Why I Switch To Menstrual Cup And Never Going Back To Tampons
I've known about menstrual cups for years. When my friends made the switch from tampons or pads to menstrual cups, they were singing its praises. One of the reasons why I wanted to try a menstrual cup is because it is eco-friendly. Most cups on the market are reusable and can last up to a year or longer if you take proper care of it. It took me a long time to finally purchase one, especially with how many are currently out on the market. If you've been thinking about switching to a menstrual cup, read on about my experience and why I've switched.
Why I switched
Like I said earlier, one of the main reasons that drew me to the menstrual cup is how environmentally friendly it is. Think about your usual period. How many tampons or pads do you go through in a day? Now multiply that to how many days your period lasts. All of those tampons and pads add up and fills up our landfill. Some even end up in the ocean. With eco-friendly options like menstrual cups, reusable pads, and period panties, there's no better time to make the switch. Also, tampons can get expensive! One box costs me somewhere between $7 - $9 and I'm consistently buying tampons throughout the year. I'm currently using the Diva Cup (#notsponsored) and it cost me about $36 which would be equivalent to about 5 boxes of tampons. The menstrual cup can help reduce waste, plus the cup can hold more than a standard tampon which means fewer trips to the bathroom.
Image via Diva Cup
Using The Menstrual Cup
There is a bit of a learning curve with the menstrual cup. My first attempt led to a lot of frustration. I read the instructions through, followed all the steps, but couldn't get the cup to place in the right place. Disappointed, I put away my Diva Cup to try it again later. Fast forward to a month later, my period was approaching and it was time to give the Diva Cup another try. I re-read the instructions that came with the Diva Cup, watched countless YouTube videos (shout out to Put A Cup In It) and felt more confident this time.
One of the changes I made for my second try was the fold. To insert a menstrual cup, you need to pinch and fold the cup in various ways. For my first attempt, I tried the U-Fold which is folding the cup in half. The issue with that method is that the insertion point of the cup was still too big for me. I ended something that would mimic the width of a tampon since that's what I was used to. For my second attempt, I tried the Punch-Down Fold where you push the rim of the cup towards the base, making it into a triangular shape. This made the insertion point of the cup much smaller than the U-Fold and made placing the cup so much easier. There are a ton of other ways to fold your menstrual cup so take the time to find the one that works best for you. The Pistachio Project has a great post on the different folding methods.
Once you find the folding method that works for you, the rest comes pretty easy.
Comfort/Leaks
Tampons aren't always comfortable for me, even after years of using it. Pads are even worse (in my opinion). When I made the switch to the menstrual cup, I immediately noticed how comfortable it was. I went through all my usual routine with work and exercise and I could barely feel the cup! I experienced some leaks in the beginning when I was first learning how to place the cup. Once I got more familiar with it, I didn't experience any leaks.
You can leave a menstrual cup in for up to 12 hours, but I think it's important to empty it at least 2 times through the day (or more depending on your flow) to prevent leaks.
Tips + Suggestions
Image via Diva Cup
Remember to relax when trying the menstrual cup for the first time or you might have trouble inserting the cup
Wear a pantyliner or period panty when you first make the switch to the cup to avoid leaks
Always boil your cup in between your cycles to keep your cup sanitary
Watch or read as much about menstrual cups before purchasing or insert for the first time. Put A Cup In It's channel was super helpful for me.
If you’ve been curious about making the switch to the menstrual cup, I hope you found this post helpful. Already use one? Share any tips or your experience in the comment section below!
