Since I started my period, I’ve been using pads and tampons, but I’ve always hated them because they’re gross and expensive and uncomfortable. I stumbled upon an article this summer about menstrual cups and I went into a frenzy with research (because that’s what I do), and I finally decided to try one out. For those of you who don’t know what a menstrual cup is, like me 2 months ago, it’s a silicone cup that you place in your vagina when you’re on your period as an alternative to tampons or pads. It might sound weird at first because it’s not the mainstream period solution, but once I tried it I will never go back.
Here’s some reasons you should switch over to a menstrual cup:
They’re less expensive than tampons or pads
My menstrual cup cost $26 on Amazon and it can be used for up to a year. I used to spend approximately $10 a month on tampons/pads so using a menstrual cup will save me $100. Let’s be real ladies it’s such a hassle to have to buy products every month to deal with mother nature.
They’re less time consuming
A menstrual cup only has to be changed once every 12 hours. Contrary to popular belief, you really only bleed 30-60 ml of blood every cycle. The Diva Cup, a popular menstrual cup brand, holds 30 ml. THINK OF ALL THE TIME YOU’LL SAVE NOT HAVING TO CHANGE YOUR TAMPON EVERY 3 HOURS.
They’re leak free
Tampons leak, pads leak, menstrual cups won’t leak. I’m paranoid about tampons so I would always wear a tampon and a panty liner just to be safe, but the way menstrual cups work is they suction cup to your form so they fit every shape! Mine has never leaked and it isn’t hard to put in or take out. Menstrual cups are so nice because you don’t have to worry about them except for in the morning and at night before you go to bed.
They’re less gross
Okay, let’s be real ladies. Sometimes periods smell. If you don’t believe me, why would they make perfumed tampons if they didn’t? The fun fact is that it only smells when it’s oxidized and since the menstrual cup is firmly inside you- no scent. I generally feel cleaner when I’m on my period since I switched to using a menstrual cup.
They’re environmentally friendly
Tampons take something like 300 years to decompose, whereas pads will never decompose so think about how many pads or tampons you have used in your life and how that effects the world we live in. I try (emphasis on “try”) to be as environmentally friendly as possible so when I heard this fact and that I could switch to something reusable it was a no brainer.
The fact is that not all women’s bodies are different so do whatever makes you comfortable with your body, but in my opinion everyone should try a menstrual cup because it was the best period decision I’ve ever made!