Flex Reusable Disc Review: A Hands-On Look at This Menstrual Disc

Quick Verdict

Two months ago, I was still using the same supermarket-brand tampons I'd relied on since college. Now I'm three cycles into testing the Flex Reusable Disc and the shift has been — I'll just say it — genuinely surprising. The disc holds 70mL (that's 6 super tampons), sits in a spot where you literally can't feel it, and the medical-grade silicone construction means zero interference with your vaginal pH. Is it perfect? No. The learning curve is real and insertion still feels slightly awkward on heavy days. But for anyone tired of tampon strings, pad chafing, or single-use waste, this period disc earns a solid recommendation. I'd rate it 4.3 out of 5.

What Is the Flex Reusable Disc?

The Flex Reusable Disc is a bell-shaped period product made from medical-grade silicone that sits in the vaginal fornix — the space just beneath your cervix — rather than the vaginal canal itself. Unlike tampons, which absorb fluid, or cups, which create suction against your canal walls, a disc collects menstrual flow and uses a firm rim to seal against the fornix. The result? No suction, no dryness, and critically, no awareness that it's there once it's properly seated.

The disc comes in a single size (Flex argues that one size fits most people with reasonable accuracy) and includes a carrying pouch plus two complimentary disposable discs — a nice touch if you want to try the concept before fully committing to reusables. The company was founded in 2014 with a focus on body-safe, sustainable period alternatives, and the Reusable Disc represents their entry into the longer-lasting end of the market.

Key Features

• Medical-grade silicone construction — BPA-free, phthalate-free, no natural rubber latex
• 70mL capacity (equivalent to 6 super tampons) for up to 12 hours of wear
• Patented rim notch for easier insertion, non-slip rim for controlled removal
• Sits in the vaginal fornix — not the canal — so it's virtually unnoticeable when worn
• Firm rim seals against the fornix to prevent leaks and contain odors
• 100% reusable; lasts years with proper care
• Includes carrying pouch and 2 free disposable discs
• FDA-registered Class II medical device

Hands-On Review

Let me be honest: my first attempt was a mess. I watched two YouTube tutorials, folded the disc exactly as instructed, angled toward my tailbone — and still ended up with it seated wrong, leaking within an hour. I almost put the whole thing in a drawer and went back to my tampons. But on day two of my first cycle with the disc, something clicked. I angled differently, made sure the back rim tucked fully behind my cervix, and felt that subtle "pop" of the seal seating correctly. After that? Game on.

By my second cycle, insertion and removal were routine. The patented notch Flex includes on the rim genuinely helps — it gives your finger something to grip during insertion and makes the initial squeeze-and-fold feel more controlled. Removal requires bearing down slightly (like you're pushing out a tampon, but more deliberately) and then hooking a finger under the rim. On medium-flow days, I emptied it twice: once around noon, once before bed. On my heaviest day, I checked at the 8-hour mark and it was about 70% full. That's genuinely impressive.

What surprised me most was the comfort factor. I've used menstrual cups before and found them fine but occasionally noticeable — a faint pressure, especially when sitting for long periods. The Flex Reusable Disc? Completely different experience. Once seated, I had zero awareness of it. I wore it through a spin class, a 5-mile hike, and two consecutive overnight sleeps. No leaks. No odor. No irritation. The firm rim does its job without creating that suction feeling that some cups produce.

There are two caveats I'll name. First, removal takes a bit of mental adjustment — you're scooping fluid out of a bell-shaped silicone cup over an open toilet. It's messier than a tampon and requires a willingness to get your hands involved. Second, on the very first day of my period when my cervix was still high, I struggled to get the seal right. If you have a naturally low cervix, this disc may not sit comfortably for you — more on that in the next section.

Who Should Buy It?

The Flex Reusable Disc is a strong choice if you:

• Are looking to cut down on single-use period products and want something that lasts for years rather than hours
• Find tampons drying or uncomfortable, or deal with tampon-induced cramping (the disc's fornix placement avoids the vaginal canal entirely)
• Have an active lifestyle — the disc stays secure during swimming, running, cycling, and strength training
• Experience heavy periods and need high-capacity options; the 70mL capacity genuinely handles heavy days without mid-day changes

Skip this if you have a low or very tilted cervix — the disc may not seal properly or could be uncomfortable to remove. Also skip it if you're not comfortable with internal menstrual management: the disc requires hand-washing between uses and manual emptying, which isn't everyone's routine. And if you're squeamish about blood exposure, the learning curve with removal might not be worth the transition.

Alternatives Worth Considering

If the Flex Reusable Disc doesn't feel like the right fit, here are two alternatives worth researching:

• Nixit Menstrual Disc — Made from the same medical-grade silicone and marketed as one of the most comfortable discs on the market. Some users with low cervixes prefer Nixit's softer rim. It's slightly pricier but often cited for its ease of removal.
• Merula Cup — If you're leaning more toward a menstrual cup than a disc, Merula's XL model holds 38mL (less than Flex) but has a shorter, more compact body that some people with a low or medium cervix find easier to seat correctly.

FAQ

Final Verdict

The Flex Reusable Disc won me over with two things that actually matter in daily life: comfort and capacity. Once you get past the initial learning curve — which, to be fair, took me a full cycle and a half — wearing it becomes genuinely unremarkable in the best possible way. You forget it's there. Heavy days are handled. Overnight is stress-free. And the math on long-term savings is hard to argue with: one disc replacing years of boxes of tampons or pads.

It's not a perfect product. The removal process requires a comfort level with menstrual fluid that some people simply won't have, and those with anatomical variations like a low cervix should try a sample disc first or look at alternatives. But for the majority of users looking to make a sustainable, body-safe switch, the Flex Reusable Disc delivers on its promises. I'd recommend it — with the caveat that patience during the learning curve pays off.