Menstrual Discs

A menstrual disc is the highest-capacity reusable period product available, and for anyone who has ever woken up early to empty a cup or spent a heavy day counting the hours to the next bathroom, that is the whole appeal. We stock two sizes — Medium at 42ml and Large at 60ml — both of which hold considerably more than a typical menstrual cup. This guide covers how discs work, how to insert and remove one, how to clean it, why they suit heavier flows so well, and what changes if you are switching over from a cup.

What is a menstrual disc?

A menstrual disc is a shallow, flexible bowl made from medical-grade silicone that sits internally and collects menstrual flow rather than absorbing it. Like a cup, it is emptied, rinsed and reused, and with proper care it lasts for years rather than a single cycle.

The difference is in where it sits and how it stays put. A menstrual cup sits lower in the vaginal canal and holds itself in place with suction. A disc sits higher, in the vaginal fornix — the wider space at the base of the cervix — and is held by the pubic bone rather than by a seal. Nothing needs to pop open, and there is no seal to check.

That single structural difference drives almost everything people notice about discs: the higher position, the larger capacity, the different removal technique, and the fact that a disc can be worn during intimacy where a cup generally cannot.

Why discs are ideal for heavier flows

If your flow soaks through protection quickly, or your first two days dictate your entire schedule, capacity is the number that matters most.

• Substantially higher capacity. Most menstrual cups hold somewhere in the region of 20–30ml. Our discs hold 42ml (Medium) and 60ml (Large) — roughly double, at the larger size. On a heavy day that is the difference between emptying three or four times and emptying once or twice.
• Fewer bathroom trips on your heaviest days. A disc can be worn for up to 12 hours depending on your flow, which covers a full school or work day, a long shift, or a night's sleep without interruption.
• Reliable overnight protection. Higher capacity plus a higher position makes discs a strong overnight choice, especially in the first 48 hours of a heavy cycle.
• Postpartum and heavy-clot friendly. The wider opening handles heavier, thicker flow more comfortably than a narrow cup rim. Wait until you have been cleared by your healthcare provider before using any internal product after birth.
• Comfortable with a low or shallow cervix. Some people find a cup sits too low or feels intrusive. Because a disc tucks up behind the pubic bone, it often feels less noticeable for the same body.
• Auto-emptying. Many disc users find the disc releases a little flow when they bear down on the toilet, then reseats itself — so it partially self-empties through the day without being removed.

Choosing your size: Medium 42ml or Large 60ml

With two capacities, the decision comes down to your flow and how often you want to think about it:

• Medium — 42ml. The everyday size. Best for light to moderate flow, first-time disc users, and anyone with a smaller frame or who prefers a slightly smaller disc to handle. Still holds well above what a standard cup manages.
• Large — 60ml. The heavy-flow and overnight size. Choose Large if you currently change protection every few hours on your heaviest days, if you have given birth, or if you want maximum time between emptying — on long journeys, long shifts, exams or flights.

Plenty of people own both and switch mid-cycle: Large for days one and two, Medium once things settle. If you are unsure, message us with a description of your flow and we will help you decide before you order.

Switching from a menstrual cup to a disc

If you already use a cup, you are most of the way there — you are comfortable with an internal product and you know your own anatomy. Five things change:

• Forget the seal. With a cup you rotate the base and check that it has popped open. A disc does not use suction at all, so there is nothing to check. If it is tucked behind the pubic bone and you cannot feel it, it is in.
• It sits higher and further back. A disc goes back towards the tailbone, not straight up. Cup users often under-insert on the first attempt because they stop at cup depth.
• The fold is different. Where a cup uses a C-fold or punch-down, a disc is simply pinched in half lengthways into a narrow oval.
• Removal takes more care. A cup is pinched at the base and eased out. A disc is hooked with a finger under the front rim and drawn out level — which is the one part worth practising over a toilet for the first cycle or two.
• Capacity roughly doubles. Expect noticeably longer between emptying, and give yourself a cycle to recalibrate how often you actually need to check.

Give it two cycles before judging. Almost everyone who finds discs awkward on day one finds them straightforward by the second period. Keep a reusable pad or a pair of period underwear as backup while you are learning.

