Learning, Sharing, and Teaching > Reader Recommendations
Menstrual Cups
exceljunkie:
So, I'm going to go out on a limb here. I know most people don't want to talk about menstrual products but I just read MMM's blog post on his shower frequency (http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/12/30/are-you-cleaning-out-your-own-wallet/), and I felt empowered to bring this up here.
I did not learn about menstrual cups till I was in college. And I only learned about it because there was an group on campus (Student Sexuality Info Service) that I was pretty much required to bring to my hall for a program when I was an RA. The cups are super comfortable, safe, no leaks ever (if used correctly), and pretty much infinitely reusable so super environmentally-friendly. The two most popular ones are the DivaCup (silicone, around $25) and the Keeper (rubber, around $20). The company that makes the Keeper seems to be shifting to silicone with their Moon Cup product. If we estimate the cost of pad/tampons at $4 per month, you get your money back within 5-6 months. I got mine for $5 because they were subsidized through the school for the program.
Have you ever seen menstrual cups at a store? I'm pretty sure conventional stores don't sell them because it would kill their pad/tampon business. I have only seen them at super crunchy health food stores (I don't shop at whole foods, but maybe they sell them there now). If you know what to search for, they're easy to find online.
Maybe some other day I'll come back and write about cost-effective birth control. (Spoiler alert: IUDs.)
smalllife:
I've seen them at Whole Foods and a few other natural/local grocery places with a beauty section. They only have Diva Cup and occasionally the Keeper though . . .
MicroRN:
I have a DivaCup, but I don't find it all that comfortable. I've never liked tampons either. I like cloth pads though. There are the disposable cups (Instead) that I've seen at the regular stores, but I bought my DivaCup online.
IUDs are also awesome, although I happen to have a baby courtesy of ParaGard. Unfortunately 99.4% effective does not equal 100% effective! I've been pretty happy with the Mirena too. Definitely cost effective though. I paid a $20 office visit copay for the Paragard, for something that should last at least 10 years.
abhe8:
I love my diva cup. Ive had it about 8 years.
exceljunkie:
--- Quote from: MicroRN on May 23, 2014, 11:02:48 AM ---I have a DivaCup, but I don't find it all that comfortable.
--- End quote ---
Ok, I actually didn't really think it was comfortable when I first got it. I didn't use it for a couple of years then tried it again; it was something I really wanted to like. I don't know if I just got used to it or what, I don't even feel it anymore.
--- Quote from: MicroRN on May 23, 2014, 11:02:48 AM ---IUDs are also awesome, although I happen to have a baby courtesy of ParaGard.
--- End quote ---
Umm... keeping my fingers crossed with my Mirena!
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