Menstrual Cups: An Honest Review
A Personal Story: To Find Safe, Effective Period Care
My first experience trying a menstrual cup actually happened by accident. I was on a road trip with my family and driving on the freeway in Sacramento when I had that knowing feeling that my period had just started. We pulled off the road into a Whole Foods parking lot and I dashed in, running as quickly as possible to the feminine care aisle. And there, it was—a Diva Cup. I could have just as easily grabbed a box of tampons, but I need to rewind a bit to explain what made me reach for something new…
Breaking Up with Tampons & Pads
In my postpartum recovery after the birth of my first child, I came to find that I was allergic to pads. This isn’t something you want to learn when you have 30 stitches running from front to back after pushing a baby out of your lady bits. It wasn’t until a few months after I’d healed that I began researching what I might be allergic to in pads—not because I used pads for period care, but because I hoped to one day have another child and didn’t want to deal with an allergic reaction again. I was shocked by what I learned...
It turns out pads are full of horrific chemicals that should never touch our bodies, let alone our most sensitive area. Tampons too! Conventional menstruation products have been found to contain phthalates, VOCs, parabens, fragrances, environmental phenols, plastic, PFAS, and dioxins. These chemicals can be absorbed through the skin and cause a whole range of health issues including increased risk of certain cancers, decreased fertility, developmental delays and low birth weight in children, hormonal disruption, high cholesterol, and reduced effectiveness of the immune system (just to name a few). Even tampons labeled organic can contain concerning ingredients. Not to mention all tampons are harmful to the environment when flushed down the toilet. With this knowledge, I changed my period care routine. With what felt like limited options, I went the organic tampon route and was conscious about always tossing them instead of flushing them moving forward.
When I became pregnant with our second child, I chose to use period underwear instead of pads for my postpartum healing and wondered if they could be an effective, healthy period option for after as well. However, not long after he was born, I learned that period underwear is also concerning when it comes to our health. Not only are they a big investment, but some brands are being shown to contain PFAS, also known as forever chemicals. Possible side effects of PFAS exposure include certain types of cancer, thyroid disease, reproductive issues, endocrine disruption, immune system damage, increased cholesterol, pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia, small decreases in birth weight, and liver damage.
Through all of my research, I was beginning to feel defeated about finding safe, effective period care. I had heard about menstrual cups but wasn’t sure they were for me. And yet, my options were running out. Plus I wanted to make sustainable choices too and it felt like a waste of materials (and money) to keep literally throwing away a box of tampons (after use) every month. This takes us to the start of this story…
I was standing in the feminine hygiene aisle of Whole Foods, period incoming. Staring down a box of organic tampons and a menstrual cup, I thought “What the heck” and picked up the Diva Cup, a popular menstrual cup, and rushed to purchase it before darting to the bathroom to take care of my mess.
A Failed First Experience
When I said my first experience trying a menstrual cup happened by accident, it was because I had done zero research about menstrual cup brands. I knew that they were made from medical-grade silicone, had an incredibly low chance of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) compared to tampons, and could be reused for years. However, I didn’t realize that the shape can vary from brand to brand—which is important to get right to ensure there aren’t leaks. I went with the Diva Cup and this was a major mistake for my body shape/anatomy and flow. I had a LOT of leaks. I persisted. I felt like this was my last shot; I had exhausted every option and felt I had nowhere to turn. I stuffed my underwear with neatly folded toilet paper to limit ruining my clothes. I’m embarrassed to say this now, but it continued for a while. That’s when I read an article (which I can’t find now), which gave me enough information to determine I needed to try another cup. Hope remained. Next up, the Saalt Cup. But was this one going to be a winner? Here is my review:
About Menstrual Cups
What’s a Menstrual Cup?
A menstrual cup is a reusable feminine hygiene product designed to collect menstrual fluid. Typically made from medical-grade silicone, rubber, or thermoplastic elastomer, these cups are bell-shaped and inserted into the vagina during menstruation. Unlike traditional pads or tampons, which absorb fluid, menstrual cups create a seal against the vaginal walls to prevent leakage. They can be worn for up to 12 hours, depending on the flow, and are an environmentally friendly alternative as they can last for years with proper care. Choosing a menstrual cup can contribute to reducing menstrual waste while also offering a cost-effective solution over time.
