A reusable menstrual disc is one you wash, sterilize and wear again, and the FDA's menstrual cups page (current as of July 2026) says a reusable one can last for years. That page describes a menstrual cup as also known as a menstrual disc, so what it says about washing, wear time and safe use applies here. This guide follows one disc from its first boil through its first cycle to the routine you settle into afterward.
Sources are linked where they're used: the FDA page above and a Cleveland Clinic page on toxic shock syndrome (last updated March 2026). Details about our own discs come from the Bodyotics product pages and our disc care instructions.
What does reusable mean for a menstrual disc?
Reusable means you empty it, rinse it and wear the same disc again, then sterilize it between cycles. Some discs are sold as single-use and get thrown away after one wear. A reusable one is bought once instead of restocked every month, and the FDA says reusable cups can be more cost effective than disposable options for that reason. If you're new to the format, What Is a Menstrual Disc, and How Is It Different from a Cup? covers the basics.
Before your first cycle: the pack and the first boil
A Bodyotics Comfydisc pack holds two discs, one small and one large, plus a carry pouch. In the Menstrual Discs with Ring pack each disc has a pull-off ring. The Menstrual Discs with String pack is the same disc with a pull-off string instead, and you can trim the string off if you'd rather not have it. Each disc holds up to 60 ml (about 2 fl oz), and the silicone is body-safe, with no seams.
Boil a new disc in water for 5 minutes before you use it for the first time. That's the first step in our care instructions.
Start with the small disc. If it shifts or leaks, move up to the large one. Both are in the pack for that reason.
During your first cycle: expect a learning curve
The first insertion and removal can take practice, and the FDA lists that among the downsides of reusable cups. It also says it can be hard to find the right size, so a clumsy first try fits what it describes. Our step-by-step guide to inserting a menstrual disc walks through the first cycle.
Removal is the part most people find awkward at first. Per our product page, hook a finger under the ring (or through the string), keep the disc level and bear down. The first few times are messier than the ones after, so doing the first cycle's removals in the shower is the usual advice.
A Comfydisc can stay in for up to 12 hours. The FDA says cups may be left in place for up to 12 hours, suggests emptying typically every 8 to 12 hours, and asks you to follow the instructions on the label. It also recommends washing your hands before and after you handle one.
Between changes during your period
Rinse the disc each time you empty it; you don't need to sterilize it every time. Our care instructions say to rinse after each use, then wash with warm water and, if you like, a disc-safe soap before reinserting. The product pages add a detail: rinse with cold water first, then wash with warm.
Washing is the part that depends on where you are. The FDA notes that cleaning a cup can be hard if you rely on a public restroom or aren't near clean water, so it helps to think about where you'll be when you need to change it.
After each cycle: sterilize and store
At the end of every cycle, sterilize the disc by boiling it for 5 minutes or by using a sterilizer case. The Sterilizer Case for Menstrual Disc & Cup works with water and a microwave: add water and run it for 3 minutes, as our care instructions describe. The full steps are on our how to sterilize your menstrual disc page. Once it's clean, store the disc dry in its pouch, not sealed in a plastic bag.
| When | What to do | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Before first use | Boil the disc in water for 5 minutes | Bodyotics care instructions |
| Whenever you handle it | Wash your hands before and after | FDA menstrual cups page |
| Each time you empty it | Rinse with cold water, wash with warm water and a gentle cleanser, reinsert | Bodyotics care instructions and product pages |
| Every 12 hours at most | Empty it and follow the label's wear time | Bodyotics product pages and FDA menstrual cups page |
| End of each cycle | Boil for 5 minutes, or use a sterilizer case (add water, microwave for 3 minutes) | Bodyotics care instructions |
| Between cycles | Store dry in the pouch, not in a sealed plastic bag | Bodyotics product pages |
How long does a reusable menstrual disc last?
