Can Yeast Grow on Your Menstrual Cup or Disc? Here’s What to Know + How to Keep It Clean
Yes—and here's why.
Candida albicans, the yeast behind most yeast infections, loves warm, moist environments. If you use a menstrual cup or disc during a yeast infection, yeast can cling to the surface. Without proper cleaning, it can stick around and cause recurring infections.
If you've been wondering, “Can yeast live on my menstrual cup?”—the answer is yes. But with proper menstrual cup hygiene and care, it’s totally preventable.
Improperly cleaned cups or discs may contribute to recurring yeast infections, especially if yeast is not fully removed between cycles.
How to Prevent Yeast on Your Menstrual Cup or Disc
To prevent yeast from growing on your reusable menstrual product, here are 5 must-dos:
1. Clean After Every Use
Use a pH-balanced, fragrance-free wash like:
These are specially formulated for menstrual cups and gentle enough for daily use.
2. Use Feminine Wipes on the Go
For quick clean-ups when you’re away from home, grab a pack of Pixie Feminine Wipes.
3. Sanitize Between Cycles
Boiling is a tried-and-true method to sanitize menstrual cups and discs, but Pixie makes it easier with:
- Pixie Sophie Steamer: A powerful menstrual cup steamer that kills yeast and bacteria in minutes, no stove required.
- Pixie Ginny Sanitizer: Boils water for you at the push of a button.
Whether you use the Sophie Steamer or Ginny Sanitizer, both function as a powerful cup sanitizer for yeast, using high heat to eliminate harmful pathogens safely and efficiently.
4. Dry Completely Before Storage
Yeast thrives in damp conditions. After cleaning or steaming, let your cup air dry fully before storing it.
5. Store in a Breathable Bag
Always store your cup or disc in a cotton pouch—like the one that comes with your Pixie Cup—to prevent trapped moisture.
Menstrual Cup Cleaning Routine: Step-by-Step Deep Clean
If you’ve had a yeast infection and used your cup or disc during it, it’s critical to deep clean and sanitize your product before using it again.
Here’s how to clean a menstrual cup after a yeast infection:
Step 1: Wash Thoroughly
Use the Pixie Gel Wash or Foam Wash with warm water.
Step 2: Optional Hydrogen Peroxide Soak
Soak in a solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide + water (1:1 ratio) for 30 minutes to break down any stubborn yeast.
Step 3: Sanitize Thoroughly
Steam using the Pixie Sophie Steamer or boil with the Pixie Ginny Sanitizer. This ensures yeast, bacteria, and other pathogens are killed completely.
Both the Sophie Steamer and Ginny Sanitizer use high-temperature to deeply sanitize your cup or disc, making them ideal for preventing and eliminating yeast without harsh chemicals.
Step 4: Mist for Extra Freshness
Use Pixie Sanitizing Mist to give your cup or disc a quick disinfecting spritz between uses.
Step 5: Air Dry + Store
Let your cup dry completely before placing it in a breathable storage bag.
Keep It Clean with Pixie Essentials
Ready to level up your cup care? Our Pixie Cleaning Essentials include everything you need to keep your cup or disc clean, sanitized, and protected from yeast and bacteria:
- Pixie Sophie Steamer
- Pixie Ginny Sanitizer
- Pixie Gel Wash
- Pixie Foam Wash
- Pixie Wipes
- Pixie Sanitizing Mist
👉 Explore the full collection here:
Pixie Cleaning Essentials
Clean cup. Clear mind. Happy period. 💛
—The Pixie Team
Sources
- Healthline. (n.d.). How to Clean a Menstrual Cup Properly. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-clean-menstrual-cup
- Healthline. (n.d.). Are Menstrual Cups Dangerous? What to Know. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/menstrual-cup-dangers
- OVIO Collection. (n.d.). Menstrual Cup and Yeast Infection. Retrieved from https://www.ovio-collection.com/blogs/ovio-blog/menstrual-cup-and-yeast-infection
- Proactive For Her. (n.d.). How to Clean Your Menstrual Cup: Easy & Safe Steps. Retrieved from https://proactiveforher.com/blogs/menstrual-health/how-to-clean-your-menstrual-cup-easy-safe-steps
- Premier Women’s Health. (n.d.). 3 Potential Risks of Menstrual Cups. Retrieved from https://premierwomenshealthmn.com/3-potential-risksnbspof-menstrual-cups
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). (2022). Assessment Scheme for the Safety of Menstrual Cups. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9664401
- Pixie Cup. (n.d.). How to Sterilize Your Menstrual Cup. Retrieved from https://pixiecup.shop/blogs/blog/how-to-sterilize-your-menstrual-cup