Tampons that leak in the middle of a meeting, cups that act as suction on your IUD, pads that overflow at night... If you're tired of dealing with the limitations of traditional protection, the menstrual disc can change the game. But be careful, we're not going to sell you a dream, yes, it holds up to 80 ml (absolute record confirmed by studies), yes, you can have sex with it, and no, you probably won't feel it. But there's a catch, you have to accept struggling for the first 2-3 cycles while you figure out where and how to wedge it into your fornix. Is it worth it? For most users, clearly yes.
⚡ What you need to know before you start
The Menstrual Disc Dissected: What Exactly Is It?
Contrary to what its name might suggest, a menstrual disc does not look like a Frisbee. It is a flexible, saucer-shaped internal protection made of medical-grade silicone that sits at the very top of the vagina, in an area called the vaginal fornix (just below the cervix).
The principle is simple: instead of absorbing the flow like a tampon, the disc collects it in a sort of flat cup. Its wide, flattened shape allows it to adapt to the anatomy of the fornix, where it naturally fits behind the pubic bone. No protruding stem, no annoying string, nothing. When it's positioned correctly, you really don't feel it.
Disc VS Cup: The Differences That Matter
If you've ever used a menstrual cup, you might think they're the same thing. Wrong. Even though both collect blood instead of absorbing it, they work radically differently.
Menstrual Cup
- Places itself low in the vagina
- Holds by suction cup effect
- Bell/tulip shape
- Capacity: 25-40ml
- May press on the bladder
- Risk with IUD (suction cup)
Menstrual Disc
- Places itself high, in the fornix
- Holds by mechanical timing (pubic bone)
- Flat saucer shape
- Capacity: 35-80ml 🏆
- No organ pressure
- Safe with IUD (zero suction)
What Science Says About Disc Effectiveness
For decades, no one really questioned how much blood menstrual products could actually hold. Manufacturers tested with salt water, not real blood. Then in 2023, researchers at Oregon Health & Science University decided to get serious.
📊 The study that changes everything (BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health, 2023)
Dr. Bethany Samuelson Bannow's team tested 21 menstrual products with human red blood cells (not water, real blood). The results were conclusive.
💡 Why it's important: Heavy periods are diagnosed medically when 80ml of blood loss per cycle is reached. A single full Ziggy disc equals a diagnosis. With tampons, you need to saturate 3-4 per day for several days to reach this threshold, which makes the assessment much less accurate.
⚠️ The other discovery: manufacturers lie (a little)
The study also revealed that most products don't meet the capacities advertised on the packaging. The reason? Industry tests use salt water, which has a different viscosity and density than menstrual blood. As a result, tampons and pads often contain less than labeled, while discs and cups deliver (or even exceed) their promises.
The Real Benefits (Without Marketing Bullshit)
We read dozens of user reviews and scoured forum feedback. Here's what really stands out, not the brands' slick marketing pitches.
XXL Capacity: Full Nights Are Possible
This is the number one argument among users. With a capacity of 35-80ml, you can finally sleep for 8-10 hours without waking up in a pool of blood. Even with a heavy flow, you can easily last a whole night. No more overflowing pads at 3 a.m.
Period Sex: It Really Works
Positioned at the very top of the vagina, the disc doesn't take up any space in the vaginal canal. Most couples don't feel it at all during penetration. However, you have to empty it first (logical) and accept that certain deep positions can dislodge it. It's not magic either.
💬 User feedback: "My husband barely felt it, and for me it felt a bit like a condom (less sensation in the cervix), but that's the price you pay for stress-free sex."
IUD Compatible: Zero Risk of Displacement
Unlike the cup, which works by suction (and can snag the IUD strings), the disc is held mechanically by wedging behind the pubic bone. No suction, no risk. This is also why many women with IUDs switch to the disc after struggling with cups.
Automatic Emptying: Practical (But Must Be Mastered)
By contracting your perineum (like when having a bowel movement), the disc compresses slightly and releases some of the flow into the toilet. This allows you to extend your autonomy without completely removing the disc. However, it doesn't work for everyone and it takes practice. Some people never manage it and don't care because the capacity is sufficient.
Comfort: You Don't Really Feel It
It's the return that systematically returns. When it's properly positioned, the disc disappears completely. No pressure on the bladder like with some cups, no rubbing stem, nothing. You forget you're on your period (until the moment you remove it, then that's another story).
The Limits They Hide From You (But You Must Know)
Let's be honest. The menstrual disc isn't a miracle solution for everyone. There are some real challenges, especially at first.
