How menstrual cups can help you go with the flow

As Indian women become more aware, exposed and educated, choices in period hygiene are also shifting

- SREYA DEB

NDIA 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, robo tic surgery, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi.

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”.