The FDA says a reusable menstrual cup can last for years, and it doesn't give a fixed number of cycles. So the useful rule is to follow the care steps for your disc and stop using any disc that irritates you. The FDA says that if you get itching, rash, pain, swelling or discomfort while using a cup, you should stop and contact your healthcare provider.
Is a reusable disc worth it?
For many people the appeal is cost and waste, and the trade-off is a learning curve and a washing routine. The FDA says reusable cups can be more cost effective than disposables, because a cup can last for years while disposables are bought every cycle. It adds that some people prefer reusable cups for environmental and sustainability reasons. The same page lists the downsides: it can take practice to insert and remove one, finding the right size can be difficult, a cup may interfere with an IUD, and it needs washing after use.
If you're still deciding on a format, Menstrual Disc vs Cup: Which One Is Right for You? sets the two side by side.
When to check with a healthcare provider first
Speak to a healthcare provider before using a disc if you have an IUD, a history of toxic shock syndrome or any specific concern. The FDA says to ask your gynecologist about using a cup with an IUD, because cups could interfere with the strings and placement. It also says cups aren't intended for vaginal drainage or bleeding outside your period, such as from a current infection or recent pregnancy or childbirth.
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is worth knowing about calmly. Cleveland Clinic (last updated March 2026) calls it a rare but serious condition and says anything that stays in the vagina too long, menstrual cups included, can raise the risk. That's one reason the wear time on your disc's instructions is worth sticking to. Its list of symptoms includes a sudden high fever, chills, body aches, nausea or vomiting, watery diarrhea, a rash like a bad sunburn, and dizziness or fainting. Cleveland Clinic says to contact your healthcare provider if you have signs of TSS.
Reusable menstrual disc: common questions
Is a menstrual disc reusable?
Some are and some aren't. Reusable discs, like the Comfydisc, are washed, sterilized and worn again, and the FDA says a reusable cup can be washed and used again. Single-use discs are thrown away after one wear.
How many times can you reuse a menstrual disc?
The FDA says a reusable menstrual cup can last for years but gives no set number of cycles. Follow the care steps for your disc and stop using it if it irritates you.
How do you clean a reusable menstrual disc?
Rinse it with cold water, then wash it with warm water and a gentle cleanser each time you empty it. Sterilize it at the end of every cycle by boiling it for 5 minutes or by using a sterilizer case.
Do you have to boil a reusable menstrual disc?
Boiling is one of two ways to sterilize it. Our care instructions say to boil a new disc for 5 minutes before first use, and to boil for 5 minutes or use a sterilizer case after each cycle. You don't need to sterilize it every time you empty it.
How long can you leave a reusable disc in?
A Comfydisc can stay in for up to 12 hours. The FDA says cups may be left in place for up to 12 hours and to follow the label's instructions.
Are reusable menstrual discs safe?
The FDA answers with safe-use steps: wash your hands, follow the instructions, stay within the wear time, and stop and contact your provider if you get itching, rash, pain, swelling or discomfort. Cleveland Clinic notes that anything left in the vagina too long, menstrual cups included, can raise the risk of toxic shock syndrome, which is rare but serious.
Should I get a disc with a ring or a string?
It's a preference. Both packs have the same disc, in sizes small and large. The string gives you something to pull on, which our product page says most people find easier for the first few cycles, and the ring is less bulky with nothing to catch.
This article is general information, not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. For a persistent or worsening symptom, or any concern about your health, speak to a qualified healthcare professional.
The short version
Reusing a disc takes a short routine: boil it once, rinse it during your period, sterilize it after, and store it dry. Expect the first cycle to be the awkward one. When you're ready to try one, the ring pack and the string pack both come with a small and a large disc, and the sterilizer case keeps the end-of-cycle step simple.
Related reading: Period Disc Q&A | How to Insert a Bodyotics Reusable Menstrual Disc | Heating Pad for Cramps: Which Type Fits Your Day? | More from Menstrual cycles | Knowledge Hub
Last updated: October 19, 2026.
