Menstrual discs are something we’ve been asked about more times than we can count, and usually it comes in the form of a confusing question about menstrual cups … and then we realize they’re talking about an Instead Softcup or a FLEX.
Menstrual discs are NOT the same as menstrual cups!
Menstrual disc and menstrual cups share exactly one feature. They both catch menstrual flow. That’s it.
They differ wildly in material, shape, insertion, fit, removal, cost, and environmental consideration.
So does it work?
That answer depends on a couple of factors. Does it function? And do we like the way it functions? Check out our video review for all of the details.
The Cost
In addition to our removal discomforts, we aren’t all that impresses with the cost of using a disc. They are not approved to be safe for reusing (though some do use them for a full cycle before trashing them) which poses a problem for your wallet, as well as the environment.
FLEX costs $20 per month for 8 discs that are meant to be worn for 12 hours. This assumes #1 that you have a four day cycle and #2 that you can go a full 12 hours before needing to change. If you are heavier or longer than this, you’ll need more of them. At $2.25 per change – the costs really add up. By contrast, one quality menstrual cup can cost $20-40 depending on the brand — and you only need one. Organic tampons are also cheaper, with most costing around $10 per cycle.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
This is just our two cents. If you use a disc and love it — let us know. We would love to hear about your experience with discs and why you feel that they are the best option — especially if you’ve also used a cup.
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57 Responses
I see a lot of questions about the placement of the disks. In order to properly place them, squash them together and hold in the middle with two fingers. Insert using a “scooping” motion as if you’re going to scoop somwthing from your bottom side. With the disks, you go BACK during placement unlike with the cup where you go up. These positions are needed due to the size of the contraption. Disks are flater and wider so you want to go more towards the back then up, cups are longer and more narrow so you want to go more up then back. To remove the disks properly you literally just hook one finger under the rim and ease it out. When using the re-use able softcup, I reach in and grab the ring with my ring finger, and use my thumb and pointer to squeeze in a GENTLE nature on the sides to help elongation of the device to aid removal. Disks are not as high volume as a cup is due to their design. You must empty every few hours.
After you know what you’re doing, and establish the skills needed, wearing a disk is a GREAT thing. These allow people who can’t wear cups to wear menstruation collection devices and reap all the health benefits they have to offer.
I actually got started on disks. I have a low tilted cervix, and a cup (any cup) simply would not work for me before delivering my first born. After having a baby I can now use small cups under 2 inches and I must trim all stems off to the nub, or else I become irritated, inflamed, and sore within 24 hours. Menstrual disks are great for me. I adore them. If it weren’t for menstrual disks I would have had to use only expensive and leaky sea sponges, drying tampons, or smelly stinky pads that cause chafing before I delivered a child.
I dont have prolapse issues, I am a healthy woman, who has an extremely low and tilted cervix. Wearing a cup before the baby was not a possibility. My OBGYN even scoffed at the idea and turned me towards disks. After the baby, I can wear something small and extra soft.
INSTEAD actually produces an FDA certified reusable menstrual Disk that will last you one complete menstrual cycle. I thought you should know. I noticed that you did not.
I also have a very low, tilted cervix (but mine is post pregnancy, it wasn’t this bad before… tilted, but not so low). I just try SoftCup today and wow! So much better than my JuJu 4 for my anatomy. I’m planning to get a Nixit!
Crazy! I love the softcup. My sister mentioned it to me and though at first i was scared to use it i have it a try. Never going back. Like Dunemi my sister mentioned that when you flex your muscles as if youre going per it empties itself out and guess what, it does! But unlike Dunemi I only use new one per 24 hrs. So far I haven’t had trouble with it and I’m going on my 5th month I think. It did take me 3 days of putting one in to finally get it right and another cycle to get it where even my hands come out clean! Lol. I love this things and the convenience. Some people do think theyre over priced but for me I’m paying extra for convenience, comfort, less stress and cleaningness.
This comment is laughably ignorant. I’ve re-used discs every single cycle for 4 years. They literally even make a reusable one which is exactly the same only with slightly thicker plastic. It’s no different than washing out a cup.
What would the difference be between washing the disposable one and washing the reusable cups?
I use Soft Cup, which is identical to Flex, I think. It’s great. I’ve tried menstrual cups for 20 years, but the Soft Cup works better for me because I have a heavy flow. The reason why I love it is because you can squeeze your vag muscles while you are peeing, and it will bend the cup enough, inside you, to pour out the contents. So, you don’t need to remove the cup at all during the day – just pee! With the menstrual cup, I would have to empty it at work, and wash it out and re-insert, and it was a whole thing. Too much trouble.
And I definitely do not throw it out after one use. A doctor friend of mine told me that there’s absolutely no reason to throw it out – just wash it with soap and water and re-insert. I use one cup per period. My doctor friend said that the FDA forced the Soft Cup (and Flex presumably) to say it’s for only one use because they didn’t want women washing them in public restrooms. Material-wise, it’s perfectly fine to wash it and reuse it.
Whatever doctor told you that is subject to a lawsuit. That is not safe whatsoever to wash and reuse a plastic ring like flex. That’s like washing and reusing a condom. Can you give me the name of the doctor? They need to be under review. That is scary. Do not wash it and reuse flex. NO. NO. NO. WOW. Comments like this make me scared for people that believe all they read on the internet. Let me say again, NO!!!!!!!!
