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Call it whatever you like: “Aunt Flo,” “That time of the month,” or “My excuse to eat chocolate without feeling guilty.” For us ladies, our period is an inevitable part of life that can end up costing us hundreds of dollars a year.
This post deals with a topic that you may find taboo, but the cost of period supplies is a recurring expense that is often relegated to a necessity instead of a way to save money.
Every month we shell out the big bucks to buy sanitary products like pads and tampons. But there is a less expensive way to go about it. I’m not talking about buying low-quality, cheap pads and tampons. I’m talking about using alternative methods like menstrual cups and reusable pads.
Menstrual Cups
There are many brands of menstrual cups and aside from price, the main difference is the material. Some of the most common materials are rubber and silicon. The cups, which range in sizes depending on the brand, are inserted like tampons to collect the menstrual flow. Most menstrual cups cost around $25 to $40. While it may seem like a lot of money, think about how much you fork over for a box of tampons.
Menstrual cups can be worn for up to 12 hours. The benefits of using a cup is avoiding the risk of toxic shock syndrome and saving money over time. However, there are some drawbacks. It can be really frustrating to switch to a cup and not be able to properly insert it. Others may be grossed out by having to remove the cup, flush the fluids, and rise it. This brings me to one of the major drawbacks I’ve encountered, which has to deal with “changing” in public restrooms. It’s difficult to find privacy in a public restroom if you want to rinse the cup.
Reusable Pads
Like menstrual cups, there are many brands of reusable pads that can be found online or at local health food stores. The pads range in sizes just like the ones you would find at the drug store. Prices vary and they can be expensive. I bought a week worth of pads from Lunapads for $95 on sale and haven’t had to buy disposable pads and tampons since, saving me about $10 a month after ten months of use. You can also make your own reusable pads from adsorbent cloth.
Unlike regular pads, reusable pads are washed after each use, giving you the peace of mind of never running out. The pads can be tossed in the washing machine or washed by hand. The cloth is especially comfortable on hot summer days. Some women who use reusable pads have had problems with leaking.
If you spend $5 to $7 on pads and tampons each month, you could break even and begin to save money with these alternative methods in just a few cycles.
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Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price. 
A diaphragm, available from your GYN and covered by most health plans, can also be used like a cup. During my heavy days, I would use it to prevent leaks, but best rinsed out and cleaned at home. These might be available from free or low-cost clinics. It’s worth checking and will definitely save you money every month.
@fran I never thought about that, but you are totally right. Thanks for the tip!
Thanks for being willing to write about this. I am grateful that it is no longer an issue for me, but had I known/realized about this frugal and sustainable way of dealing with periods, I would probably have done it. We used cloth diapers – I don’t see the difference. But people are weirded out about such things. It’s a cultural expectation – but not based it reality. I knit and “up-cycle” wool items. When I discussed wool diaper covers in my knitting group, those little grannies just couldn’t get on board with it. Nobody could believe that this could be sanitary, even though they knit with wool all of the time and talk about how wool socks keep feet from stinking. All of these subjects fit together – re-use to practice thrift and sustainable living. I just turned 50, and my 28 and 24 year old children would have used them with their cloth diapers for sure if I’d known anything at all about them.
I’m glad I hit menopause, because I don’t think I could do reusable….I probably would eat tomato ketchup for dinner and splurge on the tampons!
Most female product sites out there offer free samples on a regular basis and when you get the free sample they almost always include a high dollar coupon such as $1 or $1.50 off the purchase of a single liner/pad/tampon product. Then watch for the sales on them or go to WalMart and they usually end up being free or very close to it.
The last time I received an Always sample it came with a coupon for a free package of pads. Normally I wouldn’t use a pad, but when it’s a free pack, sounds great to me!
Overall, I spend very little on these items.
I just can’t get on board with these options. I did try the cups (Instead brand) and was totally grossed out by having to put it in and take it out. As for reusable pads, what good is the technological invention of the last hundred years or so if we can’t have super absorbant and more convenient options than reusing old rags?
Ick, yuck, and gross. I would rather spend the money. Or at least use coupons and/or shop at CostCo.
WHO KNEW? I HAD NEVER HEARD OF EITHER OF THESE PRODUCTS UNTIL TODAY! THANKS FOR SCHOOLIN’ ME, JULIA AND/OR YAZMIN.
@LISA This post was by Yazmin. I agree, it was a great idea!
Well this is an interesting reaction type topic. I have to say I have not paid for my pads for a long time. I shop at either Walgreens or CVS, take advantage of stacking manufacturers coupons with store coupons and with ECB’s or RR and a sale OR even with rebates. The cost ends up free or fairly close to free. I have had friends that have sewn their own reusable pads and they really like them-they use 100% cotton material.
I am just past the age of needing these items, but I will advise my daughter about these options.
Hi, Thanks for the post!
I want to add that this one’s not just about saving money or going green – our health as women is involved. Please read this from epigee.org…
“Most commercial pads and tampons are bleached using toxic chemicals (like carcinogenic dioxins and furans) that can be absorbed by your body. These chlorinated pollutants are a cause of numerous health problems including cancer, birth defects, reproductive problems, endometriosis and immune system suppression. Tampons may shed causing problems like yeast infections, chronic irritation and toxic shock syndrome (TSS).” And, by the way, the FDA does not require that ingredients be listed on disposable menstrual pads.
So there are some health issues here to look at. You can read more about the concerns with using dioxin-bleached disposables & the like at this site I came across…
http://www.comfyclothpads.com/disposable-pad-risks.html
Now for the fun stuff ~ look at these cute (yes, cute) cloth pads from Sckoon (I’m going to try these!)…
http://www.sckoon.com/clothmenstrualpads.html
And if you don’t want to give the cloth option a try you should know that healthier (chlorine/dioxin-free) disposable pads are available (Whole Foods has them).
Just wanted to pass on what I have found, hope it helps.
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@ BB admin: The exact same post under another name has come up on another blog to which I have subbed. The comment was about building a garden shed, so it’s not like the subjects were anywhere near the same. This person is likely either a spammer or someone who is just using your site to advertise his/her own blog. Just a head’s up.
@DeniseinArk Thanks for the heads up! What was the site spamming my content?
The one just above mine, from Dondra Vanderiuk. If you need to see the info on the other post, I’d be glad to send it to you.
Don’t rule out using a combination of choices. Using name brand products when out of the house, store-brand or home-made pads when at home. Using the cup only when at home.
THe info in the post from Sheryl is important. I read similar info years ago and it really got me thinking and researching alternatives. I have read that if you get a rash every month it is probably a reaction from the chemicals in these products.
Using homemade products, at least part of the time, can save money and protect your body from the side effects of chemicals.
Do a google search, learn more. Its your body and health.