Learning Is Technical (And Sometimes Discouraging)
Inserting the disc correctly, wedging it behind the pubic bone, removing it without spilling everything... it takes several tries. The first cycles can be frustrating with leaks, hassle removing it, and blood everywhere. Allow 2-4 cycles to really get the hang of it. If you give up after one failed attempt, you'll just waste €40.
💬 User feedback: "Impossible to remove it without getting it everywhere for the first two months. I almost gave up. Now I do it with my eyes closed, but it took a long time."
Choosing the Right One Taille Is a Puzzle
La taille of the disc depends on the height of your cervix, which moves during the cycle. You should measure it during your period (when it is lowest) by pushing a finger in until you feel something firm like the tip of a nose. Less than one phalange = low cervix (60mm disc), 1-2 phalanges = medium cervix (65-68mm), more than 2 = high cervix (70mm+). Except that sometimes your measurement is in between two and you don't know what to take. Hence the interest of packs with 2 tailles.
Withdrawal = Delicate Mission (Especially in Public)
Removing a full disk without spilling it requires some dexterity (literally). You have to hook the rim with your index finger, pull it gently while maintaining a horizontal position, and empty the contents into the toilet. If you're in a public restroom without a sink in the stall, it's tricky. Many people keep wipes in their bag or limit themselves to changing them at home.
Leaks in the Early Days (It's Normal)
Even with the right one taille, if the disc is not wedged exactly behind the pubic bone or if you have not pushed it far enough under the cervix, it leaks. Contractions of the perineum (sneezing, laughing, straining) can also dislodge it. Plan to have a menstrual panty as a backup for the first few uses.
High Initial Price (But Quickly Amortized)
A reusable pad costs €35-50. It's a one-time investment, whereas tampons/pads are purchased over time. However, they pay for themselves in 3-4 months (vs. €100-150/year for disposable pads). Over 5-10 years of use, you save several hundred euros.
Disc VS Cup VS Tampon: The Table That Tells It All
To really get a clear picture, we've put all the protections side by side. The criteria that really matter, not the marketing.
Your period deserves better than stress
Whether you choose a disc, cup, or traditional protection, our Period Panties are your best bet. They're perfect as a backup while learning to use a disc or as your primary protection for light flows.
Find THE Right One Taille (Otherwise it's a disaster)
A disc that is too small slips, a disc that is too large compresses and leaks. taille is chosen according to the height of your cervix, period. Not according to your age, your parity or your weight. Just the height of the cervix.
⚠️ Measure DURING your period (not before, not after)
Your cervix moves during your cycle. It's lower during your period and rises after ovulation. If you measure outside of your period, you'll get the wrong reading. taille.
Instructions: Measure Your Cervix in 3 Minutes
- Wash your hands (we don't joke about hygiene)
- Adopt a comfortable position : squatting, standing with one leg on the toilet, or sitting on the bed
- Insert your index or middle finger slowly into the vagina, as far as possible
- Look for your collar : it's a small, firm bump, the texture of a nose tip (yes, that's the image that works best)
- Note the depth of your finger when you touch the collar
Decryption: Your Depth = Your Taille
💡 Tip for the undecided: Many brands (Cup&Co, OmyDisc) offer packs with 2 tailles different. It's the ideal solution if you're hesitant or want to try it risk-free. Some even offer a 90-day exchange/refund guarantee, so there's no stress.
Instructions for Use: Insertion, Removal & Maintenance
The moment of truth. How to put this thing on without ending up in the emergency room with a stuck disc. Let's be clear: the first two or three attempts are going to be awkward. That's normal.
5-Step Insertion (The Technique That Works)
-
Wash your hands + find your position
Squatting over the toilet or standing with one leg raised. Every woman has her own position, experiment to find yours. -
Pinch the disc into an 8 or taco shape
Bring the two edges together to reduce the diameter as much as possible. The smaller it is, the easier it is to insert. -
Inserts towards the bottom AND down
Angle of attack: toward the tailbone (not upwards). Push all the way in, as far as you can. If you can still feel the disc, it's not deep enough. -
Wedge the front edge behind the pubic bone
THIS IS THE KEY STEP. With your finger, push the front edge of the disc so that it sits behind your pubic bone (you'll feel a small, hard bump). If it's not seated there, it will leak. -
Check that the collar is inside
Slide a finger inside to feel your cervix. It should be in the center of the disc, not to the side. Otherwise, the blood will go right past the pad.
