Owning a vagina is a pretty expensive affair given the amount of money used in purchasing pads or tampons every month, visiting the gynecologist for a Pap smear and the money spent on birth control. So when one finds a way to minimize the spending and it happens to come with lots of benefits, then without a doubt, it’s welcome!
The invention of menstrual cups over eight decades ago is the best thing that ever happened to women. Using a menstrual cup is so amazing yet so freeing.
What’s a menstrual cup?
This is a silicone cup with a shape like that of a bell. It’s placed inside the vagina to collect the menstrual blood during your period. It’s an alternative to pads and tampons, only that it’s reusable and can be used for up to a decade if well taken care of.
The cups come in different sizes and styles. However, the main ones are for women who’ve given birth and the other for those who haven’t.
There are many different brands of menstrual cups that you can purchase online or at a drugstore. You need to do some research or take the menstrual cup quiz and settle for the one that you feel is best.
Here are some of the things you need to know about using menstrual cups
- They last longer
Compared to a pad or tampon, menstrual cups hold a lot more fluid. This means that you don’t have to take several trips to the bathroom to change it every couple of hours. If your flow is heavy, you may need to change it more often. However, if your flow is normal or light, it’s completely safe to leave it in for up to 12 hours! That means, you only get to visit the ladies’ room only when you need to. You can also leave it overnight without any worries of leakage. If that’s not and comfort and convenience put together, I don’t know what is.
- You will save a lot of money
An average woman spends about $2,000 on pads or tampons throughout their lifetime. However, if you choose to use a menstrual cup, it will cost you a one-off amount of about $30- $40 each depending on the brand or where you purchase it from. One menstrual cup can last up to a decade if well taken care of. If you prefer having a spare cup, that will definitely double your initial cost but that cannot be compared with the total amount you will save in the long run. You can use the extra cash to pamper yourself during that time of the month.
- They are environment-friendly
According to a report, it is estimated that an average woman produces about 62,000 pounds of waste emanating from her period alone! Let’s not pretend, that’s a lot of waste in terms of pads and tampons and it takes years to decompose, thereby destroying our environment. By using a menstrual cup, you greatly reduce the landfill because of its reusable nature making a great positive impact on the environment.
With that said, we can say menstrual cups are the most eco-friendly hygiene product for today’s menstruating woman.
- There’s no risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS)
Toxic Shock Syndrome is a dangerous and potentially fatal bacterial illness which occurs as a result of irritation of the vaginal mucosal tissue and chafing of the material used in making tampons creating a breeding ground for bacteria. This is why it’s always advisable not to use a tampon for more than eight hours. When using a menstrual cup, there’s no absorption of menstrual blood and therefore no possibility of the growth of the TSS causing bacteria. In addition, vaginal flora isn’t changed.
- You get to learn more about your body
Using a menstrual cup for the first time will sure feel weird. However, with time, you will get used to it and the experience is going to be amazing. Unlike using tampons or pads where you don’t really have to touch yourself or insert your fingers inside your vagina, with menstrual cup things could get a little messy as you will be exploring new territories. You will find out more about your vagina, like how long or wide it is as you learn the insertion process (the cup comes with a detailed insertion guide). When properly inserted, you shouldn’t feel it at all. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t hack it the first time, you’ll learn as time goes by and trust me, it’s totally worth it!
Finally…
As much as we cannot put the word celebrate and period in the same sentence given the cramps and PMS that comes with it, the menstrual cup seems to be taking the cup for making things easier and more comfortable during that time of the month. There’s so much to love about the menstrual cup. From the convenience to the positive environmental impact and the most important one being the major savings on your wallet.
