One of the undeniable truths and stigma that women continue to live as part of their lives is the menstrual cycle and the usage of period products. Most of us still use pads and tampons to control our menstrual periods, but rural women prefer to utilize old clothes. We have yet to accept the more modern and creative techniques of managing periods, the menstrual cups. Call it habit or sticking with the traditional approach.
What are menstrual cups?
Menstrual cups are flexible, made of medical-grade silicone or plastic that is designed to sit in the vagina and collect blood. It does not absorb blood like pads and tampons or cloths do. They are designed for multiple usage rather than disposing after a single use. These menstrual cups are available in small and medium sizes, depending on the size of the vagina. Some of the factors that are kept in mind while choosing a menstrual cup include flow (light or heavy), user’s age, and the position of the cervix. Women suffering from severe clinical prolapse – cervical or vaginal – are not advised to use as they may find it uncomfortable and difficult to use.
Kinder Women’s Hospital and Fertility Center, Bengaluru
Are menstrual cups better than pads and tampons?
The biggest advantage of menstrual cups over pads and tampons is its sustainable quality. These are environment-friendly and can last up to a decade unlike the sanitary napkins which is estimated to take up to 800 years to decompose owing to its super-absorbent polymers (SAP) quality and tends to contaminate water, soil and air. Menstrual cups cause lesser damage to the environment and are estimated to produce only a small percentage of the plastic wastage compared to the quantity generated by a single use of a sanitary pad or tampons. Using menstrual cups can also help save water as they hardly need much water and can be good alternatives for women in rural and arid areas. These cups, additionally, are cost-effective too.
Menstrual cup is also a healthier alternative to pads and tampons as they do not cause skin rashes and infections, cause no leakage and allows the user to stay physically active and comfortable during her periods. Women can carry them in their bags, reuse and pursue sports, trekking, Swimming, dancing or other routine activities comfortably.
Is the trend picking up?
Similar to how it took time for us to switch from using cloth napkins to sanitary napkins decades ago, menstrual cups are a relatively new idea that will take time to become accepted. Additionally, there hasn’t been much publicity given to the benefits and uses. People continue to express worries about the product’s use, menstrual hygiene, and even the act of using it. It will take time, a lot of awareness-raising, and behavioural change to get people to accept using these products in a nation where menstruation is still stigmatised. If not significantly, the tendency is increasing among young adults, college students, and working professionals who are increasingly adopting it as a result of recommendations from peers, colleagues, social media, and ardent physician lobbying. Menstrual cups will undoubtedly change the game for women’s health and hygiene as well as the environment, , but perhaps not right away.
