nixit Menstrual Disc Review: Is Canada’s Reusable Disc Worth It?
I bought the nixit disc and cleanser myself and had been using them for 2 cycles before nixit reached out. They’ve since sent me additional products at no cost. The Canadian Edit is a nixit affiliate, so we may earn a commission if you buy through our links or use our code. As always, our opinions are our own.
I’ve used tampons for basically my entire menstruating life. I like that they are convenient, comfortable, and easy to bring along in my handbag, but I didn’t love the waste they create, or the idea of putting bleach-soaked cotton into my body. I kept hearing about nixit, a Toronto brand making a reusable, one-size menstrual disc, and finally became curious enough to spend $54 to find out what it was actually like.
The quick verdict
Love it. Tampons are no longer my go-to period care item.
Best for: Tampon users who want to stop buying disposables, and anyone with long days (travel, work, kids) who doesn’t want to think about their period every few hours.
Skip it if: You’re uncomfortable with blood, or the idea of boiling something you’ve worn makes you want to close this tab.
Price: $54 CAD for one disc, $81 CAD for two. Lasts up to five years.
Where to buy: nixit’s official website: nixit.ca. Use code THECANADIANEDIT15 for 15% off.
What I liked
– Comfortable enough to forget it’s there
– No leaks, even on long, active days
– Can be used overnight
– Easy to use once you’ve had some practice
– Reusable, so fewer tampons to buy and toss
What I didn’t like
– Takes some practice to insert and to trust the fit
– No tab or loop, so the rim is hard to grip during removal
– Removal is messy, with a little discomfort
– Sanitizing means boiling it for five minutes between cycles
Made in Canada
What is nixit?
nixit is a Toronto-based period care brand founded by Rachael Newton. The signature product is a reusable menstrual disc that’s made in Canada, not just designed here. It’s made from ultra-soft, medical-grade silicone, and the brand has since grown to include a disc cleanser and wipes, a personal wash, and a sexual wellness line with condoms and lube.
A few things set nixit apart from other reusable options. It’s available in one size, which means you don’t need to pick between two or three sizes based on your age and whether you’ve given birth. It’s also authorized for sale by Health Canada and registered with the FDA.
Menstrual disc vs. menstrual cup
If you’ve never used a disc, it’s a shallow, flexible bowl. A traditional cup is bell-shaped, sits lower in the vaginal canal, and stays put with suction, which is why cups often come in multiple sizes and need a seal broken before removal. nixit sits further back than a cup, at the base of the cervix, and is held in place by your public bone.
That difference has a few practical upsides. Discs generally hold more, there’s no seal to break when you remove them, and because a disc doesn’t block the vaginal canal, you can have penetrative sex while wearing one. The tradeoff is that removal can be messier, since there’s no stem and you’re pulling out a wide, open disc. Additionally, Cups can sometime cause issues with IUDs, but because the nixit doesn’t rely on suction, it’s IUD-friendly.
How I tested nixit
I’ve used the nixit disc for four cycles (so far!). My flow is light to medium, so I can speak to comfort, ease of use, and everyday leak protection, but I haven’t tested it on a heavy flow. My very first time wearing it was on a trip to Athens, which turned out to be a real stress test (more on that below). I’ve also worn it overnight with no leaks.
Insertion and removal
Insertion was easier than I expected. You pinch the disc in half (it’s soft enough that this takes no effort, and it’s barely larger than a tampon with an applicator), guide it back, then tuck the front rim up into the little nook behind your pubic bone. That’s what holds it securely in place. If you’ve used a tampon, it’ll feel familiar.
The tricky part is knowing you’ve done it right. There’s no click or obvious signal, so the first time, I genuinely wasn’t sure. Finding that spot and trusting it took a bit of practice, but once I felt confident with my insertion, it became second nature.
Removal is the honest downside. You hook the tip of your finger over the front rim and ease the disc out, keeping it as level as you can. It comes out mostly flat, which means you’re holding a shallow bowl of blood. If you’re expecting the tidiness of a tampon string, recalibrate. I’ve only ever removed it in the shower or over the toilet, which makes clean-up much easier.
I also noticed a slight uncomfortable feeling on the way out, which surprised me given that “suction-free” is right there in the marketing. My read is that the disc doesn’t use suction to stay in place, but your body still doesn’t love having something pulled out of it. It’s a second or two of mild discomfort, not pain, and not a dealbreaker.
Comfort, fit, and leaks
I first wore the disc during an international trip to Greece. My period started on day three of the trip, and while I had been expecting it and had packed the disc, I realized I’d forgotten to pack any backup tampons. So the disc got a proper stress test right out of the gate: hours on my feet in the heat, cobblestones, museum stairs, and shopping. It held. I check it periodically, but it didn’t leak, and other than that I didn’t think about it until I got back that evening.
Four cycles in, and I’m still using it. Once the nixit is in place, I can’t feel it at all, which is honestly the biggest selling point for me. I haven’t had a single leak, whether I was walking all day or wearing it overnight. The only adjustment was mental: it took a cycle or two before I fully trusted the fit.
Cleaning and care (with the nixit Cleanser)
This is where you’ll find out if a disc is for you. Between wears, you’ll need to wash it at least every 12 hours. Between cycles, you sanitize it by boiling it in water for at least five minutes.
