assalamu alikum. is using menstrual allowed? A menstrual cup is a feminine hygiene device that is inserted into the vagina during menstruation. Its purpose is to collect menstrual fluid (blood from uterine lining ) and prevent its leaking onto clothes. Menstrual cups are usually made of flexible medical grade silicone and shaped like a bell with a stem. The stem is used for insertion and removal. The bell-shaped cup seals against the vaginal wall just below the cervix . Every 4–12 hours (depending on the amount of flow), the cup is removed, emptied, rinsed, and reinserted. After each period, the cup should be boiled for at least 5 minutes and stored for use the next month.Unlike tampons and pads , cups collect menstrual fluid rather than absorbing it. One cup is reusable for five years or more. This makes their long-term cost lower than that of disposable tampons or pads, though the initial cost is higher. Menstrual cups are also promoted as more practical and eco-friendly than pads and tampons. Given that the menstrual cup is reusable, its use greatly decreases the amount of waste generated from menstrual cycles, as there is no daily waste and the amount of discarded packaging decreases as well.

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Based on our research, the menstrual cup is a (funnel-shaped) cup that is inserted into the vagina during the menstrual bleeding, and its purpose is to prevent the menstrual blood from staining the clothes. We do not see any impediment to using it as long as it is safe and does not incur any harm. When Hamnah bint Jahsh, may Allaah be pleased with her, complained to the Prophet about her heavy bleeding, he said: “Fill it with cotton.” She said: “It is worse than that; it is flowing copiously.” He said: “Then, wear (a piece of cloth like) a bridle.” [Ahmad and Ibn Maajah] Moreover, Jaabir narrated the story of Asmaa’ bint ‘Umays and her father, in the Farewell Hajj when she gave birth at the Meeqaat (place of assuming Ihraam [ritual consecration]). The Prophet said to her: “Perform Ghusl, wrap a cloth around your private parts, and assume Ihraam.” [Muslim] As-Suyooti said in his book (Haashiyah ‘ala Sunan Ibn Maajah): “‘Fill it with cotton’ means insert the cotton into the inside of the vagina to prevent blood from coming out to the visible part of the vagina… His saying ‘wear a bridle’ means tie a cloth around your private parts and fasten the ends together, and this is what is meant by ‘Istithfaar’, which is stated in another version of the Hadeeth.” [End of quote]

The Arabic term ‘Istithfaar’ means to tie or wrap a piece of cloth around the source of bleeding. This indicates the permissibility of using means to prevent the blood from flowing to the outside. If the use of that cup serves this purpose and there is no fear of any potential harm, then there is nothing wrong with using it.

Allah Knows best.