Are menstrual cups safe for more than 12 hours of continuous wear?
"In general, most menstrual cup brands recommend emptying and rinsing your cup every 12 hours, or twice a day," one Dame article reads, "This is because leaving a cup in for longer than 12 hours can increase the risk of leaks and bad smells, as well as potentially lead to bacterial growth."
Since both the DivaCup and Diva Disc are internal medical devices, there are also regulations around their safe use. It should be said: We do not recommend wearing your DivaCup or Diva Disc for longer than 12 hours at a time.
Why can't you wear the cup or disc for more than 12 hours?
Menstrual cups and discs are safe for up to 12 hours of continuous period protection.
But depending on your flow, cleanse and rinse your cup or disc a minimum of 2-3 times daily. Many menstrual cup users will remove their cup before its full, empty the menstrual blood into the sink or toilet, and rinse it out before inserting the cup again.
If your menstrual flow is light, this means that you can choose the best times throughout the day to empty and rinse out your cup or disc. If you have a heavy flow, this means less risk of overflowing throughout the day or having your menstrual disc auto-dump while urinating.
What to do if you leave your cup in for too long
As soon as you realize you’ve left your menstrual cup or disc in for more than 12 hours, you should:
- Wash your hands, pinch the base, and remove it.
- Empty the cup in the sink or toilet and thoroughly wash it with pH-balanced, oil-free, mild cleanser, like DivaWash.
- For extra measure, sanitize it in boiling water for 5-10 minutes to eliminate any lingering menstrual cup smell or discoloration.
Does your Diva Cup smell?
While reusable menstrual products are great for cutting down on time and disposable pads and tampons, they do require changing periodically. Leaving your cup in for longer than 12 hours may result in odors and staining. If this smell or staining lingers, try thoroughly cleansing and boiling your cup again.
Depending on the individual’s vaginal pH and menstrual flow and volume, staining can occur. This will vary from person to person, however, and can be minimized through regular and proper cleansing and care.
If you find your cup or disc smells or is becoming discolored, never soak it in hydrogen peroxide. This (along with several other ingredients) is unsafe for the vagina and its microbiome.
Other things that can happen when you wear your menstrual cup for more than 12 hours
Menstrual blood contains blood, tissue, mucus, as well as naturally occurring vaginal bacteria. While this is all normal and healthy, it’s meant to be eliminated and can be problematic if held in for too long.
Wearing a menstrual cup for longer than 12 hours can increases chances of infection. Although in comparison to other period products, these chances are still quite low.
The occurrence of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) — a life-threatening disease caused by the vaginal colonization of Staphylococcus aureus when wearing tampons — has diminished since the 1980s due to warning labels and greater awareness. The chances of it occurring with menstrual cups and discs has always been significantly lower, though.
Why Are Menstrual Cups Safe for Up to 12 Hours?
Menstrual cups are entirely safe to be worn for up to 12 hours of continuous protection, thanks to these materials and the care that we have taken to develop and manufacture them.
That's because they're made of bacteria resistant, 100 percent medical grade silicone. As an internal menstrual device, we have designed them with body safe medical grade silicone and pigments. This means that they are safe for direct body contact for prolonged periods of time.
Both the DivaCup and Diva Disc are Health Canada and FDA approved. However, these approvals come with regulations, and wear beyond 12 hours is not deemed safe or recommended. Medical grade silicone is designed not to interfere with the vagina and its microbiome when it’s taken care of properly. This includes regular cleansing and proper storage in a breathable cotton bag (never an airtight container), and periodic emptying and rinsing.
Remember to always care for your menstrual cup or disc properly, so that it can properly care for you in safe and reliable ways.
If you ever have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to our Consumer Experience Team for their help and expertise.
