Future of Sex
tagline
  • Remote Sex
  • Virtual Sex & Entertainment
  • Robots
  • Human Augmentation
  • Sex Tech
  • Dating & Relationships
  • Bizarre Bazaar 18+
  • Future of Sex Community
  • Remote Sex
  • Virtual Sex & Entertainment
  • Robots
  • Human Augmentation
  • Sex Tech
  • Dating & Relationships
  • Bizarre Bazaar 18+
  • Future of Sex Community
  • Machinery of Joy: Is AI Already Making Sexwork Obsolete?

  • Tomorrow’s Programmable Matter Sextoys Will Be Everything We Want—Whenever We Want It

  • Men’s Only Club: Does the Synthetic Companion Industry Really Have a Sexism Problem?

  • Red States, Risqué Secrets: Who’s Really Obsessing Over Sex?

  • No Hentai, Please: Japan Prosecutes AI Porn Prompters

  • Out of Sight, Out of Touch? Sweden Moves to Ban Adult Cam Performers

  • Spin Me Right Round: Cupsland’s Twirl Does Everything A Stroker Should—And More

  • We-Vibe Sextech Report: Talk, Grab a Toy, and Enjoy

Future of Sex is supported by our readers. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Home > Sex Tech > Menstrual Disc That Can Be Worn During Sex Receives $1M

Sex Tech
Home›Sex Tech›Menstrual Disc That Can Be Worn During Sex Receives $1M

Menstrual Disc That Can Be Worn During Sex Receives $1M

By M. Christian
September 10, 2016
4163
1

Flex acquires rival Softcup with funds from seed accelerators.
FLEX_8
The Flex Company, on a mission to improve feminine hygiene products, is gaining ground.

The company, which sells Flex, a menstrual aid that can be worn during sex, recently raised $1 million and acquired its rival company, Softcup.

Both companies had manufactured menstrual discs. Superficially resembling a diaphragm, these discs are disposable feminine hygiene cups manufactured out of a medical grade polymer. Unlike traditional tampons or pads which absorb fluid, menstrual discs collect the menstrual flow, needing to be removed, cleaned, and re-inserted every 4 to 12 hours.

Flex advertises itself as being able, through the user’s body heat, to conform to the contours of a vagina and thus create an almost-perfect seal. So perfect, in fact, that it is advertised as allowing woman using it to be able to experience “mess-free sex.”

Better, more comfortable products

Since its debut in 2015, The Flex Company has sold 250 million units. CEO Lauren Schulte told TechCrunch: “Advancements in medical-grade materials that are used inside of the body have finally made a product like FLEX possible. What’s equally important — women are demanding better products. And investors are waking up to the fact that women’s health is not a niche market.”

Part of a fellowship with startup amplifiers Y Combinator and Amplify.LA, the company was able to raise $1 million and subsequently purchase its menstrual disc competitor, Softcup.

Flex is currently available as a single use product,You can buy an eight-pack for $20 ($3.95 shipping/handling), purchase a subscription of 24 Flex cups for $15 a month (free US shipping), or buy an eight-unit monthly subscription, good for one cycle, for $20 a month.

For those interested in trying the Flex, the company also offers a free trial (not including shipping and handling) for one unit, good for 12 hours during a cycle.

Effective and comfortable

Regarding the comfort of the product, Schulte says “…women tell us they forget they’re on their period while they’re wearing it.”

Though men have had a rather uncomfortable relationship with menstruation, that attitude may be changing. Men comprised 25% of the signups for the initial trials so far.

Image source: Flex

M. Christian

M.Christian (they/them) loves nothing better than exploring the intersections of sex and technology—and speculating on the future of both. A highly regarded erotica writer they have six novels,12 collections, 100+ short stories, and 25 anthologies as an editor to their name. Their non-fiction regularly appears in many sites, but they're most proud of being a regular contributor to Future of Sex.

Of their erotic fiction, Tristan Taormino said that “M.Christian is a literary stylist of the highest caliber: smart, funny, frightening, sexy—there's nothing [they] can't write about… and brilliantly.”

Reflecting their unique ability to sympathetically and convincingly write for a range of genders and sexual orientations, their stories have appeared in multiple editions of Best American Erotica, Best Gay Erotica, Best Lesbian Erotica, The Mammoth Books of Erotica, and others. Their collection of gay erotic fiction, Dirty Words, was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award.

While a majority of their stories have been collected into books like Dirty Words, their fondness for combining sex and science fiction is clearly evident in collections that include Rude Mechanicals, Technorotica, Better Than The Real Thing, Skin Effect Effect, Bachelor Machine, and Hard Drive: The Best Sci-Fi Erotica of M.Christian.

