In a world where menstruators make up about half the population, there are thousands of menstrual product options available to you.
With so many different products, brands, sizes and materials to choose from, finding the right one can be tough. But that’s what we’re here for!
Our goal is to make everyone’s period process as simple and straightforward as possible, and understanding the options available to you thoroughly is the first step!
Let’s zoom out here, and break down a big category, one that’s quickly gaining popularity worldwide. The period cup.
You’ve probably heard about period cups, alternatively known as “menstrual cups”, but not everyone understands exactly what they are or how they work.
Let’s get into this.
The first thing that makes period cups stand out from other menstrual products is that they collect, rather than absorb. Absorption may seem like the standard route, but period cups work differently. They sit inside the body, closer to where the blood comes from , and collect it before it exits the body.
Now we know what you’re thinking - don’t tampons do the same thing?
Well, yes. To an extent. They are both products that you insert, but tampons absorb the fluid instead of collecting it, which comes with its own set of complexities. Tampons can sometimes be abrasive (which can cause tiny tears in your vaginal canal leading to UTIs), and have been linked to toxic shock syndrome through several studies.
You can look at our comparison of tampons and cups here if you’d like to know more.
Period cups also come in different shapes and sizes. While all of them sit inside the body, they’re meant for different places depending on the type. Most disc-shaped cups (like nixit ) sit at the base of the cervix, held in place by your anatomy, while most traditional bell-shaped cups sit in the vaginal canal and are held in place by suction.
Insertion of period cups, while differing slightly based on the shape, all need to be folded to be inserted. If the cup is well made and is soft silicone, this should be an easy and straightforward process with a bit of practice!
Now that you know what exactly period cups are and how they work, let's look at a quick list of pros and cons.
Pros: You have one product for many periods. This keeps you from ever running out, or needing to stock up your products. This also makes them far more environmentally friendly! If that’s not compelling enough, there’s more -- you don't have to worry about leaks or stains, and only need to change every 8-12 hours. With nixit, you also don’t need to worry about size. Our cups are one-size-fits-all!
Cons: if you get queasy at the sight of blood, you might be better off using another type of period product.
If you’re just getting started on your period cup journey, we recommend you try out nixit. H ere for more info on how our cup works.
