Choosing a menstrual disc is about more than capacity or selecting a small or large size. The disc's diameter or dimensions, shape, rim firmness, reservoir depth and removal feature can all affect how it fits, feels and stays in place.
Use the menstrual disc comparison chart below to compare the reusable and disposable discs available from Period Shop. Start with fit and removal, then consider capacity, firmness, material and whether you want a reusable or single-use product.
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. Individual anatomy, previous fit problems, comfort and removal preferences are usually more useful.
Menstrual disc comparison chart
For the most useful comparison, consider the 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 the manufacturer 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.
Begin with diameter or overall dimensions. A disc needs to span the space between the vaginal fornix behind the cervix and the pubic bone at the front. If it is too large or too small for that space, capacity or a convenient removal tab will not make it a secure fit.
Once you have identified discs with potentially suitable dimensions, compare removal features and rim firmness. These can make a significant difference to how easy the disc is to position, keep tucked and remove.
Understanding 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 |
| Disc depth | The depth of the flexible reservoir beneath the rim | May affect the stated capacity, although the reservoir can fold or compress once positioned |
| Rim firmness | How much resistance the rim has when compressed | A firmer rim may feel easier to guide or tuck but may create more noticeable pressure for some people |
| Capacity | The amount of fluid the manufacturer states the disc can hold | Can affect how often 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 | May matter if you have a material sensitivity or a personal preference |
There is no consistent industry-wide scale for menstrual disc firmness. Treat ratings such as soft, medium or firm as relative descriptions and check whether the manufacturer explains how its product has been classified.
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.
A disc that is too large may:
- feel difficult to push fully into position
- create pressure against the bladder, urethra or rectum
- repeatedly come untucked from behind the pubic bone
- feel uncomfortable even when correctly positioned
A disc that is too small may:
- fail to remain securely supported behind the pubic bone
- shift during movement or when using the toilet
- leak despite appearing to be positioned beneath the cervix
- feel difficult to locate if it moves higher
These signs can also result from positioning or insertion technique, so one leak or untuck does not prove that the size is wrong. Read How to Use a Menstrual Disc before changing sizes.
Cervical position and 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 a disc or its removal feature harder to reach. A low cervix may change the available space or how the reservoir sits. Neither automatically means that you need a larger or smaller diameter.
The more important fit relationship is whether the disc can sit behind the cervix while remaining securely tucked behind the pubic bone. Unfortunately, this internal space is not easily measured at home, so manufacturer recommendations and previous product experience remain starting points rather than guarantees.
Learning how to check your cervical position can still help you understand your anatomy and identify the cervix when confirming that it sits above the disc's reservoir.
Capacity and heavy flow
A higher-capacity disc may be useful if you have a heavier flow, but capacity is not the same as fit.
A disc's flexible reservoir can fold, crumple or compress once it is positioned inside the body. Its usable capacity may therefore differ from the amount it holds when filled outside the body. Manufacturers may also use different capacity-testing methods.
A laboratory study of 21 menstrual products found that discs had the highest average measured capacity of the product categories tested, at 61 mL. One disc held 80 mL. However, the study used expired packed red blood cells in laboratory conditions and did not establish the capacity a disc will provide in an individual body.
Use stated capacity to compare products rather than to diagnose or measure heavy menstrual bleeding. You may also need to empty a disc well before its maximum stated wear time on heavier days.
If your bleeding is unusually heavy, lasts longer than usual, has changed or affects your daily life, speak with a healthcare professional. A higher-capacity product may make periods easier to manage, but it does not address the cause of heavy bleeding.
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 difficulty reaching a plain rim.
Finger notch or indentation
A small notch gives your finger somewhere to hook onto without adding a protruding 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. Check whether the tab must face a particular direction and whether it is intended for locating, lowering or fully removing the disc.
Loop or ring
A loop or ring provides a clear grip point and may appeal to people who find a plain rim difficult to hook. Designs vary, so follow the product instructions rather than assuming every loop should be pulled in the same way.
Stem or tail
A longer grip feature can make the disc easier to locate. Some products allow the stem or tail to be trimmed, while others do not. Check the manufacturer's instructions before cutting anything.
Plain rim
A disc without a removal aid has a streamlined design, but you will need to reach the front rim directly. This may suit some users and be challenging for others.
Reusable or disposable menstrual discs
Reusable and disposable discs collect menstrual flow in the same general position, but their care and disposal requirements are different.
| 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 |
| Ongoing waste | Lower when the same product is used for multiple cycles | One disc is discarded after each use |
| Convenience | Requires access to appropriate washing and storage | May be convenient 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 products are not automatically the right choice for everyone. Comfort, cost, access to cleaning facilities, disability, travel and personal preference can all affect which option is more practical.
How to create your menstrual disc shortlist
Once you have reviewed the comparison chart, use this checklist:
- Fit: Have you previously used a disc, and did it stay tucked comfortably?
- Diameter: Does the size look appropriate based on manufacturer guidance and your previous experience?
- Shape: Is the disc symmetrical or does it require a particular orientation?
- Firmness: Do you prefer a flexible feel or a more structured rim that may be easier to guide?
- Removal: Would a notch, tab, loop, ring or tail make retrieval easier?
- Capacity: Is the stated capacity appropriate for your flow after fit has been considered?
- Use: Do you want a reusable disc, a disposable option or both for different situations?
- Instructions: Are the product's wear-time, cleaning and orientation requirements suitable for your routine?
The aim is not to find the disc with the largest capacity or the most features. It is to identify the combination of size, firmness and removal design most likely to suit your anatomy and preferences.
For personalised starting guidance, take the Find Your Best Fit Quiz.
Using your 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 or a widespread red rash.
A menstrual disc is not contraception and does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Although some discs are designed to be worn during penetrative vaginal sex, check the instructions for the particular product.
If you have an IUD, have recently given birth or had pelvic surgery, have a gynaecological condition or have previously experienced toxic shock syndrome, check the product instructions and seek individual 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 guidance should be treated as a starting recommendation rather than a rule.
Does a high cervix mean you need a larger disc?
Not necessarily. A high cervix may make the disc more difficult to reach, but it does not directly tell you which diameter will remain securely tucked. A longer removal feature may sometimes be more useful than a larger disc.
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 cervix height alone.
Is a larger-capacity disc always better for heavy flow?
No. Capacity is helpful only if the disc fits securely and comfortably. The flexible reservoir may also compress inside the body, so usable capacity can differ from the manufacturer's stated figure.
What if my disc keeps coming untucked?
Check that the back rim is fully behind the cervix and that the front rim is tucked above the pubic bone. Repeated untucking may mean the disc is too large, too firm or otherwise unsuitable for your anatomy. See Why Does My Menstrual Disc Keep Coming Untucked?.
Can I wear a menstrual disc during penetrative vaginal sex?
Some discs are specifically designed for this use, but not every model is. Check the product instructions. A disc does not prevent pregnancy or protect against sexually transmitted infections.
Need help choosing?
Take the Find Your Best Fit Quiz for personalised starting guidance based on your anatomy, flow, previous experiences and preferences.
You can also visit the Menstrual Products Comparison Hub or read Menstrual Cups vs Discs: How to Choose if you are still deciding between product types.
Not sure why your disc isn’t working as expected? Our interactive menstrual disc troubleshooter checks insertion technique, untucking, placement, and auto-dumping before suggesting what to try next.
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, symptoms or concerns about your health.
Sources
- DeLoughery E et al., Red blood cell capacity of modern menstrual products: considerations for assessing heavy menstrual bleeding
- Healthdirect Australia, Heavy periods
- Healthdirect Australia, Toxic shock syndrome