A while back, I posted about how organic cotton tampons can be an easy way to begin your transition toward more sustainable menstrual products. You can further minimize your environmental impact by choosing to go with non-applicator tampons: less waste than applicator tampons!

Natracare is one relatively affordable brand of organic tampons; Seventh Generation is another. It’s easy to find these at many drugstores and online!

But moving on to today’s topic: if you are looking for a reusable internal product, let’s talk about menstrual cups!

The DivaCup is certainly the most popular, most well-known brand here in the US, but there are tons of options to choose from. Menstrual cups are great: they are easy to clean, they last forever (I’ve had mine for nearly a decade now and there’s no sign of wear and tear): plus, best of all: cups hold your menstrual flow, rather than absorb it, so there is no risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome with menstrual cups.

One $25-35 cup could easily cover all of your menstrual product needs for the next decade!

While I admit that changing your cup requires a bit more time and work than changing a tampon (especially while you’re just getting used to it), many folks find they only have to change their cup twice a day! The DivaCup holds more liquid than a Super Plus tampon — without any TSS risk.

So cups require a little more time and care while changing, but you have to change them fewer times per day.

Many folks like that you can use a cup even on a light day, since cups won’t dry you out like tampons do.

To clean, just wash with plain (preferably unscented) soap and water. I use Dr. Bronner’s myself. If it makes you feel better, you can also boil your cup every few months or at the end of each cycle, but there is really no need.

Just be sure to wash your hands before inserting or removing your cup (just as you would before inserting a non-applicator tampon).

Cups are great to travel with because you only have to bring one cup and it’s tiny travel bag.

If you’re interested in trying other cups, I’m a huge fan of the MeLuna cup, made in Germany. Sometimes they’ll even send you a free sample “second quality” cup with your order. I’d recommend starting with a medium classic cup if you have average flow, as the classic style cups pop open easier than the soft cups. You can always graduate to a soft cup or a larger cup once you master the art of cup insertion!

They have seasonal specials, too, which offer you the option of trying two cups at a discounted rate.

I like the MeLuna cups because they are affordable, have fun colors, and have some really great stem options like a ball stem or a ring stem.

One word of caution: please be sure to break the suction before removing your cup, so you don’t hurt yourself or damage your cervix. You can break the suction by sliding your finger up to the top of the cup and inserting your finger above the rim. Alternatively, you could try pinching the cup and listen to see if you hear it release.

Menstrual cups are great for those who prefer internal products like tampons.

I’ll discuss sea sponge tampons in another post, but menstrual cups are by far my favorite internal menstrual product.

PS: Cups are also great for swimming! Just think: no tampon strings hanging out of you to suck up chlorinated water while you’re in the pool.

Interested in trying alternative menstrual products?

Option 1: Organic, non-applicator tampons

Organic cotton tampons are an easy first step you can take toward reducing your impact on the environment.

Seventh Generation and Natracare both make chlorine free organic tampons.

Try the non-applicator version to further reduce your environmental impact and to get more used to dealing with ladyparts during that time of the month.

That way, you’ll be more comfortable using a menstrual cup if you ever decide to go that route.

Coming soon:

Option 2: Menstrual Cups: Hard to go wrong with the Divacup. For about $30, your menstrual needs are covered for the next decade!

Option 3: Cloth Pads. Cloth pads cost more up front, but should save you money over the long term. My two favorite brands are Just Fussy and Party in My Pants.

Cloth pads are great for days when you don’t want to deal with internal products like tampons or menstrual cups. Easy to clean: just throw in the wash with your regular clothing.