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Many female travelers swear by using a reusable menstrual cup as a solution to dealing with their periods while traveling. Learn about menstrual cup pros and cons to decide if this is a good option for you!
Menstrual Cup Pros and Cons
by Lacey J. Thiessen
I love my reusable menstrual cup. I’m actually pretty passionate about it. It’s better for the environment, my health, my wallet, my suitcase, and my adventures!
“Personally, I have only used the DivaCup, so all of my experiences are with that particular brand. This review is a compilation of 5 DivaCup users’ experiences. One girl tried the disposable cup instead, but found them to be more likely to leak and though they mostly did the trick, she wouldn’t recommend them. Other reusable brands like the Moon Cup seem like a viable options as well.
Real quick: here’s the list of Pros for Reusable Menstrual Cups:
Pros:
- LESS CRAMPS (for everyone I’ve talked to, anyway)
- Convenient.
- Better for the environment.
- Better for you.
- In the long run, a money saver.
- Great for gals with light flow.
- Great for gals with heavy flow – for a different reason.
- The BEST thing ever for light days at the end, or when you know Aunt Flow is coming but she just hasn’t arrived.
Some Cons:
- Take a while to get comfortable with and you will not like them at first (I say try them for an entire period before you write them off).
- High startup cost (A DivaCup generally costs about $40).
- Can be hard to “clean up” away from a water source (Read on for tips on use in places with no plumbing, or even toilets).
Cramps. Truly the highlight of every period.
I started using a reusable menstrual cup in hopes of reducing my cramps. Tampons always aggravated my cramps so badly that I was restricted mostly to pads – a fate worse than death. There are nasty chemicals in tampons (there are organic ones out there, which would be better) that can irritate the vaginal wall and cause cramping in response.
The cup actually reduced my cramps to almost nothing, and my friends who used to be nearly bed-ridden with cramps every month found a big improvement too.
Convenience, convenience, convenience.
Where have I found my reusable cup most convenient?
Firstly, day to day life, or when you’re traveling to places with decent bathrooms. If you have regular access to facilities, using a menstrual cup is a no-brainer. If you have to empty it in a stall, you can just wipe it out with toilet paper and wash it next time. But.
Here’s the thing guys.
You don’t have to empty it that often. When my period is heaviest (the first 2 days) I empty it every 12 hours, once in the morning and once at night. So, as long as you have access to a bathroom twice a day, you’re set.
Reusable menstrual cups are also super-convenient for the times when you know that your period is coming, but like a thief-in-the-night, you just don’t know when. Personally, I’d never put a tampon in before my flow starts, way to dry, ouch! A cup is smooth and doesn’t hurt to put in or take out dry. And theoretically, I suppose a safe lubricant could be used, if need be.
You’ve heard it before from every menstrual product brand out there, but with my cup I really do forget that I have my period. No cramps, no leaks, no setting change-tampon alarms and packing extra supplies in every coat, purse and car.
Obviously my flow is pretty light, or I’d be forced to empty my cup more often. But a menstrual cup can be just as convenient for ladies with a heavy flow (this particular gal used to soak through a super tampon in less than an hour):
“…for the first day or two I will sometimes have to empty it every couple hours. But it is still waaaay more convenient than tampons. I don’t have to make sure I have a sack of tampons with me just for a day trip. I’d say a diva cup is actually almost more convenient for women with a heavy flow. Going through like 12 tampons a day and worrying about having enough vs emptying a cup every couple hours, which would you choose? And since the first day is always so heavy it’s especially awesome to be able to put the diva cup in ahead of time when I know it’s coming. ‘Cause if it hits and I’m not near a bathroom there can be some major damage done.“ Yikes.
Reusable menstrual cups can be convenient even when you’re away from facilities for days on end. Nothing to dispose of/ hide; perfect for leave-no-trace camping or times when there’s nowhere to dispose of things. Do you really wanna bury your tampon in a hole? Burn it in the communal fire? Reusable cups are not so gross, perhaps.
Plus, having nothing to “hide” will help you avoid embarrassing situations, like what happened to my friend before she discovered the wonders of the reusable cup: (You can’t have a menstrual product post without an embarrassing period story):
“Once when I was [at my outdoor job in the boonies], pre-Diva, I had to change the tampon and I thought I threw it far enough away, but then some dude still found it and made an embarrassing comment… and being the only girl on the crew they knew. It was horrifying to 18 yr old me…. that wouldn’t happen with a diva[cup]!…I use mine camping all the time and canoe trips and whatnot. It’s great for work cause I don’t want to change a tampon in the field and leave it there, and taking it with is nasty.”
