Have you ever wondered how much money you’ve spent on disposable menstrual products? Now get this. According to an online health platform, an average person with a period will spend around $4,752 on pads and at least $1,773 on tampons during their lifetime (this does not take heavy flows into consideration).

But the cost of menstruating is much higher when it comes to the environment. Conjure up a 30 kg pile of tampons—which is, on average, period waste produced by a single person during one year.

Then think of all those tampons, pads and panty liners and multiply them by the 1.8 billion menstruators all over the world. Oh and don’t forget the packaging, wrappers, and applicators. It adds up quickly.

Disposable period products translate into hundreds of pounds of waste that ends up in the landfill—each of which will be around for hundreds of years!

That said, a reusable menstrual disc is a solution. And beyond that, there’s a long list of benefits it brings to the table. Switching to this no-fuss, zero-waste period product gives you 12-hour protection and all the convenience you need.

So, what’s stopping you from trying a menstrual disc? Today, we’ll show you 8 reasons why you should.

Reusable Menstrual Disc vs Cup

Still not 100% sure whether you’re more of a cup or a disc person? Well, a disc has all the perks a menstrual cup can give you plus a few of the extra ones we’ve listed below:

• The shape of the disc and its placement allow you to have penetrative period sex. A disc sits in the vaginal fornix while a cup sits in the vaginal canal which makes penetrative sex if not impossible, then certainly painful.

• Discs outperform cups in regards to capacity. Most menstrual discs can hold 3–5 tampons worth of menstrual fluid. Menstrual cups, however, plateau at around 2 tampons worth of period blood.

• Discs may be better suited for those worrying about their IUD. If worn with a menstrual cup, correct removal is very important - the seal must be broken before you remove it, otherwise you could risk your IUD becoming dislodged . A menstrual disc, however, poses less risk of IUD displacement as it's completely suction-free!

Reasons to Switch to a Reusable Menstrual Disc

1. It’s Super Convenient

Reusable menstrual discs solve the most pressing pain point for menstruators EVER.

Unlike other sanitary menstrual products (pads, tampons, and panty liners), reusable menstrual discs won’t wake you up at night or make you run errands in the most inopportune of times just to stop blood from leaking down your legs.

You can go ahead and leave them in for 12 hours at a time. And you get to buy one device every five-ish years —that’s how long an eco-friendly menstrual disc can last.

Want a more intense workout on your period? Care for a refreshing swim? Then a menstrual disc is your thing. You can even plunge into a 12-hour sleep session if that’s how you want to relish your newfound freedom.

2. It’s Made from Body-Safe Materials

When reviewing your options, you should look for a menstrual product that doesn’t disrupt your delicate vaginal flora. Menstrual discs are an excellent body-friendly option. This is due to the materials used but it’s also because they collect blood instead of absorbing it.

While tampons may contain nasties such as bleach, BPA, and pesticides, discs are made with vaginal wellness in mind. Most discs are made from medical-grade silicone.

This also means they reduce the risk of bacterial infection such as toxic shock syndrome. Although some TSS cases have been associated with the use of non-absorbent devices such as cups or discs, current research shows no relevant causal effect between the two.

3. It’s Comfortable to Wear

Menstrual discs are more comfortable than pads or tampons and even traditional menstrual cups. Pads and tampons can feel itchy and cause dryness. Menstrual cups, on the other hand, are made of stiffer materials and can be uncomfortable if not inserted properly or if they're not the right size.

That said, if you’re after comfort, a disc is your go-to device.

Menstrual discs sit at the base of your cervix like a diaphragm and are tucked behind the pubic bone. Unlike menstrual cups, they’re suction-free, being held in position by your body’s anatomy.

With so many menstrual cup sizes available on the market it can be difficult to get the size right. nixit saves you the hassle, as it is incredibly soft and supple - conforming to your body for a perfect fit.

A good menstrual disc is soft enough to allow for minimum friction upon insertion and removal.

