Buying pads and tampons is annoying and tedious. Don’t get me started about the pink tax, either. It’s awkward to put in a tampon, and pads make me chafe. Also, these typical products use up a lot of resources. In my personal menstrual situation, my periods are weird because I have a hormonal IUD, which messes up my period in a way. Because of it, my periods last for about two weeks.
In a fit of rage after realizing I was running low on pads, I ordered a set of two menstrual cups on Amazon. (I stopped using tampons because I was afraid of pulling out my IUD.)
I didn’t want to shell out 30 bucks for the DivaCup, especially when I could get two for half the price. So I got two Dutchess Cups for about fifteen bucks, which is a pretty sweet deal.
Menstrual cups work similar to tampons in that you insert them, but other than that, they are totally different. You have to fold it vertically in order to put it inside. When it’s inside, you just let it go and it should open up. If opens up fully, that means that it’s properly placed. If it doesn’t open up all the way, that means you should adjust it. That’s when the fun actually happens. You have to stick your fingers in and move the cup so that it makes a suction seal around your uterus opening. This sounds confusing, but you’ll get it if you actually try the real thing. Once it’s in, you’re all done.
What are the benefits of a menstrual cup?
Well, first off, you save a lot of money over time by not having to constantly buy products from the store. These cups last about fifteen years, depending on usage.
Another benefit is that it’s more environmentally friendly than other menstrual products. It doesn’t use up resources like pads and tampons, and like I said before, it can potentially last for fifteen years (of course, you wash it). That means less bloody trash from your period is being put in a landfill.
Probably my favorite benefit is that you can’t feel the cup at all. I can go about my day, avoiding chafing, and not have to worry about pad placement. It’s great.
What are the downsides to having a menstrual cup?
One downside that I immediately think of is the awkward situation that arises when you have to dump the blood out of the cup in a public place. The heavier your flow, the more often you have to dump the blood. When I go to the bathroom, I try to get a stall with a sink so that I don’t have to walk out with blood all over my hands. AWKWARD. Also, the second day I had it, I pulled it out wrong and it landed in my toilet. It was early morning, so tired Sophia didn’t think twice and reached into the toilet to grab it. Gross.
Another downside is the amount of care you have to put into maintaining your cup. You have to sterilize it before and after your period by putting it in boiling water and then putting it in an appropriate container. I know that some people might forget this.
Did I mention how many times a day you have to empty your cup? Depending on your flow, you have to change it about two to five times a day — otherwise, it overflows. So in that aspect, it’s like a tampon.
Overall Reaction
I regret not having a menstrual cup earlier. I can’t believe I wasted so many pads and tampons when I could have used a cup. I highly recommend to anyone that wants to save money. A one-time purchase is so worth it, and it’s more money in your pocket. Menstrual cups are the move for periods.