Quick context
The NHS describes period products as products that absorb or collect menstrual flow. Pads and tampons absorb flow; menstrual cups collect it and can be washed and reused. Reusable period underwear is also listed as an option. Product choice is personal, and cups can take practice.
Core cup terms
Menstrual cup
A period product designed to collect menstrual flow rather than absorb it. The NHS describes cups as washable and reusable period products.
Capacity
The amount a cup is listed to hold, usually given in millilitres. MonthlyCup’s guide lists capacity “to holes” for its models: Mini 15 ml, Normal 22 ml, and Plus 43 ml. Capacity is a comparison figure, not a prediction of how often any individual person will need to empty a cup.
Diameter
The width measurement across the cup. MonthlyCup’s published guide lists Mini at 37 mm, Normal at 43 mm, and Plus at 47 mm. Diameter helps compare models but does not guarantee personal fit.
Cup length
The body length of the cup without the stem. MonthlyCup’s guide lists Mini at 45 mm, Normal at 55 mm, and Plus at 55 mm.
Total length
The full listed length including the stem. MonthlyCup’s guide lists Mini at 55 mm total length, Normal at 65 mm, and Plus at 65 mm.
Stem
The small extension at the base of many cups. MonthlyCup’s instructions summarized in the source pack say to release the seal before removal instead of pulling the stem alone.
Seal
The contact that helps a cup sit in place. The supplied MonthlyCup instruction summary says the seal should be released before removal. This glossary does not add medical or anatomy-specific instructions beyond the supplied source summary.
Rim
The upper edge of a cup. Product guides may refer to the rim when discussing shape or positioning, but this site does not infer fit or comfort claims unless a supplied source directly supports them.
Emptying interval
MonthlyCup’s supplied instruction summary says users should empty according to flow and no later than 12 hours. Individual needs can vary.
Storage pouch
The MonthlyCup Normal Pink product information says the product is supplied with a fabric storage pouch and instruction manual. MonthlyCup’s guide also says to dry fully and store with air circulation.
MonthlyCup model measurements listed in the supplied guide
| Model | Diameter | Cup length | Total length | Capacity to holes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini | 37 mm | 45 mm | 55 mm | 15 ml |
| Normal | 43 mm | 55 mm | 65 mm | 22 ml |
| Plus | 47 mm | 55 mm | 65 mm | 43 ml |
MonthlyCup’s guide advises comparing measurements and considering individual flow and preferences. It also states that age or childbirth alone are not a size rule and that no model is guaranteed to fit everyone.
Care and replacement words
The supplied MonthlyCup instruction summary says to wash hands, follow the supplied instructions, boil before first use and between periods as instructed, dry fully, store with air circulation, and replace silicone that is damaged, sticky, or noticeably changed.
Those instructions are manufacturer instructions, not independent clinical evidence. Follow the instruction manual supplied with the product and check current support for product-specific questions.