Choosing a menstrual disc is about more than capacity or selecting a small or large size. A disc's diameter or overall dimensions, shape, rim firmness, reservoir depth and removal feature can all affect how it fits, feels and stays in place.
Start with fit. Unlike a menstrual cup, which sits vertically in the vaginal canal, a menstrual disc sits lengthways. The back rim needs to sit in the vaginal fornix behind the cervix while the front rim remains securely tucked behind the pubic bone.
Quick guide: If your disc repeatedly comes untucked, it may be too large, too firm or not fully positioned behind the cervix. If removal is difficult, look for a disc with a tab, loop, ring, notch or longer grip feature. If pressure around your bladder bothers you, consider a smaller diameter or softer rim. For heavy flow, compare capacity only after narrowing the options by fit. If you want a disc for penetrative period sex, choose a product whose manufacturer specifically permits this use.
Disc sizes are not standardised across brands. Age and birth history do not tell you which diameter you need, and cervix height alone is not enough to choose a disc. Your anatomy, previous fit experience, comfort and removal preferences are usually more useful.
Menstrual disc comparison chart
For the most useful comparison, consider disc features in approximately this order:
- Diameter or overall dimensions
- Removal feature
- Rim firmness and shape
- Capacity and reservoir depth
- Reusable or disposable design
Use the search box to find a particular brand or model or select a column heading to sort the table. On smaller screens, swipe horizontally to see all specifications.
About the chart: Sizing and capacity information is supplied by manufacturers or taken from current Period Shop product information. Manufacturer recommendations are starting points rather than guarantees of fit. Product specifications can change, so check the current product page and the instructions supplied with your disc before purchasing or using it.
How to use the menstrual disc comparison chart
There is no single menstrual disc that will suit every body. The chart is designed to help you compare the features most likely to affect fit, comfort and removal.
Start with fit rather than capacity or extra features. A disc with a large stated capacity or convenient removal tab will not perform well if its dimensions do not suit the space between your vaginal fornix and pubic bone.
Begin with diameter or overall dimensions. Then compare rim firmness and removal design. Once you have narrowed the options by fit and comfort, compare capacity, reservoir depth, material and whether you want a reusable or single-use product.
If you are new to internal period products, you can also browse our beginner-friendly options or use the Shop by What Matters to You page to narrow products around your priorities.
Understanding menstrual disc measurements and features
| Feature | What it means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter or dimensions | The measurement across a round disc or the length and width of an oval or asymmetrical design | Affects whether the disc can sit behind the cervix and remain tucked behind the pubic bone |
| Shape | The outline of the disc, which may be round, oval or asymmetrical | Can influence orientation, fit and how the disc sits within your anatomy |
| Reservoir depth | The depth of the flexible collection reservoir beneath the rim | May affect stated capacity, although the reservoir can fold or compress inside the body |
| Rim firmness | How much resistance the rim has when compressed | A firmer rim may be easier to guide or tuck for some people, while a softer rim may feel less noticeable |
| Capacity | The amount of fluid the manufacturer states the disc can hold | Can affect how frequently the disc needs to be emptied, but should be considered after fit |
| Removal feature | A notch, tab, loop, ring, stem, tail or plain rim used to locate or lower the disc | Can substantially affect how easy the disc is to reach and remove |
| Material | The material specified by the manufacturer, commonly silicone for reusable discs or polymer materials for disposable discs | May matter if you have a material sensitivity or personal preference |
There is no consistent industry-wide scale for menstrual disc firmness. Treat descriptions such as soft, medium or firm as relative rather than standardised measurements. A “medium” rim from one brand may feel softer or firmer than another manufacturer's medium rim.
How menstrual disc size affects fit
A menstrual disc sits lengthways rather than standing upright like a cup. The back rim rests in the vaginal fornix behind the cervix and the front rim tucks behind the pubic bone.
For discs, diameter or overall dimensions are usually more useful than cervix height alone because the disc needs to span this front-to-back internal space.
Signs a disc may be too large
A disc that is too large for your anatomy may:
- feel difficult to push fully into position
- create noticeable pressure around the bladder, urethra or rectum
- repeatedly come untucked from behind the pubic bone
- feel uncomfortable even when correctly positioned
If pressure around your bladder is a recurring issue, you may want to compare our comfort-focused period care options for sensitive bladders.
