There’s this quiet shift happening—more and more people are trading in their tampons and pads for something a little more… lasting. If you’ve been curious about menstrual cups, or maybe you’ve heard a friend mention one and shrugged it off, it might be time to take another look. Not just because they’re eco-friendly or trendy or whatever else—but because, right now, they’re better than they’ve ever been. And, let’s be honest, the savings alone might be reason enough.
First, the basics. What even is a menstrual cup?
In case you’ve somehow missed the explanation (and that’s totally fair—menstrual health info isn’t exactly shouted from the rooftops), a menstrual cup is a small, flexible cup you insert into the vagina to collect menstrual fluid. Unlike tampons, which absorb, cups collect. You empty it, rinse it, and pop it back in. Some people wear the same one for up to 12 hours. And a single cup can last for years.
Which is a little wild when you think about how many products we throw away each cycle. Pads. Tampons. Liners. That stuff adds up—both in cost and waste.
The money part: how menstrual cups can seriously cut costs
Let’s break it down, roughly. The average person who menstruates spends about $10 to $15 per month on disposable period products. That’s easily $120 to $180 a year. Over 10 years? You’re staring down upwards of $1,800—just to deal with your period.
Now consider a menstrual cup, which typically costs somewhere between $25 and $40. That one-time purchase might last up to a decade. Even if you replace it every few years (say, every 3 to 5), you’re still spending less than $100 total in the same span that disposables might cost you nearly twenty times that.
Of course, cost isn’t everything. But let’s not pretend it doesn’t matter, especially with prices creeping up on just about everything else these days.
So… why now?
Menstrual cups have been around for a while—decades, actually. But for a long time, they weren’t particularly user-friendly. Stiff materials. Limited sizing. A one-style-fits-all mentality. They worked, technically, but they didn’t work for everyone.
That’s changing.
Today’s menstrual cups are better designed, more comfortable, and made from safer materials. One standout example is thermoplastic elastomer, or TPE. It’s flexible, it molds to the body more comfortably than older silicone styles, and it’s less likely to harbor harmful bacteria. That’s a huge plus, especially if you’ve ever had concerns about vaginal health or hygiene. (Who hasn’t?)
And then there’s the customization side. Some companies—like MeLuna, for instance—are now offering a wide range of shapes, firmness levels, stem styles, even sizes that consider things like pelvic floor strength or whether you’ve given birth. It’s not just “small, medium, large” anymore. It’s much more personalized, and that makes all the difference.
Even if you tried a menstrual cup years ago and hated it, there’s a decent chance that today’s versions could be a better fit. Literally and figuratively.
General perks (that aren’t just about money)
Money might be the hook that gets you thinking, but it’s rarely the only reason people stick with menstrual cups.
There’s the convenience: one cup can last all day, no need to stash spare tampons in every bag you own. And if you’ve ever had that sinking “uh-oh” moment when your period arrives and you’re out of supplies, you’ll appreciate the always-there reliability.
There’s the eco angle, too, if that matters to you. A single menstrual cup can keep hundreds—literally hundreds—of disposable products out of landfills. And no wrappers, strings, or sticky wings to deal with.
Some people also report less irritation, fewer odors, even lighter cramps. No guarantees, of course, and it might not be magic for everyone. But there are enough stories out there to suggest it’s not just placebo.
Okay, but is there a catch?
Sort of. It’s not perfect for everyone, and it definitely takes a little getting used to. There’s a learning curve—figuring out how to fold it, insert it, make sure it opens properly, and doesn’t leak. It can take a few cycles to really feel confident with it.
And yes, you do have to get a bit more familiar with your own body. For some, that’s empowering. For others, it’s… less appealing. But worth saying: once you get past that initial awkward phase, most people never look back.
There’s also the matter of comfort, which can vary from person to person. If a cup feels uncomfortable, it’s probably the wrong size, shape, or firmness. That’s where newer innovations really help. Cups today are designed with more real-life bodies in mind—not just some average prototype.
So is it time to make the switch?
Maybe. If you’ve been thinking about it, there’s no better moment to give it a try. The technology has improved. The options are more thoughtful. And the potential savings—financial, environmental, and even emotional—are hard to ignore.
Even if it doesn’t work perfectly for you on the first go, you’re not stuck. You can experiment. Try a different size. A different material. The learning process itself can be kind of empowering in a weird way.
At the end of the day, switching to a menstrual cup is one of those small decisions that can lead to big changes—not just in your budget, but in how you experience your cycle. And hey, if it makes your period just a little easier? That alone might be worth it.
