“From what I can tell, it seems like the younger generation—women in their 20s and 30s—are leading this new interest in menstrual cups,” says Taraneh Shirazian, director of global health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. (Shirazian is not affiliated with the Lily Cup.) A menstrual cup is a washable, reusable alternative to tampons or pads. Made of flexible medical-grade silicone, the Lily Cup Compact can fold down into a small disk-shaped case for carrying around. The Lily Cup’s makers claim it can be used for up to 10 hours on a medium-flow day—roughly twice as long as a tampon—and requires only soapy water for cleaning. MORE: How Yoga Eases Your Menstrual Problems Menstrual cups are positioned slightly lower in the vagina than a tampon. That may allow them to capture more of your menstrual flow, and—according to manufacturer claims—enable you to “forget about your period.” (They haven’t said it cures the whole cramping and PMS thing, though.) The Lily Cup Compact will run you about $30, but it lasts for up to five years—long enough to take the place of 1625 tampons, its maker estimates. And then there’s the eco-friendly aspect: “There’s almost no waste,” Shirazian says. “I think the environmental friendliness of it is part of the big draw for younger women.” There isn’t data on infection rates yet, but it shouldn’t be any higher than with tampons or pads, Shirazian says. “The vagina is not a sterile environment to begin with, and tampons aren’t sterile. So menstrual cups shouldn’t carry any higher infection risk if washed properly,” she adds. On the other hand, she says a lot of women might not be cool with carrying and cleaning a cup—or inserting something so far into their vagina. “You’d need to feel comfortable really putting it up there,” she adds. Her final verdict? “I think it would take some getting used to, but I see no reason not to recommend these cups,” Shirazian says. “There haven’t been a lot of new innovations when it comes to sanitary products for women, and I think these are fascinating.” Would you try one? Tell us in the comments below! MORE: The 10 Worst Germ Hot Spots You Touch Every Day
