Recently, we’ve seen an uptake in chatter online from women asking if they can use a menstrual cup as a conception cup to increase their chances of getting pregnant. Does it work and is it actually a good idea to try?

Menstrual cups are without a doubt a wonderful addition to the line-up of period products. However, their advantages don’t necessarily translate to conception and pregnancy. Because we’re in the conception cup business, we get a lot of questions as to how and why the FERTILILY Conception Cup is different. And of course, we have answers. To start, let’s take a look at how they are similar—because, in many ways, they do appear to be.

How Menstrual Cups and the Conception Cup are Similar
It makes sense that people think menstrual cups could be a good substitute for the FERTILILY Conception Cup, considering their many similarities. Menstrual cups and conception cups are different in some of the most important ways, like design, comfort, safety, and the support system. With all else being equal, it’s important to give more weight to these differences, especially since you’re looking for a product that will aid in conception.

How Menstrual Cups and the Conception Cup are Different
The Design – Menstrual cups are designed to collect blood and prevent leakage—which is great! However, this means that its cup is deeper and sits lower in the vagina than the FERTILILY Conception Cup. This means that the base of the cup sits further away from the cervix (the opening of the uterus) and the sperm cells have a longer journey to the egg.

Since the cup isn’t as close to the cervix, the sperm cells are more exposed to the hostile environment of the vagina, where pH levels can cause them to die. On the other hand, the FERTLILY Conception Cup is shallow so that the sperm sits as close as possible to the cervix, shortening the distance to the egg. This way, it is protected from the potentially less than ideal conditions in the vagina for a better chance of survival. It also allows for a higher concentration of sperm to reach the cervix and then the uterus. The FERTILILY Conception Cup can be flipped inside-out for smooth insertion and has a longer stem than a menstrual cup, making it easier to remove.

Find out more about how the FERTILILY Conception Cup works here.

The Comfort
Menstrual cups are made of a variety of materials depending on the brand, but typically they’re made from silicone, rubber, latex, or elastomer. Latex, specifically, is a common allergen. And if you’re not paying attention to the product you’re buying or are unaware that you have an allergy, you might find yourself in an uncomfortable situation. Additionally, these materials vary in comfort as some are more rigid and less flexible.

The FERTILILY Conception Cup has been made with soft and supple medical-grade silicone that is ideal for comfort and function. And really, if you’re going to have something sitting right next to your cervix, you want to be sure the product designers had comfort at the front of their minds. Good to know: in a customer survey, 9 out of 10 FERTILILY customers found the cup comfortable to wear.

The Safety
Unlike menstrual cups, the FERTILILY Conception Cup is registered as a Medical Device in Europe with the purpose of aiding conception. This means that it has been specifically tested for safety and efficacy in assisting reproduction, and has been proven to increase the chances of pregnancy by +48%. Moreover, it’s the brainchild of a medical entrepreneur, Robert Stal, and a leading fertility specialist, Dr. Maarten Wiegerinck, bringing together the best in both medical product design and fertility.

On the flip side, menstrual cups are classified as sanitary products and do not undergo the same clinical and safety testing. This means that they may be of a different quality than the FERTILILY Conception Cup. When selecting a device to help you in your TTC journey it’s vital to select one that is healthy and safe not just for you, but also for the sperm. After all, without sperm, fertilization cannot occur. Sperm are very delicate and even slight exposure to impurities or chemicals that may be present on menstrual cups could have a negative impact on the health of the sperm. This could make fertilsation and conception more difficult.

The Support System
When you’re trying to conceive naturally and need a boost of encouragement, it’s great to have a group of people to talk to. Using a menstrual cup, rather than a conception cup, doesn’t offer the same level of community support. If you have questions or are in a need of tips for how to use a menstrual cup for conception, you can’t really engage users. Their customer support team also won’t be able to answer any questions on the product’s use for conception or offer any kind of solution if you’re dissatisfied.
The FERTILILY Conception Cup, however, comes with all of this because it is a conception aid. You can bring all of your questions, comments, and concerns to our team, and a growing community of users, and rest assured that someone will have answers. You are not alone in your conception journey.

Putting it all together
While menstrual cups may seem like an easy substitution for a conception cup, especially if you already have one on hand, it isn’t actually a one-to-one trade. Menstrual cups have a completely different function, and safety testing requirements, and may be made of a non-medical grade material. When you put it all together, they are not well suited for use as a natural conception aid.
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use conception aid that is available over the counter, discrete, and comfortable, consider the FERTILILY Conception Cup. It’s clinically proven to increase the chances of conception by +48% and has been rated 4.4 out of 5 stars by customers. Click here to buy