When your first hear about your period as a young girl, you probably only learned about pads and tampons as ways of dealing with it. In recent years though, menstrual cups have entered the market and are rising in popularity as a new alternative for menstruation. I’ve been interested in menstrual cups for over a year now and have done a lot of research and Googling around to read about other ladies’ experiences with them. So when given the opportunity to try out Softcups (now rebranded as Softdiscs), I knew it was the perfect time to make the switch and see what I thought.

Softcup has been rebranded as Softdisc. Get them here!

Name: Softcup Disposable Menstrual Cups (now known as Softdiscs)
By: Instead

Hearts: 5 Hearts
Quality: 5 Stars

What is a menstrual cup?

There’s still a lot of mystery about what exactly a menstrual cup is, as they haven’t quite taken hold in the mainstream yet. A menstrual cup sits inside your body, around the cervix, and collects your menstrual flow (unlike a tampon, which absorbs). Softcups are soft and flexible and, when inserted properly, form a seal to prevent leakage. They’re also latex-free which is HUGE to someone like me, who is allergic to latex. Menstrual cups are not linked to toxic shock syndrome (TSS) and don’t cause dryness or irritation. The best part is that they can be worn for up to 12 hours, meaning you can put one in when you wake up and then forget about it for the rest of the day until you go to bed – it’s totally hassle-free and awesome!

Editor’s note: Since writing this review, menstrual cups have become synonymous with reusable cups, like XO Flo. Disposable products like this one are usually referred to as menstrual discs.

Using Softcups

There is a bit of a learning curve when it comes to inserting a menstrual cup, but nothing you can’t master within a few attempts. Unlike a tampon, which is placed near the vaginal entrance, Softcup is inserted further into your body and forms a seal around the cervix. You’ll have to stick your fingers a little ways inside yourself to make sure it’s inserted properly and again later to remove it (it doesn’t have a string or removal aid).

Many users report that it took them a few attempts to get their technique down pat – personally, I was able to insert it with no issues on my first try, but it definitely took me a few uses to get the hang of removing it without some spillage. A couple friends I mentioned this to didn’t like the idea of dealing with the possibility of blood, so if you’re a little squeamish when it comes to your period, menstrual cups may not be for you. Some of the other reviews I read suggested wearing a disposable glove to insert and remove Softcup. Unfortunately, I’m allergic to most disposable gloves so this wasn’t an option for me, but it’s definitely an idea worth considering.

That being said, I completely believe the slight ‘ick’ factor is worth it. I couldn’t even feel the Softcup inside me once it was in place, so it’s super comfortable to use. Personally, I don’t experience a lot of cramping with my period (hallelujah!) but for those who do, menstrual cups are known to reduce the cramps when correctly placed, which sounds like a huge plus, if you ask me! Unlike many other menstrual cups, Softcup is still disposable, so while it’s not the most environmentally friendly menstrual product on the market, you also don’t have to worry about cleaning and sanitizing it between cycles.

Sex and Softcup

Another thing that makes Softcup unique, even when compared to other menstrual cups, is that you can even have sex while wearing it! Because it is placed farther inside the body, it isn’t in the way of penetration, but still keeps your menstrual flow at bay, and away from your bae! If you decide to try this out, I recommend inserting a new Softcup shortly before your sexual encounter.  (If you happen to have inserted it incorrectly and the seal is somehow broken, this will minimize any unexpected clean up later.)

Pros and Cons

Overall

I LOVED using Softcups – well, as much as I can love anything period related, it’s not exactly a loveable experience to begin with. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Softcups to anyone. They’re also great if you don’t yet know if you want to make the jump to a reusable menstrual cup, and don’t want to invest in something you may never use. Either way, I definitely would suggest them as an alternative to both pads and tampons! I found them to be extremely comfortable; they can be a little awkward to insert and remove, but once in place I couldn’t feel it at all throughout the day and it was easy to forget I even had my period.

Get them at Soft Cup here!

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