6 Reasons to Switch from Tampons to a Menstrual Cup

If you think you have no choice but to torture yourself with tampons or pads each month—stop. There’s this wonderful alternative to both called a menstrual cup (or a period cup). Basically, a period cup is a soft, flexible device that you can insert into your vagina to collect the menstrual blood instead of absorbing it like a tampon does. There are two types of these cups: a disposable rubber or a latex version, and a reusable silicon version.

Did you know that all sorts of period cups have been out there as long as tampons have? You might not have heard about them until you stumbled upon this article. They have been rising in popularity in recent years thanks to a slew of research that indicates period cups could possibly help you manage your monthly flow better. Check out this list to learn exactly why period cups are so much better than tampons or pads:

1. You don’t have to change it in the office

Is there a bigger headache than having to change your pad or tampon in the office bathroom? That nightmare can stop with period cups. Tampons should be changed every 8 hours and pads every 4 hours or so. Period cups, on the other hand, can be safely worn up to 10 or 12 hours. Finally, your prayers have been answered.

2. Ahh, the comfort

Remember when your mother first made you wear a pad and it chafed the insides of your thighs bloody? You thought everything would be so much better with tampons, at least until it began scratching your vaginal walls. You can get rid of all that discomfort with a period cup. There’s no cotton in them to irritate the inside of your vagina while you insert or take it out. The best part, you won’t even feel that it’s inside.

3. No more bloody sheets

Bid farewell to those horrendous days when you woke up with sheets that looked as if they came out of a butcher’s shop. Tampons leak; especially when you toss and turn in your sleep. I don’t even have to mention just how worse pads fare. Well, you won’t find yourself washing bloody panties at 6.30 a.m. with period cups. They can hold up to 28 grams of blood (about an ounce), compared to tampons that hold only about 6 to 9 grams of blood.

4. Bye bye annoying string

Ugh, where do I even begin with those pesky tampon strings? They have an uncanny tendency to show up exactly when you don’t want them to, such as during a pool party or you know, when a gentleman friend is groping around down there. You don’t have to worry about period cups getting soaked in pee.

5. Less risk of TSS

Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is a rare complication of certain bacterial infections. TSS has been linked to super absorbent tampons that have since been taken off the market. However, if you wear tampons that have a higher absorbency level than your leakage, you run the risk of cotton fibers in the tampon causing micro tears that can lead to an infection. No such risks are known to be associated with period cups.

6. It’s good for the environment

One of the big reasons period cups have been gaining traction is because they are eco-friendly. There’s no plastic in them to contribute to environmental destruction. Besides, if you get a reusable cup you won’t be making monthly donations to landfills.

All in all, period cups will save you a lot of time, money and worry. You’ll also get to know your period better by seeing how much blood leaks per day. If you have any health concerns, consult a doctor to determine what kind of product is best for you.