Dealing with exhaustion, pain, and a gazillion mood swings due to periods is no easy feat. In the midst of all this PMS-induced discomfort, all we need is a reliable period aid that can take the edge off a turbulent shark week, right? But given the variety of options available in the market, making the right choice can be quite confusing. That’s why we’re here to help you seek some clarity about two of the most preferred period aids–menstrual cups vs tampons. Here’s everything you need to know about them:
What Are Tampons?
Before we figure out the winner in the menstrual cup vs tampons battle, let’s understand what tampons are. According to the FDA, tampons are period aids that are inserted into the vagina to soak up period blood. Made with absorbent material, tampons come in a variety of sizes and absorbency levels–high, medium, and low. You can choose the right type according to the intensity of your menstrual flow. Additionally, tampons may come with or without an applicator. While non-applicator tampons are inserted with the help of your fingers, applicator tampons have a plastic syringe to help push them inside the vagina.
Advantages Of Tampons
A host of advantages make tampons a popular period aid amongst the masses. Here, take a look at its benefits:
They Keep Rashes At Bay
Damp sanitary pads can irritate your sensitive genital skin and cause rashes. But since tampons are worn internally, they don’t come in contact with your intimate area and keep it rash and irritation free.
You Can Swim While Wearing A Tampon
Tampon works like a seal. It absorbs the menstrual blood and keeps it from coming out of the vagina–all this, while being discreet. This means that you can take a dip in the pool without worrying about leakages and your tampon being visible or swelling up.
They Have A No-Wear Feel
Once inserted properly into the vagina, you won’t even feel like you’re wearing a tampon. Thanks to their no-wear feel you can almost forget about being on your period and go on with your day feeling comfy.
Disadvantages Of Tampons
The only real disadvantage of wearing a tampon is the risk of instant death due to the toxic shock syndrome (TSS). It happens when the toxins released by bacteria enter the bloodstream. Now, this condition may be fatal but it is extremely rare. It can easily be avoided by changing your tampon every three-four hours and not wearing one for longer than eight hours.
Sirona Recommends The Best Tampons
Sirona Non-Applicator Tampons
Made with highly-absorbent fibre, Sirona’s Non-Applicator Tampons offer leakproof protection and are super-comfy to wear. They come with a twist-turn opening for easy insertion and have curved grooves for reliable protection.
Sirona Applicator Tampons
These tampons come with a syringe-like applicator to help insert them easily. They’re comfy, odour-free, and come in three different sizes. You can choose one according to your period flow and rely on them for leakproof protection.
What Are Menstrual Cups?
Menstrual cups are reusable funnel-shaped devices that are inserted into the vagina to collect period blood instead of absorbing it. They’re usually made with medical-grade silicone and are safe to be worn internally. Menstrual cups are also available in different sizes–small, medium, large, and extra large. However, the right size has more to do with the strength of your pelvic floor muscles than the intensity of your period flow. For instance, for a person who has undergone vaginal childbirth, a large-sized menstrual cup would fit better. On the other hand, for a teenager, a small-sized cup would be comfier.
Advantages Of Menstrual Cups
Menstrual cups are all the rage these days and rightly so. These advantages of menstrual cups completely justify the hype around this period aid:
They’re Environment-Friendly
Since menstrual cups are reusable, they help take the load off our landfills by decreasing the environmental waste created by discarding disposable period aids like pads and tampons.
They’re Pocket-Friendly
One menstrual cup can last for about 10-15 years if maintained properly. This means that you won’t have to invest in a stack of disposable period aids every month.
They’re Safe For The Vagina
Many tampons and sanitary pads contain harmful plastics that can be detrimental to your vaginal health. However, menstrual cups are made with medical-grade silicone and are absolutely safe to use. Additionally, these cups work by creating a suction grip with your vaginal muscles. This means that they can tone them up and keep you comfier.
They’re Comfortable
Menstrual cups usually have the capacity to collect and hold 28-30 ml of period blood in one go. For the unversed, this is more than the amount of blood one sheds during the entire shark week. This means that menstrual cups can provide leakproof protection for eight hours straight. It also doesn’t come in contact with your genital area and keeps rashes and irritation at bay.
Disadvantages Of Menstrual Cup
Again, there are no real disadvantages of menstrual cups. However, finding the right size and their proper placement inside the vagina can be a bit of a hassle in the initial phase of using the cup. Once you get a hang of it though, you will never look back, we assure you.
Sirona Recommends Best Menstrual Cup
Sirona Menstrual Cup
Made with soft medical-grade, skin-friendly silicone, the Sirona Menstrual Cup is just what you need for a mess-free and eco-friendly period. It can be folded into any shape of your choice and inserted without any hassle. With a whopping capacity of up to 28 mL, it offers leakproof protection for eight hours straight and keeps you super-comfy all day. Additionally, the cup’s got a stem at the base that makes it easily accessible during removal. Available in three different sizes (Small, medium, and large), this cup will fit you like a glove and is sure to change your period experience forever.
Tampons VS Menstrual Cups: Which Is Better?
While both these period aids are worn internally, menstrual cups still have an upper hand over tampons as they offer a longer period of leakproof protection and can be reused. In fact, once you get comfortable with using a menstrual cup, you’d be happy you did your bit for the environment and saved your money too.
FAQs
Will a menstrual cup be more uncomfortable than a tampon?
Handling a menstrual cup can be a tad bit tricky initially. However, once you find the right size and get used to inserting it properly, you will feel very comfortable in a menstrual cup.
Is it harder to figure out my size with a menstrual cup than with a tampon?
Finding the right size of a menstrual cup is slightly different than finding the right tampon. While tampons come with different absorbency levels, menstrual cup-size classification depends on the strength of your pelvic floor muscles. Stronger the muscles, the smaller the cup size. It may take some trial and error to figure out, but you will definitely find your match.
Is a menstrual cup more environmentally friendly than a tampon?
Yes. Tampons are disposable period aids. While menstrual cups can be washed and worn again. In fact, one cup can last for 10-15 years if maintained well. This means, menstrual cups help decrease menstrual waste and are environment friendly.
Is a menstrual cup more economical than tampons?
A pack of tampons may be cheaper than a single cup. But in the long run, menstrual cups prove to be more pocket-friendly. This is because they can be reused and last for up to 15 years, unlike single-use tampons.
Are menstrual cups safer than tampons?
Menstrual cups collect blood instead of absorbing it. So you can wear them for a longer time without worrying about the risk of TSS. Additionally, they’re made with medical-grade silicone which is healthier for your vagina than a plastic-laden tampon Hence, they’re safer.
Now that we’ve had this in-depth discussion about menstrual cups vs tampons, we hope that you’ve got clarity about which period aid to opt for.
Featured Image: Pexels
Also Read
Period Care: Read on for some useful tips on how to sail through shark week like a pro.
Menstrual Cup: Here’s everything you need to know about menstrual cups and how to use them like a boss
Menstrual Cups Myths: Planning to make the sustainable switch to menstrual cups? Stop believing in these myths about them.
Period Essentials: Here’s a list of period essentials that’ll make your life easier during shark week.
How to Use a Menstrual Cup: Read on for all the tips and pointers you’ve got to keep in mind if you’re a menstrual cup newbie.
Menstrual Hygiene: Why is menstrual hygiene so important? Read on to find out