{"id":105667,"date":"2026-08-25T15:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T13:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sileu.com\/?p=105667"},"modified":"2026-08-25T15:30:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T13:30:00","slug":"menstrual-disc-what-it-is-how-it-differs-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sileu.com\/en\/menstrual-disc-what-it-is-how-it-differs-cup\/","title":{"rendered":"Menstrual Disc: What It Is, How It Works, and How It Differs from the Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you know a menstrual disc<\/strong> doesn’t work by suction, like the cup, but stays in place purely through its shape and position? It’s the most common confusion about this product, and also the key to understanding its real advantages. Let’s explain what it is, how it works, and exactly how it differs from the menstrual cup, with full honesty: at Sileu we don’t sell discs, so you can read this comparison without us trying to sell you one.<\/p>\n\n

What a menstrual disc is<\/h2>\n

The menstrual disc is a reusable or disposable intimate hygiene product (depending on the model), shaped like a flexible ring with a central membrane that collects flow. Unlike the cup, it doesn’t sit below the cervix, but in the vaginal fornix, the deepest area of the vagina, right around the cervix. This difference in position is what explains almost all of its particular traits.<\/p>\n\n

\"where
The key difference: where each product sits inside the vaginal canal.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

How a menstrual disc works (and why it isn’t like the cup)<\/h2>\n

The menstrual cup works by suction: as it opens inside the vagina, it creates a vacuum seal that prevents leaks. The menstrual disc, on the other hand, stays in place through its shape and the anatomical space of the vaginal fornix itself, tucking behind the pubic bone, with no suction involved. This mechanical difference has a relevant practical consequence: since it doesn’t seal by suction and sits higher up in the vagina, it in theory allows for penetrative sex with the disc in, something the cup doesn’t allow. This is, in fact, the main reason many people become interested in the disc in the first place.<\/p>\n\n

\"menstrual
Menstrual disc and menstrual cup, compared on what actually matters when choosing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

How it’s inserted and removed, step by step<\/h2>\n

The general process resembles the cup’s in the first steps, but changes at the end:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Fold it<\/strong> by bringing the two ends of the flexible ring together, like a flattened figure eight.<\/li>\n
  2. Insert it at a downward angle<\/strong>, pushing back and down, deeper than a cup, until it tucks behind the pubic bone.<\/li>\n
  3. Check it’s properly placed<\/strong> by running a finger around it; you shouldn’t feel it or have any pain when moving, sitting, or walking.<\/li>\n
  4. To remove it<\/strong>, insert your index finger, hook the front edge, and pull down and out carefully, keeping it as horizontal as possible to avoid spilling its contents before it’s fully out.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    This last step is, by far, the one that takes the most practice: unlike the cup, where simply breaking the suction seal is enough, here the whole maneuver depends on manual skill, which is why many people recommend practicing the first time in the shower.<\/p>\n\n

    What material are menstrual discs made from?<\/h2>\n

    Reusable models are usually made from medical silicone or TPE, just like cups, so the same standard questions apply: demand that the manufacturer state a real biocompatibility certification, like the ISO 10993 standard, and not just the generic “medical grade” label. Disposable models, on the other hand, are usually made from single-use flexible polymer, designed not to be reused between cycles, which is worth keeping in mind if reducing waste is a priority for you: in that case, a certified reusable disc or a menstrual cup remain the lower-impact option long term.<\/p>\n\n

    Advantages of the menstrual disc<\/h2>\n