Menstrual cups · 5 min read
5 advantages of the menstrual cup
Why use a menstrual cup?
You're interested in a menstrual cup but not quite sure whether they really are that great? We have put together 5 advantages of using a menstrual cup. And because we are often asked about the downsides of menstrual cups too, we have also looked at the disadvantages – or rather, the "non-advantages". Whether they really are disadvantages is for you to judge.
What do you need a menstrual cup for?
A menstrual cup is a small cup, usually made of silicone, that collects period blood during menstruation. That's why it is often called a period cup. A menstrual cup replaces disposable products such as pads and tampons, because it can be used again and again. When the menstrual cup is full – which, depending on how heavy your flow is, can take around 4–12 hours – it is simply emptied, cleaned and reused. A period cup lasts several years, making it a truly eco-friendly and at the same time cheaper alternative to tampons or pads. If you want to know more about finding the right menstrual cup for you, just read our article "Which menstrual cup should I buy?".
Over 600,000 menstruating people already love our sustainable period products. That makes us very happy! And the advantages of the menstrual cup speak for themselves. Here are the top 5 arguments to make any tampon and pad fan think twice.
The 5 biggest advantages of the menstrual cup
1. Less changing, because it can hold plenty of blood
A menstrual cup can hold more blood than a standard tampon or pad. For comparison: a normal tampon manages 9–12 ml on average, while a super tampon reaches its limit at 18–21 ml. Depending on the size, our menstrual cups can hold between 21 and 33 ml of blood. Over the course of a period, you lose around 60 ml of blood in total – most of it during the first two days. With a light period, blood loss is under 25 ml, while a heavy period means losing more than 80 ml.
2. Easy to keep track of how heavy your period is
Most of us judge how heavy our period is by how often we need to change our pad or tampon. While some only need to change once or twice a day, others visit the toilet every two or three hours. Even so, we usually have no idea how much blood we actually lose during our period. A menstrual cup, on the other hand, makes it easy. You can also quickly spot changes in heaviness or colour.
3. No odour, no dryness, no allergies
That's basically three advantages in one! Because menstrual cups collect the blood while it is still inside your body, there is no unpleasant odour and you always feel completely fresh – quite unlike wearing a damp pad. Sure, tampons work on the same principle, but tampons also absorb the vaginal fluid that keeps your flora healthy. Unlike tampons, menstrual cups absorb hardly any vaginal fluid. This means the healthy bacteria stay exactly where they should be, and your vaginal flora stays in balance. Tampons also dry out the vagina far more, which can encourage infections. If you choose a menstrual cup made of medical-grade silicone, the risk of allergies or intolerances is reduced to a minimum. Less pain during your period
By the way: many of our customers report that they have had less period pain since switching from tampons to a menstrual cup.
4. Brilliant & invisible – even during sport
From A for aerobics to S for swimming to Z for Zumba – with a menstrual cup you can do EVERYTHING. It sits comfortably (the right size is important), adapts to every movement and is ultra leak-proof. And there's no annoying string or rustling wings in the way.
5. Zero Waste: no constant stream of new rubbish
Creating waste on the one hand and having to dispose of it properly on the other simply makes disposable items like tampons and pads feel out of step with the times. We can already foresee that by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the sea. Against this backdrop – and the fact that it takes around 500–800 years for tampons and pads to decompose – disposable products are hard to square with a clear conscience. A menstrual cup isn't made from renewable raw materials either, but its lifespan of around 10 years on average is considerably longer. Extrapolated, every menstruating person has their period 500 times, with five days of bleeding each time. It's incredible how much waste that adds up to when you need an average of 3–4 tampons, panty liners or pads per cycle day. That means each person gets through 10,000–17,000 menstrual hygiene products.
Saving money with a menstrual cup
Cheaper than disposables in the long run: buying a menstrual cup pays off
Those were five good reasons why a menstrual cup is simply brilliant. And here's a bonus: switching from tampons and pads to a menstrual cup will also make itself felt in your wallet. A menstrual cup does cost more to buy, but it quickly pays for itself.
Sample calculation: sustainable period products vs. disposables
| Tampon | Pad | Menstrual cup | Period underwear | Cloth pad | Cloth panty liner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pack contents | 56 pcs | 26 pcs | 1 pc | 3 pcs | 1 pc | 5 pcs |
| Purchase price | €3.95 | €3.45 | €17.99 | €44.90 | €8.99 | €19.99 |
| Needed per cycle | 20–25 pcs | 8–10 pcs | 1 pc | 6 pcs | 6 pcs | 5 pcs |
| Cost per cycle | €1.41 | €1.06 | €17.99 | €44.90 one-off |
€53.94 one-off |
€19.99 one-off |
| Cost per year | €16.92 | €12.72 | €17.99 | €89.90 1st year only |
€53.94 1st year only |
€19.99 1st year only |
The downsides of the menstrual cup
A menstrual cup pays for itself financially by the second year of use at the latest. The alternatives, such as cloth pads, cloth panty liners or period underwear, easily withstand around 100 wash cycles on average – how many you need depends on how often you do your laundry. We recommend keeping around 5 at home so you never get stressed about washing.
Disadvantages of the menstrual cup (or, as we say, "non-advantages")
Admittedly, we had to search for a while before we found a few disadvantages of the menstrual cup. But here are the points that at least didn't make it onto the list of advantages. Whether they are real disadvantages is of course for you to decide. So here they are, the disadvantages of the menstrual cup:
You need to be able to look at (your own) blood
Unlike with a tampon or pad, the menstrual blood is not absorbed. As the name suggests, the blood is collected as if in a cup and then poured away. Especially during the first days of your period, this can be quite a shock – particularly if you have only used disposable products so far.