My Review: Saalt Menstrual Cup
Pros:
✓ Cost-effective: Although the initial investment may seem higher (around $30 for one) than traditional menstrual products ($6-$10 for a box of tampons), menstrual cups can last for several years with proper care. This results in significant savings over time. In three to six months of tampon use, you cover the cost of a menstrual cup.
✓ Less trips to the bathroom: Menstrual cups hold more fluid than pads or tampons. On a regular flow day, a menstrual cup only needs to be emptied twice a day (once every 12 hours), while a tampon needs to be changed more often.
✓ Reduced risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS): There is a lower risk of TSS associated with menstrual cups compared to tampons, which can offer peace of mind.
✓ Non-toxic: Menstrual cups are made from medical-grade silicone and do not contain toxic materials, making them a healthier option for your body.
✓ Easy to use and care for: Once you get accustomed to the insertion and removal process, menstrual cups are very straightforward to use. Cleaning is simple: during your period, it requires rinsing the cup after emptying and boiling the cup between periods.
✓ Environmental impact: Menstrual cups are reusable and reduce the number of disposable products that contribute to landfill waste.
✓ Leak protection: When inserted correctly (and with the right cup for your body/anatomy), menstrual cups can provide a very reliable barrier against leaks.
✓ It’s comfortable: So much so that I often forget I even have my period.
✓ Health monitoring: Using a menstrual cup allows you to track your menstrual flow more easily, which can provide insights into your menstrual health and any changes over time.
Cons:
✓ It might take a few brands to find the right one. If you read through my saga above, you will know it was not love upon first insertion. It took a second brand for me to find the right fit.
✓ Insertion can be tricky. It took me a second to figure out how to insert it and how to make sure it was properly placed, but once you gefigure it out, you’re good.
✓ Not always easy in public bathrooms. Many public bathrooms don’t have a private sink, which can make rinsing the cup challenging when it needs to be emptied. I’ll start by saying that emptying a cup out and about is rare. Generally, I only need to empty it every 12 hours (which means once when I wake up and once when going to bed). However, on heavier flow days or times when I’m not home and the 12-hour mark hits, I’ll need to change it in a public bathroom (which may or may not have a private sink). There are a few workarounds for this: 1. Don’t rinse it. The packaging on my Saalt Cup said that’s ok if you’re in a situation where that’s not possible. 2. Carry a travel rinser cup (just fill with water and shake), a peri bottle (if you’ve given birth, you’ll remember them from post-partum care), or use a water bottle. But whatever you do, don’t pee on it to rinse it.
✓ You need to have a way to sanitize it. To sanitize your cup between periods, you have to have access to running water that can be boiled, either by a stove or microwave. And if you live in a dorm room or a place without a stovetop, this sanitizer is a great option to boil it between periods.
✓ Can feel scary with an IUD. I have an IUD and used to feel nervous that I’d suction my IUD out of me when pulling the cup out. The trick is to break the seal with your finger (on the side) before pulling it out. There are instructions about how to do this too on the info pamphlet they include with the cup packaging. Now that I’ve been doing this for years, it’s simple but it definitely worried me at the start.
The Final Verdict
Within hours of trying the Saalt Cup, I knew my menstrual products search was over. I found “the one.” No more leaks. Up to 12 hours before I needed to empty it. Was it 100% perfect, no. But was better than tampons? 1000000%. I’d give my Saalt Cup a 98.5% satisfaction rating (which if I was still in school, that grade would be a big, fat A).
Really, the only time I’m not crazy about it is when I have to change it when I’m camping (having clean hands is hard amongst all of the dirt) or the rare occasion when I don’t have a way to rinse it. Other than that, it’s AMAZING and even in the camping/out-and-about rinsing scenarios, I make it work.
Have you tried a mensural cup? Share your experiences (good and bad) in the comments below…
