5 Reasons to Try a Menstrual Cup

A Menstrual cup, most of you will have heard of them, but most of you don't use one. There seems to be a perception that they are a bit unhygienic and just a hippy trend. This couldn't be further from the truth. The benefits to you and the environment easily outweigh and negative perceptions you will have about them. Read on to find out what they are.

1. No more discomfort or dryness

Tampons and pads contain chemicals like bleach, chlorine and perfume. We’ve been taught to think that putting these unpleasant chemicals into the most sensitive part of our bodies is fine, but it can cause lots of problems! You can end up with conditions like Bacterial Vaginosis and Thrush because the pH balance of your vagina gets thrown off. The absorbency of tampons means that many women find them uncomfortable to use – how often have you had to pull a not-quite-full tampon out and had that teeth-grindingly awful sensation of dry cotton? With a menstrual cup you don’t need to worry about this. They are made from body-safe and pure medical grade silicone that won’t dry you out or disrupt your vaginal flora. “No more leaking through my trousers, no need for regular changes, no tampon dryness/irritation, no odour. I'm really liking the FemmyCycle.” – Sally (FemmyCycle)

2. Save money!

A box of tampons costs around £2, while a pack of sanitary towels is around £1.50. Doesn’t seem like much, but over a year it could add up to about £60. Our menstrual cups cost around £20 each and can last for up to 10 years – so that’s a one-off investment of £20 versus £600 over the same decade! Using a menstrual cup also means you’ll never get caught out without a tampon again. No more stuffing toilet paper into your pants because there’s nobody around to lend you one! A reusable menstrual cup means you’re sorted for your entire period. “I'd held back on ordering this product for quite a while, as I was so used to and comfortable using ordinary tampons, like a huge proportion of women I'm guessing. Now since ordering and trying I wouldn't change back.” – Angela (MoonCup)

3. Better for the planet

Let’s say you use around 4 tampons a day and menstruate for 5 days. This adds up to 240 tampons a year! All of those tampons will end up in a landfill or worse still in the ocean. The fact that tampons are designed to absorb large quantities of liquid without falling apart means they are not biodegradable. They are also very wasteful to produce; since tampons are not recyclable the materials, chemicals and energy used to make them are gone for good all for the sake of a few hours of use. A menstrual cup will last you for up to 10 years, saving a huge amount of the earth’s resources. “I was looking for an (ultimately) cheaper and more eco-friendly alternative to tampons and this is the answer.” – Hecd (DivaCup)

4. Lasts for longer than tampons without changing

Due to the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome, it’s recommended that you never leave a tampon in for more than 8 hours. This causes problems if you have a busy life or if you want to use one while you are asleep. A menstrual cup can be safely left in for up to 12 hours, giving you protection that truly lasts all day. If you have a heavy flow, you’ll have experienced the annoying problem of having to change tampons every couple of hours or more. The average menstrual cup can hold up to 30ml of blood – twice the amount that the most absorbent tampon can. “For someone like me too who is very active, it means I don't have to worry about changing as often say if I am out walking (sometimes we are gone all day).” – Rosie (Intimina Lily)

5. Enjoy swimming and other exercise without worries

Moving a lot while you’re using a tampon or pad can cause discomfort and leaks as they sometimes can’t adapt properly to being put in lots of different positions. This can lead to a lot of women being put off doing exercise when they’re menstruating, particularly swimming as a leak in a public pool is a mortifying thought! As menstrual cups sit inside of your body using suction they will stay put even during activities like yoga. There’s also no way for anyone to tell that you’re using one unless you tell them, so if you worry about tampon strings being visible a cup is a perfect choice for you. “What I value the most is the freedom it gives me. I don't know it when I'm wearing it. I exercise, swim, travel, visit friends, and sleep with it and never feel restricted by my period.” – Emily (OrganiCup) So what are you waiting for, there is litterally no reason not to use a menstrual cup. If you know anyone that uses one they will tell they will never go back to pads and tampons. Have a look at our range and pick the one that is best for you here>