Ruby Cup Review | Menstrual Cups Africa

Ruby Cup Review

The Ruby Cup is quickly becoming one of the most popular menstrual cup brands in the world. Here are a few quick facts about the Ruby Menstrual Cup:

• Started in 2011
• Made in China from top-quality, medical-grade silicone
• Buy one, donate one program
• 2 sizes of Ruby Cup (small and large)
• One of the softest menstrual cups
• 120 day money-back guarantee
• One of the most expensive menstrual cups

 

One of the major negatives of the Ruby Cup is that it’s very expensive. For some, this isn’t an issue because they are happy with the, “Buy One, Donate One” program. However, if you just want a more affordable menstrual cup, then consider one from the chart below:

Best Overall	Best New Cup	Best for Low Cervix	Best Soft Cup	Best for Period Sex
Lena Cup	Saalt Cup	FemmyCycle	Sckooncup	Ziggy Cup
Check price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

Ruby Cup Introduction

The Ruby Cup is a relative newcomer to the menstrual cup world (started in 2011), but they are quickly getting a lot of attention. Part of this is simply because Ruby Cup makes a top-quality menstrual cup at a decent price.

But, the bigger reason is that for every period cup someone buys, Ruby Cup donates one to a person in need. We LOVE this here at Reusable Menstrual Cups!

Imagine the possibilities if people in developing countries around the world has access to reusable feminine hygiene products? It would certainly mean fewer missed days of school and work and would result in better economical opportunities.

We sincerely hope that other reusable feminine hygiene companies start to have similar programs where they donate menstrual cups to people in need. It has the potential to change a whole lot of lives for the better.

Is the Ruby Cup for You?

Let’s get into a few details about the Ruby Cup and whether or not it’s a good one for you to consider for your body type. The Ruby Cup is similar to other menstrual cups in that there is a small and a large size (called medium by Ruby Cup).

The small size is a bit below average, while the large is bigger than average. We love this! There are so many companies that offer a small and large size that are in fact not really different from each other.

In terms of design and stiffness, it’s similar to the Fleur Cup. Most people who use it, find it reasonably easy to insert and remove, as well as clean it. The stiffness falls somewhere in the middle-it pops open when it’s inside you, but it’s not so stiff that it’s uncomfortable.

Made in China

The biggest negative of the Ruby Cup is that it’s made in China. Generally, we don’t recommend menstrual cups made in China because they are often low-quality knock-offs of the brands manufactured in North America or Europe. By low-quality, we mean silicone that is not medical grade, and cups that are so flimsy that they barely work.

However, the Ruby period Cup appears to be different. Although their cup is manufactured in China, it seems to be a top-quality menstrual cup. They use 100% medical grade silicone that is approved by the FDA and meets EU standards.

According to Ruby menstrual Cup, the manufacturer they have chosen is an expert in silicone tooling and production. They have been working with European companies for years. Quality assurance is done by a Danish company that specializes in silicone products.

From what we can see, the Ruby Cup seems to be a safe product made to strict manufacturing standards from top-quality medical-grade silicone. It’s a product that you should feel safe putting into you body!

About the Company

Ruby menstrual Cup was started by three women as a business school idea. They not only wanted to introduce a new menstrual cup to the world, but they wanted to help make the world a better place. To date, they have donated more than 24,000 menstrual cups to women in low income communities around the world.

Sizes of Ruby Cup

There are two sizes of Ruby Cup, a small and a medium. It’s a bit unusual in that instead of recommending a cup based on age, or pre/post child-birth, Ruby Cup recommends based on flow. The small size is for light to medium flow, and the large is for medium-heavy flow.

Ruby Cup Small

CUP LENGTH	STEM LENGTH	TOTAL LENGTH	DIAMETER	CAPACITY TO THE RIM	CAPACITY TO THE HOLES
46 mm	19 mm	65 mm	40 mm	24 ml	19 ml

Ruby Cup Medium

CUP LENGTH	STEM LENGTH	TOTAL LENGTH	DIAMETER	CAPACITY TO THE RIM	CAPACITY TO THE HOLES
51 mm	17 mm	68 mm	45 mm	34 ml	24 ml

As you can see from the above charts, the Ruby Cup Small has a below average capacity. For example, the Diva Cup, Moon Cup, and Lunette all have capacities of around 30 ml.

The Ruby Cup Medium has an above average of 34 ml. This makes it one of the highest capacity menstrual cups on the market today. It’s an excellent option to consider if you have a heavy flow. You can pair it with something like a reusable cloth pad, or a pair of period panties for some serious protection, especially at night.

