This Is How Long Your Menstrual Cup Lasts
This article was medically fact-checked by Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr. Shree Datta.
If you’ve taken a spin on our menstrual waste calculator, then you’re probably wondering how you can start minimizing the environmental impact of your period like, yesterday. Never fear – menstrual cups are here!
Part of their increasing popularity is the fact that they create way less trash every month than pads and tampons, because these handy little cups can be used for multiple periods. Exactly how long can you use your menstrual cup before it needs to be replaced? Let’s take a look!
Your Latest Long-Term Relationship
Your relationship with what’s-their-face down the hall in your first-year dorm didn’t last more than a month, but Intimina menstrual cups are here to stay.
Caring For Your Cup
Before you first use your cup, it’s a good idea to give it a proper clean in boiling water. During your period, you don’t need to sterilize your cup because of its body-safe silicone design. Simply rinse in cold water first to clean and prevent stains, followed by hot water to sterilize, before reinserting.
Between periods, it’s best to again give your cup a good sterilization. To clean your menstrual cup, simply:
- Boil 3 cups of clean water on the stove. (Tap water is fine if you’re in a place with safe water but if not, use bottled water instead.)
- Submerge your cup but make sure the cup isn’t touching the bottom or sides of the pot. One way to do this is to put your cup inside a whisk to hold it away from the sides.
- Boil for 5 – 8 minutes then drain the cup and let it air dry. It is completely safe to boil the cups, but don’t boil the pot dry as this will destroy the silicone. If you feel strange about using a pot you cook with, you can buy a small one specifically for boiling your cup and store it separately.
When It’s Time To Say Bye-Bye
Cleaning and storing your cup properly will ensure that it lasts for a number of years – up to 10 years for most of our cups, but two years for Ziggy Cup because its silicone is thinner.
While the body-safe silicone Intimina uses is very durable, we recommend that you replace your cup if you notice any cuts, punctures, or the forming of an oily or sticky film. Slight discoloration is normal and may occur over time, and it’s okay!
Any discoloration that occurs will not affect the effectiveness or safety of the cup.
Facts checked by:
Dr. Shree Datta
Dr. Shree Datta is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in London, specialising in women’s health including all menstrual problems such as fibroids and endometriosis. Dr. Shree is a keen advocate for patient choice, having written numerous articles and books to promote patient and clinician information. Her vision resonates with INTIMINA, with the common goals of demystifying periods and delivering the best possible care to her patients
Written by:
Lane Baumeister is an internationally-based Canadian writer with several years’ experience creating educational and entertaining articles that discuss intimate health and sexual well-being. When not waxing profound about menstruation, she devotes herself to enjoying extremely good food and equally bad movies.
Gynecologists give different advice about cleaning. See The Vagina Bible by Dr. Jen Gunter.
Hi, may I ask if putting the lid on while boiling causes the MC to have cracks? Sadly I have to say goodbye to my first and only MC (Lily) because of this. Been using it for 2years and a half.
Hi Jovyleen – thanks for reaching out. I’m not familiar with lids causing cracking, but I do think it is best to boil with the lid off, as you will be able to notice right away if the water has all boiled away. I hope that helps, and that you next menstrual cup lasts longer!
Hi,
I just noticed one of my cups is forming an oily film, as mentioned above. My other cup that I bought at the same time (different size) is fine and I always boil them at the same time. Any idea what could have caused one to start degrading in that way? I would like to prevent it from happening to the other one if possible. Thanks.
Hi Rebecca – I’m so sorry to hear that’s happening! To get fully informed feedback, I’d recommend messaging customercare@intimina.com – they’ll have more detailed questions to ask!
I’ve only used my cup once then when I took it out to use on my second menstrual cycle I noticed there was a cut and a bit of tear. What should I do?
Hi Nancy,
thank you for reaching out. Can you please take a picture of your cup and send it with an explanation to our customer care? That would be the best.
Best regards
The removal loop on my cup snapped this morning while I was trying to take my cup out. Is this a sign that I should be replacing it, or should I be ok to continue use with the stem? I’ve only had it about a year and a half.
Hi Rachel,
please contact our customer care, they will help you with this.
Best regards
Is it necessary to replace the cup if the removal loop starts to tear a bit? I’ve only had it for 4 months, but I might have been a bit too aggressive considering it’s all very new to me and sometimes also a bit scary.
How long can I store a new menstrual cup without using it?
Hello! The shelf life for our cups is 10 years from manufacturing (the manufactury date is usually printed on the white sticker on the box).