As a novelist, M.Christian’s versatility is on full display with Running Dry, The Very Bloody Marys, Brushes, Painted Doll; and the somewhat controversial queer BDSM/horror/thrillers Finger's Breadth, and Me2.

M.Christian has worked on the industry’s production side as an Associate Publisher for Renaissance E Books and as a Publisher for Digital Parchment Services. The latter dedicated to celebrating the works of science-fiction legends such as William Rotsler, Jerome Bixby, Jody Scott, Arthur Byron Cover, Ernest Hogan, and James Van Hise.

Covering topics like BDSM safety, sexual education, senior sexuality concerns, queer and gender issues, plus reviewing a variety of sex tech products, M.Christian’s non-fiction has appeared on sites like Kinkly, Tickle.Life, Sexpert, Queer Majority, Sex for Every Body, and—of course—their ongoing work for Future of Sex.

If there’s anything M.Christian enjoys more than writing, it’s teaching. A featured presenter, sometimes with their friend Ralph Greco Jr, at national sex and BDSM events, they have lectured on kink play (with an emphasis on safety), polyamory, boosting sexual creativity, and erotica writing--for beginners or those wanting to go pro.

M.Christian is a cohost on two popular sex-education podcasts: Love’s Outer Limits with Dr. Amy Marsh and Licking Non-Vanilla with Ralph Greco, Jr.
Previous Article

New Interactive Male Sex Sleeve SayberX Connects ...

Next Article

Robot Sex Writers: Computer-Generated Erotica Is Becoming ...

Related articles More from author

  • roku logo purple
    Sex Tech

    Sex Tech News: Roku to Ban Adult Content, Kegels for Men & Disability Startup Handi Renames After Trademark Dispute with ...

    November 8, 2021
    By Jenna Owsianik
  • Fin is the first sex toy to be featured on the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter.
    Sex Tech

    Introducing Fin: Kickstarter’s First Sex Toy

    November 8, 2016
    By M. Christian
  • A screenshot of NASA astronaut cheering in space station
    Sex Tech

    Sex Tech Is the Key to Comfortable Sex in Space

    October 27, 2021
    By M. Christian
  • Dating & RelationshipsRobotsSex TechVirtual Sex & Entertainment

    Q&A: Sx Tech Co-founder Explains Why It’s a Hot Time for Women in the Industry

    June 26, 2019
    By Future of Sex
  • Equity Fundraising Empowers Communities
    Sex Tech

    How Equity Crowdfunding Campaigns Actually Give Voice to the Community

    December 16, 2022
    By Val Elefante
  • Sex Tech

    Meet Biem: Your App-Based Sexual Health Clinic

    July 25, 2017
    By M. Christian

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • Sex Tech

    There’s a ‘Blackness Gap’ in Sex Tech–Here’s How We Can Fix It

  • Remote Sex

    Stuff Your Stockings: Vibease Releases Christmas-themed Erotica

  • A row of feminine sex robots are shown in this image.
    Robots

    Future of Sex Meetup: The State of Sex Robots

3DXChat
DreamSexWorld offers a stunning XXX 3D world filled with incredibly interactive erotic experiences.
  • TOP REVIEWS

  • Harmony ai sex doll from RealDoll

    State of the Sexbot Market: The World’s Best Sex Robot and AI Sex Doll Companies ...

  • Realistic Sex Games

    Review of the Best Sex Games and Most Realistic Sex Simulators [UPDATED]

    0
  • Screenshot of a sexbot from adult entertainment game

    The Best Adult Games on Steam [UPDATED]

  • Screenshot of FeelConnect app future of interactivity intimacy available on Apple and Google Store

    The Best Sex Game Apps for Couples [UPDATED]

  • Project QT is the most popular RPG sex game at hentai sex game portal Nutaku.

    The Best RPG Sex Games [UPDATED]

Discover the best virtual sex parties and 3D sex worlds.
Share and discuss what the world thinks about our sexual future. Join the Future of Sex Community A blonde and light-skinned love doll face sppears next to the text Go now realdollxthe future is real.

Like Us on Facebook

Virtual Lust is a 3D interactive sex game.

Top Sex Tech Industry News & Insights

  • Sex Tech News Roundup
  • Future of Sex Expert Series
  • Sex Tech Conferences, Adult Expos, Sex Hackathons, and Virtual Event Listings
  • Sex Science Fiction

Follow us

  • Home
  • About
  • ADVERTISE
  • Contribute
  • Story Ideas
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
© 2011 - 2022 Future Exploration Network
This website or its third-party tools use cookies to improve user experience and track affiliate sales. To learn more about why we need to use cookies, please refer to the Privacy Policy.

By clicking the agree button or continuing to browse through the website, you agree to the use of cookies. Accept Privacy Policy
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT