Your green period partner

Menstrual cups are increasingly gaining prominence, especially in terms of environmental impact and efficacy

- SHUBHANGI SHAH

A WHOPPING 12.3 BILLION sanitary napkins are used in India annually, as per estimates. The number is huge and can be taken as positive, given less than 50% of girls and women of reproductive age in India have access to disposable sanitary napkins. Any step towards furthering menstrual health should be lauded. However, there are environmental repercussions when it comes to sanitary napkins and tampons, which, when discarded, end up in landfills and take years to decompose, impacting the environment badly.

A product that is increasingly gaining prominence in terms of environmental impact and efficacy is the menstrual cup. "Among menstrual cups, napkins, and tampons, cups are the best as these are highly effective and environment friendly. These are more comfortable too," says Dr Ritu Sethi, senior consultant-gynaecology, Cloud Nine Hospital, and Apex Clinic, Gurugram.

"Silicone or latex rubber is used to make the small, flexible menstrual cups. Unlike pads and tampons that absorb the menstrual blood, cups collect it," explains Dr Meenakshi Bansal, consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, New Delhi."So tightly fold the menstrual cup and insert it like a tampon without an applicator right before your period begins. When used appropriately, you should not feel it. It is similar to inserting a diaphragm or a birth control ring," she adds.

These come in three sizes: small, medium, and large. "The small size is normally reserved for people under 30 who have not given birth. The medium one is for women over 30 with a history of childbirth. The larger size is often for people above 30, as well as those who have a heavy flow and have given birth," the doctor explains. Dr Sethi recommends consulting a gynaecologist before buying a menstrual cup.