I am not one of those women who embrace their periods. I hate it! I have had it for 30 years and I still absolutely hate those 3-5 days a month. I have been very lucky in that I have it easy – I am regular, when I do have cramps they are short lived and mild, my PMS can get a little crazy but when I eat right and take the right supplements I hardly notice it.
I STILL HATE IT!
What has made it a million times more bearable though, is the discovery of the menstrual cup a few years ago. I wish it had been around when I was younger. Not only do you avoid the dangers associated with tampons and pads but it works better for longer.
Grab your favorite beverage because we about to get personal! we’re diving deep into the world of menstrual cups.
First things first, let’s talk money, honey! Sure, they are not cheap when compared to tampons and pads, but hear me out. These little warriors can last up to TEN YEARS. Do the math (or don’t, I already did) – we’re talking about saving a pretty penny and you have the advantage of never running out in the middle of the night.
Now, let’s get scientific for a minute. According to Diana Spalding, MSN, CNM, these cups are basically your vagina’s BFF. While tampons are out here playing Russian roulette with toxic shock syndrome, cups are just chillin’, being all non-absorbent and chemical-free. Sure, they’re not perfect (what is?), but my lady parts have been much healthier since making the switch.
Speaking of time management – how does 12 HOURS of period protection sound? That’s right, TWELVE. Compare that to tampons’ measly 4 – 6 hours depending on your flow and type of tampon. The cup survives heavy night time flow neatly and you don’t wake up to the battle of blood river.
And here’s a spicy little nugget of information: while full-on bedroom Olympics might be off the table, other… activities… are totally doable with a cup. No awkward string situations, no embarrassing moments – just you living your best life!
Did you know the average woman uses 9,600 tampons in her lifetime? That’s enough plastic applicators to build a small fortress! Meanwhile, your cup is just hanging out for a decade, being all eco-friendly and stuff.
The best part? One cup rules them all! Unlike tampons where you need a whole arsenal of different absorbencies (light, regular, super, super-plus, ultra, whatever-comes-after-ultra), your cup is like that one friend who’s down for anything. Heavy flow? Got you. Last-day trickle? Still got you!
Now, full disclosure: there IS a learning curve. If you’re not used to getting up close and personal with your anatomy, there might be some awkward moments. Think of it like riding a bike – slightly terrifying at first, but then you’re cruising! My pro tip? Fold, insert, spin to win!
Squeamish? Listen, if I can handle this after catching kid vomit with my bare hands, you can too! Yes, emptying it might give you temporary “Carrie” vibes, but it’s really not that bad.
The verdict? According to science 73% of people stick with cups after trying them. Those are pretty convincing odds.
Who else is on Team Menstrual Cup? Share your stories below – the good, the bad, and the “oops, I didn’t mean to create a crime scene in my bathroom” moments!
