by Linda Reid

Created on: March 10, 2010

The Menstrual Cup and Cloth Menstrual Pads

Want to save money and the environment? Let’s examine two products that will help you do both.

The Menstrual Cup

The menstrual cup is a bell-shaped object, usually made of polyethylene, silicone or other non-latex substance. It is worn inside the vagina during menstruation. Some are made for one-time use but there are also reusable products on the market. Brand names include Softcup, Divacup and Lunette. You will find them at most pharmacies and they can be purchased online.

The cup is inserted into your vagina during your period. When it is full, you wash it and place it back inside your vagina. The rate at which you will have to empty it is dependent on the size of the cup and your flow. On average, a menstrual cup may be worn almost twice as long as a tampon – up to 12 hours at a time. Great for athletes and travellers. 

The cup is left in place during urination and bowel movements but it is sometimes recommended that it be removed during sex. It will not provide a barrier for sexually transmitted diseases and should not be used as birth control. 

It can be washed with mild detergent and water. Rinse it well before re-inserting. Stains may develop on it over time, so some women boil it or leave it soaking overnight in a mild hydrogen peroxide solution. Some women leave theirs out in the sun to remove discoloration. 

While this is a safe, convenient and effective way to manage your menstrual flow, it’s not for everyone. Speak with your health-care provider before using one and be sure and follow the instructions for use, carefully. 

Washable Menstrual Pads 

Sometimes what’s old is new again. Long before disposable pads came on the market, women used pieces of cloth to catch their menstrual flow. These were often made from rags, hence the term “on the rag”. Most washable menstrual pads come in bright and pretty colors and are most often sold online by small private companies. There are even internet sites that offer free patterns to make your own. Some materials used are cotton, hemp, silk and terry cloth. Soft and absorbent, many users claim they are more comfortable, cooler, drier, and healthier than disposable pads. In the long run, they are definitely cheaper than buying disposable pads month after month. They can be rinsed in cold water and thrown in with your regular wash. If changing one away from home, it is suggest that you carry a plastic bag to put the used one in. 

Washable menstrual pads are biodegradable. Once they have worn out they can be thrown in the trash and will disintegrate in a landfill.  The absence of fragrances, chemicals and plastics means they are less likely to irritate sensitive skin and are less apt to cause contact dermatitis and other rashes. 

A woman using only menstrual pads during her period will dispose of approximately 10,000 used pads in her lifetime. Multiply this times the number of women that send used menstrual pads to landfills and that’s a lot of non-biodegradable trash. It also represents a lot of dollar signs flying out the window. 

In an age where convenience rules, it might seem a pain to use reusable menstrual products. However, in the long run, not only will you save money, you will be contributing greatly towards cleaning up our planet.

Learn more about this author, Linda Reid.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.