Period Costs Slashed & Waste Reduced: Woman Shares five-Year Experience with Menstrual Cup
London, UK – A growing number of individuals are turning to menstrual cups as a cost-effective and environmentally pleasant alternative to traditional period products, with one woman reporting savings of at least £120 annually. The shift comes amid increasing awareness of the financial burden and environmental impact of disposable tampons and sanitary pads, and also concerns over potentially harmful chemicals found in some products.
Five years ago, the author made the switch to a menstrual cup, initially using a standard version and now a collapsible model that folds down to the size of a tealight for easy portability. The cup is sterilised after each cycle using a cleaning pot and microwave,a practical - if not glamorous - process. This transition has not only resulted in notable financial savings but has also eliminated discomfort associated with disposable products and reduced personal waste.
The benefits extend beyond cost and comfort. The author highlights avoiding the dryness and bulk of tampons and pads, and steering clear of toxic chemicals commonly found in tampons – a concern recently underscored by reports of pesticide levels in tampons found to be 40 times higher than the legal limit for water.Menstrual cups are made from medical-grade silicone, designed to last for years, and have even led to a reduction in menstrual cramps for the author.
The environmental impact is also a key driver for many switching to cups. Disposable period products contribute significantly to plastic waste, packaging, and landfill.The author now empties her cup every morning and evening,eliminating the need to carry supplies and simplifying travel,even during activities like a recent surfing trip to Morocco where tampons were tough to obtain.
While acknowledging the occasional inconvenience of not being able to offer a spare tampon to someone in need, the author concludes that switching to a menstrual cup has transformed her period into a “simple” and largely unnoticeable experience, a change she has no regrets about.
