Although menstruation is necessary, it can sometimes be such a hassle. For one, you have to change regularly to avoid blood from staining your clothes.
Having your period might also cause some discomfort when you want to engage in physical activities thanks to cramps and other ailments that come with getting your period.
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Menstruating should not prevent you from doing what you love and participating in activities that make you happy.
This is what feminine hygiene products such as reusable cloth pads and menstrual cups are for: to allow you to continue regular activities even when it’s that time of the month.
While the primary purpose of these products is to prevent blood from leaking, they do factor in a lot when it comes to ensuring regular activities and extracurricular ones are possible. But which one is right for you?
Reusable Cloth Pads
Pros
1. It has a positive impact on the environment
Reusable cloth pads aren’t going to be thrown into landfills. In fact, these products last for years before they need to be disposed of.
Limiting the amount of trash thrown away prevents the planet from getting into any worse shape than it already is.
2. It allows you to save on costs
Cloth pads only need to be washed and then they are good to go again. Compare this with buying sanitary products whenever it’s that time of the month.
It also takes years before reusable products need to be replaced. In short, using these kinds of protectors during periods will save you money.
Cons
1. It introduces harmful elements to the body
Regular tampons are made of cotton, but cotton grown the usual way most likely involved chemicals that are not only harmful to the environment but also towards health.
Now imagine that cotton being processed, which involves another dose of harmful elements, and made into a tampon. Essentially, you are introducing elements into your body that are unhealthy.
Menstrual Cups
Pros
1. It lasts longer than tampons
On average, a menstrual cup can last around 10 to 12 hours. For comparison, a tampon is good for at least eight hours before you have to change. Sanitary pads, on the other hand, need to be changed quite often, particularly if your flow is heavy.
2. It can be reused
Like reusable cloth pads, menstrual cups can be used again. And just like cloth pads, they can last for years. As a result, you can save the money intended for the purchase of sanitary pads or tampons.
3. It eliminates odor from menstrual flow
Menstrual blood, when it makes contact with air, will smell. This isn’t a situation women want to be in, but avoiding this overall is possible by using a menstrual cup.
Cons
1. It creates difficulty choosing because of variety
A number of companies produce menstrual cups, leading to issues when it comes to selection. The choice of a brand that best suits a particular woman will depend on a number of factors. As such, it may take more than one try for a lady to find the perfect match.
2. It is not for every woman
Menstrual cups are usually made from rubber or latex, and a portion of the female population may be allergic to those materials. As a result, you have no option but to go for something else.
Which is better?
Reusable cloth pads and menstrual cups each have significant advantages over the other. While both appeal to the environment-conscious individual, they do have some disadvantages that need to be considered.
In the end, you decide which you feel is the better product for you. No matter what you choose, what matters is that you picked a product that best suits you.
