Now I wish this was a sponsored post because it’s going to seem ads-y, but I promise, my life has been changed by my menstrual cup so much that I just HAD to tell somebody! On the advice of some public health friends, I decided to try out a menstrual cup and after some research, settled on the orange Lunette Cup in a size 1, for pre-childbirth folks. I’ve been using it for the past six months and now can’t imagine how I’ve been managing for the past 10 years without it! Here are a few reasons why you should use menstrual cups as the only sensible option for periods.
1. Menstrual cups make periods less painful
I’ve never been the kind to like to take medication for pain or colds, and have been known to suffer from an ailment a few extra days simply because I didn’t want to take any meds. However, I pretty much subscribed to Midol from ages 13-23. It wasn’t until recently when I started working out and committed to eating healthier that I began to have less severe cramps during my period. However, I always knew that on Days 1 and 4, I would have at least a few sharp shooting pains throughout my body that would leave me doubled over. Before purchasing my cup, I read somewhere that cramps are often caused by a reaction to tampon fibers/dyes or something of the sort, so it’s possible menstrual cups reduce cramps. Now I don’t know the validity of that statement, but I do know that since using my Lunette menstrual cup, I’ve had exactly five cramps. Not five days of cramps, but simply five cramp sessions, in six months!
2. Menstrual cups prevent your period from interrupting your life
The worst feeling during your period is knowing that your pad/tampon is full and there’s just no way for you to change it. Either you’re at a public place or you’ve run out of supplies on the go or you’re in a mandatory work meeting that you can’t simply slip out of. Or you get your period at the most inconvenient of times – in church when you’re sitting in the absolute middle of the row, while on a run, or while on a BoltBus for 4 hours. All these things have happened to me, and let’s just say, your period + regular feminine products can throw a huge wrench into your plans for the day. However, a menstrual cup is non-toxic so you can insert it before you anticipate your period, holds a large capacity of fluid so you don’t have to change it as frequently (up to 12 hours!), and best of all, DOES NOT LEAK (if inserted correctly). It’s kind of like a Crockpot – you just set it and forget it!
3. Menstrual cups are cost-efficient
Tampax Pearl, my preferred brand of tampons since high school, cost about $8-9 for a pack of 40 regular sized. Considering that a pack would last me maybe 2 months, and I’d also buy pantiliners, I am going to very conservatively guess that I averaged about $60/year on feminine products. My Lunette cup was $40 on Amazon. So not only is it cheaper compared to traditional feminine products, but when you factor in the cost of the significantly fewer pantiliners and ruined panties wasted while using a menstrual cup, you definitely save quite a few dollars, which can be spent on more important things – like chocolate.
4. Menstrual cups are good for the environment
In a similar vein as the cost-efficiency, menstrual cups are reusable and thus contribute much less waste to the environment. While I’m not an extremely queasy person, but I don’t exactly like gross things – I ran home a few days ago because I saw a rat in these dirty NYC streets. Anyway, I was surprised at the ease of which I could remove, dump, wash, and reinsert my menstrual cup in my bathroom. In the very rare times I’ve had to change it in a public bathroom (normally I can get through the whole day if I insert in the morning), I just carried a water bottle into the stall with me to pour on the cup. You can also just use tissue to wipe it clean between installs, but my preference is to wait until I’m home and wash with soap. Between cycles, you just boil your cup to sterilize it, and store it away for the next month!
No, I haven’t but it seems to be a great product. Keep on giving us good environmental ideas!
I’m so thankful for this article! I’ve been hearing all the plus side effects to this & I’m sold! It’s cost effective not to mention good for the body & environment in terms of reducing cramps & saving the money it takes to make pads so it’s a huge investment worth having! I can’t wait to own one. Thank youuuu,
Klassy Kinks
I’m glad you found it, mine literally changed my relationship with my period!
I’ve been using diva cup for awhile but it’s not working out. Went to check out the Lunette on Amazon and found a coupon for $15 off .
Save $15.00 when you purchase 1 Lunette Menstrual Cup from Lunette Menstrual Cups, manufacturer. Enter code TXLSRB2H at checkout. Here’s how (restrictions apply). Enter code TXLSRB2H at checkout.
This is a great article/post, I have Uterine Fibroids so my pre & post ministerial cramps are terrible… I have found that eating healthier and exercise has made a huge difference. I tended to use children ibuprofen to help deal with all the pain.
I have been wanting to try a Menstrual cup for some time I have a few Friends who use them and love it, after this I then ill just go ahead a try…
Thanks for shearing!!!
