Menstrual cups vs tampons: how do they compare?

Editor's note

You might have only heard about menstrual cups fairly recently, but they were actually developed around the same time as tampons, back in the 1930s. Tampons, though, were better marketed, and became more popular.

But both can be used to manage periods. Since menstrual cups have seen a resurgence in recent years, several studies have looked at whether they work and are safe. Research recently published in the Lancet Public Health journal has collated the evidence and found menstrual cups are as safe as tampons and have similar, if not lower, levels of leakage.

So that’s good news for the many women and girls already using a menstrual cup. And for those thinking about trying one, Melissa Kang explains it’s important they have access to good information and peer support while familiarising themselves with how the menstrual cup works and feels.

Phoebe Roth

Assistant Editor, Health+Medicine

Tampons absorb menstrual fluid whereas menstrual cups collect it. Yulia Grigoryeva/Shutterstock

Menstrual cups vs tampons – here’s how they compare

Melissa Kang, University of Technology Sydney

A recent study found menstrual cups were as safe as tampons and had similar or lower levels of leakage.

Fron the archives: women's health

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Mike Armour, Western Sydney University; Jane Chalmers, Western Sydney University; Melissa Parker, ACT Health

Endometriosis can cause a number of severe symptoms, including period pain. But painful periods alone aren't a surefire indicator of endometriosis. Here's what else to look out for.

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Jayashri Kulkarni, Monash University

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Cups, lingerie and home-made pads: what are the reusable options for managing your period?

Lauren Rosewarne, University of Melbourne

Be it because of concerns over big femcare, landfill, cost, toxic ingredients or toxic shock syndrome, some menstruators seek solutions outside of the Kotex box. These are those choices.

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Christine Grové, Monash University

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