Signs a disc may be too small
A disc that is too small may:
- fail to remain securely supported behind the pubic bone
- shift during movement or while using the toilet
- leak despite appearing to sit below the cervix
- move higher and become more difficult to reach
Fit problems are rarely diagnosed from one symptom alone. Leaking, untucking or movement can result from disc dimensions, rim firmness, anatomy, positioning or insertion technique.
Before changing sizes after one unsuccessful attempt, read How to Use a Menstrual Disc and make sure the back rim is fully positioned behind the cervix.
Cervical position and menstrual disc choice
Cervical position can help you understand where the disc needs to sit and how easy it may be to reach, but it does not provide a direct disc-size measurement.
A high cervix may make the disc or its removal feature harder to reach. In this situation, a longer removal tab, ring, loop or other grip feature may sometimes be more useful than choosing a larger-diameter disc.
You can browse our period care options for a high cervix if reach and removal are important considerations.
A low cervix may change the available internal space and how the disc reservoir sits, but it does not automatically mean that you need a smaller disc.
The more important relationship is whether the disc can sit behind the cervix while remaining securely tucked behind the pubic bone.
This internal front-to-back distance is not easy to measure accurately at home, so manufacturer recommendations, previous disc experience and your own comfort remain useful starting points rather than guarantees.
Learning how to measure your cervical position can still help you identify the cervix and confirm that it sits above the disc reservoir rather than outside it.
Should you choose a soft or firm menstrual disc?
No rim firmness is universally better.
A firmer rim may be easier to pinch, guide into place and tuck behind the pubic bone for some people. It may also feel more structured during insertion.
A softer rim may feel less noticeable and may create less pressure for people who are sensitive around the bladder, urethra or vaginal walls. A very soft disc can sometimes require more attention during insertion because the rim bends more easily.
Disc firmness should be considered alongside diameter. A disc that feels uncomfortable may be too large, too firm or a combination of both.
If comfort and bladder pressure are priorities, browse our sensitive bladder and comfort-focused period care options.
Menstrual disc capacity and heavy flow
A higher-capacity disc may be useful if you have a heavier flow, but capacity should come after fit.
A disc's flexible reservoir can fold, crumple or compress once it is positioned inside the body. For this reason, a disc with the highest stated capacity may not provide the highest usable capacity in your body.
Manufacturers may also use different methods to calculate capacity, so stated figures are best used as approximate comparisons rather than exact predictions of how much menstrual fluid you will be able to collect.
A laboratory study comparing 21 menstrual products found that menstrual discs had the highest average measured capacity among the product categories tested. However, the study used packed red blood cells under laboratory conditions and did not establish the usable capacity an individual person will achieve with a disc in their body.
If you have a heavier flow, first identify discs likely to fit securely and comfortably, then compare capacity within that shortlist.
You can also browse our period care options for heavy periods.
If your bleeding is unusually heavy, lasts longer than usual, has changed significantly or is affecting your daily life, speak with a healthcare professional. A higher-capacity product can make bleeding easier to manage but does not address the underlying cause.
What is menstrual disc auto-dumping?
Some people find that their menstrual disc releases a small amount of fluid when they bear down while using the toilet. The disc may then move back into position or can be retucked behind the pubic bone. This is commonly called auto-dumping or self-emptying.
Auto-dumping is not a guaranteed feature of every menstrual disc. Whether it happens depends on the disc, your anatomy, how the disc fits and how your pelvic floor and surrounding structures move when you bear down.
It also should not be confused with uncontrolled leaking.
If your disc regularly releases fluid while you are walking, sitting, exercising or going about your day, check its position and fit rather than assuming that this is normal auto-dumping.
Our menstrual disc troubleshooter can help you work through leaking, untucking, placement, fit and auto-dumping problems.
Menstrual disc removal features
Removal design can be just as important as diameter and capacity, particularly if you have a high cervix, limited dexterity, short fingers or have previously found a plain disc rim difficult to reach.
Finger notch or indentation
A finger notch gives your finger somewhere to hook onto without adding a protruding removal feature. Its usefulness depends on whether the notch remains accessible once the disc is positioned.
Removal tab
A tab may help you identify the front of the disc and lower it from behind the pubic bone.
Some tabs need to face a particular direction and manufacturers may design them for locating, lowering or fully removing the disc. Follow the instructions for the individual product.
Loop or ring
A loop or ring provides a clear grip point and may appeal if you find a plain rim difficult to hook with a finger.
