Menstrual cups · 5 min read
Menstrual cup vs tampon: which is better?
How the period cup works
Pads and tampons are pretty much the first thing that comes to mind when people talk about period products. No wonder — these disposable items are still by far the most widely used. Did you know that 45 billion tampons and pads are used worldwide every year? We took a closer look at these products, so popular among people who menstruate, and compared them with a more sustainable alternative. Below you will find everything about the duel of menstrual cup vs tampon.
How a menstrual cup works
A menstrual cup is made of soft material, often silicone, and is folded and inserted into the vagina, where it collects the blood during your period. The emphasis here is on “collects”, because unlike a tampon — which is also inserted into the vagina — the blood is not absorbed. This also makes it very easy to see how much blood you are losing or whether its colour is changing.
Menstrual cup vs tampon
1:0 menstrual cup vs tampon
Because the material of the menstrual cup is moisture-repellent and, as mentioned, non-absorbent, your vagina dries out less. A dry vagina is more prone to thrush and infections – 1:0 to the menstrual cup.
2:0 menstrual cup vs tampon
Because the blood is collected, you always have a clear view of your period and can spot changes in flow or colour early on. – 2:0 to the little cup.
3:0 menstrual cup vs tampon
A single period cup can replace all the pads and tampons you would otherwise use during one period. Unlike disposable products, when the cup is full it is simply emptied, briefly rinsed under water with mild soap and then reinserted. A period cup made of high-quality, medical-grade silicone has a life expectancy of several years – 3:0 to the menstrual cup.
4:0 menstrual cup vs tampon
And let us not forget: a menstrual cup can hold much more blood than a tampon — around 4 times as much. That means longer stretches of peace and quiet without constantly having to change. – 4:0 to the cup.
5:0 menstrual cup vs tampon
Since 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 – 5:0 to the period cup.
6:0 menstrual cup vs tampon
Unlike with a tampon, there is no outward sign that you are wearing a menstrual cup. There is no tampon string that could peek out. So it is very discreet, for example during sport — from A for aerobics through S for swimming to Z for Zumba. A menstrual cup never gets in your way. – 6:0 to the period cup.
So it looks like a clear win for the menstrual cup. And considering the environmental issue and the options that sustainable period products offer us today, a tampon seems more like a relic of a bygone era.
We covered the individual benefits in detail in our guide article “5 benefits of the menstrual cup”.
Inserting and removing a menstrual cup
We have noticed that many people are somewhat wary of menstrual cups and sceptical about trying one. Often this is because the unfolded cup is considerably larger than a tampon. Questions like “Will that fit?” or “How does it go in?” then come up.
Handling a menstrual cup takes a little practice. There are various folding techniques that let you fold the cup so small that it ends up roughly tampon-sized. You can read all about the different folding techniques and how to insert and remove it correctly in our guide “Inserting a menstrual cup: the best folding techniques for pain-free insertion & removal”. Basically, though, it is fair to say: if you get on well with tampons, you will get on well with a menstrual cup too!
Cleaning your menstrual cup
As already mentioned, a single cup can replace hundreds or even thousands of pads and tampons. To do so, the full period cup is simply emptied into the toilet, briefly rinsed under water with mild soap and then reinserted. Only once your period is over — or before you use it again — is a more thorough clean or sterilisation necessary. That is easily done in the microwave or in a saucepan. You can read everything you need to know about cleaning and caring for your menstrual cup in our guide “Cleaning your menstrual cup [care instructions]”.
Admittedly, rinsing under water may not always be possible on the go — we need only say “motorway services” or “school toilets”. In those cases it is perfectly fine to simply wipe the cup with toilet paper, or to have some sanitising gel or a small bottle of water with you. As with tampons, the important thing is that your hands are clean before you insert your period helper.
An alternative to the cup: period underwear
Menstrual cup or period underwear?
And should you find that a menstrual cup is not the right thing for you, there are other sustainable alternatives to tampons. How about period underwear or washable cloth pads and panty liners? If you are interested in period underwear, we recommend our guide articles:
- How does period underwear work?
- The first time: period underwear for beginners
- What our customers say about our period underwear
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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