If you get a period you probably know all the money that gets poured into buying products for it. Tampons and pads are ridiculously expensive, and the dreaded Pink Tax doesn't help the matter. Tampons and pads are also not great for the environment, which is something to keep in mind because right now our planet is in the worst state it's ever been in, and only getting worse.

I first heard about menstrual cups a year or two ago, and at first I was confused. How do you put a whole cup inside you? Does it even work? I decided to research, and I found that there are so many benefits to using a reusable menstrual cup. Firstly, you only have to buy one every several years because most of them are silicone, and they clean easily and don't need to be replaced for years. This means that you just have to wash them and store them in a safe place in between each period, which reduces waste significantly. Second, they are better for your body because they don't have the chemicals that many big brand tampons have. I had no idea that there were so many not-so-nice things in the tampons that I would use every month. All this research made me wonder, is it worth the purchase? DivaCup, one of the most popular brands of menstrual cup runs for about $40-$45. What if I spend all this money and it doesn't work for me? But do I want to keep spending money on tampons and creating so much waste?

So I bought one. I went to CVS and bought a DivaCup. It was a blow to my bank account, of course, but I was determined to make it work for me. Along with the cup, I bought baby wash to wash it. DivaCup sells a wash made specifically for washing the cup, but the store didn't have any, and after lots of research I found out that baby wash is just as gentle. I was so excited to go home and use it for my next period.

The first time was …. an experience. It takes some practice to get used to inserting and removing the cup, and the first time I did it I was worried that I would get the cup stuck inside me (I didn't, I was just overreacting). I got the hang of it pretty quickly, and that first period that I had with the cup was amazing. I had almost no leaking, which I used to get all the time with tampons, and I didn't have to deal with annoying pads when I was sleeping because the cup can be worn through the night. Also, the cup can be worn for a full 12 hours compared to tampons which are only supposed to be worn for 8 hours maximum.

I bought my cup about a year ago and I haven't spent a dime on tampons or pads since then. The DivaCup has saved me so much money and hassle over the past year and I feel good about what I'm putting in my body because I know it's gentle and safe, and I know I'm reducing waste. Yes, sometimes it's a hassle to empty it in a public bathroom, everything has drawbacks, but I would do that a million times before I purchased tampons again.

If you are someone who is interested in trying some alternative form of menstrual product, such as the cup or Thinx period panties, then I would strongly encourage you to do so. I love my cup, and I love the benefits that come with it. It was so worth the money (it actually saves me money in the long run), and so much better for your body and the environment.