Without emptying, up to 12 hours, compatible with sex and up to 10 years of use. The advantages of the menstrual disc and how to use it correctly from the first cycle.
Advantages of the menstrual disc and usage tips | PapayaCup
Menstrual disc
8 advantages of the menstrual disc and tips to make the most of them
The menstrual disc is placed deeper than the cup, does not create suction, and allows for sex during your period. These differences are noticeable in daily life, but only if you know how to use it properly. Here are its advantages one by one, along with tips to ensure it works from the first cycle.
In summary
The main advantages of the menstrual disc are that it does not create suction, it can be worn for up to 12 hours, it has a large capacity (45 ml in size S and 60 ml in size L in PapayaDisc), it allows for penetrative sex with the stem cut, it does not need to be removed to use the bathroom, and it lasts up to 10 years. To use it correctly, position it facing backward, empty it every 8 to 12 hours at most, and keep the stem for at least three cycles.
Updated in October 2026
What makes the menstrual disc different
The disc does not stay in the vaginal canal like the cup. It is placed higher, at the base of the cervix, and its front edge fits behind the pubic bone. This fit is what holds it in place, without the need for suction. If you want to see the full explanation, you can find it in our article about what the menstrual disc is and how it works.
This placement is where almost all its advantages come from. Here are the eight most important ones.
No suctionNo suction effectIt rests at the base of the cervix and does not create suction, neither when wearing it nor when removing it.
12 hUp to 12 hoursAt most, empty it every 8 to 12 hours depending on your flow.
60 mlLarge capacity45 ml in size S and 60 ml in size L.
SexCompatible with sexWith penetration, once the stem is cut.
ToiletNo need to remove it to use the bathroomIt does not need to be removed to urinate or defecate.
10 yearsReusableUp to 10 years of useful life, made from German surgical silicone.
S and LTwo sizesDepending on the height of your cervix.
DiscreetNot noticeableWithout a stem, it goes completely unnoticed.
Since it is not held by suction, there is no suction effect. It does not press when worn and there is no need to break any suction when removing it.
2. Can be worn for up to 12 hours
According to the PapayaDisc manual, the disc should be emptied and rinsed every 8 to 12 hours at most, depending on your flow. It should never be worn for more than 12 consecutive hours.
3. Has a large capacity
PapayaDisc has 45 ml in size S and 60 ml in size L. To put it in context, a study published in BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health compared 21 menstrual products with real blood in a laboratory. The discs had the highest capacity, 61 ml on average, compared to 20 to 50 ml for tampons, pads, and cups. If you have a heavy period, you might be interested in our post about the menstrual disc for heavy periods.
How much fits in each product
Capacity measured with blood in the laboratory and capacity of PapayaDisc
Since it sits at the base of the cervix, outside the area of penetration, the disc can be kept in during penetrative sex, as long as you have cut the pull tab beforehand. Remember that it is not a contraceptive method and does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. We explain this in sex during your period and in menstrual disc and STIs.
5. No need to remove it to go to the bathroom
The manual states clearly: there is no need to remove it to urinate or defecate. When straining in the bathroom, it may partially empty, something we explain in the self-emptying section of the heavy period post.
6. Lasts up to 10 years
PapayaDisc is made of German surgical silicone and has a lifespan of up to 10 years if you take good care of it. It's a one-time purchase for many cycles.
7. There’s a size for your body
It comes in two sizes: size S is generally recommended for a low cervix and size L for a high cervix. You can measure it at home by following the menstrual disc size guide.
8. You won't notice it
If placed correctly, you shouldn't feel it. And if you trim the pull tab when you can remove it with your fingers, the manual states that it goes completely unnoticed. It's also a great option for sports, as we discuss in menstrual disc and sports.
Manual video for PapayaDisc. Also available in the user manual.
1. Sterilize it before the first use. Put about three fingers of water in the sterilizer, insert the disc, and heat it for 3 minutes in the microwave. Do not leave it longer, as it may damage the silicone.
