If you haven't jumped on the Menstrual Cup train, I'm here to help you buy your ticket. For me, using a cup has completely changed the way I feel about my period. I switched over to a cup (I use a Juju, but there are plenty of brilliant brands out there) around 5.5 years ago, after the birth of my third child.
When I started my period again after breastfeeding, boy was my flow heavy... It was like it was trying to punish me for being absent for so long! I couldn't go for more than a couple of hours without flooding through a pad, and I wasn't even game to try a tampon. So after reading and researching the pros and cons, I invested in my cup, and I'm never going back...
1) They hold so much more liquid
A regular pad or tampon can hold up to 5-8mL of liquid. Which is great for a light flow. But I needed something more substantial, and the Juju cup can hold up to 28mL.
Which means less pad changes/toilet trips during the day, and no more planning your day around access to a bathroom!
A Cup can be emptied once in the morning, and once at night. Giving the wearer 12 hours of freedom!
2) They are less likely to leak
This is a big deal. I had never been game to wear white during my period for fear of leaking through (oh god the horror). But the way the cup works is it creates a vacuum seal, which doesn't allow for blood to flow through (this can take a bit of practice for the first couple of months). So now I can enjoy light colours all month round!
3) They are better for the environment, and your wallet
Mainstream pads and tampons are made from plastic, and have been treated with chemicals, which are not so nice to our lady bits, but they also impact the environment. The average woman will use 10,000-12,000 disposable menstrual products over her lifetime, which end up in landfill taking up to 800 years to degrade. And can cost $6000 and upwards.
Comparing that to a cup, which you might replace every 5-8 years, you would be looking at $250-$350 over your reproductive life. Plus, while they are made from medical grade silicon, they can be recycled, or if they do end up in landfill, the impact is so much lower than typical pads and tampons. Winning!
4) They can reduce cramps
This one is a biggie. It's one of the first benefits I noticed from the changeover. Because cups do not have any chemicals, and they don't absorb anything, they can significantly reduce or relieve your cramps.
Not sure if you're convinced? Check out this rap battle, guaranteed to change your mind ;)
