Let's be honest, vaginas can get expensive. From periods to contraceptives to special doctors, being a woman will inevitably cost a lot of money. One way to cut down those expenses? Switch to GladRags reusable menstrual products.

The average price of the best-selling brand of pads is $5.79. Multiply that by 12 months and your period will cost a woman $70 a year. That's doesn't seem so bad, right? But what about over her whole life? The average woman can expect to menstruate for 40 years. $70 a year multiplied by 40 years? That's $2,800.

And tampons are even more expensive. The average price of the best-selling brand of tampons is $8.79. Multiplied by 12 months and then by 40 years? The average woman can expect to spend $4,220.

Our cloth pad laundry kit is about $120. That means you save over $2,500 over your lifetime.

One menstrual cup is about $40. That means you save over $4,000 over your lifetime.

A woman who has to use both tampons and pads during her period can expect to save over $6,500 just by switching to GladRags. If that number doesn't convince, there are plenty of other reasons to switch to reusable menstrual products. From helping the environment to keeping your body safe from toxic chemicals, switching to GladRags is well worth the money.

So what will you do with the $6,500 you save over your lifetime?

Take a trip?

[caption id="attachment_2580" align="aligncenter" width="510"]tropical resort All it needs is a good book and a cold drink.[/caption]

Redo your bathroom?

[caption id="attachment_2578" align="aligncenter" width="510"]Screen Shot 2012-04-27 at 11.44.51 AM There's nothing like a good soak in a hot bath to relieve bad cramps.[/caption]

Go back to school?

[caption id="attachment_2579" align="aligncenter" width="510"]go back to school Take that class in Ancient Greek Women's Studies, just because it seems interesting.[/caption]

You're doing a lot for you, your body, and your environment by using GladRags reusable menstrual products. You deserve to treat yourself.

And don't be afraid to talk to your friends about GladRags. The more women who switch to reusable menstrual products, the bigger the impact on the environment. Plus, it'll be nice to have a friend on that vacation with you.

bronteAbout the author of this post:
is the summer intern at GladRags and attends Willamette University, studying politics, history, and women’s and gender studies. She is passionate about education, dance, and hiking with her dog.