A menstrual cup is a reusable tampon alternative that collects blood rather than absorbing it. Menstrual cups are most often made from medical grade silicone but can also be made from TPE. They hold more than tampons, are non-porous, body safe, and are usually a more comfortable experience. A cup is folded and inserted into the vagina where it opens, creates a seal, and remains in place under the cervix.

Menstrual cup comfort and efficacy rely on having a perfect seal (to prevent leaks) and must fit inside the body. Because each person’s body and flow are different there have to be dozens of sizes and styles of cup options. Finding the right cup is very important and our quiz can help match you to your perfect menstrual cup.

Yes! Cups are as safe as tampons, if not safer. Unlike tampons, menstrual cups leave no microabrasions on the skin and they don’t absorb your body’s natural moisture. 

Cups are not immune to being a risk for TSS and each user needs to follow the wear and cleaning instructions for their menstrual cup. TSS from cups is extremely rare compared to tampons, with only a handful of known cases to have occurred with cups users, all of whom left their cups in well beyond the suggested wear time.

Cups and IUD’s are compatible but caution should be used. When removing your menstrual cup always be sure to break the seal and ensure you aren’t grabbing your IUD strings. Check your IUD strings regularly. If you believe you have dislodged your IUD or feel your strings are not in their proper place consult a care provider right away.

There are no studies that connect the use of menstrual cups to uterine prolapse. 

There is no age restriction on using a menstrual cup. If you feel comfortable with a cup and have a period you can use a cup. Period Nirvana carries petite starter cups that are perfect for young and first time users.

Yes - intercourse is not a prerequisite to using a cup and a hymen is only a cultural symbol of virginity. Hymens can stretch and come in various styles, how your body and hymen (if present in full or in part) works with a cup is unknown until you try. It’s best to take it easy and if you experience pain, discontinue inserting and try again later. 

Maybe at first, but usually not. Because you remove your cup while it’s upright it’s usually mess-free after practice. When you’re new to a cup it’s best to remove it in the shower. Cups are far less messy than most imagine them to be.

A high quality menstrual cup, such as those sold in Period Nirvana, should last 5-10 years! Store your menstrual cup in a breathable pouch. If your cup shows any signs of chalkiness, stickiness, crackling, or tearing discontinue use and replace. Some brands suggest replacing yearly but unless your cup shows signs of breaking down this is not necessary.

Remove your cup at least once every 12 hours and wash with either a cup safe soap, or a gentle and natural hand soap. Rinse thoroughly and re-insert. Once per month you need to sanitize your cup, either by boiling for 3-5 minutes, or by using a portable cup steam sanitizer or travel sanitizer. 

A menstrual disc is a circular, bowl shaped product that catches menstrual blood rather than absorbing it. It’s folded and inserted longways into the vagina and sits below the cervix and against the pubic bone to keep it in place. Discs are made from medical grade silicone.

Reusable menstrual discs are relatively new to the market so only a few brands have a model available. Discs are also generally “one size fits all” unlike menstrual cups.

Yes! Discs are as safe as tampons, if not safer. Unlike tampons, menstrual discs leave no microabrasions on the skin and they don’t absorb your body’s natural moisture. 

Discs are not immune to being a risk for TSS (toxic-shock syndrome) and each user needs to follow the wear and cleaning instructions for their menstrual disc. TSS from discs is extremely rare compared to tampons.

Discs and IUDs are compatible but caution should be used. When removing your menstrual disc always be sure you aren’t grabbing your IUD strings. Check your IUD strings regularly. If you believe you have dislodged your IUD or feel your strings are not in their proper place consult a care provider right away.

You can leave your menstrual disc in for up to twelve hours. If you have a heavier period you may need to change sooner. Do not leave your disc in for over twelve hours as they’re not tested or approved for use longer than this timeframe.

There is no age restriction on using a menstrual disc. If you feel comfortable with a disc and have a period you can use a disc. 

Yes - intercourse is not a prerequisite to using a disc and a hymen is only a cultural symbol of virginity. Hymens can stretch and come in various styles, how your body and hymen (if present in full or in part) works with a disc is unknown until you try. It’s best to take it easy and if you experience pain, discontinue inserting and try again later. 

A bit, yes. Removing a menstrual disc may bring you into contact with your blood as it leaves your body. It’s best to remove your disc while over a toilet or in the shower. With practice the disc can be removed with less or no mess at all but at first it can be a messier experience than cups. Some disc designs make removals less messy such as the Hello Disc. When you’re new to a disc it’s best to try removing it in the shower for the first time.

Remove your disc at least once every 12 hours and wash with either a cup safe soap, or a gentle and natural hand soap. Rinse thoroughly and re-insert. Once per month you need to sanitize your disc, either by boiling for 3-5 minutes, or by using a portable cup steam sanitizer or travel sanitizer. 

A high quality menstrual disc, such as those sold in Period Nirvana, should last up 5-10 years! Store your menstrual disc in a breathable pouch. If your disc shows any signs of chalkiness, stickiness, crackling, or tearing discontinue use and replace. Some brands suggest replacing yearly but unless your disc shows signs of breaking down this is not necessary.

