Game on: Menstrual Cup vs. Tampons

Every feel you want to convert the world to menstrual cups but don’t have all the facts at your fingertips? We’ve made it super easy for you to fight for your right to use a period cup with this straightforward “compare and contrast” chart.

Benefits of using a menstrual cup

They only needs to be emptied 2-3 times a day during normal flow. Most people empty the cup only in the morning and in the evening and you can sleep with the cup in which is a huge advantage over tampons (8 hours vs 12 hours).
Menstrual cups contain the menstrual fluid. They’re non-drying and non-irritating to the vaginal tissue.
Period cups save the planet, AND save money! No applicators. No wrappers. NO TRASH!
No strings attached; no one can see that you are on your periods and you don’t need to have that “pee string” :)
Menstrual cups are a one-time cost so the longer you use them, the more money you save.
Medical grade silicone is safer than rayon or bleached cotton that are used in tampons.
Some period cup users say they have less cramps with cups than with tampons. This might be due the fact that tampons absorb moisture, making the vagina dry, and also because they touch the cervix which is very sensitive for most. (Tampons are placed next to the cervix whereas cups sit lower in the vagina. So, people with sensitive cervixes tend to prefer menstrual cups).

Disadvantages of tampons

Tampons need to be changed every 4-8 hours. (By the way, you should never wait more than 8 hours to change a tampon.)
They absorb fluid, including lubricating vaginal fluids. Ouch!
Excessive menstrual hygiene waste is harsh on the environment! Plastic applicators, wrappers, trash. Plus, if they’re not disposed of correctly, tampons can easily block drains.
The average menstruating person will spend $84 per year on disposable menstrual protection.
Organic tampons are better than normal ones but they still can leave fibers behind. These fibers can cause irritation and stay inside when the tampon is removed. In fact, in 2018, Kimberly-Clark announced a voluntary product recall after it had received reports from consumers about its U by Kotex tampons unraveling and/or coming apart upon removal, and in some cases causing users to seek medical attention to remove tampon pieces left in the body.
If the tampon is too absorbent, it can cause micro cuts in the vaginal tissue, creating an environment for TSS bacteria to enter to bloodstream.