Designs vary, so do not assume that every ring or loop should be pulled in exactly the same way.
Stem or tail
A longer grip feature can make the disc easier to locate, particularly if it tends to sit high.
Some products allow the tail to be trimmed while others do not. Check the manufacturer's instructions before cutting or modifying a removal feature.
Plain rim
A disc without a removal aid has a streamlined design, but you need to reach the front rim directly and hook or pinch it to remove the disc.
This works well for some people but may be more challenging if the disc sits high or you have difficulty reaching it.
A removal feature can make a disc easier to locate, but it does not guarantee easier removal if the disc itself is too large, too firm or positioned too high for you to reach comfortably.
Can you wear a menstrual disc during period sex?
Yes, most menstrual discs are designed to sit high enough in the vaginal fornix to allow penetrative vaginal sex while the disc is in place. Check the manufacturer specifically states that the product is suitable for this use.
Even with a compatible disc, comfort varies between bodies and partners. A disc may still be noticeable depending on its position, rim firmness, removal feature and individual anatomy.
A menstrual disc is not contraception and does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
If this feature matters to you, browse our period products designed for penetrative period sex.
Reusable vs disposable menstrual discs
Reusable and disposable discs collect menstrual flow in the same general position, but their materials, care and disposal requirements differ.
| Feature | Reusable disc | Disposable disc |
|---|---|---|
| Use | Emptied, cleaned and reused according to the manufacturer's instructions | Used once and discarded |
| Cleaning | Washed between uses and sanitised only as directed | Not washed, boiled or reinserted |
| Product waste | Less product waste per use when the same disc is reused over multiple cycles | One disc is discarded after each use |
| Convenience | Requires access to appropriate washing, drying and storage | May be useful for travel or situations where cleaning is difficult |
| Disposal | Replace when damaged or degraded and follow local disposal guidance | Wrap and place in general waste; never flush |
Reusable is not automatically the right choice for everyone. Comfort, cost, disability, travel, access to cleaning facilities and personal preference can all influence which format is most practical.
What should you not choose a menstrual disc by?
Try not to choose a disc based only on:
- your age as age does not determine the front-to-back space the disc needs to fit
- whether you have given birth as birth history alone does not determine disc diameter
- cervix height as cervical position affects placement and reach but does not directly tell you disc size
- the biggest diameter as wider discs aren't automatically more secure
- the highest capacity as usable capacity depends on fit and how the reservoir sits in your body
- a removal tab alone as a convenient tab cannot compensate for a poor overall fit
- the most popular brand as popularity does not tell you whether a particular diameter or firmness suits your anatomy
The goal is not to find the disc with the largest capacity or the most features. It is to identify the combination of dimensions, rim firmness, removal design and comfort most likely to suit you.
How to create your menstrual disc shortlist
Once you have reviewed the comparison chart, work through this checklist:
- Previous fit: Have you used a disc before, and did it remain tucked comfortably?
- Diameter or dimensions: Does the size look appropriate based on manufacturer guidance and your previous experience?
- Shape: Is the disc round, oval or asymmetrical and does it need a particular orientation?
- Firmness: Do you prefer a softer feel or a more structured rim that may be easier to guide?
- Removal: Would a notch, tab, loop, ring, stem or tail make retrieval easier?
- Capacity: Is the stated capacity suitable for your flow after fit has been considered?
- Period sex: If this matters to you, does the manufacturer specifically permit penetrative sex while wearing the disc?
- Use: Do you want a reusable disc, a disposable option or both for different situations?
- Instructions: Are the product's wear time, cleaning, sanitising and orientation requirements practical for your routine?
If you know what matters most to you, browse Shop by What Matters to You for collections grouped around heavy flow, sensitive bladder, period sex, high cervix, beginner-friendly options and other needs.
Using a menstrual disc safely
Always follow the instructions supplied with your individual disc. Orientation, maximum wear time, cleaning, sanitising, replacement and suitability for penetrative vaginal sex can vary between products.
For a reusable disc:
- wash and dry your hands before insertion and removal
- clean and sanitise the disc only as directed
- inspect the rim, reservoir and removal feature for damage
- do not exceed the manufacturer's stated wear time
- empty it sooner if required by your flow
- allow it to dry and store it as directed
Never wash, boil or reinsert a product sold as single-use.
Toxic shock syndrome is rare but serious. Remove the product and seek urgent medical help if you develop symptoms such as a sudden high temperature, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, confusion, muscle aches or a widespread red rash.
