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With COVID-19 we’ve seen a wave of interest in an age-old concept — bidets. Perhaps that’s mostly due to the hoarding of toilet paper, but using a more hygienic and sustainable option after going to the bathroom is a win for everyone. Granted only those who could afford the $30 to $1,000 price tag can experience the logic behind bidets that many all over the world have known and loved. For a short time, even online searches for bidets went the way of toilet paper with “Out of Stock” notices all over e-commerce sites.
It was during these moments of scarcity that folks already paired with their favorite menstrual cup (or two) were relieved to have one less thing to try and stock up on. After all, “periods don’t stop for pandemics,” according to Dana Marlowe, founder of the nonprofit I Support the Girls that provides bras and menstrual hygiene products for women experiencing homelessness.
Time to switch to a menstrual cup?
I write this as we approach the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, and as someone who knows how much of a game-changer menstrual cups can be. And now, even amidst all of the uncertainty in the world, I can’t help but wonder, “Are we as a society finally ready for menstrual cups?”
Menstrual cups, a reusable alternative to pads and tampons, were already a do-good concept for your body, the environment, and your wallet. And now, in the age of the coronavirus, the do-good might extend even further as we all try to adjust to staying at home as much as possible.
The option of a medical-grade reusable menstrual product that can last for years and keep up with even the most active of lifestyles is truly a transformative experience for many. To be clear, menstrual cups are not just for nature loving, outdoor enthusiasts, but can be great for anyone who bleeds. While the upfront investment might set someone back the equivalent of two or three cycles of single-use products in terms of cost, it’s quite common for a recent convert to exclaim they wish they had known about or tried using a cup sooner!
Granted, depending on the product, design, and the users’ body, there is usually a learning curve involved, and ultimately a reusable menstrual disc or even period underwear might be the best route for some individuals. Cup converts can have success from their first day, or it might take numerous cycles, and even numerous designs and brands for them to find the proper fit or technique, but even then, the rewards of a menstrual cup are worth it.
I’ll spare you my list of fifty reasons why I think switching to a menstrual cup is life-changing, and instead share this video from the cup experts at “Put A Cup In It” who share some of their reasons.
Especially now, as we celebrate Earth Day, and while we all do our part to try and flatten the curve and practice social distancing by staying at home, perhaps it’s the perfect time to also consider more sustainable period products and bathroom habits. Who knows, it just might be life-changing! (And while I’m at it, a quick PSA on behalf of plumbers everywhere: NEVER flush menstrual products like tampons down the toilet — they don’t dissolve.)
Disclaimer: Christine Brown is an educator and small business owner. She designed and founded Kind Cup, a menstrual cup company based in California. Kind Cup’s unique ergonomic shape is designed to put the user experience first and create a new standard for quality, sustainability, and social responsibility.
