What it Costs to Have Your Period

As a woman, you have your period for about 2,700 days. It's quite a challenge. That's why we at Guud want to make it as comfortable as possible for you, because honestly, your period doesn't have to be annoying. But have you ever considered how many menstrual products you use throughout your life? In this blog post, we'll delve deeper. What does your period cost? And how can you make it more affordable?

The different menstrual products

Fortunately, women can choose from a variety of menstrual products. The most common are tampons and sanitary pads. But in recent years, two more popular options have emerged: menstrual cups and period underwear. Both are reusable and are becoming increasingly popular.

What are the pros and cons of each menstrual product?

Tampon

• Advantages : Tampons are invisible. Ideal for tight, short clothing, the beach, or the pool. They offer freedom of movement and are easy to use during exercise. Because blood doesn't leak out when you wear a tampon, it doesn't smell (read more about the color and smell of menstrual blood here). And compared to some other menstrual products, tampons create less waste.
• Disadvantages : A disadvantage of improper use is the risk of developing Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), a serious, acute bacterial infection. Some women find that tampons cause vaginal dryness, and inserting them can be difficult or unpleasant. Furthermore, many tampons contain chemicals—this is definitely something to be aware of. Yoni Care is a brand actively working on this; they use only organic cotton.

Sanitary pads

• Advantages : Pads are easy to use. You stick them in your underwear, and that's it. Pads offer good protection against leaks because you can always see how full they are.
• Disadvantages : Pads can sometimes be visible under swimwear, for example, and you can even feel them. This can be uncomfortable, especially if you wear thicker pads. Like tampons, disposable pads are not very good for the environment, as they create a lot of waste. Pads can also develop an odor more quickly because the blood comes into direct contact with the air. Furthermore, many pads contain perfume —something you'd rather have near your vagina! Anything that doesn't naturally occur around or in your vagina can disrupt your vaginal microbiome (yes, that's a real thing!). This can, for example, cause vaginal yeast infections. Read more about yeast infections here .

Menstrual cups or menstrual discs

• Advantages : Menstrual cups are long-lasting and therefore create less waste. They also have a lower environmental impact. Many women find a menstrual cup more comfortable than a tampon because it doesn't "soak up" anything, but only collects your menstrual blood.
• Disadvantages : Insertion can take some practice, and emptying and cleaning can be difficult if you don't have access to a comfortable toilet. Finally, the initial purchase price is higher than with disposables.

Menstrual underwear

• Benefits : Period underwear, like menstrual cups, is reusable and easy to use. Period underwear is long-lasting and therefore produces less waste. They also have a lower environmental impact.
• Disadvantages : The purchase costs are higher and you have to wash and dry the underwear.

Reusable tampons and sponges are relatively unknown menstrual products, but we'll mention them anyway. We wouldn't recommend them yet, as there hasn't been enough research on their effectiveness and safety.

How long do these menstrual products last?

• Tampons and sanitary pads last only a few hours.
• A menstrual cup lasts between five and ten years.
• Period underwear lasts between three and five years.

How much do menstrual products cost?

A woman menstruates for an average of 2,700 days. That's 7.4 years of her life!

The cost of disposable tampons and pads

On average, a woman uses five disposable menstrual products per day. Depending on how heavy your flow is and which menstrual products you use, tampons and pads cost between €50 and €100 per year. But this is just an average: many women have heavier periods than average, so the costs will be higher.

The cost of menstrual cups and menstrual underwear

A menstrual cup is a bigger investment; two cups from, for example, the Beppy Cup, the favorite brand of one of our experts, cost 50 euros.

If you're looking to buy period underwear, we recommend stocking up on about five pairs. One of our favorite brands, Modi Bodi, costs around €20 each. Depending on the brand, five pairs of panties can cost around €100. They're twice the price of a menstrual cup, and they don't last as long. However, period underwear is becoming an increasingly popular option. We think it's a particularly good option for young girls, for example.

A handy compromise is washable sanitary pads – they're cheaper than period underwear. The downside is that they're thicker than period underwear and can slip (just like regular pads).

How much does your period cost?

Want to calculate how much money you've already spent on your period? Here 's a handy tool for a personalized calculation. I did the calculation and arrived at €718.90 for the 14 years I've had my period – just over €50 per year.

The cheapest way to menstruate

The cheapest way to manage your period in the long run is with a menstrual cup (or of course, opt for free bleeding, but then you have to do so much washing, which isn't necessarily economical either ;-)).

A menstrual cup lasts between 5 and 10 years, so you'll have recouped the cost after a year. The cost of a menstrual cup doesn't increase with heavy periods—you simply empty it more often. We do recommend combining a menstrual cup with, for example, period underwear, or a reusable panty liner or pad. This is especially helpful in the beginning, when you're not yet sure how much and how long you can use the cup. Not every cup will be right for you, so it might take some trial and error to find your leak-proof option.

About period poverty

So, while you can menstruate "cheaply," we see that having a period can have a significant impact on your budget. Period poverty is real – many women struggle to buy their menstrual products every month. Fortunately, menstrual products have been included in the low tax bracket in Belgium since 2018. Some countries go a step further and offer free menstrual products: a good thing, in our opinion.

The invisible costs:

Since we've only discussed the costs you feel directly in your wallet, we'd also like to mention the invisible costs of menstruation. Think of pain medication, days off work or school, and clothes you have to throw away because of stains. These costs are often overlooked, but they do exist.

Conclusion

Women menstruate for approximately 7.4 years of their lives. This is quite expensive, whether you use tampons, pads, menstrual cups, or period underwear. Depending on how heavy your flow is and what you use, you'll spend between €50 and €100 per year on disposable products. Menstrual cups and underwear are more affordable, although they do require a larger upfront investment. There are also hidden costs, such as medication for period pain and missed workdays.

At Guud, we want to make your cycle as comfortable as possible—you don't have to suffer. With the right lifestyle and supplements, you can alleviate many of your symptoms. Do you have questions about your period, hormones, or your overall cycle? Chat with us ; we're happy to help.