If you have a period, then you know what a hassle it can be.
Some months, everything just seems to go wrong. You start early, you’re totally unprepared, and you don’t have enough time or money to go buy tampons.
You scavenge through the depths of your purse. Through the nooks and crannies of your backpack. Under your bed. In your closet. Any place that you can think of and– finally! You find one: a tampon!
Trust me, I know the struggle of being unprepared for a period. It happens every single month, but somehow it always catches me by surprise. Fortunately, I no longer have to perform this frantic search for a tampon or– as a last resort– a pad!
Last Winter, I was introduced to something called a menstrual cup, and it completely changed my period game. Here are 9 pros and cons for purchasing and using a menstrual cup!
Pros:
1. Sustainability
Let’s save the planet one cup at a time! In reality, menstrual products make up a miniscule amount of the trash that litters our planet, but menstrual cups are still an eco-friendly alternative to traditional menstrual products. Personally, I enjoy incorporating as many eco-friendly alternatives in my life, as possible.
2. Saves money in the long run
If you’re like me, then you will take one look at the price of a menstrual cup and move right on to the tampons and pads. I get it. Most menstrual cups range between $30-$50. While this seems like a lot of money, it’s actually a smart investment. You spend around $10-$20 on traditional menstrual products, in a month, which means that, in a year, you are likely to spend around $120-$240 just on your period. A typical menstrual cup lasts several years, so you may spend $50 up front, but you save hundreds of dollars, in the long run!
3. Convenient
Not only does a menstrual cup save you money, but it also saves you time! Your typical medium-flow tampon needs to be changed every 6 hours to avoid the dreaded TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome), and depending on your flow, you may have to change every couple of hours. On the other hand, a menstrual cup only needs to be changed every 12 hours! Whether you’re having a heavy day or a light day, your cup is there to stay (for 12 hours at least)!
And if your period sneaks up on you, you’ll never be unprepared! There’s no need to run to the store to buy a box of tampons because your menstrual cup will be right on hand.
4. Comfortable
Before I used a menstrual cup, I was a strict tampon-person. I would do anything to avoid wearing a pad. Pads are incredibly bulky and irritating. Say goodbye to tight-fitting pants or leggings and be prepared to waddle around with giant diaper between your legs, for a week. Even with tampons you still have to worry about that annoying little string. With a menstrual cup, you never have to worry about discomfort. Sometimes, I’ll even forget that I’m on my period because I don’t have to think, feel, or worry about my period all day long.
5. They are better for you!
I never knew how many chemicals were in synthetic tampons or pads. When I found out, I was horrified. Traditional menstrual products are often dyed and scented, which can mess with your pH balance. On the other hand, menstrual cups are better for you because they are made out of medical-grade silicone. Fun fact: using a menstrual cup can even lighten your period flow over time because they are chemical-free.
Cons:
1. Expensive
A menstrual cup will save you money, but it is still a hefty amount of money to cough up for a product that you’re not even sure that you will like. So, I suggest, that you start saving up for a menstrual cup. Remember that you spend more money on tampons and pads, in the long run.
2. Be prepared for a learning curve!
If you have been using traditional menstrual products all your life, then it makes sense that it will take some time to get used to a strange, new product. It is strange when you first switch to a menstrual cup, and you may get frustrated. But, it is worth it! Stick with it, watch tutorials online, read advice articles, and you will be a pro at using a cup in no time.
3. Awkward when in public
The biggest difference between cups and traditional menstrual products is the fact that cups are reusable. This means, that after every use, you wash the cup rather than throwing it away. This can make things awkward if you need to wash your cup in a public bathroom. But the good news is that there are special wipes you can purchase to clean your cup in the privacy of a stall, rather than sprinting to the nearest sink and hoping for the best.
4. Not one size fits all. Might take a few tries to find your perfect fit!
There are also so many menstrual cups to choose from! Diva cups, Lena cups, Luna cups, etc. So how will you know which one to buy? Most people don’t realize that cups come in a large variety of shapes, sizes, material, and colors. It may take a few tries to find the cup that’s right for you. I recommend doing a lot of research (watching YouTube videos, reading reviews, reading articles, etc) before you decide.