On average a woman will use 10,000 sanitary products throughout her lifetime. That’s 10,000 pads or tampons that are 100 percent disposable and take 25 years to decompose in the landfill. Although women tend to stick to their preferred types and brands of sanitary products, menstrual cups are an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative that get little attention – even though they were invented way back in the 1930s!
What is a menstrual cup?
The Diva Cup is a reusable fluid-collecting menstrual cup made from flexible silicon rubber that gathers menstrual fluid. It is roughly two inches long and is worn internally, much like a tampon. While it looks small, the cup can hold up to 30ml of fluid—this is around one third of the total liquid that a woman produces each period. Unlike a tampon or pad, it can be worn for up 12 hours, meaning you can comfortably go about your day or even sleep with the cup.
How does it work?
Upon insertion, the cup must be folded, and once inside the vagina, it will automatically unfold to create a light seal against the vaginal walls, keeping it in place. If inserted correctly, the cup should not cause any discomfort or irritation. To remove it, simply pinch the base stem at the bottom of the cup to release the seal alongside the vaginal walls and prevent suction. Once removed, the contents are emptied and the cup is rinsed before re-insertion. At the end of each cycle, the cup should be sterilized, which is usually done by placing it in boiling hot water for 5 minutes.
How much does it cost?
Currently, there are two types of menstrual cups on the market—reusable ones that are replaced every 5-10 years; and disposable cups, thrown out after each insertion or cycle. The reusable cup costs $39.99. If you divide this by the number of periods a woman will typically have in ten years (120 cycles), the cup only ends up costing a mere thirty three cents a month. Diva Cup gurus, however, recommend replacing the cup every year. Compared to buying tampons or pads, this will still save you on average $100-150 a year. On a student budget, that’s a worthwhile investment!
Is it safe?
In terms of safety, studies have shown that the cup poses no health risks if used correctly. The Journal of Women’s Health published the results of a clinical study indicating that there is no association between menstrual cups and the disruption of vaginal flora (which causes bacterial and urinary tract infections). In fact, it looks like menstrual cups have one leg up over tampons simply because they collect and not absorb fluids. When tampons absorb menstrual secretions, they also take in 35 percent of natural moisture. This leads to an imbalance in the pH levels of the vagina which disrupts its natural flora. Moreover, if left in for too long, tampons increase the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).
Other health perks of the cup are that it contains no bleaches, synthetic materials, absorbency gels… and it doesn’t cause irritation. This means that it’s safe to use by women with sensitive skin, eczema, or allergies. The cup is also a more accurate tool of monitoring levels of your period if needed for medical reasons. Reviews show that women notice fewer odors that are often associated with pads and have shorter periods and less severe cramps.
Isn’t it messy?
Despite the apparent benefits, the menstrual cup is not for everyone. Some women find the cup comes with too high of a learning curve to give up previously enjoyed methods. It takes time to adjust and use the cup with no leakages and no mess. Women are put off by the thought of dealing with the menstrual cup outside of the comfort of your home. But since the cup only needs to be emptied twice in a 24-hour period, there are ways to get around the emptying process in public washrooms.
Menstrual cups, rags and mud
One part of the world where the cup has been making a significant change is in developing countries. In places such as Kenya, girls often have to miss school during their periods because tampons and pads are either inaccessible or very expensive. In these cases, women resort to using rags, leaves, or even mud as a way of menstrual management. In 2010, NGOs started introducing the menstrual cup as a more sustainable alternative that ensures girls stay healthy, hygienic, and don’t miss out on school. Sounds like everything we’re trying to achieve as university students!
In the long run, the menstrual cup has an impact on the planet and on your wallet. It reduces levels of highly indecomposable waste in landfills and provides an alternative to a practical but clearly not essential industry. The cup saves you your bi-monthly purchase of tampons or pads, which often adds up to as much as $12-15; it also ensures your period flow remains as natural as possible. Sounds like a way to keep every female’s most dreadful time of the month on point.
The Diva Cup is the only brand of menstrual cups that has been cleared by Health Canada and is now available on the market. If you’re interested in making a switch to the menstrual cup, check out the links below for more information about your options.
To find out more:
References:
https://www.bellybelly.com.au/post-natal/mooncup-menstural-cup/
http://www.healthywomen.org/content/article/tampons-pads-or-menstrual-cups-whats-right-you
http://www.collective-evolution.com/2013/01/13/still-using-tampons-or-pads-you-should-read-this/
http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/jwh.2009.1929
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