Why you should switch to a menstrual cup

Thinking about using Menstrual Cup?

I'm sure by now, everyone has heard about the menstrual cup. And if you haven't, here is a brief explanation. The menstrual cup is a small silicone cone-shaped cup inserted into the vaginal canal during a woman's period. 

Is it easy to insert a menstrual cup?

This cup is highly flexible, making it easy for the user to insert it. This cup can hold about 20–30ml of liquid, and really that's about it! There is usually a short tail on the end that is for removal.

So now that we are all on the same page let's talk about why you should switch today! For starters, there are different brands you can purchase. The most common is the Diva Cup which you can buy from Coles or Woolworths. 

Fun Factory also has one called the "Fun Cup".

These Fun Factory menstrual cups are made from medical-grade silicone, so there are no worries about irritations or the cup breaking down unless you are allergic to silicone. The cup can be worn for up to 12 hours!

Above is a picture of a set of Fun Factory menstrual cup

How long can I leave the menstrual cup in for?

You can simply pop it in, in the morning and take it out at the end of your day. Now I know you may think how? You can't leave a tampon in for more than 4 hours, so why leave the cup in for 12? 

Is it safe to use a menstrual cup?

The cup is made from medical grade silicone, whereas most tampons are made from cotton. Still, they also have other chemicals that can be absorbed into the body, causing infections or disease (TTS). 

The cup does not contain anything like this, so it is entirely safe to wear for this long. As well as the cup being body-safe, it can also be boiled after being used to keep it clean, disinfected and remove any stains.

To insert the cup, you simply fold it in half and insert it like a tampon. When removing, you can either sit on the toilet or stand in the shower and pinch the bottom of the cup to break the seal and pull it out. When removing, you will also notice no smell, which is usually caused by the chemicals in other feminine products.

How much does a menstrual cup cost?

Another reason to make the switch is cost. The cup will usually cost anywhere between $30 - $60 depending on what one you buy. The more expensive one will usually contain two cups (a 20ml and a 30ml). These cups only need to be replaced every 10 years, so let's do a little math on that.

Save money by switching over to menstrual cup

Say you purchase tampons every month for a year, a pack of tampons on average is about $7.50, and if we multiply this by 12, we end up with $91.20. and that's only assuming that you buy only 1 box per month. So, by purchasing a diva cup, you would save roughly $46 a year. For about 35–40 years of having a period, that's a lot of money you could save!

If you're still not totally convinced yet, let me just give you a few points to sum it up:

• No risk of infection.
• It can be worn for max. 12 hours.
• No smell when removing.
• Easy to clean (able to boil).
• Easy to insert and remove.
• Comfy to wear and can be worn overnight.
• Only needs replacing every 10 years.
• Saves you $$$.