I found the boiling genuinely strange the first time. There’s something about seeing a menstrual product bobbing in a saucepan on your stove that your brain has to get over. It’s silicone, it’s clean, it’s fine. It’s also the one part of the routine I still find a bit of a hassle. My workaround: I thrifted an old pot just for the disc, since I didn’t love the idea of sharing it with the pots I cook in for my family (no judgement if you’re ok with it yourself!).
On the go, it’s easier than I expected. I purchased the nixit Cleanser, which is a foaming, pH-balanced wash that’s fragrance-free, plant-based, and free of parabens and sulphates. I used it in Athens at my hotel, and it gave me peace of mind when I wasn’t sure what soap I’d have access to and didn’t want to risk anything that might throw off my pH. At home, regular soap has worked fine for me. If you’re prone to irritation or have a more sensitive balance, the cleanser is worth having on hand. If not, it’s a nice extra rather than a must. nixit also makes single-use wipes for cleaning your disc when there’s no sink at all. I do wish I had a couple of these tucked into my bag when I first started using the disc.
Is nixit worth the price?
At $54, the nixit costs more upfront than a box of tampons, and it’s on the higher end for reusable discs. It comes with a small carry bag which is convenient for bringing the disc along with you if you’re expecting your period to start.
Let’s do some math: if you buy a box of tampons roughly every cycle (let’s assume $7/pack), you’ll spend more than $54 in a year without much trouble. nixit says the disc lasts up to five years, which works out to less than a dollar per period. Even if you replace it early, it pays for itself, and that’s before you count the hundreds of tampons that don’t end up in a landfill.
If you want a backup for your bag or suitcase, the two-pack ($81) saves you about $27. The cleanser runs $17, and there’s a cycle essentials bundle with the disc, cleanser and wipes if you want everything at once. With code THECANADIANEDIT15, a single disc comes down to about $46.
Who nixit is (and isn’t) for
It’s a great fit if you:
– Are a tampon lifer who’s ready to stop buying disposables
– Have tried cups and found the sizing or suction frustrating
– Want long wear time for travel, workdays, or overnight
– Want the option of mess-free period sex
– Like supporting Canadian-made products
Skip it if:
If you don’t want to deal with the cleaning, this isn’t your product. Tampons and pads are disposable for a reason: you never have to look at anything twice. With a disc, you’re rinsing, boiling, and storing something you’ll use for years. It’s a small routine, but it is a routine.
And if blood grosses you out, removal will be a hurdle. There’s no tidy version of it. Some people get used to this quickly; some people don’t want to.
Where to buy nixit in Canada
You can order directly from nixit.ca, which offers free shipping on orders over $75 and ships within one to two business days. Code THECANADIANEDIT15 gets you 15% off on both the Canadian (.ca) and international (.com) sites. The cleanser is also available at Well.ca.
Made in Canada
Our final word on nixit
I went into this curious and mildly skeptical, and I came out of it with a product I love and I’ll actually keep using. Not just because it’s Canadian, and not just because it’s sustainable (though both are nice bonuses), but because it works. Twelve hours, no leaks, no thinking about it. Removal and cleaning are the tradeoffs, and for me they’re easily worth it.
I’m not anti-disposable. Canada has some great menstrual care brands making cotton products more sustainably, and there are still situations where I reach for them. But I’m trying to cut down on the waste I create each month, and a reusable disc that lasts for years is one of the simplest ways to do that.
If you’ve been tampon-loyal by default rather than by choice, Nixit is the one I’d tell you to try first.
Shop this review
Made in Canada
Shop nixit and get 15% off with code THECANADIANEDIT15.
nixit menstrual disc FAQs
Is the nixit a menstrual cup or a menstrual disc?
It’s a disc. It’s flat and round, sits at the base of the cervix, and doesn’t use suction. nixit sometimes calls it a cup, but it works like a disc.
Can you have sex with a nixit in?
Yes. Because the disc sits above the vaginal canal, penetrative sex is possible while you’re wearing it, which is one of nixit’s main selling points.
Can you wear the nixit overnight?
Yes. It’s designed for up to 12 hours of wear, and I’ve worn it overnight with no leaks.
Can you use the nixit with an IUD?
nixit says the disc is suitable for IUD users because it’s suction-free, but recommends checking with your doctor first about your specific IUD.
Does the nixit work for heavy periods?
It holds up to 70 mL, which is about four super-plus tampons’ worth, so it’s designed to handle heavy flows. I have a light to medium flow, so I haven’t tested this myself.
How long does a nixit last?
Up to five years with proper care.
How do you clean the nixit?
Wash it at least every 12 hours with water and a mild soap, the nixit Cleanser, or the wipes. Between cycles, sterilize it by boiling it in plenty of water for at least five minutes.
Why does the nixit empty when I’m on the toilet?
That’s called autodumping, and it’s normal. Relaxing on the toilet can cause the disc to release some fluid. If it leaks while you’re up and moving, it may not be positioned correctly.
Does the nixit have a pull tab?
No. It’s stem-free, so you remove it by hooking a finger over the front rim.
