I am going to get a little personal now.
I love menstrual cups. They seriously changed my life. In my teenage and young adult years, I was a devoted tampon user. That’s just what you were supposed to use. They were discreet and less messy than a pad.
But tampons can lead to all sorts of problems, and I suffered from several of these. Tampons can lead to an increased risk of urinary tract infections and recurring yeast infections. They can contain fibers, bleach and nasty chemicals that can lead to allergic reactions or sensitivity issues.
Tampons can even negatively impact your sex life! If you are having reactions to the chemicals in tampons or from the rough fibers, this could lead to discomfort and even pain during intercourse.
Plus, tampons leak and have to be changed regularly – at least every 4 to 6 hours or more often if you have a heavy flow. They are wasteful (if you worry about that sort of thing). And it’s expensive to buy box after box of them.
What are the alternatives? Pads of course – disposable or reusable. But in my opinion, pads are gross and uncomfortable. I’d rather keep all of that stuff hidden away.
Which brings me to the menstrual cup. I will admit that I was extremely wary about using a menstrual cup the first time. A menstrual cup is a flexible cup made of either rubber or silicone that you insert and wear much like a tampon but without all of the nasty fibers and chemicals. Instead of absorbing your menstrual flow like a tampon, the cup collects it. When you remove it, you simply empty the contents into the toilet and then rinse it in the sink. If this doesn’t sound appealing to you, you can buy disposable cups but I promise the rinsing-out part is not a big deal.
The hardest part about the menstrual cup is getting the hang of inserting and removing it. I just followed the directions that were given to me and felt pretty comfortable with it after only a couple of days. Now I don’t even notice it when it is in.
The best parts about menstrual cups? They are reusable and thus save you a lot of money and minimize trash. They leak less than tampons (if you insert them correctly and buy the right size). They can be worn up to 12 hours! And you don’t have to worry about the smell often associated with periods. Best of all, no more worrying about having reactions to the nasty chemicals that are found in most tampons and pads.
I have been using the Diva Cup for several years now. I have never had to replace it and it works great! I haven’t tried any of the other options on the market but I have compiled a list of menstrual cups and other natural menstrual products here. You can read reviews about each one on Amazon but I would also love to know your thoughts here.
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