Most consumers are drastically changing their life choices in response to the lockdown measures caused by the pandemic. Most people are facing new situations such as a difference in income, leisure time. These situations influence how consumers behave and their changes in attitudes. Clients prefer to pick items that are better for the environment, healthy, and less costly.
Tampons are plugs made of cotton that are inserted into the vagina to absorb menstrual flow. Unfortunately, they are not easily degradable and are quite expensive. Furthermore, it becomes a little tricky when trying to dispose of it when you are in a full household. It is understandable to be worried about making people uncomfortable or irritated when a mistake happens when trying to dispose of it.
That is why it is important to look at other options available in the market that would be more convenient during the lockdown. There is the period underwear, menstrual cups, menstrual discs, reusable cloth pads, and reusable interlabial petals.
Among the alternative options, you want something convenient and can clean easily without stacking them away before you clean. The best option would be menstrual cups that are inserted into the vagina and designed to collect blood from your period after 10-12 hours.
Why Use the Reusable Menstrual Cup?
There are many benefits to the reusable menstrual cup, such as:
- Affordability
Reusable menstrual cups are very affordable and cost less, unlike tampons and pads. They do not require you to continually buy new cups every time your menses have appeared. Therefore, you save your own money because all you need to do is use the one you already have. It is considered a one-time price product, unlike the tampons that you get rid of once used, forcing you to buy every other time.
- Safe compared to tampons.
Reusable menstrual cups are designed to collect blood. This design reduces the risk of being affected by toxic shock syndrome (TSS). TSS is caused by bacterial infections brought by using sanitary materials that absorb blood.
Tampons absorb blood, and when these materials stay in the vagina for too long, they create an environment for bacteria to grow. Also, tampons stick to vaginal walls when the flow is lighter, causing abrasions when they are removed, exposing the skin to the bacteria. Therefore menstrual cups are much safer.
- Holds more blood than tampons.
Using tampons may require you to frequently visit the toilet as they can only hold blood for a short period of time and of less quantity. A menstrual cup will only need you to dispose of after 10-12hours, which means you do not need to use the toilet frequently. The cup can also hold as much as a third of an ounce, so you do not need to worry about leakages.
- It is eco-friendly
Reusable cups are eco-friendly since they last long and can be used frequently. There is no wastage when disposing of contents since there is no need to wrap a menstrual cup in twists of toilet paper, unlike the tampon. Again you will not be disposing of material constantly that takes time to decompose, unlike the tampon that is made of substances that cause it to take a long time to decompose.
- Some brands cannot be felt during sex.
Most menstrual cups do not require you to take them out before having sex. Having to take out tampons or pads may be unnerving. Sometimes it may make the mood a little awkward, and nobody wants to feel that way. With menstrual cups, especially the soft disposable ones, can remain inside as you get familiar with your partner. Your partner will not feel the cup, and you do not have to worry about leakage.
- It can be worn with an IUD
Menstrual cups cannot displace an IUD. Research has been carried out concerning the effect of a menstrual cup and an IUD, but results have shown there are no such effects. Although you still have concerns about the height of your vagina and using a menstrual cup with an IUD, you can confirm with your doctor.
Conclusion
Other victories come with using a menstrual cup, such as lack of odor, lack of chemicals that could cause cancer, and do not dry the vagina. In addition, a menstrual cup lasts 6-10 months hence less movement for you to expose yourself outside during the pandemic. It also means fewer emergency movements to your retail store or crisis during the lockdown.
Since it is clear that a menstrual cup is more hygienic and comfortable to use during a lockdown, it is crucial to know how to care for it. Ensure that you wash and clean the reusable menstrual cup before reinserting it into the vagina. Empty your menstrual cup twice a day and throw disposable cups after use.