CycleCups

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The big comparison test: Cups vs. tampons vs. pads vs. discs vs. period underwear.

Our big Comparative Test

What really offers the best comfort and protection? For example, the underwear products hyped by many influencers? Or traditional tampons? With so many options available today, the choice can be overwhelming. Here we want to provide a comprehensive overview of the most popular period products and compare them with each other. This should make it easier to make the right choice. Don't feel like reading for long? Go straight to the results:

Cups vs. tampons vs. pads vs. underwear vs. discs We compare them all!

Results

Criteria & Weighting

Production

What materials are used for the product and are they sustainable? How much energy and water is used in the manufacture of the product?

Durability

How long will the product last before it needs to be replaced? Can the product withstand frequent use and possible damage?

Comfort and Adaptability

How comfortable is the product during use? Can the product be adjusted to different body shapes and sizes?

Hygiene and Odors

How good is the product in terms of hygiene? Does the product cause unpleasant odors?

Long-term Costs

How much does the product cost over a longer period of time compared to other options?

Availability

How easy is the product to find and buy?

Protection and Vaginal Flora

How well does the product prevent leakage? Does the product negatively affect the natural vaginal flora?

Usage Ecology

How much waste is produced when using the product? How much water is needed for use and cleaning?

Tampons

Production: 4/10

Tampons are usually made of cotton and/or viscose and are often bleached, which is resource-intensive. They also have to be bought regularly and therefore have to be manufactured...

Durability: 1/10

Tampons are disposable products. They are therefore produced, packaged, shipped and disposed of after use for a single use.

Comfort: 8/10

Many women find tampons comfortable. However, they can cause vaginal dryness.

Hygiene: 7/10

Tampons offer good hygiene, but the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) requires frequent changes. Odors can still occur.

Cost: 5/10

Regular purchases make tampons costly in the long term. CycleCups can offer savings of up to 99%.

Availability: 10/10

Tampons are very easy to obtain and can be found in almost every store.

Protection: 7/10

Tampons offer good leakage protection, but can affect the vaginal flora by drying it out.

Usage Ecology: 3/10

Tampons are not ecological because they are disposed of after each use and therefore generate a lot of waste. CycleCups produce up to 99% less waste.

Result: 45 out of a possible 80 points.

Pads

Production: 4/10

Pads generate a lot of waste during production and often contain chemical substances.

Durability: 1/10

Pads are disposable products and need to be bought again regularly.

Comfort: 6/10

Pads offer comfort, but can slip during movement and cause skin irritation if worn for long periods.

Hygiene: 6/10

Pads are hygienic if they are changed regularly, but they can still develop odors.

Cost: 5/10

The long-term costs add up through continuous purchases. CycleCups can offer savings of up to 99%.

Availability: 10/10

Pads are available in almost all stores.

Protection: 7/10

Pads offer good leakage protection, but can affect the vaginal flora through prolonged contact with moisture.

Usage Ecology: 2/10

Pads are not at all environmentally friendly as they are disposed of after each use. CycleCups produce up to 99% less waste.

Result: 41 out of a possible 80 points.

CycleCups

Production: 9/10

CycleCups are made from medical grade silicone. This material is more environmentally friendly than many disposable products.

Durability: 10/10

CycleCups can last 5 to 10 years with proper care, making them very durable options.

Comfort: 7/10

Insertion and removal can be difficult at first. Nevertheless, many women find CycleCups very comfortable.

Hygiene: 8/10

CycleCups offer less odor and have less influence on the vaginal flora compared to disposable products.

Cost: 9/10

Despite the initial purchase costs, CycleCups are cost-effective in the long term as they can be used for several years.

Availability: 7/10

CycleCups are available online, but are not yet as widely available as tampons and pads.

Protection: 9/10

When used correctly, CycleCups offer very effective leakage protection, even in the event of heavy flow.

Usage Ecology: 10/10

CycleCups produce virtually no waste and require no additional resources during use.

Result: 69 out of a possible 80 points.

Period Underwear

Production: 5/10

The production of period underwear is more complex and requires quite a lot of resources and chemicals.

Haltbarkeit: 7/10

Period underwear can last a long time, but loses its absorbency over time and needs to be replaced.

Comfort: 9/10

Period underwear is very comfortable and feels like normal underwear.

Hygiene: 6/10

Period underwear needs to be washed regularly and moisture problems can occur.

Cost: 6/10

Despite initial purchase costs, period underwear is cost effective in the long term. As CycleCups offer savings of up to 70%, we have awarded them 6 points.

Availability: 6/10

Period underwear is usually available online or in specialty stores.

Protection: 7/10

Period underwear is very effective for light to medium flow. Prolonged contact with moisture can affect the vaginal flora.

Usage Ecology: 6/10

The overall water and energy consumption due to frequent washing is quite high. In addition, period underwear usually only lasts around two years and therefore needs to be replaced...

Result: 52 out of a possible 80 points.

CycleDiscs

Production: 9/10

Our CycleDiscs are made from medical grade silicone. This material is more environmentally friendly than many disposable products.

Durability: 9/10

CycleDiscs can last 3 to 5 years with proper care, making them very durable options.

Comfort: 7/10

After a familiarization phase, CycleDiscs are comfortable - but correct insertion requires practice.

Hygiene: 8/10

CycleDiscs need to be cleaned regularly, but effectively minimize odours.

Cost: 9/10

Despite the initial purchase costs, CycleCups are cost-effective in the long term as they can be used for several years.

Availability: 6/10

Our CycleDiscs are available online, but are not yet as widely available as tampons and pads.

Protection: 8/10

CycleDiscs offer good leakage protection and are gentler on the vaginal flora than tampons.

Usage Ecology: 10/10

Our reusable CycleDiscs produce virtually no waste and require no additional resources during use.

Result: 66 out of a possible 80 points.

Results