How menstrual cups can help you go with the flow |
India comprises about one-fifth of the world’s adolescent girls’ population, according to a study published in BioMed Central, a United Kingdom-based for-profit open access publisher. Of these, at least 58% do not have access to proper menstrual hygiene products, and do not get to live through their menstrual cycles in a healthy way. The causes and results of this phenomenon are multipronged and varied in themselves – from affordability and access to menstrual hygiene products, to the lack of them leading to early high school dropouts. In this atmosphere, a new product is taking the Indian feminine products’ market by storm — the menstrual cup. As more and more women adopt this product, doctors shed light on the qualities of the cup and what it can do for women.
Increasing acceptance
“From a medical point of view, menstrual cups are considered very safe and effective when used properly,” says Dr Neelam Suri, senior consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology, robotic surgery, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi.
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Dr Suri says, such cups are made of medical-grade silicone which does not react with the skin and is hypoallergenic. “They also do not disturb the natural vaginal pH, which helps maintain a healthier environment,” she says, adding, “A major benefit is that cups can be worn for 8 to 12 hours, making them convenient for working women, students, and travellers. They also hold more fluid than pads or tampons, which is useful for women with heavy flow.” Dr Suri herself has recommended menstrual cups to her patients, “especially those who struggle with rashes, heavy flow, or concerns about chemicals in disposable products”.
“Awareness about menstrual cups in India has grown significantly, with current estimates suggesting that nearly 80% of women now know about the product,” offers Dr Bharani Vijayargavan, consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology, Motherhood Hospital, Chennai. Over the past couple of years, several government initiatives and NGOs have also undertaken distribution programmes in certain areas, she adds. In her experience, she has noted a higher acceptance rate among younger (20-30 years), urban, educated women, including healthcare workers, students, and married professionals as well. “Menstrual cups are advisable since they are reusable, environment friendly, effectively low cost because one doesn’t have to keep buying them every cycle, and reduce risk of infection and irritation caused by pads,” says Dr Vijayaragavan.
Myths & misconceptions
Although acceptance of menstrual cups is increasing in India, there are still significant concerns that hold women back from giving them a try. Despite the apparent high-level awareness, “actual usage remains low, with multiple India studies reporting that less than 5% of women currently use menstrual cups”, as per Dr Vijayaragavan.
Speaking of the myths surrounding the menstrual cup, Dr Anjali Jain, senior consultant, gynae-oncologist, robotic surgeon, Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, says, “Common myths include beliefs that menstrual cups cause infections, infertility, or are uncomfortable. Some women also feel hesitant due to cultural stigma around vaginal insertion.” “Stigma around menstrual cups and discs persists due to cultural taboos on vaginal products and misinformation. Pads are more normalised because they are external and easier to use without education. Removing stigma requires public education campaigns, open conversations, and normalising menstruation discussions in media and schools,” Dr Jain adds.
Elaborating on these misconceptions, Dr Vijayaragavan says, “One of the most common myths surrounding menstrual cups is the belief that the cup can ‘get lost’ inside the body. This is not true. At times, the cup may feel difficult to remove if the size is incorrect, but in such cases, a doctor can easily remove it during a simple outpatient visit.” She adds that another misconception is about menstrual cups causing infertility, which too has no basis in science. “A third myth suggests that menstrual cups lead to infections; in reality, they are safe to use as long as they are removed, emptied and cleaned every 3-4 hours,” she explains, as prolonged retention of any menstrual product can increase the risk of toxic shock syndrome. “The final myth is that only ‘non-virgins’ can use a menstrual cup, which is untrue. Smaller cup sizes are specifically designed for those who have not been sexually active.”
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