Mooncup Menstrual Cup

The Issue: Tampons might be what most of your friends use, but for some women they just don't cut it. If you have a heavy flow, you might want something more high powered than a super plus tampon. But if it's more about your bleeding, um, heart, maybe you want a more eco-friendly (and wallet-friendly) option.

The Fix: The Mooncup Menstrual Cup, a favorite of Philadelphia midwife and certified nurse Melicia Escobar, who often recommends it, saying, "Many of my patients come to me looking for more natural and eco-friendly ways to update their gynecologic health and lifestyles."

The Mooncup, made in the U.K., is a reusable menstrual cup made from soft medical grade silicone. It measures around two inches long and is worn internally a lot lower than a tampon. Instead of absorbing menstrual fluid like tampons and pads, the Mooncup collects it. It doesn't cause dryness (like tampons), can be used while swimming and exercising, and contains no latex, dyes, BPA, toxins or bleaches.

So here's how it works (dudes out there reading this, you may want to skip this part): you fold the Mooncup and insert it into the vagina like this. It forms a light seal with your vaginal walls, which allows menstrual fluid to pass into the cup without leakage or odor. Four to eight hours later, you remove the cup, rinse it out, and reinsert it.

Since the Mooncup is reusable and lasts for years, it's economical and eco-friendly. The Mooncup's website claims that on average one woman will use over 11,000 tampons or pads in her lifetime. That's a lot of used sanitary products floating around landfills and the ocean. (We even grossed ourselves out there!)

According to Melicia, "It's just so easy to use and reuse, with the added bonus of not having to remember to carry along tampons or pads. It's great for international travel (especially if you are in places with scarce restroom amenities), and can afford you all kinds of new freedoms once you get the hang of using it (which isn't really that challenging!)."

The Mooncup comes in sizes A and B and is available online for $30.

In Chicks' Picks, we present health-related, non-prescription products that address a common problem and that relevant professionals like. This is not a product endorsement or recommendation on behalf of ChickRx. Please use your own judgment and consult your physician before using any new product.