JOIN USMore takers for menstrual cups
The menstrual cup is among the many products women can use during “that time of the month.” It has many advantages over sanitary napkins, tampons, cloth pads, doctors say.
What is a menstrual cup?
A menstrual cup is a bell-shaped female hygiene product made of flexible medical grade silicone. It has a stem that is used for insertion and removal from the vagina. Cups come in small, medium and large sizes.
According to Dr Lokesh K, General Physician and Diabetologist, “Women must choose the right cup depending on the flow, pregnancy history, age, and lifestyle. Generally, for women under 25, and for those who haven’t delivered a child, a medium cup is ideal.”
Disposable women’s hygiene products like tampons and sanitary napkins are messy and bulky and rack up a significant portion of the monthly budget.
“I spend nearly Rs 50 every month on pads. On an average, women experience 420 periods during their lifetime. Which means I’ll be spending Rs 21,000 on pads! Even tampons are expensive,” says Amrutha R, dance teacher.
A single menstrual cup that lasts 10 years costs just Rs 200-600. Cups are readily available online, and at major medical stores.
Disposal of sanitary napkins is hazardous. Incineration releases toxins and burying them is not advisable as it they are non-biodegradable. It takes a single napkin nearly 800 years to degrade! Hence the need to encourage sustainable menstruation, experts say. “Being eco-friendly, cups also don’t burn a hole in my pocket, which is great,” says Lakshmi D, interning at Intel.
So is the cup comfortable? “I’ve been using it for eight months. It took me one cycle to get used to, and then it felt like we became good friends,” says engineering student Bhuvana Prakash.
Bhuvana had tried cloth pads but the experience wasn’t pleasant.
“The cloth pad is environment-friendly, but it must be changed every five-to-six hours, just like the regular napkin. We have to wash away the stains and it moves a lot,” she says.
The cup can be used for nearly 12 hours straight. Removal and cleaning is easy, and after each cycle, all one has to do is sterilise it in hot water.
Another user was apprehensive about the process of removal. “I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to take it off. But no, it won’t get stuck inside,” she says, chuckling. Mamatha K, mother of two teenage girls, says, “The cups don’t cause much staining and are comfortable. I encourage my daughters to use them.”
Many Indian women dread the thought of putting something inside their vaginas, thinking the devices could cause them to “lose their virginity.”
“Some of my friends feel embarrassed and petrified,” says Annapurna G Hiremath, student.
However, Dr Lokesh asserts cups are safe. The cup shouldn’t interfere with urination, but in some cases, it may apply pressure on the bladder, he explains.
Cups can be used even during physical activity and gymming. Pooja Sharma, contestant in the ongoing MTV Roadies: Real Heroes show and fitness expert, says, “It’s one of the best options in the market for women involved in physical activities.”
The humble menstrual cup is a cost-effective, eco-friendly option that almost eliminates the constant need for a friend to check for stains.
With proper sex education, its use can alleviate problems many women face in our country.
SR Rajanna, owner of Bajali Medical stores says, “As awareness grows, more women are switching to using the Menstrual cups. The cups are more economical than all other available options.”
Laxmana Reddy, owner of Health Pharma store concurs with Rajanna adding, “Menstrual cups are gaining popularity because of their price and low environmental impact.”
How it works
Tightly fold the cup and insert into the vagina. Upon release, it springs open and forms a seal against the vaginal walls. This will allow it to collect the menstrual blood without leakage for 12 hours. Remove the cup using the stem, pinching the base will release the seal. Next, empty the contents and wash the cup with soap and water. At the end of the cycle, sterilise it in boiling water in preparation for the next use.