Is the menstrual cup for you and how to make the switch; experts and users guide

The photo is for representational purpose only

About a decade ago, Hamsa Iyer, who works in the field of waste management, went to visit a landfill. She witnessed a waste picker take out a sanitary pad from the trash. That image stayed with her for a long time and she wondered if she had, in some way, contributed to that waste. "You can't really compost a sanitary pad and there's also plastic in it," she says. During that time, Iyer began contemplating other alternatives.

She bought cloth pads first but quickly found they took a while to dry in the Mumbai rains. She then bought a menstrual cup from an online store, but waited a while to try it out. "It was a bit intimidating in the beginning," says Iyer. But after three months, she gave it a go. "It was an eye-opener for me. I did not have to worry about changing a pad. It was just convenient and I did not have to think about disposing of it," says the 31-year-old.

Architect and babywearing educator Yaman Banerjee found out about menstrual cups about seven years ago, when she was searching for eco-friendly diapers for her then-newborn child. "Coincidentally, the vendor who was selling the diapers had the menstrual cups," she says. After reading about it, Banerjee was excited to switch to the cup. Banerjee dreaded having her periods because of the rashes she used to get in her private area from using sanitary napkins. "The cup was the most liberating thing ever for me."

Both Iyer and Banerjee belong to the steadily emerging group of people who endorse choosing an eco-conscious lifestyle. "I work in waste management. So, I need to walk the talk," Iyer says. According to Menstrual Hygiene Alliance of India (MHAI) around 121 million women and adolescent girls in India use disposable sanitary napkins. Reportedly, disposable pads are 90 per cent plastic and it takes about 500 to 800 years to decompose. It is important that along with menstrual hygiene, women become aware of sustainable menstrual care options.

Hamsa Iyer (left) and Yaman Banerjee

While the awareness about menstrual cups has improved in the past few years, menstruation as a topic still remains taboo in many parts of our country. May 28 is recognised as Menstrual Hygiene Day. In recent times, there have been several NGOs and social influencers who have been actively involved in spreading awareness about how women can manage their periods with menstrual cups. However, there are still questions regarding this eco-friendly device. So, Mid-day.com spoke to gynaecologists Dr. Pratima Thamke and Dr. Amodita Ahuja to answer some of the most common questions about menstrual cups.

What are menstrual cups?

According to Ahuja, menstrual cups are the most eco-friendly menstrual hygiene products which can be described as small, flexible funnel-shaped products made of rubber or silicon that are inserted in the vagina to collect the period fluid. Thamke concurs, "You will be surprised to know that this cup holds more blood when compared to other methods like tampons or sanitary pads. If you insert the cup properly then you can stay carefree and enjoy activities such as swimming or running."

Can one start using the cup from their very first period?

Both experts say that first-timers can use a menstrual cup. However, they need to learn and be guided properly.

What are the most important things to keep in mind when switching to menstrual cups?

Thamke advises it is vital to buy a menstrual cup of your size. "Make sure that it fits properly. Small cups can be used by those who are under 30. A Large cup can be used by those above 30. Buy a cup according to your age. Avoid buying a cup as per the flow," she says.

Ahuja believes it takes two to three cycles for women to get accustomed to the cup. She shares, "It's not only about inserting and removing the cup but also about maintaining the good hygiene of the cup. So it's important to learn how to sanitise and store the cup."

The other points to keep in mind when buying a menstrual cup, as per Ahuja, include checking the certification of the cup. Choose softer cups initially as compared to the firm cups, and if you are allergic to the material of which the cup is made of then consult your gynaecologist before selecting one.

How does one choose the right cup size?

"There is no one parameter that can decide your menstrual cup size. Size depends upon your age, number of children, heaviness of blood flow and tone of pelvic floor muscles," says Ahuja. She says if you are a teenager or are not sexually active, a small size cup may fit you. But if you have children and have a lax vagina then a large size might work better. "I would suggest trying and deciding which one suits you the best."

How to clean a menstrual cup and how often does it need to be cleaned?

During the menstrual cycle it is ideal to clean the cup every 12 hours with warm water and reuse it, according to Ahuja. "And after the cycle is over, sterilise it in boiling water, dry it, and keep it in a cool dry place," she says.

Ahuja elucidates, "If you are travelling or not at home you can also empty the contents and clean it with toilet paper. Clean the rim and crevices properly. After the periods are over the cup can be sterilised in boiling water for 2-10 minutes depending upon the brand, dried preferably in the sun, and then stored in the provided pouch or a cool dry place where ventilation is proper."

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Myths about menstrual cups busted by Ahuja and Thamke

Dr. Pratima Thamke (left) and Dr. Amodita Ahuja

Myth 1: The menstrual cup will get lost inside the vagina - Thamke says, "Be assured nothing like this will happen. If you position it correctly then it will not even move or connect to the other parts of the body."

Myth 2: One cannot exercise with a menstrual cup - Ahuja reckons menstrual cups are ideal during exercise and swimming as there are no chances of leakage.

Myth 3: Menstrual cups cannot be used by teenagers -- It can be used by any age group, the only thing that matters is the right technique to use it, shares Ahuja.

Myth 4: You cannot urinate while using a menstrual cup - "It is important to understand that a menstrual cup is inserted inside the vagina and you urinate from the urethra and both are different passages. You can surely urinate while using a cup," says Ahuja.

Also Read: 'No scientific evidence so far to suggest the possibility of a third Covid-19 wave mainly affecting children'