Menstrual cups · 7 min read
Save Money & Waste with a Menstrual Cup
A period cup is a wonderful invention: it turns your menstruation into a Zero Waste period and saves you money at the same time. On average, a menstruating person uses around 20 tampons or 8 pads per cycle. With around 500 periods in a lifetime, that adds up to a huge amount of waste – waste you can avoid with a single menstrual cup.
Periods on a budget: saving money with a menstrual cup
One convincing argument for using a menstrual cup is that it can save you a lot of money. Unlike tampons or pads, you don't constantly need to buy new supplies. On the contrary: one cup is all you need, and it lasts up to 10 years on average. The purchase price is higher than a pack of tampons or pads, but the cost quickly pays for itself, as the following sample calculation shows:
Cost comparison: menstrual cup vs. tampons & pads
| Tampon | Pad | Menstrual cup | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pack contents | 56 pcs | 26 pcs | 1 pc |
| Purchase price | €3.95 | €3.45 | €17.99 |
| Needed per cycle | 20 pcs | 8 pcs | 1 pc |
| Cost per cycle | €1.41 | €1.06 | €17.99 |
| Cost per year | €16.92 | €12.72 | €17.99 |
| Cost after 5 years | €84.60 | €63.60 | €17.99 |
By the second year after buying it at the latest, your menstrual cup will have paid for itself, saving you money with every period. Prices for disposable products vary depending on the brand you buy, whether they are "organic" and how many you need per cycle. And if you use pads and tampons in combination, replacing them with a menstrual cup could mean lower costs in the very first year of use.
Proper cup care for a long lifespan
To make sure your menstrual cup lasts as long as possible, proper care is essential. But don't panic – you don't need expensive cleaners or any special accessories. Water, mild soap and a saucepan or microwave for sterilising are perfectly sufficient. It's not much effort either, and takes at most as long as buying a new pack of pads or tampons would. You can find all the details on proper cleaning in our guide article "Cleaning your menstrual cup [care instructions]".
Cutting waste with the sustainable alternative to pads & tampons
Disposable period products such as tampons, pads or panty liners are often double-wrapped and end up in the bin after just a few hours. On top of that, they are often not properly recycled and frequently get flushed down the toilet instead of being put in the bin.
Period products containing plastic take between 500 and 800 years to decompose. This is a global problem – not least because sustainable alternatives are talked about far too little. A menstrual cup isn't made from renewable raw materials either, but with a lifespan of around 10 years it lasts considerably longer.
This is how much waste disposables like tampons & pads produce
On average, every menstruating person has their period 500 times in their life, with five days of bleeding each time. It's incredible how much waste that adds up to when 3–4 tampons, panty liners or pads are needed per day. On average, each person gets through 10,000–17,000 menstrual hygiene products. Many people are already trying to cut down on plastic by drinking from glass bottles or taking cloth bags to the shops. Sadly, when it comes to periods, disposable products are still the most common choice worldwide. That's why today, when we can so comfortably do without disposable period products, tampons, pads and panty liners are hard to use with a clear conscience.
Buy a menstrual cup and start saving
Now you know plenty of good reasons for a menstrual cup. Why not just give it a try? You can easily order a menstrual cup online or pick one up during your next shop.
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.
If you're not yet sure which cup suits you best, or you need information for making the switch, we recommend taking a look at these guide articles: "Which menstrual cup should I buy? What to look out for (checklist)" and "Using a menstrual cup – 8 tips for making the switch (checklist)".
Alternatives to the menstrual cup
And should you find that a menstrual cup isn't right for you, there are still other sustainable alternatives, such as period underwear or washable cloth pads and panty liners. In our guide article "The first time: period underwear for beginners" we answer the most common questions about the briefs. And we've summed up all the benefits at a glance in our article "8 advantages of period underwear".
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