Over the past year, there has been a marginal increase in the use of menstrual cups among women. For this edition of Welcome Optimism, we will deep dive into why menstrual cups are a better option for women and the environment.
Here’s a look at how these revolutionary cups can make a difference:
1. Reusable and long-lasting
Unlike single-use sanitary pads or tampons, menstrual cups are reusable because they are made of medical-grade silicone or rubber. These cups produce only 0.4% of the plastic waste on a ten-year timeframe compared to sanitary napkins and 6% compared to tampons.
2. More cost effective
Compared to sanitary napkins and tampons, the reusable nature of menstrual cups makes them a lot more cost-effective for women. Since most rural and underprivileged women in India cannot afford sanitary pads, the cup might be just the alternative they need to empower themselves during their periods.
3. More hygienic
The advantages of menstrual cups do not end at being reusable, long-lasting, and affordable. There is a lot more that the cups have to offer. According to experts, they reduce common period hassles that women have to face like:
- Rashes
- Skin infection
- Leakage
- Lack of physical activity
These factors make menstrual cups far more empowering for women than the other alternatives.
4. The perfect alternative for lower-income groups and rural India
The lack of sanitation, clean water, and absorbent material in rural India and among lower-income groups is a significant hindrance to women’s lives. Even sanitary disposal is a challenge for these groups of women.
Also, menstruation is still considered a taboo in many parts of the country, and the advantages of menstrual cups solve all these problems.
5. Waste Management Benefits
A joint study by the Menstrual Hygiene Alliance of India and Water Aid India concluded that the decomposition of a single sanitary pad could take up to 800 years. Owing to India’s large population and the health of women in the country, menstrual cups are currently the only sustainable alternative that can help us empower women and the environment.
On Welcome Optimism, we bring you stories of positivity and empowerment to focus on the good things, and menstrual cups are one of the most revolutionary inventions that will bring more power to women and the environment.
