Do Tampons and Menstrual Cups Make Cramps Worse?

Have you ever been curled up on the couch with a heating pad while your uterus decides it is time for its monthly protest? You are not alone. We have all been there.

Where Cramps Actually Come From

Period cramps begin in the uterus. During your cycle, your body releases hormone-like compounds called prostaglandins. They work locally and tell the uterus to contract so it can shed its lining, and those contractions are the cramping sensation we all know. Higher prostaglandin levels are associated with more severe cramps.¹

So if cramps start in the uterus, where do tampons and cups fit into this?

Where They Fit In

Internal period products do not cause cramping. What they can do is add discomfort on top of it.

Think about it. If a tampon is not inserted quite far enough, it can create irritation or pressure that makes you feel like your cramping is worse. Using a higher absorbency than you actually need can also cause dryness and discomfort.

It is a similar story with menstrual cups. Some women find them so comfortable they forget they are there. Others notice pressure or a general sense of discomfort. Every body is different, and a cup that is perfect for one person may not be right for another.

Materials Matter Too

Fit is not the only factor. Some women are more sensitive to certain materials, fragrances, dyes, or other ingredients, any of which can add irritation on a day when you are already uncomfortable.

If you have ever noticed your period feels different depending on which products you use, you are not imagining it.

Pay Attention to What Your Body Tells You

Noticing how your body responds is the most useful way to work out what suits you. Often it comes down to fit and positioning, and finding the right size, shape, and placement.

Sometimes it comes down to realizing that internal products are not for you, and that is completely fine.

There Is No Right Answer

If tampons work for you, good. If you love your menstrual cup, also good. If you find you feel better with external options like period underwear, that is good too.

It is not about finding the product everyone else loves. It is about finding the one that leaves you most comfortable, since your period is already enough on its own. Period care should not make it harder.

At Her Bloom, our styles are made for the uncomfortable moments in life. Period.