Can you share what diet changes you’ve made that have improved your cramping? I’m sure lots of people would like to know!
I made many diet changes that have improved my cramping including added Vitamin E. My diet consist of lots of vegges, lentils, chick peas, oatmeal, and wild salmon. I am in the process of becoming a weekday vegetarian meaning I only each chicken breast and some red meats on the weekends only….
I did weekday veg for a summer and felt great, thanks for reminding me about it! There are also lots of chemicals and toxins in pads/tampons because of the bleach used to get them white, which contributes to cramps.
I heard about the Diva Cup a few years ago but was unsure if I should try it plus at the time I had the Mirena IUD so there was no reason for it. However now that I’m back to having cycles + spending a pretty penny on tampons and liners, I want to try the cup out. Thank you so much for sharing! #BLMGirls
You’re welcome!
Never heard of this before. I must do some sleuthing on this little gem!
I just bought my first cup. I tried to insert it once before the big day..but it was quite painful. I’m a bit scared to try again…
I use the C-fold method of insertion, and it helps to wet the cup first, especially if your cycle hasn’t started yet. I also try to “bare down” so when I let go, it kind of sucks the cup in if that makes sense lol
I transitioned to the Meluna cup 6 months ago and I love it also however I do get leaks now and again which makes me think I’m doing something incorrectly or I just order the incorrect size. Either way I will not go back to tampons or pads this option is a much better solution physically and enviormentally for my lifestyle.
First I just want to say that your hair is majestic and I love it. Now that that’s out of the way, for anyone thinking of buying a menstrual cup, check out http://menstrualcupmap.com which will show you the nearest stores where you can get one. They’re not like tampons where you can just walk into any pharmacy or supermarket and find one.
First I want to say that your hair is majestic and I love it. Now that that’s out of the way, for anyone who’s thinking of buying a menstrual cup, check out http://menstrualcupmap.com which will show you the nearest stores where you can get one. They’re not like tampons where you can just walk into any pharmacy or supermarket and find one.
Thank you!! And thanks for sharing a great resource!
Yes! Yes! Yes! I LOVE my Diva Cup. It makes my cycle less of a hassle and l don’t have to worry about embarrassing leaks. Plus, it is good for the environment. There are some campaigns to find a way to get them to women in 3rd world countries that don’t have access to or money for sanitary pads. It is really the best thing ever. And hey, it’s great to have if the zombie apocalypse ever happens, lol. #BLMGirl
I’ve been hearing so much about these lately! I really want to try them out, just to see if they’re worth all the buzz.
They are!
So glad you did a post on this. I am seriously considering purchasing one of these. Great info.
Thanks Ka’Dasya!
I’ve been hearing about these a lot lately. I’m thinking I may give a go…
Thanks for this post! I’m considering to switch to a menstrual cup, but am concerned it may not be for me because I have an IUD.
Now that’s something above my degree and pay grade, so you should ask your doctor!
I am an OBGYN. The Menstrual cup is TOTALLY compatible with the IUDs.
I’ve never tried one and I’ve toyed with the idea but I might have to seriously consider it now! thanks for the info!
I thought about it for too long before trying it out as well and kicked myself for not starting sooner!
I have been wanting to share this information myself! Congratulations lady, I feel the very same way. The only downside is that I didn’t find it sooner. My Lunette cup has been a lifesaver for almost 2 years now. I have told friends and family about it however they are not sold. While they wait for it to catch on I am enjoying a reduction in my menstral cycle (down from 7 days to 3), no cramping, reduction in back pain as well as not having to limit myself due to an uncomfortable toxic object in my body. I empty once in the am and again before bed and thats it. I sometimes forget that I have it on because it is so simple. It is exactly like a CrockPot in that you set it and forget it…. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. I use to go through a 40 count box of OB tampons each month however since switching to the cup, I can’t tell you how much I am saving as I no longer even recall the cost of Tampons, lol. I strained my brain for a second but really I am just happy that you are spreading the word.
Thanks again for sharing this!
#BLMGirls
Oh wow I’m looking forward to a decrease and I claim it in Jesus’ name! I’m actually considering starting to gift it to my friends to force them to use it lol. People need to know!
This is the forst time hearing of this.LOL
Great information. I was considering trying one of these. Did you experience much of a learning curve on proper insertion to prevent leakage?
I mastered it by my second day – I feel like it was much easier to figure out than with tampons. Even if you don’t put it in correctly at first, it adjusts itself. The biggest thing is to make sure it opens, so I always just tug a bit after insertion to ensure its secure