Why are Menstrual Cups Becoming So Popular?
By Space Coast Daily // June 12, 2019
Saving the Environment
Periods affect all women and girls of childbearing age. It’s not something any woman can avoid. Periods arrive every month without fail, which means women need to find suitable ways to cope with the flow of menstrual blood.
For decades, tampons and sanitary towels have been the main option for women all over the world, but in recent years, we have seen a surge in popularity for reusable sanitary products, including menstrual cups, with many women searching for menstrual cup reviews online.
Google stats tell us that searches for ‘menstrual up’ have increased year on year. In 2010, the search phrase ‘menstrual cup’ had a popularity score of 10; by 2018, this figure had risen to 83.
In this article, we are going to look at the reasons why menstrual cups are becoming increasingly popular.
Saving the Environment
Plastic pollution is a very real threat. Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste end up polluting our oceans. There is a whole island of plastic debris floating out there, drifting aimlessly with the tides.
Sanitary towels and tampons contain plastic, most of which is non-recyclable and ends up in landfill or our oceans. Walk along any beach and you might spot a plastic tampon applicator or a used sanitary towel. Not only is this deeply unpleasant, but it’s bad for the environment.
Menstrual cups, like the Lunette menstrual cup Australia, are environmentally friendly. Made from medical-grade latex, menstrual cups can be reused each month. They are inserted inside the vagina and act as a plug, collecting menstrual flow and preventing leakages. Insert, remove, empty, rinse, and reinsert.
Once you get the hang of using a menstrual cup, it becomes second nature. And because they are reusable, you are not adding to the world’s plastic debris problem.
Helping the environment is one of the primary reasons why women are increasingly interested in reusable sanitary products like menstrual cups.
As public awareness of reusable sanitary products like menstrual cups grows, we are seeing a corresponding rise in positive material being published online, specifically on social platforms.
There are many YouTubers and Instagrammers pushing plastic-free, eco-friendly period products. Menstrual cups have become popularised on social media. As more women use menstrual cups, the word spreads, which is a good thing for the environment.
Period Poverty
Period poverty is not just a third-world problem. 41% of kids in the US live in a low-income household, and many of those kids end up missing school each month because they can’t afford to buy sanitary products.
In many countries, sanitary products are classed as luxury goods, which means they are taxed. In the UK, tampons and sanitary towels are subject to VAT, hence the term ‘tampon tax’. Charities say this is scandalous, as women are being unfairly penalized for buying something that should be considered a necessity.
There is a growing call for the so-called tampon tax to be abolished. In some countries, this has already happened, and in some US states, including New York, Florida, and Connecticut, the tax on period products has been scrapped.
Because menstrual cups are reusable, they save women and girls money. It costs around $70 for a year’s supply of sanitary products in the US whereas a menstrual cup is a one-time purchase. For women in low-income families, that’s a huge saving.
Ease of Use
The other main reason why menstrual cups are so popular is that they are easy to use. There is a learning curve, but once you get the hang of inserting a menstrual cup, it is very easy to insert and remove.
Tampons can’t be left in for too long, as prolonged use increases the risk of toxic shock syndrome, a potentially lethal bacterial infection.
Menstrual cups, on the other hand, are safe to use overnight. They are also leak resistant, so women don’t have to worry about any embarrassing leaks at work, at the gym, or when they are out on a date.
When you make the switch to a menstrual cup, your period doesn’t need to affect your everyday life. It’s much easier to do sports when you use a menstrual cup. You don’t need to find a bathroom to change a tampon or sanitary towel. Menstrual cups can be emptied anywhere and reinserted quickly and easily.
If you are still not convinced, read some menstrual cup reviews and talk to other women. We are sure you will be a convert once you have tried one.
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