🚨 Rookie mistake: Not pushing far enough. If you feel any discomfort or if the disc "slips," it's not in the right place. Remove, start again, and push further this time.
Disaster-Free Withdrawal (The Tricky Part)
Let's be honest: the first few withdrawals, you get it everywhere. It's inevitable. Plan to be in the bathroom or shower.
-
Sit on the toilet
Not in your room. NOT. The disc is full, there's going to be spillage. -
Relax your perineum (don't tense it up)
Take a deep breath. If you contract it, the disc will move up and become inaccessible. -
Hook the edge with your index finger
Slide your finger inside, find the front edge of the disc, and GENTLY pull down. If you have a tab (some models), use it. -
Keep it horizontal when exiting
This is where it all comes together. If you tilt the disc, it tips over. Pull it straight out, parallel to the floor, and empty the contents into the toilet.
💡 Technique: If the disc is stuck or you can't reach it, push with your perineum (as if you were having a bowel movement). This pushes the disc down a few centimeters and makes it accessible.
Interview: Non-Negotiable Hygiene Rules
During the cycle
- Rinse with cold water (hot water cooks the blood and sets it)
- Cleaning with mild soap Neutral pH, fragrance-free
- Séchage à l'air before reintegration
Between two cycles
- Mandatory sterilization : boiling water 5-10 min (or special sterilizer)
- Dry storage in its fabric pouch (never in an airtight bag = mold)
- Visual inspection : cracks, tears, discoloration = trash
⚠️ Risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS): Although very rare with discs (less so than with tampons), TSS is still possible if you don't clean properly or if you wear them for more than 12 hours. Respect the durations, sterilize between each cycle, and consult immediately if you have a sudden fever + vomiting + rash during your period.
Brands Worth Buying (And Those to Avoid)
We've scoured reviews, tested select brands, and compared warranties and prices. Here's the honest, unsponsored ranking.
🏆 Our final recommendation
If this is your first time: Cup&Co or OmyDisc. Both offer a 90-day guarantee that protects you if it doesn't fit, and the packs with 2 tailleeliminate the stress of choosing.
If you want a tab to make removal easier: OmyDisc is the only one to offer a truly functional one. It's a life changer for the first few uses.
The Menstrual Disc: Is It Really Worth It?
We're not going to lie to you, the menstrual disc isn't for everyone. If you're not ready to struggle through 2-3 cycles to learn, if the idea of putting your fingers deep inside puts you off, or if you just need a quick, hassle-free solution, stick with your tampons or period panties.
But if you check at least two of these boxes, the disc will probably change your period for good.
- ✅ You have a heavy flow which forces you to change your protection every 2-3 hours
- ✅ You wake up at night because of nighttime leaks
- ✅ You have a IUD and your cup is causing problems
- ✅ You want to be able to have sex during your period
- ✅ You are looking for a solution eco-friendly AND economical on the long term
- ✅ The tamponsdry up or cause you irritation
Science confirms what users say: with an average capacity of 61ml (up to 80ml), the disc beats all other protection. That's a fact, not marketing. However, the learning curve is real. Plan on 2-4 cycles to become comfortable, and a pair of Period Panties as a backup for the first few tries.
The winning combo for a smooth start
A menstrual disc (Cup&Co or OmyDisc with warranty) + a backup pair of Period Panties = zero stress during the learning process. The panties protect you from possible leaks while you master the technique.
Sources & Scientific References
This article is based on published scientific studies and verified medical data to ensure the reliability of the information.
Studies on the capacity and effectiveness of menstrual protection
- Samuelson Bannow B, Liberty A, et al. (2023). Red blood cell capacity of modern menstrual products: considerations for assessing heavy menstrual bleeding. BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health. DOI: 10.1136/bmjsrh-2023-202031
- Liberty A, Samuelson Bannow B. (2023). Menstrual Technology Innovations and the Implications for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding. Obstetrics & Gynecology. DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000005126
- Blumenthal P, et al. (2023). Editorial: Menstruation research needs more attention. BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health. DOI: 10.1136/bmjsrh-2023-202032
Safety and acceptability of reusable protections
- Singh A, et al. (2022). Study of Adaptability and Efficacy of Menstrual Cups in Managing Menstrual Health and Hygiene. Cureus. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.29690
Note: DOI links provide direct access to the original scientific publications. Brand information comes from verified user reviews and comparative tests.
Medical Warning: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have questions about your menstrual health, persistent heavy periods, or unusual symptoms, consult a gynecologist or midwife.
