Last week was my first time using a menstrual cup. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. I’ve been hearing a lot of great things about these cups over the years, but I was skeptical towards the hype. That is until I realized that there is a valid reason for the hype. Here are 5 reasons why you should switch to a menstrual cup* and ditch the pads and tampons for good!

Why You Should Make The Switch

1. Convenience

No need to worry about packing extra pads/tampons or running out of period products. You only need the one menstrual cup for your entire period. Also, you can wear the menstrual cup for up to 12 hours before emptying it. That is way more convenient for me than changing a tampon/pad every few hours.

2. Cost

You can save so much money by using the menstrual cup instead of tampons or pads. Menstrual cups costs around $25-$30. It is a one time purchase and replaces the need to buy $7 boxes of tampons/pads each month. It is recommended to replace your menstrual cup ever 1-2 years, but still makes this swap a cheaper option.

3. Eco-Friendly

According to The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, approximately 43 million women in the U.S. alone use tampons. They also estimate that each tampon-user buys over 11,000 tampons during her lifetime. This is just one of the disposable menstrual products used during periods. Imagine all of the landfill waste that is created from pads, tampons, and panty liners combined. The menstrual cup is reusable and long-lasting, which helps minimize landfill waste.

4. Comfort

Personally, I find menstrual cups to be way more comfortable than tampons. It’s flexible design makes it fit better. Also, it is more comfortable to wear for long periods since it’s holding the blood rather than soaking it up. It doesn’t have that uncomfortable feeling when it is time to be changed. I cannot say the same for pads or tampons

5. Conversation Starter

Periods are one of those things that people seem to avoid talking about. It seems taboo to bring up the subject, which is ridiculous because women make up approximately half of the world’s population. As a women, this product has allowed me to feel more open to talking about the problems with period products and even has encouraged conversations about periods in general.

 Have you ever used a menstrual cup?