Women today have more choice of period products than ever before. If you’re considering switching – consider the menstrual cup. Here’s why.
1) You’ll forget your period for 12 hours
Once you get used to the menstrual cup, and how to put it in so that it’s comfortable for you – it’s an absolute game-changer. For 12 hours (and often more in the later period stages), you can literally forget it’s there.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve forgotten I had my menstrual cup in – to the point of leaving it slightly too long! I feel relaxed in knowing its safe for my cup to be in a long time.
On days of heavier flow, the ultimate combo is cup + period pants. Absolutely no worries about leaking.
2) No toxic chemicals inside your body
We worry about the stuff we’re putting into our stomachs, but not into our vaginas! Period products we often use are made of toxic chemicals.
Similar tests have been performed with similar results on disposable pads.
Essentially, its hard to know exactly what is inside these disposable products (unless clearly stated as “organic” or other), and most contain unhealthy chemicals.
3) No need to worry about stocking up on [insert disposable product here]
When I used tampons, a consistent worry was, “do I have enough stock for my next period?” It’s just another thing you have to think about and plan for.
Not anymore. Given that the menstrual cup is reusable, I know its always there, waiting for my next period. All I need to do is boil it, in order to disinfect it (not that your period is an infection).
4) Using a menstrual cup is economically advantageous
Rather than buying period products every two months or so, I bought one cup over the last three years. That’s saved me lots of money, especially given that I have been in developing countries where tampons are costly.
My cup cost me the same amount as three months’ worth of period supplies – and will likely last me some seven years (at least). That’s some savings for you!
5) Menstrual cups are better for the planet
Are you worried about the future of our planet? One step you can do to help it (if your circumstances allow) is choosing sustainable period products, such as the cup.
Many disposable menstrual products are terrible for the environment. Not only do the toxic chemicals we spoke about sometimes get washed into our water, soil, and more. But also, most contain a high level of plastic, which ends up in landfills. Pads can contain up to 90% plastic, and tampons can contain amounts of plastic within the core of the cotton tampon and the accompanying plastic applicators. This is important because materials such as plastic never truly biodegrade.
The numbers? While in a landfill, disposable pads are estimated to take 500 to 800 years to break down. This is of major concern given that each menstruator will use and dispose of between 5000 and 15 000 pads and tampons in their lifetime.
Menstrual cups are reusable, and thus, better for the planet.
6) Menstrual cups are freeing – who said you needed to wear underwear on your period?
Sometimes, you don’t feel like wearing underwear. Well, even whilst on your period, you can choose to do that.
No more nappy-like feeling of pads (fully acknowledging some people don’t mind this). You can dance underwear-less around your room – period or not!
Be free!
7) Menstrual cups help you appreciate your body and your period
An often-cited “cons” of the menstrual cup is that you have to touch your own blood, and take it out from inside your vagina. I see this as a “pro”.
Let me explain:
- Women have been taught that they should not “touch themselves” down there for years and years.
- Women have also not been taught about their body parts – vulva, clitoris, vagina, ovaries – you name it for years and years.
- Women have been taught to feel ashamed of bleeding once every 21-38 days for years and years.
This narrative needs to change, and I believe the menstrual cup helps with that. By seeing, feeling and touching your period and body, you come to learn about it, accept it and love it.
Menstrual cups helped me love my menstrual cycle.
8) No inconvenient toilet blocks or “sanitary bins”
It’s always tricky to dispose of period products. Do you get a special bin in the toilet? Do you run to the kitchen and put it in that garbage? Do you risk blocking up the toilet?
Menstrual cups release you from all those worries!
Many women still don’t have the choice of which period products they use, or even have any period products at all.
To those who can, choose actively. It’s an opportunity your grandmother, and even perhaps your mother, did not have!
Even more important, it’s an opportunity to feel good about yourself and your cycle. Grab it 😉
