Menstrual cups: The pros and the cons

Menstrual Cups: The Pros and the Cons

Bysite_admin

I’m sure you’ve heard the tampon horror stories by now. Toxic shock syndrome, carcinogenic bleach, and the list goes on. With more and more people turning to menstrual cups (such as the Diva Cup), is it the right move for you?

Menstrual cups: The pros and the cons

The pros of menstrual cups

From an environmental perspective, menstrual cups are great, since they’re reusable. You don’t have to worry about filling landfills with all kinds of waste, between the sanitary products themselves, and the packaging for the products.

Another advantage of reusable cups is how friendly to the wallet they are. You can get one for about $40 in Canada. Conversely, a pack of 16 organic tampons runs for about $7. In the long run, you end up saving so much money by making the switch.

Tampons and pad can be a bit of a hassle when you’re on the go. They should be changed about every 4 hours, whereas your cup can stay in for up to 12 hours, depending on the cup you’re using.

The cons of menstrual cups

While menstrual cups are great for countless reasons, there are disadvantages associated with using them. For instance they can be a bit messy. If you spend more than 12 hours outside of the house, you may find it difficult to empty and clean your cup. This is especially true if you only have access to public washroom without a sink in the stall.

Some may be turned off when first using their menstrual cup because it may take some time to adjust. Each cup variety is shaped differently. Each person is also shaped slightly differently. Sometimes, the most comfortable insertion angle for you may not match the one in the instructions. Additionally, if you have a lower cervix, you may want to consider a shorter menstrual cup.

The choice to make the switch to a menstrual cup is entirely yours. I simply want you to have enough information to make informed decisions.

You may also be interested in:

  • Root cause treatment for chronic illness

    Bysite_admin

    Many patients in my acupuncture practice want to find ways to address the root cause of their chronic illness. Often, they feel let down by a healthcare system that has only supplied them with bandaid solutions. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, treating the root of a health issue involves addressing your constitution. Your constitution is essentially…

  • Enzyme Production for Healthy Digestion

    Bysite_admin

    When we eat, our bodies produce enzymes to break down what we eat. However, as we age, our enzyme production begins to decline. Enzymes are needed to avoid and reduce inflammation in the body. When foods are not broken down fully, large particles of food find their way into corners of our bodies where they…

  • Healthy Fats: They’re So Important for PMS

    Bysite_admin

    There was a time when fats were demonized. Food companies tried to come up with as many fat free products as possible. It was an unhealthy trend because extra sugar was added in foods to compensate. But on top of that, it became unhealthy because healthy fats were avoided for a long period of time….

  • 9 Fertility Friendly Snacks That Are Sugar Free

    Bysite_admin

    When you’re trying to conceive, it can be challenging to find things to eat that will support that goal. Many of my fertility acupuncture patients tell me that they’re tired of eating the same things constantly. In order to make things easier for you, I’ve compiled a collection of fertility friendly snacks that will be…

  • All About PCOS: Testing, Root Causes, and Management

    Bysite_admin

    As an acupuncturist working mainly with menstrual issues, it’s important that I address Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS. Many people with menstrual issues eventually discover that their problems stem from PCOS. Common symptoms include irregular periods, acne, mood swings, unwanted weight gain, and increased facial hair growth. For many of my acupuncture patients coming in…

  • Acupuncture to turn a breech baby

    Bysite_admin

    Did you know that acupuncture can be used to turn a breech baby? Let’s take a look at how that works, both in clinic and at home. When should I seek help to turn a breech baby? Ideally, your baby should be head down and in position by 34 weeks. If you don’t have any…