Are menstrual cups better than sanitary pads?

What is Menstruation?

Menstruation pertains to vaginal bleeding that occurs at the end of the menstrual cycle and prepares the female body for pregnancy. In this case, the uterus forms a thicker lining and gets ready for the ovary to release an egg to be fertilized by a sperm. If the egg doesn’t get fertilized, the uterus starts shedding the lining, which is called menstruation. On an average, a woman uses almost 17,000 pads or tampons - a significant cost to the environment. Are menstrual cups any better? Let’s weigh in.

Menstrual Products Throughout the Ages

Originally, Johnson & Johnson released Lister’s Towels that were deemed the first menstrual pads and were quite different from our modern-day pads. A few years later, the first tampon was invented, following which, adhesive sticky pads of today came into being. Today’s products have largely taken the comfort of women under consideration and protect them from leaks. These include menstrual cups and period underwear to meet the ever-changing lifestyle and flow needs.

Which is Better - Menstrual Cup or Pad?

In India, 36% of women undergoing menstruation use disposable sanitary napkins every cycle, and on an average, they use eight pads per cycle. This translates into a total waste of 12.3 billion disposables in India alone. As of now, two reusable menstrual products are available - cloth pads and menstrual cups. Menstrual cups are made of silicone/medical-grade materials and need to be inserted into the vagina.
 

Compared to sanitary napkins, menstrual cups are eco-friendly, reusable, and durable, which highly reduce the cost one has to bear during menstrual period. Studies conducted suggest that when used properly, the rate of leakage is the same for both. However, one study suggests that menstrual cups leak significantly less. One major hindrance in making the case for menstrual cups was that it took around 1-2 cycles for people to get accustomed to the process. However, nearly 70% of the people included in the study were happy to continue using menstrual cups after they got familiar with products. 

Does Using Menstrual Cup Affect the Vagina?

One common question is whether the process of insertion and removal of the menstrual cup causes adverse effects on the vagina. Several women refrain from using the cup as they are afraid of tissue damage. Hence, it was important that researchers examine if menstrual cups are better than pads in terms of safety.
 

Among the participants in the study, only five women reported ‘toxic shock syndrome’ (a rare complication of bacterial infections), but the total number of women using the cup was not available. Hence, the risk rate could not be calculated accurately. As for changes in the vaginal flora, menstrual cups do not cause any. Researchers also found that no tissue damage was caused in the vaginal canal or cervix after use. Based on the studies available, it was concluded that menstrual cups were as reliable and safe as other menstrual products. In case you notice any changes, we suggest you consult an experienced healthcare professional.

Menstrual Cup vs Sanitary Pad

In this section, we will discuss the differences between menstrual cups and sanitary pads based on a few factors to help you form an opinion on the menstrual cup vs sanitary pad debate.

• Odor - In the case of pads, the blood comes in contact with the air, which causes oxidation. However, this is completely avoided in the case of a menstrual cup, thus preventing any odor.
• Period between Changes - Pads need to be changed every 4 to 6 hours based on the flow, but a menstrual cup can go for 8 to 12 hours before emptying it.
• Ease of Use - Both pads and menstrual cups are easy to use, but you might have trouble learning how to use a cup. However, once you get adjusted to the process, it feels like it isn’t even present.
• Mess - Emptying a menstrual cup requires technique and might be a challenge to clean, but pads are disposable.
• Sterilization - The topic of sterilization doesn’t arise in the case of a sanitary pad. As for menstrual cups, you need to sterilize them before and after every cycle.

Truly, both menstrual cups and sanitary pads are safe menstrual products. What you use really depends on your comfort and lifestyle. However, you won't know the difference until you try both. Get menstrual cups and sanitary pads from Purplle at discounts never seen before!


Read More:
- Beginner’s Tips For Using A Menstrual Cup
- 5 Reasons to Use Menstrual Cups
- Top 7 sanitary pads for heavy flow