A menstrual disc is not contraception and does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
If you have an IUD, have recently given birth or undergone pelvic surgery, have a gynaecological condition or have previously experienced toxic shock syndrome, check the individual product instructions and seek medical advice where appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
Does someone over 30 need a larger menstrual disc?
No. Age does not determine the distance between the vaginal fornix and pubic bone or guarantee that a particular disc diameter will fit. Manufacturer age recommendations should be treated as starting guidance rather than a rule.
Does having given birth mean you need a larger disc?
No. Birth history does not directly determine the internal dimensions that affect menstrual disc fit.
Manufacturer recommendations may use birth history as one factor, but your previous product experience, anatomy, comfort and whether the disc remains securely tucked are more useful indicators.
Does a high cervix mean you need a larger disc?
Not necessarily. A high cervix may make the disc or removal feature more difficult to reach, but it does not directly tell you which diameter will remain securely tucked behind the pubic bone.
A longer or easier-to-grip removal feature may sometimes be more useful than increasing the disc diameter.
Does a low cervix mean you need a smaller disc?
Not automatically. Cervix height can affect positioning and how the reservoir sits, but the disc still needs to span the space between the vaginal fornix and pubic bone.
Consider the complete fit rather than choosing a smaller disc based on cervix height alone.
Is a larger-capacity disc always better for heavy flow?
No. Capacity is useful only if the disc fits securely and comfortably. The flexible reservoir can also compress inside the body, so usable capacity may differ from the manufacturer's stated figure.
If you have heavy periods, browse our heavy-flow period care options.
What if my disc keeps coming untucked?
Check that the back rim is fully positioned behind the cervix and that the front rim is tucked securely behind the pubic bone.
Repeated untucking may be related to the disc being too large, too firm, incorrectly positioned or otherwise unsuitable for your anatomy.
Read Why Does My Menstrual Disc Keep Coming Untucked? or use our menstrual disc troubleshooter.
What if my menstrual disc leaks?
Leaking can result from the cervix sitting outside the reservoir, incomplete tucking, the disc becoming full, auto-dumping or a fit mismatch.
Do not assume that leaking means you need a larger or smaller disc without first checking placement.
What is auto-dumping?
Auto-dumping is the term commonly used when a menstrual disc releases some fluid while you bear down on the toilet and then remains or returns to a usable position.
It does not happen for everyone and should not be confused with repeated uncontrolled leaking during normal activities.
Can I wear a menstrual disc during penetrative vaginal sex?
Some discs are specifically designed for this use, but not every model is.
Only use a disc during penetrative vaginal sex if the manufacturer states that the product is suitable for it. A disc does not prevent pregnancy or protect against sexually transmitted infections.
Browse our period-sex compatible period products if this is an important feature for you.
Which menstrual disc is easiest for beginners?
There is no single beginner disc that suits every body. A beginner-friendly option should combine manageable dimensions, comfortable rim firmness and a removal design you feel confident using.
You can browse our beginner-friendly period care options for a starting point.
Is a softer menstrual disc better for bladder pressure?
Sometimes, but not always. A softer rim may feel less noticeable, but pressure can also be caused by a disc being too large or simply not suiting your anatomy.
If bladder pressure is one of your priorities, browse our comfort-focused options for sensitive bladders.
Need help choosing?
Choosing your first disc? Take our Find Your Best Fit Quiz for personalised starting guidance based on your anatomy, flow, previous experience and preferences.
Know what matters to you? Browse Shop by What Matters to You for options grouped around heavy periods, sensitive bladder, period sex, high cervix, beginner-friendly choices and other priorities.
Still deciding between cups and discs? Visit the Menstrual Products Comparison Hub or read Menstrual Cups vs Discs: How to Choose.
Already have a disc that leaks, untucks, feels uncomfortable or auto-dumps unexpectedly? Use our menstrual disc troubleshooter to work through positioning, fit, removal and technique.
Related reading
- How to Use a Menstrual Disc: Step-by-Step Guide
- Menstrual Cups vs Discs: How to Choose
- Why Does My Menstrual Disc Keep Coming Untucked?
- How to Measure Your Cervical Position
- Menstrual Cups Comparison Chart
- Can You Use a Menstrual Cup or Disc with an IUD?
This comparison chart and article provide general information and are not substitutes for individual product instructions or medical advice. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional if you have pain, unusual symptoms or concerns about your health.