Hey earth muffins! 2021, for me, was the year of trying out different ways to zero waste my period. While I haven’t tried all the methods to have a zero waste period, I focused my time on menstrual cups and reusable menstrual pads. These are some of the most popular options when it comes to making your time of the month more sustainable. So, which do I prefer? 🤔 In today’s post, I will be sharing my thoughts on reusable pads vs menstrual cups… Let’s jump right into it!
Why Reusable Pads Are Better
The first thing that makes reusable pads better is that they aren’t as invasive as menstrual cups. One of the major concerns I had when trying out a cup was that it required me to insert it and remove it… Which can be pretty terrifying at first! Once you get the hang of it it isn’t scary anymore; check out my tips on how to insert and remove a menstrual cup if you still struggle! Overall, reusable pads are way less invasive even when you get the hang of cups.
I also find reusable menstrual pads to be more comfortable. This might not be the case for everyone, as I’ve heard that menstrual cups don’t feel like anything once they are inserted. This was not the case for me, which is why reusable pads get my vote for being most comfortable! The sustainable fabrics used in reusable pads are super soft and easy to snap into your underwear. I especially love supporting brands like Natissy that use organic cotton in their reusable pads! There is also never a concern that the pad will slide around and cause you to leak.
Why Menstrual Cups Are Better
A huge pro for this reusable pads vs menstrual cups list is that you don’t have to worry about cups for up to 12 hours. Reusable pads only last about 8 hours, so 4 extra hours can be a game changer. It is honestly really nice to just insert the cup in the morning and not have to dump it out until my nightly shower. Similar to tampons, those 12 hours can also be full of basically any activity: swimming, exercising, dancing around… The list is endless! In terms of flexibility, menstrual cups have reusable pads beat.
Menstrual cups are also more cost effective. While a single cup can seem pricey, it is more expensive up front to buy a complete set of reusable pads. You only need one cup too – and it will last you many years (as long as you take care of it and properly sanitize it)! The only downside is that you might need to buy a few cups to find the one that works best for your body. I know I tried out the Lena cup and the OrganiCup when trying to find one that worked for me… Even with a couple of cup purchases it should still be cheaper than buying reusable pads!
So Who is the Winner??
In terms of sustainablility, both reusable pads and menstrual pads are great options to zero waste your period. You honestly can’t go wrong with either of them! Looking back at my experience this past year, there is a clear winner for me (and my body): reusable menstrual pads! While I love the flexibility of menstrual cups (and the fact that you don’t have to worry about it for 12 whole hours), they just didn’t work for my body. My cramps were worse, it was never quite as comfortable as it should have been, and I was just not a fan of having to insert/remove it. I might be slightly biased as I used pads instead of tampons my whole life before I started my eco journey… But I’m still glad I gave the menstrual cup a try!
Final Thoughts
Overall, the reusable pads vs menstrual cups debate really comes down to your body and what works best for you. Both of them are fantastic zero waste alternatives to disposable period products, so it is a huge win for Mother Earth if you make the switch to either of them! In terms of reusable pads, I find them more comfortable and much less invasive. Menstrual cups win in flexibility and cost in the long term. But, reusable pads are what I will be sticking to going forward! 🙃 What is your favorite zero waste period product? Comment below and let me know what other sustainable period products I should try next!
Love,
Jenna ♥
