Reusable period product savings
Reusables cost more up front and less over time. Compare your disposables bill with a reusable kit to see the saving and the payback.
Your details
Over 5 years you could save
£255
compared with disposables
- Disposables a year£60
- A month on disposables£5.00
- Disposables over 5 years£300
- Reusable kit£45
- Pays for itself in9 months
- Not sure what you spend?add products per period and the price of each below
Cups, period pants and washable pads also cut waste. Change a cup at least every 8 hours and wash it between periods. Toxic shock syndrome is rare but possible with internal products.
Sudden high fever, a rash like sunburn, vomiting or feeling faint while using a cup or tampon: remove it and call 111 or 999.
Not sure what you spend?
Working out the yearly cost
Add how many pads or tampons you use each period and the price of each, and the calculator works out the yearly cost for you: 20 products at 20p over 13 periods is £52 a year. Free products are available in schools, colleges and many hospitals in England, in public buildings in Scotland, and often at food banks.
The working
Five years side by side
Disposables at £60 a year cost £300 over 5 years. A £45 kit lasting 5 years saves £255, and pays for itself in 9 months.
Many people mix: a cup most days and pads at night or on the heaviest day. Add the share you still buy as disposables and it stays on the bill: at 25%, £75 of the £300 is still spent, so the saving is £180 and the kit pays for itself in 12 months. If the kit wears out before the years you compare, it is bought again: a 2 year pair of pants over 5 years is bought 3 times. Add products per period and their price and we also count the disposables you would not buy: 20 a period over 13 periods and 5 years is 1,300.
How long they last
Typical lifespans
| Product | Lasts about |
|---|---|
| Menstrual cup | up to 10 years |
| Period pants | 2 to 3 years with good care |
| Washable pads | 3 to 5 years |
Using them safely
Simple care
- Wash hands before and after
- Empty a cup at least every 8 hours
- Boil a cup between periods
- Wash pants and pads cool and skip fabric softener
Read with care
What this cannot tell you
- ComfortNot every product suits every body; try one first.
- Heavy flowYou may need a mix of products.
- TSSRare, but possible with cups and tampons.
Questions
Common questions
How much does a menstrual cup save?
Often a few hundred pounds over its lifetime.
Are period pants worth it?
For many people, yes, especially combined with other products.
Can you get toxic shock from a menstrual cup?
It is very rare, but possible; know the signs.
Sources
- NHS: toxic shock syndrome
- NHS: periods and the menstrual cycle
- GOV.UK: period product scheme for schools and colleges in England
Last checked 21 October 2026. Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we will fix it.
Support when you need it
Contact your midwife or GP any time you are worried, and call NHS 111 if you cannot reach them. If a date or a result brings up difficult feelings, Tommy's and the Miscarriage Association offer kind, free support.