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Here are 6 things to know about menstrual cups if you hate towels and tampons
If you’re looking for an alternative to pads and tampons, you should definitely consider menstrual cups.
Most of us use pads and tampons during our periods without thinking twice about how harmful they could be to our health. Thankfully, there’s an alternative to these traditional, potentially toxic methods. And no, we don’t mean free-bleeding. We’re gonna introduce you ladies to menstrual cups.
If you’ve never heard of a menstrual cup before, it’s a flexible silicone cup designed for vaginalinsertion during your period to collect menstrual blood. The cup actually collects the menstrual flow rather than absorbing it like tampons or pads do. Read on to find out more about this eco-friendly menstrual substitute and why you should definitely consider trying one.
1. Free of chemicals
Most sanitary napkins and tampons contain dioxin, a byproduct of chlorine bleaching derived fromchemically bleached cotton and rayon that is linked to cancer. It’s also likely that most of these products on the market contain at least some levels of dioxin residue. With menstrual cups, you won’t have to worry about chemicals entering your bloodstream. They’re made with medical-grade silicone, which is clear of chemicals you’ll find in tampons and pads. These silicone cups will collect your blood instead of absorbing blood and vaginal mucous.
2. Preserves pH and bacterial balance
Unlike tampons, the cup won’t disrupt the delicate pH and bacterial balance in your vagina. The blood collected won’t harbor toxins that cause Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), and silicone won’t cause micro-tears in the vagina. Since the cup doesn’t absorb anything, women commonly report feeling less dryness.
3. Less landfill waste
Since menstrual cups are reusable, less waste will be generated. Our landfills won’t be as clogged and fewer trees will be sacrificed to make the paper-based alternatives. However, you should bear in mind that some cups are designed to be disposable. So, make sure you read the box label carefully before buying if you want a reusable one.
4. Cost-effective
Menstrual cups are often designed for long-term use. In fact, some last as long as 10 years. A menstrual cup may be more expensive compared to a pack of pads or tampons, but it still provides a significant amount of savings. And even if you replace your cup once a year, you’ll still be making way fewer trips to the pharmacy than you would if you used tampons and pads.
5. Less leakage and changes
The menstrual cup’s rim creates a suction seal in your vagina, preventing leakage that inevitably occurs with tampon use. It provides protection against blood clots from seeping onto your underwear or clothes. You need to change tampons every four to eight hours, depending on flow. But you can go up to 12 hours with a menstrual cup before emptying.
The good people behind Freedom Cups are driven by a mission to educate and raise awareness of good hygiene for women, especially when they’re on their period. They traveled around the Philippines last year to distribute and educate them about menstrual cups. By purchasing a Freedom Cup, you’re also extending a helping hand to these underprivileged women.
Some of you might be worried about how invasive the idea of having a cup in your vagina sounds, or having to see and touch your own blood. But surely we can all agree that those factors aren’t as bad as the possibility of TSS or even worse.
Here are 6 things to know about menstrual cups if you hate towels and tampons
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