual cup is easy to use and there’s an option for women who have a heavy flow.
“I used to go through so many tampons and I was constantly nervous about leaks. Initially, I was hesitant to try a menstrual cup because I was afraid it would be painful, but I haven’t experienced any discomfort. I just had to find the right position for the cup, but that only took a day or two. I’ve been using the Lunette cup for about a year and I haven’t had a single leak and, perhaps more importantly, I’m not experiencing anxiety about leaks every single day of my period.” —Stephanie L., 25
Lena Sensitive Menstrual Cup (Heavy Flow)
This option from Lena is designed specifically for women who experience vaginal and cervical pain.
“I tried a few menstrual cups before I found the right one for me. The cup itself is much softer than others, so it’s easy to insert and doesn’t cause any pain or discomfort. I decided to switch to menstrual cups because they’re better for the environment than pads or tampons, but I was pleasantly surprised when it actually made my menstrual cycle easier. Like most women with endometriosis, I have a heavy flow and it’s so convenient to not feel the need to run to the bathroom every hour to make sure I’m not leaking.” —Allie C., 32
Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup
This soft menstrual cup is designed for women who experience bladder sensitivity, cramping, and who haven’t had good luck with firmer cups.
“I tried about three menstrual cups before I discovered the Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup and I swear by it. It’s seriously so comfortable that I barely even feel it. Because of my endometriosis, my periods sometimes last up to nine or 10 days, so having a comfortable option makes a huge difference.” —Emily T., 26
Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup, $28.99 at Amazon
DivaCup Model 2 Menstrual Cup
This particular model is recommended for women over the age of 30 who have a heavy flow.
“I’ve been using the DivaCup for almost ten years. It did take some getting used to, but now I can’t imagine going back to tampons or pads. It’s convenient, eco-friendly, and has definitely saved me a lot of money on sanitary products. Most importantly, it hasn’t caused any problems with my endometriosis.” — Chloe M., 35
DivaCup Model 2 Menstrual Cup, $18.00 at Amazon
SckoonCup (Heavy Flow)
In addition to a heavy flow option, this Sckcoon Cup has angled suction holes, which the brand says allows for maximum capacity with no fear of leaking.
“Even though menstrual cups promise 12 hours of protection, I still can’t help but worry about leaks because I have such heavy periods as a result of my endometriosis. I was really excited when I found the Sckoon Beginner Cup because it has an added layer of protection. The material is also softer than I expected. I’d been using tampons for as long as I can remember, but the cup is more comfortable and I don’t have to worry about leaks so this was definitely a game-changer for me.” —Melissa A., 23
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