Why these menstrual cups make better and ‘green’ sense

After years and a few hundred cycles of using sanitary pads, perhaps the time to change came only last year, when a colleague explained the benefits of using a menstrual cup to me .

I had been wanting to use one for a long time, not only in an effort to go green but also do away with this whole waste disposal problem. Not to mention the fact that changing them every couple of hours while travelling was a real pain.

I bought one online, a brand recommended by the colleague. It cost less than Rs 500, very cost-effective when you think that one menstrual cup can last up to 10 years.

The first and foremost thought in my mind was how to insert it. And then the trepidation. What if it doesn’t come out? (thought I knew it wouldn’t go anywhere up there). I had scary thoughts of emergency rooms and menstrual blood leaking. They were just what they were… thoughts.

So armed with some YouTube tutorials, I tried inserting the menstrual cup. In just a few tries, and in the right position, it was in, well and proper. To be safe, I also used a pad. After four hours, it was still in place… Removal and cleaning was easy, and after each cycle, all you had to do was sterilise by boil the cup in hot water.

I had crossed over. That “time of the month” was never going to be the same again.

Now, it all came down to matter of choice. There are a plethora of menstrual cup brands available in the market, most of them at affordable prices. We list down a few popular ones so making the switch is easier for you.

Sirona

The brand is well known in the market for its range sanitary products, breast pads, female urination device, herbal feminine pain relief patches, tampons, and muchmore. Delhi-based entrepreneur Deep Bajaj (Founder) and Mohit Bajaj (Co-Founder), founded Sirona as an outcome of the numerous bad experiences that the women around them suffered, in terms of basic and intimate hygiene issues that remain largely unaddressed in a country like India. Its reusable menstrual cups claims to give you freedom from sanitary rashes/monthly buying of pads and are eco-friendly. The cups are made of high-quality silicone (as most of them are), widely applied in medical care products. Eachretains more than 15ml of menstrual blood, is toxin free, odour free and allergan free and can last up to 12 hours. Large, medium, and small sizes are available on all ecommerce sites for less than Rs 500.

Silky Cup

This one is a personal favourite mainly because of the toughness and quality of the silicone used for making the cup. It offers similar benefits like others - 12-hour protection, three sizes, non-toxic, and chemical free. Its greatest plus point is that it is highly affordable and available - just around Rs 300 on most ecommerce sites. The brand is manufactured in India and China, and claims to be leading in both markets.

DEA Menstrual Cup

This made-in-India product was launched with a vision to empower women by educating them on the basics of menstrual hygiene. It also aims to break the taboo and the shackles of silence prevailing in the Indian society on menstruation. DEA Corp, along with its team of social activists and NGOs,aims to educate young girls and women through on-ground activations, by visiting schools and participating in women’s exhibitions. Its Menstrual Cup, which can be used for up to 10 years, is an ideal alternative to sanitary pads, tampons, and other menstrual hygiene products. It authorized by the national regulatory body, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation. DEA cups are ISO-certified medical devices. The deterrent here could be the high price of the product: Rs 2500 per cup.

TruCup

Created by two Delhi-based women entrepreneurs,  Alakshi Tomarand Shivangi Bagri, TruCups are menstrual cups that are lasting, hygienic, reusable, and environmental friendly. For the entrepreneur duo, TruCup stands for the truth about menstruation, spreading awareness on menstrual health and hygiene, and giving better options to a large audience. At present, TruCup only sells online – via its own website, Amazon (US), Lazada (Singapore), and Shycart (online seller of sexual wellness products in India). A TruCup is priced at Rs 999 for the urban audience, and Rs 399 for rural audience. Unlike pads, which need to be changed frequently, TruCup can last for 8-10 hours in a day (And one can last for 10 years.) TruCup’s menstrual cups come in two different sizes now. They will be adding more sizes soon.

Boondh

Boondh is a social enterprise that does two primary things: one, it promotes sustainable menstruation through menstrual cups and other menstrual hygiene management practices; and two, it promotes positivity around menstruation. It does this, importantly, for people from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Sonal Jain and Bharti Kannan launched Boondh in a bid to truly make menstrual cups affordable to everyone. It is available on all leading ecommerce websites like Shycart, Bare Necessities, and others,and is priced below Rs 600.

Did you know a single woman creates about 125-150 kg of waste by using sanitary napkins during her menstruating years? Also, studies have shown that one sanitary pad could take from 500 to 800 years to decompose as the plastic used is not biodegradable. Disposal of sanitary waste still remains a pressing issue in India where garbage segregation remains a distant reality in most places.

So the safe and ‘green’ alternative is to switch to menstrual cups. For this large-scale awareness, both in rural and urban areas, is the need of the hour.