Four years and two sizes into using the AllMatters cup (formerly OrganiCup), our verdict is mixed: it is comfortable once you have found the right size and seal, and it has kept us out of hundreds of disposable pads and tampons. But it has never been fully leak-proof for us on heavier days, so it no longer travels alone in our bag.
Here is the honest verdict: how sizing and the seal actually work, what a full cycle of wear feels like, the cleaning and travel routine, where it falls short on heavy days, and how it compares with pads, tampons and period underwear.
The verdict in full
The AllMatters Menstrual Cup (formerly OrganiCup) earns 2.5 out of 5 from us. It is comfortable and reliable once the seal is right, but not leak-proof enough to trust alone on heavy days, so it lands as a “consider” rather than a clear yes. It suits lighter days, or days when you are happy to pair it with a backup pad; skip it if you need full protection on heavy days without a backup.
Farah has used this cup on and off for four years, sizing down from a Size A cup to the smaller Mini partway through. Four years on, reusable pads are what she reaches for first, but the cup still comes out for lighter days and swimming, where a pad is less convenient.
How we tested it
Living with the AllMatters cup
Getting the size and fold right
We started with the Size A cup, the size recommended for anyone who has not given birth, but found it only ever partially opened once inserted. Switching to the smaller Mini (5.5cm long against Size A’s 7cm, and 3.5cm across against 4cm) solved that. It is worth budgeting for the chance you will need to size down or up; AllMatters’ 90-day satisfaction guarantee covers exactly this, so a wrong first size is not money wasted.
There is no single right fold, and which one works best comes down to your own anatomy. Here are the three we and the video below cover, with the one we actually settled on first.
Pinch the rim so the cup folds down to a narrow tip that widens out toward the base. It is the fold we settled on: the narrow tip makes insertion easier, and the wider base helps the cup pop open fully and seal once it’s in.
The classic first fold most people learn: fold the cup in half so the rim meets itself, like closing a book. It’s a slightly wider fold than punch-down, so it can need a touch more room to insert. We cover it in the video below alongside the other two.
Folded down into a triangle shape, sometimes called the 7-fold. Worth trying if punch-down feels too narrow or C-fold too wide for you. The video below shows the technique for this one too.
Whichever fold you try, insertion gets easier fast: on our first cycle it took about five minutes to get a confident seal, and within a couple of cycles it was routine. The video below is our reference for all three folds.
Wearing it through a full cycle
Once the seal is right, comfort has never been the issue. AllMatters rates the cup for up to 12 hours of wear between empties, and when it is properly sealed we genuinely forget it is there. Checking the seal takes seconds: rotate the base a couple of times after insertion, then give the stem a gentle pull; a little resistance means it has sealed.
Cleaning, sterilising and travel
Sterilising is non-negotiable: boil the cup for three to five minutes before your first use of a cycle and again after your last, never more than ten minutes, and keep turning it in the water since it tends to float. Away from a kettle, we lean on OrganiWipes to wipe it down between empties, and OrganiWash for a mild wash that does not need boiling water. This is the part of the routine that has worn thin for us: sterilising every cycle and finding somewhere private to empty and rinse it while travelling is more friction than a pad ever asks for.
What to know before you buy
This is where our rating drops: on heavier days the cup has never been completely leak-proof for us, so we pair it with a reusable pad as backup rather than relying on it alone. The silicone also stains and takes on a yellowish tint over time from contact with the iron in blood; that is a normal property of medical-grade silicone rather than a fault, but worth knowing before you buy.
Materials and sustainability
The cup is 100% medical-grade silicone, free from bleach, glue, chlorine and perfume, certified allergen-free by Allergy UK and registered with the Vegan Society. Packaging is fully recyclable cardboard with the instructions printed directly on the box rather than a separate paper insert, and it comes with a small organic cotton pouch to store the cup in between cycles. AllMatters, as OrganiCup, has also donated tens of thousands of cups through NGO partnerships aimed at tackling period poverty.
How it compares
A menstrual cup is not trying to be the easiest option in the bathroom cabinet, and on heavy days it has not been the most reliable one for us either. If you want the lowest ongoing waste and cost, the cup wins clearly; if you want the simplest, most reliable protection on your heaviest days, pads or tampons are still hard to beat. Here is how the three compare on what we actually care about.
Price band: £ = budget, ££ = mid, £££ = premium. Ratings are from our own four years of regular use of the AllMatters cup and widely reported experience for the comparison products.
The pros and cons in depth
What we liked
- Good size selection. There are two sizes, A and Mini, and if the first one is not right, AllMatters’ satisfaction guarantee lets you swap without wasting the money; we needed the swap ourselves.
- Made from high-quality material. It is 100% medical-grade silicone, free from bleach, glue, chlorine and perfume, allergen-certified by Allergy UK and registered with the Vegan Society.
- Satisfaction guarantee. You can request a size change or a full refund for up to 90 days after buying the cup, and 60 days on the period underwear.
- Sustainable packaging. The box is recyclable cardboard with the instructions printed directly on it rather than an extra paper insert, and it comes with a small organic cotton pouch to store the cup in.
What we didn’t
- Limited colour options. The cup comes in a small range of colours, so if you want more choice there is not a great deal beyond the standard options.
- Stains over time. After enough cycles the silicone takes on a yellowish tint from contact with the iron in blood; it is a normal property of medical-grade silicone, not a fault, but it does not stay looking new.
A closer look
A few more details from four years of use: the cup next to its recyclable packaging, and the pouch it lives in between cycles.
AllMatters (OrganiCup) FAQ
Can teenagers use a menstrual cup?
Yes. There is no age limit, and you can use one as soon as your cycle starts. The Mini is the smallest cup in the range and is a sensible starting point for teenagers or anyone new to cups.
How long do you need to boil a menstrual cup for?
Three to five minutes, and never more than ten. Keep an eye on it and turn it a couple of times as it boils, since it tends to float and needs all sides submerged to sterilise properly.
Can you swim or exercise with a menstrual cup in?
Yes. Internally worn period products like cups and tampons are fine for swimming, bathing, saunas and scuba diving. This is one of the situations where we would reach for the cup over a pad.
Does a menstrual cup hurt to wear?
Not when it is worn correctly. Insertion can feel awkward the first few times, and a little lubricant around the rim helps. Trying different folds also makes a difference; see our video above for the three we recommend for beginners.
Why did OrganiCup change its name to AllMatters?
OrganiCup rebranded to AllMatters in 2021 when it widened its range beyond the original cup to other reusable period products, including period underwear.
Is the AllMatters cup leak-proof on heavy days?
Honestly, not completely, at least not for us. On lighter days it has never let us down, but on heavier ones we pair it with a reusable pad as backup rather than trust the cup alone.
What size should I start with?
Size A is AllMatters’ recommendation if you have not given birth, with the Mini as the smaller alternative. It is not an exact science: we started with Size A and moved to the Mini, and the 90-day satisfaction guarantee exists precisely so you can size down or up if the first one is not right.
How this work is funded
We buy every product ourselves and test it at home. No sponsored tests, no pay-to-rate schemes, no display advertising. We may earn a small commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.