How to insert a menstrual disc

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
2. Get comfortable. Sit on the toilet, squat, or stand with one foot raised. Relaxed muscles make everything easier — tensing is the most common reason a first attempt fails.
3. Pinch the disc in half lengthways, squeezing the flexible rim into a narrow oval. A little water or water-based lubricant on the rim helps.
4. Insert downwards and backwards, aiming towards your tailbone rather than straight up. Push it as far back as it will comfortably go.
5. Tuck the front rim up behind your pubic bone. This is the step that holds the disc in place. Run a finger along the front edge — if you can feel the rim sitting under the bone, you are done.
6. Check comfort. Stand up and walk a few steps. A correctly placed disc cannot be felt at all. If you can feel it, it usually needs to go back a little further.

How to remove a menstrual disc

Removal is the part worth doing slowly the first few times. Do it over the toilet, in the shower, or squatting — not standing over a bathroom floor.

1. Wash your hands and get into position, ideally sitting on the toilet.
2. Bear down gently as if having a bowel movement. This lowers the disc and brings the rim within easy reach.
3. Hook a finger under the front rim. Slide your index finger up behind the pubic bone until you feel the edge, then curl your finger over it.
4. Pull out slowly and keep it level. Tilting the disc is what causes spills. Draw it straight out, keeping the bowl horizontal, and pinch the sides slightly as it clears.
5. Empty into the toilet, then rinse the disc with clean water before reinserting.

If you cannot reach the rim, do not panic — a disc cannot go anywhere. Relax, change position, squat lower, and bear down again. Trimmed nails make the whole process easier and safer.

How to clean and store your disc

1. During your period. Rinse with clean water each time you empty it. If you have mild, fragrance-free soap available, use it; if you are in a public bathroom, wipe with clean tissue and rinse properly at home.
2. Between cycles. Sterilise by boiling in water for 3–5 minutes, keeping the disc from resting against the bottom of the pot. An electric steam steriliser works too.
3. Drying and storage. Let it air dry completely, then store in the breathable cotton pouch it came with. Never store a damp disc in an airtight container.

What to avoid: oil-based lubricants, harsh or fragranced soaps, bleach, vinegar, dishwashing liquid and boiling for long periods — all of these degrade silicone over time. Replace your disc if you notice a sticky or oily texture, deep discolouration, cracks or tears, or an odour that will not wash out.

Common questions

• Will it leak? Once the front rim is properly tucked behind the pubic bone, no. Leaking almost always means the disc has not gone far enough back, or that it is genuinely full and needs emptying.
• Can I sleep with it in? Yes. Up to 12 hours of wear makes discs one of the best overnight options, particularly the 60ml Large on heavy nights.
• Can I exercise or swim with it? Yes — running, gym, swimming, dancing and long travel days are all fine once it is correctly placed.
• Can I use the toilet normally? Yes. You may notice some flow releases when you bear down — this is normal auto-emptying, and the disc reseats itself afterwards. Check the front rim is still tucked if you have pushed hard.
• Can it be worn during sex? Yes. Because a disc sits in the fornix rather than the vaginal canal, it can be worn during intercourse. Note that it is not a contraceptive and offers no protection against pregnancy or STIs.
• Can I use one with an IUD? Many people do, but because a disc sits near the cervix, speak to your healthcare provider first and check your IUD strings after the first few cycles.
• How long does a disc last? Years with proper care and sterilising between cycles. Replace it if the silicone changes texture, discolours deeply, cracks or tears.
• Disc or cup — which should I buy? Choose a disc for higher capacity, heavy flow, a low cervix, or if you want the option of wearing it during intimacy. Choose a cup if you prefer a simpler removal technique or are brand new to internal products.

Other reusable period products to consider

• Menstrual cups — medical-grade silicone cups in Extra Small, Small and Large, held by suction and worn for up to 12 hours. The most popular starting point for internal reusables.
• Reusable pads — washable cloth pads that button around your underwear. The easiest reusable to start with, and ideal backup while you are learning a disc.
• Period underwear — underwear with a built-in absorbent gusset, excellent as invisible backup on your first few disc cycles.

Most people end up with a combination rather than a single product — a disc for heavy days and overnight, a cup or pad for lighter days, period underwear as backup. That is exactly how a reusable routine is meant to work.

Cuppie ships menstrual discs and all our reusable period products across Kenya in plain, discreet packaging, with M-PESA checkout and Pay on Delivery available in Nairobi and environs. We deliver same-day within Nairobi and in 1 to 3 working days countrywide. Browse our Medium (42ml) and Large (60ml) discs above, or message us on WhatsApp and we will help you choose your size before you order.