“I tried different cups and mostly they were a bit too long for me so that if there was a stem it would poke me in the labia. They also tended to be a stiffer material that would sometimes hurt when it popped open inside or if it popped open accidentally while I was still inserting. The nixit just slides in without an issue for me (again it's a different position than a cup) and isn't as stiff a material so it is more comfortable inserting.” - Reddit review

4. It Watches Your Back on Heavy Flow Days

Everyone who has had to change their pad or tampon every two hours knows how life draining heavy flows can be. Add to this the constant dread of leaking and it easily translates into a living nightmare.

If this is you, then you’re most probably a super-tampon or maxi-pad user. And if you’re still indecisive about switching to menstrual discs, this could be a decisive factor for you.

A menstrual disc typically has a higher capacity than a menstrual cup. While cups hold 10–38 ml of blood, menstrual discs like nixit can hold up to 70 ml of menstrual fluid, covering heavy, as well as excessively heavy menstrual flows.

In simple terms, that’s the equivalent of around 4 super tampons, and the bonus is you don’t have to change them nearly as many times.

Still feel uneasy about possible leaking when having ultra heavy periods? Menstrual discs come with the so-called self-emptying feature that allows you to empty your disc on your regular toilet visits.

Tilting your hips forward and engaging your pelvic muscles will help you release small amounts of menstrual blood from the disc. This way your disc will hold for the entire 12-hour mark. Once done, push the disc back with your index finger and tuck it behind your pubic bone.

5. Penetrative Sex on Period Days? Yes!

If you prefer penetrative period sex , you should definitely consider switching to menstrual discs. This way you can do it without much fuss, and most importantly without the whole thing being messy.

Thanks to its placement (where the highest part of your vaginal canal meets your cervix), a menstrual disc allows for solo or partnered vaginal penetration. And you don’t even have to bother removing the device, unlike with cups and tampons which must be removed.

6. Because It’s Easy to Clean

Menstrual care has never been easier. Using a reusable menstrual cup or disc includes a simple cleaning routine which consists of the 4 simple steps listed below.

1. After removing the disc from your vagina, spill its contents into the toilet (pro tip: the shower works wonders too!) and flush them out.

2. Rinse your disc with cold water.

3. Give it a quick warm water and soap wash (fragrance-free soaps recommended).

4. Finally, your disc is clean and ready to reinsert.

At nixit we keep the health of menstruators top of mind. So to practice safe habits with your reusable nixit device, make sure to clean it in boiling water for 5 minutes between cycles and before first use.

7. Because It’s Sustainable

While reusable menstrual cups have been with us for more than a decade, menstrual discs have been primarily created as single-use, disposable products. However, brands like nixit are ushering in more sustainable options with our reusable menstrual discs created for eco-conscious users in mind.

Disposable menstrual products generate 200,000 tonnes of waste per year​ and are often made from non-biodegradable materials which are hurting our planet. Reusable menstrual discs like nixit can help solve this problem.

nixit gives you a great exit strategy and helps you reduce your period waste by 99%.

8. Because it’s nixit

nixit is one of those rare reusable menstrual gems on the market. It’s actually a reusable menstrual cup in the shape of a disc which gives you the best of both worlds. It’s a zero-waste alternative that’s gentle on your body & your wallet.

nixit disc is made from 100% medical-grade silicone that’s BPA-free, is FDA-registered (and authorized for sale by Health Canada!) and saves you hundreds of dollars annually.

Add to that the fact that it absorbs the equivalent of four super plus tampons worth of menstrual blood and you can figure out why it’s one of the most popular menstrual discs on the market. Below is just one of our reusable menstrual disc reviews.

The Bottom Line

Switching to reusable menstrual discs is a good idea as they’re a

healthier and more comfortable form of period protection. But their benefits extend beyond health and convenience as they have an overarching healing effect on our planet. If you can, it’s time to go zero-waste, folks!

All you need to do is trade a little bit of time that getting used to this device requires.

Not ready to commit to buying a menstrual disc yet? Dive deeper into the topic of menstrual discs by checking out our popular Menstrual Disc A to Z Beginner Guide.