I am often asked about using menstrual cups with heavy periods. Being able to trust your period protection is so important and I completely get it. So, can you use a menstrual cup with a heavy flow? The short answer is yes, but it may not be quite as simple as grabbing any random cup if you hope to maximize wear time and minimize leaks.
Know Your Flow
Though many who are cup-curious feel they have a heavy period most say they soon learned they don’t bleed as much as their tampons or pads may have implied. Part of this is because of the way that tampons and pads soak up blood (think spilled milk). The average menstrual fluid released each cycle is only around 30-60 ml (or 2-4 tablespoons) — shocking, we know. Keep in mind that this is an average and by no means a rule. There are those who bleed much less and much, much more.
Heavy menstrual bleeding can impact your quality of life in a way that most can never fully understand, myself included. In order to do this justice, we decided to go head-to-head… or vag-to-vag… with our heavy bleeding pal, Jen, and find out how much menstrual blood we really lose.
We each used a menstrual cup to measure our flow for one full cycle. Both I and Kim came in around 18 ml (a bit more than a tablespoon) while Jen poured out 225 ml (or nearly a cup). That’s 4-8x the “average” amount of blood loss!
It’s hard to imagine keeping up with day-to-day activities with such a heavy menstrual flow — and it was. That is until Jen finally found her perfect period care combination to make her periods livable. We’ve also teamed up with the maker of the best menstrual cup for Jen (spoiler: Super Jennie is her favorite) and period underwear brand EvaWear to make this video possible.
Using Menstrual Cups With Heavy Periods
As you may have seen, Jen made the switch from a Diva Cup (30 ml capacity) and cloth pads to the high capacity cup from Super Jennie (41 ml capacity) after taking our menstrual cup quiz. She also uses period underwear for added protection and comfortable, worry-free backup.
If you experience heavy periods I suggest looking at our Menstrual Cup Comparison Chart to find cups with the highest capacity. Even though the Super Jennie is what Jen uses, it may not be the right cup for you. There are cups with higher capacities, different shapes, firmness, size, and other features that may provide you with a better fit and comfort.
We understand it can be extremely difficult to manage periods of this magnitude but if anything is capable of aiding it — it’s a menstrual cup! Most cups hold at least 25 ml (which is still a lot more than a super tampon) but there are many cups on the market now that hold 40+ and even some as high as 50 ml.
Jen has finally reached the cherished status of #periodnirvana That’s when you forget you’re on your period thanks to a cup!
Will A Menstrual Cup Work For Clots?
Clots are essentially bits of the lining of the uterus and blood that come out as a normal part of your period. They may look sort of like a blog of jelly-like material and vary in size. Menstrual cups can catch clots and continue to work as intended. That said, if you notice that you are overflowing a high capacity cup in a short period of time or notice clots that are very large or unusual for you, please check in with your doctor. Menorrhagia (abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding) can have other health impacts, so it’s important to communicate what you’re experiencing with a healthcare provider that you trust to listen to you.
What About Using Menstrual Discs With Heavy Periods?
Reusable menstrual discs weren’t really a thing when this was made (way back in 2017), so the absence of them in the video is an honest byproduct, I swear! But the answer is that, yes, discs are a great option, too! Some people find that they work very well for a low cervix (smaller discs) but also for a high cervix (larger discs — which will also have a higher capacity.) Insertion of a disc is a little bit different than a cup since they sit in the vagina little bit differently, but overall they function similarly.
Two of my favorites are the discs from Cora and Saalt. They are a great size for most people, but you can always take The Disc Quiz to see what works best for your needs, and also compare all of the options on our Menstrual Disc Comparison Chart.
Last But Not Least
I’d like to thank Super Jennie and EvaWear for helping us make this video possible. When we decided to make a video about heavy periods it only made sense to partner with Super Jennie. We even filmed the video before they signed on to sponsor so all brand mentions are 100% organic. We didn’t know they have a sister brand that makes affordable period underwear so check those out of you need something for back up or just want to wear them in anticipation of your period!
62 Responses
I have a super heavy flow just like Jen. On average I leak from 220 ml to 250 ml. My first cup was Yukki L Soft (I bought it 9 months ago), but it doesn’t seem to work for me. It seems I have a dangly cervix (medium-high), so it leaks when it’s half full…and it’s so annoying! Also, I think it might be too soft for my pelvic floor muscles.
Now I’m considering buying another one, different shape and firmness, possibly larger.
Merula XL is probably the best choice for me.
Please, let me know if you have a similar problem and I would be grateful for any advice regarding solving this issue of mine.