2. Choose the right size. The height of your cervix determines whether to choose S or L. If in doubt, measure it during your period.
3. Insert it backward. Place one foot on the toilet, fold the disc, and insert it. The vagina does not go straight up, but slightly backward, towards the anus, so push it in that direction and release it when it is fully inside.
4. Check that it is not folded. If you feel it folded or pressed, it is probably not positioned correctly. A little water or lubricant makes insertion easier.
5. Empty it on time. At most every 8 to 12 hours, depending on your flow, and never more than 12 consecutive hours.
6. Remove it by the edge, not by the pull tab. Pull the tab only until you reach the edge, place a finger on the edge, and remove it horizontally, sitting on the toilet or squatting in the shower. We explain it step by step in how to remove the menstrual disc. If you ever can't reach it, check the post about the stuck menstrual disc.
How to remove the menstrual disc without pulling the tab
✕ Not like this
The force goes to the puller
✓ This is how
The force goes to the disc
Indicative diagram, not anatomical.
7. Keep the pull tab for at least three cycles. The manual recommends this because it makes removal much easier while you learn. Afterward, you can decide whether to trim it.
What should I do with the pull tab?
Keep it
For at least the first three cycles
If you are not going to have penetrative sex and it doesn’t bother you
Trim it a little
If you feel pressure or friction at the vaginal entrance
If your cervix is low but does not protrude
If you can remove it with your fingers easily
Remove it completely
For penetrative sex
If your cervix is very low and protrudes even when trimmed
If you can remove it with your fingers confidently
According to the PapayaDisc manual. Once trimmed, the pull tab cannot be reattached.
8. Clean it well after your period. With warm water and mild soap, sterilize it if you want, let it dry completely, and store it in its fabric pouch.
9. Give it time. The first cycles are for learning, and if you are switching from a cup, some gestures change. In switching from a menstrual cup to a menstrual disc, we review the gestures that change.
10. Listen to your body. If you feel pain or discomfort, the manual indicates that you should stop using it and consult a doctor.
What you should know before starting
The disc also has its less comfortable side. It has a learning curve, and the manual recommends using it with the pull tab for at least three cycles because it greatly facilitates removal. Additionally, when removing it full, something may always fall out. That’s why we recommend practicing the first cycles calmly and removing it in the shower or while sitting on the toilet. If you are between the two products, in menstrual cup or menstrual disc we help you decide.
PapayaDisc
All these advantages, in your size
PapayaDisc comes in size S and L, with a textured pull tab that you can trim whenever you want. The Comfort Pack includes both sizes and the sterilizer.
Frequently asked questions about the menstrual disc
What advantages does the menstrual disc have over the cup?
It does not create a vacuum, it is placed at the base of the cervix, and allows for penetrative sex with the pull tab trimmed. In PapayaDisc, it also has a capacity of 45 ml in size S and 60 ml in size L.
How many hours can the menstrual disc be worn?
Up to 12 hours. It should be emptied and rinsed at most every 8 to 12 hours, depending on the flow, and should never be worn for more than 12 consecutive hours.
Do you need to remove the menstrual disc to go to the bathroom?
No. According to the PapayaDisc manual, it is not necessary to remove it to urinate or defecate.
Can you have sex with the menstrual disc in?
Yes, including penetration, as long as you have trimmed the stem beforehand. It is not a contraceptive and does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
How do you clean the menstrual disc?
During your period, rinse it each time you empty it. Afterward, wash it with warm water and mild soap, it can be sterilized, let it dry completely, and store it in its cloth bag. Before the first use, it should be sterilized for 3 minutes in the microwave with the sterilizer.
How long does a menstrual disc last?
PapayaDisc, made of German surgical silicone, has a lifespan of up to 10 years if properly cared for.
No leaks, up to 12 hours, compatible with sex, and up to 10 years of use: the disc has advantages that are noticeable from the first cycle, as long as you place it correctly, empty it on time, and remove it by the edge. You can find PapayaDisc in sizes S and L at papayacup.com.
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