Care matters (typical for reusable products)
Since a menstrual cup isn't thrown away after use but is used again and again, it does need a little care. Before use, you should boil it to sterilise it – easily done in a saucepan or in the microwave.
Take care if you have a (hormonal) IUD
If you use a (hormonal) IUD for contraception, you need to be particularly careful when removing your menstrual cup. Because of the suction, it is possible to pull the IUD out along with it.
It takes a little practice – don't give up
It certainly takes a bit more practice to get used to a menstrual cup than it does with pads or tampons. At the beginning, the odd mishap may happen – but hand on heart, who hasn't had that with tampons or pads? As so often in life, it all comes down to the right technique. You can read everything you need to know in our guide "Finding the best menstrual cup: we tell you what matters". If the "disadvantages" of the menstrual cup have put you off as little as they did us, why not try for yourself how easy and comfortable everyday period life can be with a menstrual cup.
Buying a menstrual cup
If the advantages of the menstrual cup have won you over, give it a try now. We offer a range of menstrual cups in different sizes and firmness levels – you can read all about the differences in our article "Finding the best menstrual cup: we tell you what matters". We are sure you will love it (at the latest once you're past the practice phase). And if not, just drop us a line – we're sure we can give you a tip or two.
Empfohlene Produkte
Our latest innovation is a true game-changer in period underwear! Our brand-new, self-adhesive material allows for the combination of period panties with interchangeable inserts – a real change in the world of sustainable period hygiene has come! A revolutionary material In close collaboration with our product designers and textile experts, SELENACARE has developed a new technology that redefines flexibility during menstruation – a self-adhesive material! This material is sewn into the crotch of the SELENACARE Easy Comfort Basic Panties, as well as onto the accompanying absorbent inserts. This material makes changing the inserts easier and without slipping! So, the inserts can be changed easily without having to undress. The self-adhesive material allows the inserts to be inserted into the matching SELENACARE Easy Comfort Basic Panties and can be easily replaced when needed, like traditional pads. Unlike traditional pads, our inserts can be reused as they are washable! Say "Goodbye" to the uncomfortable moments of changing and "Hello" to a feeling of absolute flexibility during your period! The SELENACARE Easy Comfort Period Set The SELENACARE Easy Comfort Period Set consists of two parts. The SELENACARE Easy Comfort Basic Panties are the core of our system and are equipped with the self-adhesive material in the crotch – a brilliant base for the SELENACARE Easy Comfort Inserts, the second part of the period set. Absorbent Easy Comfort Inserts with Wetbag The Easy Comfort Inserts are equipped with the specially developed self-adhesive material on one side and are ideally matched to the Basic Panties. This makes inserting them into the crotch area of the panties incredibly easy. Thanks to this self-adhesive property, the insert stays securely in place and does not slip, without relying on uncomfortable or annoying attachment methods. With various levels of absorbency, they are ready to accompany you in every phase of your period – from light to heavy, we've got you covered. Once the Easy Comfort Inserts are fully saturated, they can be easily removed from the Basic Panties and replaced with a new insert. No need to take off the panties, as with traditional period underwear. Simply transport them in the Wetbag, wash, and reuse.
Feel completely protected and free with SELENACARE Free-Cut period underwear. Invisible under your clothes, it offers you comfort, discretion and maximum absorbency during your period. This underwear in sizes XS-M as well as L-XXL was specially developed for medium days and meets the highest demands. Invisible perfection for you Thanks to the innovative Free-Cut design and the thin material, SELENACARE Free-Cut period underwear does not leave any unsightly marks under tight-fitting garments. You can move freely and feel completely comfortable without worrying about visible marks. With this underwear you stay confident and secure in any situation. Maximum comfort and flexibility for you SELENACARE's Free-Cut period underwear offers you not only protection but also exceptional comfort. The super-stretch microfibre material fits your body perfectly and offers maximum flexibility. Whether you're working, exercising or just relaxing, this underwear ensures an optimal fit and freedom of movement for you. Reliable protection for medium days The period underwear has been specially designed for medium days to provide you with a high level of protection. The absorbent layers inside the underwear safely retain fluid and prevent unwanted leakage. You can trust its reliability every day of your period. It's your perfect companion during menstruation. Experience the comfort, discretion and protection you deserve. Be confident and enjoy your freedom no matter what the day brings.
The Period Panty Hipster convinces with its modern cut and super-comfortable fit. As with all our models, the integrated suction surface is discreetly and invisibly incorporated into the period panty. The menstrual underwear absorbs up to 25 ml of fluid. With its low-slung leg and medium waist, it hugs your body perfectly and gives a feeling of security. Light, medium or heavy days The strength of your period can vary throughout your cycle. The Hipster period underwear is ideal for the light and medium days of your period. It provides a dry feeling and does not allow fluid to leak out. On your heavier days, we recommend using the underwear in combination with a menstrual cup or tampon. If you have periods or spotting, you can use either a period slip or a washable pad, depending on the intensity of the bleeding. No restrictions, always well protected There are really no limits to the use of period underwear. You can use them in your free time, at work or on holiday. In addition to period blood, it also absorbs sweat and other fluids and reliably seals them in. Because the material is absorbent, it also gives you a very safe feeling during sports. After use, you can wash the panties out with cold water, air dry them and reuse them. This makes them a convenient, sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to tampons and disposable pads. Not only do you reduce waste, but you also save money because of their long life. Hygiene and freshness based on silver chloride (biocide active ingredient according to article 95 list) The absorbent layers of the SELENACARE products are equipped with the antimicrobial, biocidal protective finish SILVERPLUS® from RUDOLF GROUP. It prevents the proliferation of odour-causing bacteria. SILVERPLUS® is the leading silver ion technology and is certified according to the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. OEKO-TEX guarantees that all components have been tested for harmful substances and that the product is harmless to health.
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