Does Your Menstrual Cup Need To Be Replaced?

Apr 16, 2025

When does your menstrual cup need to be replaced?

A menstrual cup does not suddenly expire on a specific date. Instead, pay attention to changes in its condition, firmness, fit, and performance.

Over time, a MeLuna cup may gradually become softer. This does not automatically make the cup unsafe. However, a softer cup may become easier to compress and slower to open. If your cup begins leaking, stays folded, or no longer forms a reliable seal, it may be time to replace it.

There are two main reasons to replace a menstrual cup:

Changes in firmness, shape, or performance make the cup difficult to use reliably
Damage creates cracks, tears, or rough areas that may be difficult to clean thoroughly

Signs that your menstrual cup needs to be replaced

The cup has become too soft to open fully or maintain a reliable seal
The cup remains permanently misshapen or flattened
The cup was damaged or partially melted during disinfection
The cup has developed cracks, tears, deep scratches, or rough areas
The rim, air holes, base, or handle is damaged
The surface feels sticky, brittle, or otherwise different from its original condition

Do not turn your menstrual cup inside out

Turning a menstrual cup inside out places stress on the material and can cause cracking or small tears, especially around the bottom of the cup. Damage may begin as tiny cracks that are difficult to see but can become larger with continued use.

Some online forums recommend turning a cup inside out when it feels too long. We strongly advise against doing this. If your cup is too long, carefully trim the handle or choose a shorter cup designed for a low cervix.

Learn more about the risks and see images of an actual damaged cup in our guide: Why You Should Not Turn a Menstrual Cup Inside Out.

Color changes or mild staining alone do not necessarily mean that a cup needs to be replaced. If the cup remains smooth, undamaged, comfortable, and dependable, staining is usually only cosmetic.

After using your MeLuna menstrual cup for a few years, you may decide that it is time for a new one. This guide will help you identify your current cup and choose the best replacement.

Menstrual Cup Identification Marks

Identifying your MeLuna menstrual cup is easy. Look for the two identification marks on the inside rim of your cup.

Diameter:

You can find the diameter of your current MeLuna menstrual cup abbreviated as S, M, L, or XL.

Firmness:

The firmness of your MeLuna menstrual cup is shown as Classic or Sport, with Sport being our firmer menstrual cup material.

Additional Ways to Identify Your Menstrual Cup

You can identify additional features by visually examining the cup in front of you.

Height:

MeLuna menstrual cups come in two height ranges: Standard and Shorty.

Shorty cups are designed for a low cervix and are recognized by their bell-shaped appearance. In a Shorty cup, the height and width are very similar. Shorty cups are about 30% shorter than our Standard cups. Standard cups are taller, and their height is significantly greater than their width.

Handle Style:

Handle styles can also be identified visually. Have a look at the image below:

Choosing Your Next Menstrual Cup

Does your current MeLuna menstrual cup still feel comfortable and perform without leaks, but it is time for a replacement? This page gives you the information you need to reorder the model you currently have.

Your current cup seals well but feels uncomfortable

If your current MeLuna does not leak but tends to sit too low in your vaginal canal, it may be time to switch to a Shorty menstrual cup for a low cervix.

It may be beneficial to increase the diameter by one size when switching from a Standard MeLuna to a Shorty. For example, if you were using a Medium Standard MeLuna, consider a Large Shorty. This can help maintain a reliable seal and preserve some capacity.

Your current cup leaks

Insufficient diameter is the most common reason for leakage with MeLuna menstrual cups. Bodies can change over time, so you may need to move up one size in diameter if your previously reliable cup begins leaking.

Also consider whether the cup itself has changed. TPE may gradually become softer with use. If your cup does not open as easily, stays partially folded, or collapses during wear, replacing it with the same model and firmness may solve the problem.

If your cup leaks only during swimming, exercise, or other specific activities, a firmer Sport cup may provide better support and maintain its seal more reliably.

Need More Help?

If you are having trouble identifying your current MeLuna, we are here to help. Contact us with the name under which the original order was placed and the approximate year of purchase, and we will look it up in our order history.

MeLuna USA is an independent small company that operates solely in the United States. We do not have access to information about MeLuna purchases made through other vendors.

Does the MeLuna USA Guarantee Apply?

If you purchased your current cup within the last 12 months, you may be eligible to use the MeLuna USA Guarantee. Learn more on our MeLuna USA Menstrual Cup Guarantee page.