Menstrual cups are awesome, but they’re not the only solution to period poverty.

Why menstrual cups are awesome, but not the only solution to period poverty.

Love them or not, menstrual cups were an amazing addition to the menstrual care market: 

• They’re environmentally-friendly, producing about 0.4% and 6% the amount of waste pads and tampons do, respectively. 

• They’re convenient. They can stay in for up to 12 hours, meaning fewer bathroom trips than with pads and tampons. 

• They’re an economical, one-time expense – costing $20-40 on average – while the recurring expense of pads and tampons can cost $100-150 per year. 

So, when someone lives in period poverty – meaning they can’t reliably afford or access period care – menstrual cups are an easy solution, right? 

Actually… it’s not that simple. For four reasons:

1. Cost  

That $20-40 is too high of an upfront cost for many folks living in period poverty.

2. Choice

Some people find menstrual cups too invasive, messy or uncomfortable – and that’s okay. 

Choosing a period product is incredibly personal. It’s not our place to make that choice for anyone else.

3. Clean water and facilities 

Reliable access to clean water is necessary to use menstrual cups, which need to be washed after every use and boiled after each cycle. 

Rural Indigenous communities and people experiencing homelessness are disproportionately affected by period poverty. But, a cup might not be helpful to someone who… 

• Lives under a long-term drinking water advisory

• Doesn’t have guaranteed, 24/7 access to clean washroom facilities

4. Education

At any age, using a cup requires comfort and familiarity with your body, as well as context on how to fold and insert it. 

For all these reasons, the Period Purse’s menstrual cup program has been thoughtfully designed to make the choice of trying cups more accessible.

Any Canadian organization that interacts with people at risk of period poverty can receive free menstrual cups after completing a 30-minute training. This way, they can hand out cups to those in need and be there to answer any of the recipients’ questions!