I also wash and re-use 1 flex throughout my period. I toss it at the end of my cycle and start a new one the following month. It works great for me- I have had no issues and have read Many accounts of women using flex/softcups this way for years with no issues. Your comment seems rather inflammatory.
Actually, it’s not like reusing a condom at all. Worst case scenario, it breaks from being a little thin and the blood goes out of your body. Guess what, it was going to do that in the first place!
This comment is laughably ignorant. I’ve re-used discs every single cycle for 4 years. They literally even make a reusable one which is exactly the same only with slightly thicker plastic. It’s no different than washing out a cup.
I’ve used the softcup. I didn’t like it at all. Always felt like it was too big. Hard to get in and out. Often was very uncomfortable. No idea how someone could have sex with it in?
I have tried both a menstrual cup (Diva Cup) and the Flex. I am relatively new at both – I’ve done one full cycle with the cup and like it. I’m still working through my trial box of Flex and I’m not very confident about where I am on the learning curve with it. I have been able to easily remove the disc each time but that’s because it doesn’t seem to stay behind my pubic bone very well. I’m not sure if I’m just not getting it in there quite right in the first place? Anyway…ideally I’d like to use both a cup and a disc to completely replace pads and tampons. I travel on business a lot and I would much rather travel with disposable discs than a cup I needed to keep clean. However, when I’m at home doing my normal routine I like the zero-waste aspect of the cup.
I have a friend who absolutely loves Flex. She did say there’s a definite learning curve when taking it out because it’s messy but she had no problem with placement – but she had the NuvaRing as birth control for years whereas I’ve been a Pill user forever. Neither of us have tried the mess-free sex yet. Me…mostly because I don’t think I’ve mastered placement yet.
I have used it and I’m gonna cut straight the point: flex and softcup are good for having sex during your period, period.
I used Instead back when that was a thing. I wish I could find a reusable product in the shape and size of a menstrual disc but in the nice material of a good menstrual cup. Does such a thing exist? I used to use a menstrual cup (Meluna) when I had sex on my period, but it rubbed my partner the wrong way and left him a bit sore sometimes so I don’t want to do that anymore. Some guys are totally cool with sex during menstruation, just flowing free, but some are grossed out/terrified they’re hurting you etc. Not fun times. We deserve more options!
Nixit! Reusable disc 🙂
I have yet to try the discs but I hate the cups. I’ve tried about every size and turned them inside out and cut the ends off, but my cervix sits so low that the cup hangs out of me and hurts and is quite painful when doing anything.
Jamie, I had the same problem with cups, lower cervix that moves even lower during my cycle. I tried one cup, Lena, for nearly a year before finally buying another cup strictly for a lower cervix. That one didn’t work for me at all (MeLuna Shorty). During a horrifically heavy cycle, after a couple days of numerous accidents, I bought Soft Discs out of desperation. And they worked! No leaks, after the initially learning curve, and very comfortable. I’m on my first full cycle using them and I could actually leave my house without fear of being away from the bathroom. I think discs are going to change my life during my cycles. Might be worth a try. 🤷♀️
I can relate! The cups were not kind. :o(
I’ve finally found my tampon replacement. The Flex menstrual disc are AWESOME! They last 12 hours for me and I have a medium to heavy flow. The cost is $1.81 per disc (medium plan 16 discs).
A true game changer and I am and will forever be (as long as I have a cycle) grateful!
I used the disc for the first time today on my heaviest day and I actually put it in correctly and it didn’t leak until 10hrs. I hopped in the shower and took it out I was shocked at how much it held!!!! Normally I bleed through a super plus tampon in 2-3 hours so I shouldn’t be but to actually see it all at once sure was shocking. So far I love it.
I did rinse it out and put it back in I am testing to see if they will work after rinsing to make it more cost effective.
I have used them. They take bit of work, I will use less of them then a pad. I used Instead Softcup (before they went bankrupt) (also in Canada- which means we get Diva Cup and that is it!!!!!) (not bitter)
As a soft entry into disc/cup use, they are great, I found that you can get used to placing cups or discs into your body. Leak wise, depending on the day and the flow. I often found that they would leak after about 4-6 hours.
Stil trying to find my cup !
sarah
I tried a disc years ago (before kids, and before cup) because I wasn’t ready to say “fuck what my social circle says, I want a menstrual cup!”, but still wanted an alternative to tampons and pads. I hated the disc. HATED them. I never got it in right, it did fall out (which I thought was normal…?), and was SUCH a mess. It actually scared me from trying a menstrual cup for about 2 years.
Now I’m an exclusive menstrual cup and washable pad (for the last day of my period) lady.
I had the same issue with removal but I only had one disk (which I signed up for before Flex launch) but thought it was me causing the issue!
economically, the cups I use are Luna, It is a learning curve to remove but it is learn-able. For me it solved the problem of very sensitive skin in my vagina getting irritated with tampons. Ever removed a tampon on a light day or before sex and it was mostly dry? Could be ouch! This is not an issue with cups. I like the reusable washable ones and they come in sizes. This is important.
The trick is not to leave them in too long. you have to experiment and know your flow needs. If you keep and extra one and some baggies with a paper towel in your purse -if you have to change while you are out, you can empty contents into the toilet of the one you removed, wrap in a paper towel and seal in a baggie. When you get home, Dawn liquid and rinse out ready for next day. Cant believe I did not discover this option decades ago!