Our vision in 2019 was to create a curated shopping experience for reusable menstrual products that offers a more guided experience in an overwhelming and confusing category. Because cups and discs are very dependent on many factors which are often unknown to the shopper, we've tried to make it easy to narrow down your choices. Unlike Amazon, we source products that are trustworthy by brands with stellar reputations for both quality and design. We take the guesswork out of picking your perfect cup or disc.

In 2025 Period Nirvana opened one of the first brick and mortar “menstrual cycle wellness” stores in the world, in Asheville NC. With this expansion, we have also combined our in-store and online product selections. While we remain dedicated to helping people switch to reusables, you can now find select organic and sustainable one-time use products online.

Your purchase helps us continue our educational efforts online, where we provide free resources, and our period store concept in Asheville. The online store supports the entire business and we couldn’t do it without you, so thank you. 

Kim Rosas, a veteran menstrual cup user and menstrual disc expert, has hand selected brands and products that she knows will cover the range of needs shoppers have. Kim has tried more than 35 cup brands, no small feat with one cycle a month, and has a deep understanding of the products and brands.

The trademarked phrase/brand represents the experience of finding the perfect period product that doesn’t leak and is entirely comfortable. That is our goal for our customer and what we built a brand and business on.

PeriodNirvana.com is you will find educational articles and video content on all things reusable menstrual products. 

Shop.PeriodNirvana.com is our online retail arm that supports our online and in person education. Purchases made online are vital to helping us continue that work.

Period Nirvana AVL is our physical brick and mortar menstrual cycle wellness store in Asheville, NC that combines our educational work online and our retail store into one period care destination.

We have a physical brick and mortar store located in West Asheville, NC. 

315 Haywood Rd Suite 113

Asheville NC 28806

Alongside reusable period care products, you will find select organic disposable products, postpartum care items, period pain relief products, teas, educational books, jewelry, greeting cards, period product cleaning and care items, stickers, pins, and gifts/accessories.

Find more information about our store and location by visiting our Period Nirvana AVL landing page. There is also a store specific FAQ for anyone planning a visit on that page.

Any and all menstrual products are covered which include tampons, pads, menstrual cups, menstrual discs, period underwear, sponges, pads, reusable cloth pads, liners, cup washes, etc.

You can check out using your HSA debit card on Period Nirvana - as long as you have funds on your card your payment will process. Input your HSA card numbers as you would any other credit card at checkout.

Flex Pay is a payment processor and service we provide for people using HSA or FSA funds. You do not have to use Flex Pay to checkout using an HSA card on our website, but if you have a mixed cart of items that are eligible and items that are not (example: books are not HSA eligible but tampons are) you can choose the Flex Pay option. This will split your checkout experience into two - one for eligible items to pay using an HSA card, and non-eligible items go on your debit or credit card.

That’s ok - email us orders@periodnirvana.com and we can provide a detailed receipt for reimbursement.

Yes - Flex Pay will work with a regular credit card. If you use Flex Pay a detailed receipt for reimbursement will be emailed to you for your records. 

If you don't have your card handy or prefer not to use it you can use your Paypal or credit card to pay at checkout. Save your email receipt and file for reimbursement of your purchase with your HSA or FSA provider directly. Many of the customer representatives approving reimbursements are completely unaware that menstrual products now qualify. You will want to inform your representative to look in section 3702 of the CARES Act.

We ship within 2-3 business days except during peak holiday season when processing times may be longer. Our team's business days are Tuesday-Saturday. Any orders received on Saturday after our shipping window will be packed and ship on Tuesday morning.

Coupon codes must be applied at the time of checkout. We cannot provide partial refunds.

We currently only ship to the US from our warehouse in North Carolina..

You will receive a tracking number and progress updates via email once your order has shipped. 

We check before shipping orders for any last minute cancellations or requests. If you email us within the hour your order is placed we should have enough time to honor any adjustments or cancellations. If your request is submitted after shipment, orders en route cannot be adjusted or re-routed or changed. 

Email orders@PeriodNirvana.com for any issues or submit a contact form.

Please include the following in your email:

• PS- order from your confirmation email
• The issue (wrong item, wrong address, wrong payment used, need to cancel)
• The solution (remove item, correct mailing address, etc)

Due to the nature of our product we are unable to accept returns or issue refunds. All sales are final including on unopened items. Please see our full Return/Refund/Exchange page for details.

If you purchase an item suggested by our quiz and it’s not a good fit we can offer a 50% store credit towards another item and work with you to troubleshoot your next purchase. Certain brands we carry, such as Saalt Wear, provide their own guarantees and exchange programs.

Orders are shipped in either plain cardboard boxes, logo boxes with a non-discript white P logo only, or plain mailers. The shipping label says shipped from “P. Nirvana” and there are no hints about the contents of your package. 

Period Nirvana directs our donations to a local period pantry located in Asheville, NC. At this time, we are not able to support any additional agencies or charities.

Period Nirvana directs our donations locally to Asheville Period Pantry. At this time, we are not able to support any additional agencies or charities.

We cannot provide samples. There are several wonderful period non-profits and many of them have reusable items to distribute. Look for a local period charity or visit period.org