There are five colours available: blue, clear, pink, purple and red. Menstrual protection that’s not boring-Love it!

One of the Softest Menstrual Cups

The Ruby Cup is one of the softest menstrual cups you can buy. Some people like softer cups because they find them more comfortable. This is because they don’t press so strongly against your vaginal canal walls, and they are less likely to cause cramps than some of the stiffer cups.

However, the main disadvantage to a softer menstrual cup is that it can be a bit more difficult to insert. This is because it doesn’t just pop open easily like the stiff cups do. You may have to twist, and rotate it in order to get it to seal to your vaginal canal walls.

Most people do eventually get the hang of it though, so don’t be scared off by this! For more details, check out our handy menstrual cup firmness chart:

Compare Softer Menstrual Cups

There are lots of other choices for soft menstrual cups beyond the Ruby Cup. You can check out the top picks here:

The Softest Menstrual Cups

Best Soft Menstrual Cup	High Capacity, Soft Cup	Highest User Ratings
Sckooncup	Super Jennie	Lena Sensitive
Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

Ruby Cup Pros

• Buy one, donate one program. Help someone in need. They get a cup, you get a cup. Love it!
• The medium size is one of the highest capacity menstrual cups on the market today. This makes it an excellent option for someone with a heavy period.
• Manufactured from the highest quality medical grade silicone, according to strict standards.
• Can last for up to 10 years with proper care.
• An eco-friendly feminine hygiene option from a socially conscious company.
• A nice, medium level stiffness. It opens easily when inside you, but it’s not so stiff that it’s uncomfortable.

Ruby Cup Cons

• Made in China. The cheap, low-quality menstrual cup knock-offs are often made there. However, the Ruby Cup seems to be an exception.
• More expensive than most other menstrual cups on the market today (around $10 more than something like the Diva Cup). However, this is likely because they donate one cup to people in need for every cup bought. This will obviously increase their production costs and overhead.

More Ruby Cup Reviews

How to Insert and Remove the Ruby Cup

Here is some advice from the company about how to insert and remove a Ruby Menstrual Cup.

Wash your Hands

Always wash your hands before handling a menstrual cup. You don’t want to introduce all sorts of germs into your vaginal canal. If you’re in a public restroom, wash your hands before going into the stall.

Fold the Cup

Ruby recommends the “C” fold. More details about that here: Learn More about Menstrual Cup Folds.

Insert the Cup

Insert the folded cup into your vaginal canal. It’s designed to sit lower than a tampon would, but it should still be fully inserted. Make sure the cup is fully opened, and sealed to your canal walls by running your finger around the outside rim.

Clean the Cup

Ruby recommends rinsing your cup in warm water before reinserting it. If there is no water available, they recommend cleaning it with a tissue. They don’t mention the need for soap, or something like the DivaWash.

You can of course, use the DivaWash if you want to keep your cup in tip-top shape. Although these menstrual cup cleansers are a little bit expensive, you only need to smallest amount of them because they lather very well. Most people find that a small bottle lasts for months.

Remove the Cup

Again, wash your hands before removing the cup. Grab the stem and use your pelvic floor muscles to push down the cup until you can grab the base of it. Squeeze the sides of your cup with your fingers until the seal is broken. Pull it out. That’s it!

Care and Cleaning of the Ruby Period Cup

During your period, the company recommends using warm water to keep your cup clean. If you use soap, they recommend a mild, non-scented one. Our tip is to be sure to wash off any soap residue. You don’t want to get that stuff up in your vaginal canal because it can lead to infections.

As the end of your period, you can boil the cup for 5 minutes (absolute maximum is 15 minutes before the silicone starts to degrade). Be sure not to let the cup touch the edges of bottom of the pot. You can also do it in the microwave. Ruby has an option to include a “clean cup” in the package, which is a cup that you can use to boil your menstrual cup in the microwave. It’s a few extra bucks, and may be worth it for you.

As far as storing goes, make sure your cup is completely dry after sterilizing it. Then, keep it in the cotton bag that came with your cup. Or, wrap it loosely in a paper towel and store it in your drawer. The most important thing is to make sure your period cup is exposed to air because it discourages bacteria growth. No air-tight containers!

What about Menstrual Cup Wash?

Many people swear by a mild soap and water to clean their menstrual cup, while others use a menstrual cup wash. In reality, either one is fine, but the washes can leave your cup smelling and feeling a little bit cleaner.

