And because using a standard medical-model vagina wouldn’t really simulate the stretchiness and hug of the real thing, we invested nearly 12 hours in trying to build the most functionally realistic model possible. With all the advantages of menstrual cups, Lily Cup One is the small, easy-to-use size that gives you complete peace of mind during your period, from start to finish. The idea is novel, sure, and it got a lot of attention, but does it work and does it have a function beyond just being neat? To evaluate this factor as objectively as possible, we had to figure out a way to simulate a vagina.

Lots of menstrual cup fan sites recommend using hydrogen peroxide to sterilize cups, but some cup makers advise against it. In our tests, however, we found that the shape of the stem didn’t really change how easy or hard it was to remove the cups.

Softer cups are easier to fold and keep folded verus firmer cups, and the Lily Cup Compact holds a push down fold beautifully. Lily Cups are perfectly shaped to fit your body for total comfort, covering the lightest to heaviest flows for up to 12 hours. KegelSmart™ 2 pelvic floor trainer will guide you throughout your journey of regaining strong and healthy pelvic floor muscles. But I did try to re-create a few: Instead of a Pringles can and sponges, for example, I used a clear water bottle and bubble wrapping.

The other thing to think about with ball, loop, or thin stem designs is whether you’ll wind up modifying the cup. BODY-ALIGNED DESIGN - Slanted design and a spill-proof rim fit your body’s natural curves and keep up with your active lifestyle all period long. Lily Cups are a new generation in period protection: ultra-soft, reusable menstrual cups made of medical-grade silicone. If you know that you have a low cervix—that is, when you’re on your period, you can reach your cervix by inserting your finger just past the first knuckle—the MeLuna Shorty might work for you.

Menstrual cup reviewer Jackie Bolen said that her biggest frustration with menstrual cups is that “people give up too soon. Most cups are shaped almost exactly the same way, but Cora’s The Easy-Does-It Cup has some smart design differences that make it a great choice for beginners. And in my case, gluing plastic to plastic was actually a lot harder than I’d imagined—even with special plastic epoxies, the bubble wrapping was constantly separating from the water bottle after a few insertions and removals. With higher capacity and a longer stem, this small menstrual cup is ideal for women with higher cervixes and a heavy flow.