CREDIT: FSU PUBLICATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

Menstrual cups are becoming more common and are now being made by many different companies. The original and most well-known one is The DivaCup, but mainstream companies known for disposable products are starting to make them as well. Tampax is one of those brands.

The idea has been around and used well before the 1800s. They would use different methods to catch menstrual flow and create their own cup. The modern menstrual cup was then created. The DivaCup is actually Canadian and is one of Canada’s fastest growing brands.

So, what are the benefits of a menstrual cup? Some people might think of them as messy and hard to insert, but that’s not the case at all. When you’re getting used to them, maybe they might be a little tricky to use. But they have many benefits.


1. They’re reusable. This is probably the biggest reason people use menstrual cups. The fact that they are reusable saves you money in the long run. Depending on the size of box of disposable products a person would buy, you can save easily $20 each month. This also helps contribute to the environment because there is nothing to throw away.

2. More flexibility. Menstrual cups have more flexibility than a disposable pad or tampon. Because they are silicone, have a bigger capacity, and keep the contents contained away from the vaginal walls, they can be worn up to 12 hours at a time. But, it is recommended it be emptied every eight hours by doctors. This allows you to go about your day without having to worry any further about when you will have access to a bathroom. They also hold a tight seal when inserted properly, so swimming is also an option.

3. They are safer than pads or tampons. Because the is blood being held in its own area, it doesn’t have the chance to soak back into the skin. There is then no cause of toxic shock syndrome, which is essentially when the bacteria from the blood attacks the body after it soaks back into the body.

These are just a few of the benefits menstrual cups can provide. But on top of that, they have an active role in helping fight period poverty. Women’s shelters, food banks, as well as other initiatives helping people who need menstrual products, can always use menstrual cup donations. This gives them a product that is reusable and has an estimated lifecycle of 10 years.

In London, there are many shelters and food banks that are accepting these products to help people. But one that is actively fighting against period poverty is Here For Her. They focus on health education, challenging societal norms, and advocating and raising money to purchase the necessary items needed within London and Canada. Due to their efforts, London was the first Canadian city to provide free menstrual products in city owned and publicly accessible buildings, according to the Here For Her website.

Menstrual cups may not be possible for everyone, whether it be because financially they are not able to spend $40 up front, or because they are simply not accessible to those in need. But they do have many benefits, including helping those in need. There are different options from varying brands, all at different price points. So, if you are tired of spending money monthly on products and/or wondering how you can help menstruating individuals in your area, it never hurts to take a look at the available menstrual cups!