Note: this was a job site where she was basically in a barren wasteland, and the ground was too hard to dig a hole. No outhouses either. Really female-friendly.
Just HOW do you change it away from toilets? Some of my friends just bring extra toilet paper to wipe it out and wash hands in the river, some bring baby-wipes and put hand-sanitizer on their hands before and after, personally, I just bring a little bottle of a mild soap+water to rinse everything off. And how do you put it back in? Same as you would a tampon. It’s certainly tricky to put it in your first couple times, but once you get the hang of it a menstrual cup is actually easier and more comfortable to insert than a tampon because it doesn’t go so far up.
Between myself and my closest friends, reusable menstrual cups have been used on back-country hikes, canoe trips, and trail-rides on horseback, and in pretty much every country and climate: in South Asia, South America, Europe…
“I used it in Mexico, Cuba, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand. Definitely cheaper than sourcing tampons and much easier to carry especially when your bag is always damp from humidity. Tampons definitely go soft in those climates. Thailand would have been difficult to find a brand I would have liked…Tampons get squished in backpacks as well.”
Health, the environment…
Think of all the waste! We ladies throw out billions of hygiene products every year. I won’t bore you with the details, but suffice to say that for every 5000 tampons thrown out, a unicorn loses some sparkle dust.
So: Convenience AND Safety. Throw that one little menstrual cup in your bag and you’re set for years of travel and dozens of periods, and you don’t even need to ask “Where will I buy tampons?” let alone, “Are the tampons I buy in the remote village of HypotheticalForeignLand safe?”
And a bit more on that “safe for long wear” bit: Since the cup seals inside of you, your menstrual fluid doesn’t contact the air, so it doesn’t smell and bacteria can’t grow quite so quickly.
The cup is made of silicone so it won’t start to fall apart over the course of hours. After my first 2 days I only clean mine once a day. Emptying every 12 hours is recommended, but I’ll go twice as long or more. Maybe that’s dangerous, but my logic is that the lack of contact with air and outside bacteria and the far-superior hygiene of silicone make it safer to wear longer.
The DivaCup website says that the DivaCup can be worn safely with the NuvaRing or IUD, but to make sure you monitor your contraceptive device and know how it works. One Australian study found no difference in IUD expulsion between cup, tampon, and pad users. Also, most cups come in two sizes for pre- and post-pregnancy, and can be used by young girls and those who haven’t had sex. (Most of my friends, myself included, started using ours before we were sexually active).
Tip: empty yours in the shower, if possible. Mess avoided!
Well. I think that’s about everything you need to know about reusable menstrual cups!
If you WANT to know more, ask away! I know that they can be an expensive thing “just to try” but everyone I know loves them!
I would call reusable cups a travel essential, simply because they free up space in your pack and time in your schedule, and save you from a lot of worries, but I know that they might not be for everyone. Still, I hope this post has opened your mind to the possibilities of reusable cups, and that you’ll give’ em a try!
Chances are, once you get used to your cup, you won’t even dream of going back to tampons!
These are the 5 Most Popular Menstrual Cup Products:
DIVA Cup Post Childbirth
DIVA Cup Pre Childbirth
Evofem Reuseable Softcup
GladRags Moon Cup
Lunette Menstrual Cup
Do you travel with a menstrual cup? What are the pros and cons?
For more tips and ideas on travel essentials, please read the following:
- What’s in My Travel Makeup Bag
- How to Choose Toiletries for a Long term Trip
- 8 Budget Travel Packing Essentials
- Top 10 Hostel Essentials
I do competitive gymnastics… So a lot of violently flipping upside down, and some exercises cause some queefing. Plus we have to wear leotards, so not much material covering you. Do you think I’d be able to wear my cup during gymnastics?
Hi Sofia, thanks for your question! We’ll share your question here so the author of the article can reply.
Great article, thanks! Has anyone ever tried one while swimming? If so, does it feel secure? I’m still using tampons which state they can be used while swimming but I’ve never been brave enough to try! Currently backpacking australia and planning snorkelling trips around periods – annoying!
I’ve used it to go scuba diving so I think you’ll be fine 😉
I hope you have tried it in the past year! I’m a lifeguard, and wear my cup in the pool all the time. It’s not a prob!
Can u were one while wrestling im 13
Absolutely! They are great for sports!
Hi ladies,
I’ve just had my first go at using a divacup and it was both unsuccessful and pretty painful. Any tips for someone having trouble getting started?
Hi Victoria, I just tried it for the first time too and at first it was uncomfortable but then I got used to it. I have the Moon Cup. I folded it in half then again so it would be a smoother process. For removal it was very painful at first but by the fifth day I got used to it and it wasn’t as awkward. To remove it easier I found it best to squeeze it as if to flatten it a bit – removing one side first then the other. Does the Diva Cup come with instructions?
