There are many different types of period protections out there nowadays. From disposable sanitary pads to tampons, period cups or period pants too. This gives you lots of options which whilst positive can lead to confusion over what to choose.
You may hit on one product that you really like and turn to again and again. Or you might want to mix and match lots of different options including different types of menstrual cups and pads.
While sanitary pads are an external period product usually made from cotton and plastic, on the flip side menstrual cups are a bell-shaped device that collect your period flow inside your vagina.
The fantastic thing about menstrual cups is that they are reusable. By contrast, each sanitary pad lasts just a few hours, and you need to stock up on pads every single month.
Here’s a complete comparison between the two period products: Sanitary Pads Vs Menstrual Cups. Let’s Begin!
Advantages and Disadvantages of Sanitary Pads.
What is a Sanitary Pad?
Sanitary Pads have been a popular choice among women since ages. For the uninitiated, sanitary pads are rectangular pieces of absorbent material that are stuck to the underwear to absorb menstrual flow. They are leak proof.
Advantages of Sanitary Pads:
Easy to Use:
Sanitary pads may be easier and more comfortable to use as they are simply stuck onto the underwear without requiring any sort of insertion.
Check out the Aura Flow Bubble Soft Sanitary Pads that will provide you with the right comfort, softness and great absorbency for night.
Pad is preferred in a heavy menstrual flow:
Changing a pad is more manageable than inserting a tampon. The heavy flow requires frequent changing of absorbents. In such cases, a pad is preferred.
Also, Aura Flow Sanitary Pads come in varied sizes to suit your needs.
Pad ensures no risk of TSS:
Unlike tampons, pads are quite safe to use. There is no risk of developing Toxic Shock Syndrome.
Disadvantages of a Sanitary Pad:
You can’t swim in a pad:
Pads are not water friendly. One has to abstain from water activities when wearing sanitary pads.
Pads are bulky and visible:
Under tight clothing, pads are prone to visibility which makes you look shabby.
Pads can shift to places:
When doing vigorous activities, pads are prone to shift and the chances of leaking and staining increases.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Menstrual Cups
What is a Menstrual Cup?
A menstrual cup is a small, bell-shaped cup molded from medical-grade silicon, rubber, or latex.
The menstrual cup is crafted to be placed inside the vagina to gather menstrual blood and emptied once it’s full. It is a sustainable option as well as reusable providing better sanitary care than tampons and pads.
Advantages of Menstrual Cups
Cost Effectiveness:
Their long-term cost ends up lower than disposable tampons or pads as you can reuse these cups.
Environmentally Friendly:
They also generate less waste, which makes it an environmentally-friendlier option.
Convenient:
Menstrual cups can provide up to 12 hours of protection from leakage thus making them more convenient than tampons and pads which require frequent changes.
Disadvantages of Menstrual Cups
Uncomfortable in Insertion:
Menstrual cups also require insertion which may be uncomfortable to some females.
Size Confusions:
The size and type of cup used may be inappropriate and may require some trial and error before you find the right one for yourself.
Menstrual Cups can cause Irritation:
If your skin is sensitive to the cup’s material, it can also cause mild irritation.
In a nutshell, we cannot deny the fact that we all have a part to play in averting the crisis of plastic waste, and switching from pads to a menstrual cup is one of the best things you can do to reduce not just your waste but also your carbon footprint.
In addition to this, keep the comfort quotient during your periods at the highest value and choose the period products accordingly. You are free to choose between the two Menstrual Cups or Sanitary Pads as it is completely a personal choice.