I’ve noticed since I started using the diva cup 1 that my periods are getting longer and longer is this normal I went from three four days to now thirteen it can’t be the cup right
When I read that an average period was 2 -4 tablespoons for a full cycle my jaw hit the floor. The first two days of my period or incredibly chunky and plentiful, I pretty much have to change a heavy flow pad every hour and a half or I bleed right through it. Wow.
I have a diva cup. I tried it didn’t really like it that much put it way for a while. I am now 14 months postpartum. After this baby my flows have been even heavier, I didnt know this was possible. I don’t want to leave my house because its gushy and messy. I decided to try the diva again. It instantly gave me cramps. I gave it 2.5 hours, and couldn’t take it and more so I went to take it out and it was completely full and over flowing. I definitely bleed more then a tbsp in the whole 8 days I’m blessed😒
I am a heavy bleeder as well. My first three days always overflow pads and now the cup all day and night. It’s a mess and annoying. Previously, tampons would simply overflow and come out. Using the cup in a public restroom on my first three days is always equal amounts gross, slightly horrifying, and hilarious. I do love the cup and my last four days are always great and easy with the cup. My first three days I just have to wear a pad with the cup and take extra time in the bathroom.. It took a while to get used to the cup, but then it has taken 20 years to get used to my period!
I have very painful and heavy periods. Just thought i’d mention if any other ladies struggle with this to really give herbal teas a go. I’ve found Camomile and Ginger tea beneficial. And am about to try Red Raspberry tea which is said to help reduce heaviness. I’ve also heard Peppermint tea is great. My doctor has prescribed Tranexamic Acid and Mefanamic Acid which has also helped tremendously with the heaviness too. HTH x
(I love cups but for my heavy days I still haven’t found the right one. Unfortunately it’s not practical at work to keep changing every hour with my heavy flow, so still looking).
Is this normal?
I’ve overflowed A LOT of blood, my cup is 25ml and it’s painful to put in because it’s big but today is day 2, my day is winding down, and have emptied it three times in the last 2.5hrs.
I’ve showered, mopped the floor, and changed underwear twice each. I’m about an inch away from going to the hospital.
It’s a little late to reply, but I would immediately take a couple ibuprofen, continue taking them every four hours when I’m awake beginning as soon as my period starts, and continuing through at least the second-third day. I’m a very heavy bleeder, and my doctor has had me do this to slow it down. Drink more liquids. Especially salty broths. If you are getting weak, lightheaded, or dizzy, go to the ER. But please call your ob/gyn. Tell them about it. They know your history more precisely, and will know when it’s too much.
Ive never had an obgyn, im new to this 😬 I’m old enough to need one now, thank you for the recommendation! I do a lot of beer and bloody Mary’s during my cycle for the pH of my microflora.
Merula XL was the way to go for me. On heavy nights it can overflow so I have period underwear for that. During the day on heavy days I just empty it each time I pee or if I think it is filling up. Then on light days I get the full 12 hours of not dealing w my period. Truly a godsend of a cup. I wish it was advertised better and I wish your website had a positive review of it. I also wish that it was more recommended on the quiz. I took the quiz several times and the Merula XL is never given as an option but rather a suggestion after a few other main suggestions. Why is that? Thank you tho for the coupon code!
I tried the super Jennie xl. It didn’t work. On heavy days I was overflowing in 45 minutes or less and bleeding through a back up pad. It’s so I can’t go to work 2 days a month. Is there anything better?
Hi, I have a very heavy flow, a very low, and drooping cervix, this is a very frustrating mix of things to have when looking for a cup that works for my body. I love my normal sized Merula cup, but it only holds up on my light to medium days. On my heaviest days I am forced to run to the bathroom every 20-30 minutes. Does anyone else have a similar situation or any recommendations? Are there any cups that might work for my predicament? I appreciate any help I can get. 🙂
Nicole, I was having the same issue with running to bathroom so frequently. I ended up foregoing the cup during really heavy days and using two Ultra Tampons plus a pad for backup. That buys me 1.5 hours typically, which I am grateful when at work ☹️.
Yes, I did try doubling up with the Disc and another cup. I tried with a softdisc and a small Super Jennie. Put them in at 11:30 pm. At 6:15 am, there was nothing in the SJ. I stood up to wash that one out, and the disc began to overflow. It was a horror scene. Then I tried a softdisc with the Merula xl. Three hours later, the Merula was a third full, and after removing it, the disc leaked into it. It’s a messy removal. Unfortunately, the Nixit has not worked well for me. I think my cervix comes down too low on my heavy days. Inserting it at those times is not possible. It’s so soft it crumples into a twisted ball. On lighter days, I’m able to insert it, and it’s comfortable, but never feels secure. Often dumps on its own when sitting on the toilet.