Menstrual Hygiene Day 2022: Why You Should Use Menstrual Cups Instead of Pads and Tampons, Expert Talks

Menstrual Hygiene Day 2022: Awareness of feminine hygiene products is a must these days considering the myths and taboos that surround the monthly periods and the fact that one is left to figure out what is good. The age-old practice of using clothes though should discontinue in India which is economically divided, women still continue to use them.Also Read – World Menstrual Hygiene Day: Maharashtra to Launch Scheme to Provide 10 Sanitary Napkins For Re 1

e to Urinary and Reproductive tract infections, rashes due to friction between thighs, and bad odour emanaWomen who use old clothes which are unsterile and unhygienic are susceptibility if the cloth is not changed for more than six hours, and also have to go through social embarrassment while the menstrual cloth is washed left out to dry for reuse. Also Read – Menstrual Hygiene Day 2022: Avoid These 9 Mistakes During Period

Dr Jayashree Nagaraj Bhasgi, Senior Consultant, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Fortis Hospital, Richmond Road, Bengaluru says that reusable cloth pads are a good alternative . These products are environmentally friendly, use organic cotton or hemp as absorbent core and take more than 500 years to biodegrade. Also Read – Jamshedpur Pad Man Distributes Sanitary Napkins For Free, Asks Girls to Plant a Sapling in Exchange of a Pad

Dr Bhasgi says that sanitary pads and tampons pose a big threat to the environment mainly due to the chemicals that are present in them and also the fact that they biodegrade in six months. Dioxin and pesticides are the harmful chemicals found in these products exposure to which is linked to skin disorders, Immune system suppression, Endometriosis, Deranged fertility and cancers.

Dr Bhasgi reveals that toxic shock syndrome is a rare, potentially fatal condition linked to use of highly absorbable tampons. Tampons can absorb vaginal fluids with menstrual blood and disturb vaginal ph and bacterial balance.

Why You Must Switch to Menstrual Cup?

A menstrual cup is a device which is medical grade silicone or latex, it is shaped like a bell with a stem or ring. It can be easily inserted in the vagina during menstruation and this cup collects the menstrual blood, offer better leakage protection, gives a comfortable feel to the user and costs less over time.

Advantages of Menstrual Cup

• The advantage of using a menstrual cup is it can be removed, rinsed, reinserted and reused every 4 to 12 hours.
• There is no risk of urinary or reproductive tract infections, no immune system dysfunction, no skin rashes and no embarrassing odour.
• These menstrual cups are therefore a safe alternative to the disposable menstrual products, cost-effective and eco friendly with less landfill waste