Is menstrual cup better than pads?

Menstrual Cups and Pads each have their own sets of advantages. While pads are more familiar and comfortable to those accustomed to using them, menstrual cups are a handy and eco-friendly choice.

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By Bhagyashree SoniJul 30, 2024

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Choosing the set of menstrual hygiene products that work best for you is ideal for having hassle-free periods.

If you’re someone who’s been using pads ever since you started menstruating, the struggles of period leakages, middle-of-the-night pad changes, rashes and irritations, and the restrictions on your activities may seem all too familiar.

If you’re curious about trying a period product that negates the struggles mentioned above, you’re in the right place.

What are Menstrual Cups?

Menstrual cups are bell-shaped devices which are inserted into the vagina to collect blood during menstruation.

Menstrual cups have been rising in popularity over the last decade, as more and more women are making the switch and ditching disposable pads and tampons.

According to a study published in The Lancet Public Health journal, around 73% of menstrual cup users were inclined to continue using menstrual cups after the studies were completed.

Benefits of Using Menstrual Cups

Sustainability - Menstrual cups are made of silicone or medical-grade material, making them reusable and durable. One can use a single cup for up to 10 years if it is well-maintained, preventing further growth of sanitary waste in landfills.

Health and Hygiene - When using a menstrual cup, your menstrual blood is not in contact with your genitalia, lowering the risk of infections and maintaining your vagina’s natural pH levels. Since the contents are not exposed to air, there’s no need to worry about a foul odour.

Cost-Efficiency - You can save up on a lot by investing in a single menstrual cup instead of using the average of 22 disposable period care products per cycle.

Less Frequent Changes - Depending on your flow, you can wear your menstrual cup for up to 12 hours. This means getting a good night’s sleep without worrying about having to change it at an odd hour!

Security and Surety - Once your menstrual cup is in, it’s secure until you pinch it to break the seal. This means you can indulge in physical activities like sports without worrying about it getting displaced.

Also read - Does a menstrual cup break the hymen?

What are Sanitary Pads?

Sanitary pads are rectangle-shaped menstrual hygiene napkins worn inside the underwear to absorb menstrual blood. They come in different sizes and absorbances which you can choose according to your flow.

Disposable sanitary pads are made using plastic and cannot be recycled. However, more sustainable types of pads are now available. Biodegradable options like Cambio’s Organic Cotton Pads are leak-proof and easy to dispose of in an environmentally responsible way. Other sustainable alternatives like cloth pads are made of natural fibres such as cotton, hemp, and bamboo. They are reusable and can be washed clean.

Also read - Can sanitary pads cause cancer?

Benefits of Using Sanitary Pads:

Comfort and Ease of Use - Pads are preferred because of the comfort they provide as the napkins are made of soft and breathable materials. They are also easy to use, especially for those who are new to menstruating.

Convenience - Pads are easy to change in public spaces, as long as one finds a clean bathroom to use. The used pad can either be disposed of or kept in a wet bag if reusable. One can always carry spare pads with them to use in case of emergencies.

Can be Eco-friendly - Biodegradable and reusable pads are types of pads that are eco-friendly as they don’t contribute to excess plastic waste.

Can be Cost-effective - One can save money in the long run by using reusable cloth pads as they can be worn for several years as long as they are washed and maintained properly.

Menstrual Cups vs. Pads

Criteria	Menstrual Cups	Pads
Cost	Cheaper cost-per-cycle	Costlier cost-per-cycle
Sustainability	Reusable	Disposable
Ease of Use	Easy after learning curve	Easy to use
Time Efficiency	Can be worn from 4-12 hours	Can be worn for upto 4 hours
Movement Friendly	Yes	No, may bunch up or shift
Maintenance	Requires cleaning and sterilisation	Simply dispose

Conclusion

While menstrual cups certainly have their advantages, they may not be the ideal choice for all women.

Menstrual cups may not be suitable for:

Intrauterine device (IUD) users
Those allergic to silicone
Those without the know-how or resources to properly sanitise the cups
Those whose uterine anatomy is not suitable for menstrual cups

Using a menstrual cup over and over again requires that it should be cleaned thoroughly after every use with a mild soap and warm water or sterilised using boiling water.

If you’re interested in using a menstrual cup, give yourself a few cycles to get used to safely inserting, removing and cleaning it. It can take time to get familiar with it, and that’s okay.

Remember, you can always use a combination of period products to comfortably adjust if you’re transitioning into using a different one.

If you’re wearing a menstrual cup for the first time, you can always bring spare pads if you’ll be out in public and cannot clean your cup properly.

If you’re using disposable pads, there are many eco-friendly pad alternatives available if the thought of using a menstrual cup doesn’t feel right.

So are menstrual cups better than pads? That depends on your experience. We can only encourage you to give them a try and see for yourself.