In terms of safety, and lifespan of your menstrual cup, both these options come out even in the end. You can check out some of our top picks in this chart below:

Best Menstrual Cup Wash

Best Overall	Most Economical	Best Menstrual Cup Wipes
Divawash	Dutchess Cup Wash	Lunette Wipes
Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

Can I Use the Toilet While Wearing a Ruby Menstrual Cup?

A question that many people have before buying their first menstrual cup is whether or not they can use the toilet while wearing it. The good news is that you don’t have to remove your menstrual cup when you pee or poop.

You insert the Ruby menstrual Cup into your vagina, while you pee out of the urethra, and poop from the anus. In theory, none of these things should interfere with each other.

However, you may have the experience that it takes a long time to pee while you have a menstrual cup in. This is particularly true with the stiffer cups because they push strongly against the vaginal canal walls. This is turn can restrict the urethra slightly.

If it doesn’t feel uncomfortable, it’s nothing to worry about. It it does cause discomfort, then consider switching to a softer, smaller period cup.

Can I use the Ruby Cup with an IUD?

If you have an IUD, you may wonder whether or not it’s possible to use the Ruby period Cup, or other menstrual cup with it. Here’s what the company recommends.

For most people, using an IUD along with the Ruby menstrual Cup has not resulted in any problems. However, you should consult with your doctor first as there is a small chance that your IUD may be dislodged when removing the Ruby Cup.

Here are a few tips for using a Ruby Cup is you do have an IUD:

All about the Strings

Your Ruby Cup sits low in the vaginal canal, while the strings are up near your cervix. Figure out where the strings are, and place your cup away from them if possible. Check the location of the strings periodically to make sure the position hasn’t shifted

Removing the Ruby Cup

Make sure to release the seal before removing the Ruby Cup. You can do this by squeezing the edges of the cup with two fingers to break the suction. Then, pull the cup out. DO NOT pull your Ruby Cup out completely with the stem as this could pull out your IUD along with it.

Talk to your Doctor

If you have questions or concerns, please check with your doctor. This is particularly true if you think your IUD has changed position.

If you have a low cervix, a Ruby Cup, along with an IUD may not be right for you. Please check with your doctor as well.

What about Sex with the Ruby Cup?

A common question that people have is whether or not they can have sex while wearing the Ruby Cup. The easy answer is: No! The Ruby Cup, as well as any other regular menstrual cup is totally unsuitable for this.

There just isn’t room for everything “up there.” Even if you did try to have penetrative sex while wearing the Ruby Menstrual Cup, both parties would find it pretty uncomfortable.

If you’re looking to have period sex, the eco-friendly way, then you’ll want to consider this new product from Intimina. The Ziggy Cup is a flat, flexible disc that sits right up under your cervix. Most people report that neither they, nor their partner were able to feel it during sex.

The Ziggy Cup is very similar to the Instead Soft Cup, but the major difference is that it’s reusable, which is why we’re very happy to recommend it!

Check out the Ziggy Menstrual Cup for yourself over on Amazon:

There are lots of other options besides the Ziggy Cup if you want to have sex during your period. You can check them out in our handy comparison chart below:

The Best Period Sex Options

Best Overall	Most Eco-Friendly	Easiest to Insert
Instead Soft Cups	Intimina Ziggy Cup (reusable)	Soft Tampons
Check Prices	Check Prices	Check Prices

The Takeaway on the Ruby Period Cup

The thing we love most here at Reusable Menstrual Cups is a company that stands behind their products. And Ruby Cup is a company that certainly does that. They offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee which means they offer a full refund within 120 days with no questions asked.

Or, they’ll switch your cup size within that time as well. This is (one of?) the most generous return policy of any menstrual cup we’ve run across. And this factor alone makes the Ruby Cup worth checking out.

Committed to Social Change

The other thing we love about the Ruby Menstrual Cup is that they are a company committed to social change for people in the developing world. More cups in the hands of people in developing countries means more people are going to school or work every single day. We love it and wish that more menstrual cup companies would follow suit.

A Top-Quality Menstrual Cup

As far as the actual cup goes, although it’s manufactured in China, it’s a top-quality product. It’s made from medical grade silicone that is FDA approved. The design and sizing of the cup is excellent and people who use it really seem to like it. It’s easy to insert and remove and doesn’t seem to leak.

Have your Say about the Ruby Menstrual Cup

Leave a comment below and let us know your thoughts. Is the Ruby Menstrual Cup a buy? Or, are you considering another menstrual cup brand.