Okay ladies I have a question. I’ve never heard of these before so I’m investigating a little. I need to know on the sckoon cups as far as the size goes, I’m very very small but I’ve had both my children naturally. Now my doctor said that I bounced right back to my pre pregnancy what size would I use? If my weight helps any I only weigh 102 lbs.
Hi Paulette, I’m personally not sure. Going by the size suggestions it seems one is for no pregnancy or under 30 and the other is for post pregnancy or over 30…
I’ve been using a MCUK cup for years and recently decided to replace it. Have you seen the Lily Cup Compact? I didn’t think they could make a cup easier to travel with!
This all sounds VERY interesting. Thank you for the article and useful comments. I am also considering switching to the cup. I’m wondering though, how this would work with my favorite activity – bareback horseback riding? Any thoughts?
Hi Lily, that’s a good question. I’ll post the question on TFG’s Facebook page to see if anyone has experience using it in this activity. Stay tuned: https://www.facebook.com/TravelFashionGirl
Hi Lily, I know that I’m way late, but other readers may find this tip helpful….
I ride horses a lot too and I’ve used mine on horseback. Once you’re comfortable with your cup I recommend trimming the stem right off and flipping it inside out…then the bottom is perfectly smooth so it won’t chafe your lady-parts if it’s riding a little low…
Thanks for sharing this Lacey 🙂
These things are GREAT! And, if reducing cramps is your objective, just a word of advice – Vitex Agnus Castus is a useful supplement. Helps to alleviate PMS, as well. Very useful when travelling. 😀
Hi Rhiannon, thanks for the tip!
I have used a cup for about nine years now, minus my pregnancy. I had a Mooncup before I got pregnant and then switched to a Lunette after having given birth. This little cup has been one of the single most life-changing purchases I have made. I still use pads during the night and keep tampons around just in case but I would never go anywhere without my cup. I haven’t found any major differences between the Mooncup and the Lunette, they’re pretty much the same for me.
Great to know! I think I’ll buy all of these and do a comparison for TFG!
Brilliant! I have been using the disposable Softcups by Evofoam. I didn’t even know they had reusables! I guess I will have to run through my stash before I purchase the reusable. I am currently living in Thailand and had to stockpile before I left. 🙂
I saw reusable menstrual cups sold in a really cute store in Koh Phangan close to the pier. Once you get off the ferry take a right and it’s on the same road parallel to the beach. They were also at Radiantly Alive the yoga center in Bali – but not sure if you’re headed that way 😉
OMG, love love love traveling with my Lunette! It is probably most valuable the days before your period really ramps up (as well as at the end, when it’s tapering off) and you are always checking your pants for any leakage! No need to pack a wad of supplies, just the cup! I try to get a private bathroom or a stall with a sink, but otherwise I wash my hands before I go into the stall, use bottled water to rinse (which I usually have in my bag if traveling- otherwise I have been known to just empty and reinsert, which I don’t think it recommended, but it had to happen a few times), then reinsert. Seriously, traveling with the cup is SO easy. I am a convert for life!!
Thanks Kate, I’ll definitely check out the Lunette! Sounds like another popular option
I love my Sckoon Cup! Just got back from a trip in Colorado complete with long hikes, river rafting and driving. I’ve never had any trouble with insertion or leaks and the stem is much softer than diva or luna. It is definitely a travel must!
Thanks! Will check it out
For the Diva Cup, I flip mine inside out and wear it that way. I used to just trim the stem off, but flipping it inside out is way more comfortable, once you’re confident that you won’t have any problem getting it out. You’re right – the stem is definitely a little stiff.
I wouldn’t worry about drinking quality water, but would use washing-quality water. Would you wash your hands in the water – then it should be okay. I find that in the bathroom stall, I just dump and, wipe the outside with toilet paper, and re-insert. I wash it in the shower. The most annoying part is messy fingers when my cycle is heavy, but that would be no worse than if you used tampons.
That’s a good point! “Would you wash your hands in the water” is a great way to determine if the water should be used
Hi,
I am very interested in purchasing this product for my upcoming rtw trip. I just have one question is in relation to washing the cup. Is it risky to wash the cup in tap water, well water or river water in third world countries where the water is unsafe to drink for sensitive western stomachs? Would it be better to rinse it out in bottled water or does this pose no harm?
Thanks for the great review.
Hi! I think the comment right above yours by Mariah said it best, if you wouldn’t wash your own hands in it (or drink it) then you probably shouldn’t wash your cup in it especially if you’re about to re-insert, so as not to potentially catch any viruses or infection! Safest bet: bottled water!