Our Back To School Survival Kit came with one item that most of are very unfamiliar with: a menstrual cup. This one in particular is The Diva Cup. Many women feel funny about breaking away from typical tampons and pads, but, here are a few things to think about befroe your next period:
A menstrual cup, is a reusable and sterile sanitary product made from medical grade silicon. Although a menstrual cup is worn inside the vagina like a tampon, the menstrual cup collects blood rather than absorbing it. You simply empty it into the toilet or shower drain, rinse/ wash it, and then reinsert. Yes, it requires practice, but once you master using a menstrual cup you’ll never want to go back. As a college girl myself, there are so many benefits to switching to a menstrual cup!
1. You don’t have to change it as often as a tampon (UP TO 8 EXTRA HOURS)
Since menstrual cups are made from medical grade silicon, it can be worn for extended periods of time (up to 12 hours) with no worries about Toxic Shock Syndrome. Leaving a tampon in too long (needs to be changed every 4 to 8 hours), however, can have nasty consequences. Menstrual cups are sure to give you peace of mind and fewer trips to the bathroom throughout the day. Some change theirs once or twice a day (while in the shower) to make for easy removal, privacy, clean-up, and reinsertion. Most menstrual cups can hold 30 ml of fluid, which is about one third of the average menstruation flow. You can buy a cup that matches your flow level (light, medium, or heavy) depending on how often you would want to empty it. Great for athletes too or those who like to sleep in!
2. You’ll save lots of money!
For any broke female college student, this is a huge bonus. Menstrual cups last up to 10 years if properly cared for, meaning this one-time investment (average cup is $30) will save you TONS of money in the long run! Even if you replaced your menstrual cup every year, you would still be saving plenty of moola!!!
3. It won’t interfere with vaginal pH and bacterial balance caused by tampon absorbency and chemicals/bleaches.
Tampons are full of chemicals and bleaches which can interfere with your vaginal environment. In addition, tampons also absorb vaginal moisture which can dry you out and alter the natural pH of your vagina. This, in turn, can leave you prone to bacterial infections. Silicon cups are also great for sensitive skin as they cause no irritation or rashes.
4. Great for the environment
Think of all the waste you’ll save by not using tampon after tampon during your monthly period. Based on the book Flow: The Cultural History of Menstruation, the average woman throws away 250 to 300 pounds of “pads, plugs, and applicators” in her lifetime. Yikes! A menstrual cup is a great alternative for the environmentalist in all of us.
5. Fewer trips to the store and trash room.
Menstrual cups last many years, which means virtually no trips to the feminine care aisle. And let’s admit, no more carrying the remains of your tampons down to your college’s trash room after your period ends!
6. Less menstrual odor and leak.
Because the cup has an air-tight seal, odor cannot escape, unlike with a tampon. That infamous menstrual odor is no match for these cups! Plus that strong seal means that a properly placed cup will save you the horror of a leak!
7. Even athletes love them!
Diva Cup’s website is full of great testimonials from marathon runners to swimmers. Additionally, Caitlin Boyle (founder of Operation Beautiful and a long-time runner) has nothing but praise for menstrual cups since the they can hold plenty of liquid (meaning less bathroom breaks) and also provide a great seal for preventing leaks. Any female college athlete might want to consider the vast benefits of a menstrual cup over the traditional tampon!
8. It’s customized to your body’s needs.
Whether your cervix sits low, you’ve given birth vaginally, or you have a super heavy flow, menstrual cups are designed to suite your specific needs! Find your size and ideal brand by taking the quiz here!