Do you still use the age-old disposable sanitary napkin in your periods?
If your answer to the question above is yes, then you need to read the rest. It's about time to break the bloody taboo! 90 percent of disposable napkins are made by plastic and 1,20,000 tons of menstrual waste are produced each year by India. One woman in her lifetime uses 11,000 pads/tampons. If this is too many numbers for you then here is another shocking number. These napkins need 500 to 800 years to degrade.
What are the alternatives you ask for?Alright, there is not just 1, but 2! Menstrual cups have long become the buzz term, and these tiny cups have become an integral part of the lives of many people out there, given the hush-hush around periods. A menstrual cup is a feminine hygiene product that is placed into the vagina during menstruation. Its purpose is to collect menstrual blood over time. Are menstrual cups better than sanitary napkins? Yes, because of its long term use for up to 10 years and it is the cost-effective option which needs one-time investment only.
Long-time use- most pads and tampons have to be replaced every 4 to 5 hours. Menstrual cups will remain within the vagina without any hassle for up to 12 hours. Large capacity-a normal size cup can hold up to 20 ml of blood compared to a super absorbent pad or tampon that absorbs 10 to 12 ml of blood. If you want to know more, it is advised to see Our Gynecologists. Less odor - Menstrual blood is given a peculiar odor when exposed to air, but a vacuum is created in a menstrual cup, and there is no chance of smell. Mess-free sex - The soft silicone grade menstrual cup acts as a diaphragm preventing blood leakage during periods and it is possible to have intercourse. Cloth Pads - Yes you read it correct! Cloth pads are back, for all the good reasons. Cloth pads are made of cotton cloth and free of harmful materials. Each pad is made of multiple layers of one absorbent layer of cloth, which makes it leak-proof, making it last for 5 to 6 hours. They are a high one-time investment but they can be washed and reused in the long run, so every penny is worth it. They last between 5-10 years! Of course depending on the use. The longer you have pads in use the better they last you but each pad will replace 100-200 disposable pads. They even come with a travel pocket so holding used pads is easier. An average Indian woman spends around 300 rupees a month buying pads or tampons. This number crosses One lakh rupees assuming the menstrual age lasts for 30 years. Now imagine paying less than 1/100th of the cost while using a menstrual cup/cotton pads. What counts is the commitment of every woman to the transition from non-compostable to sustainable menstrual items. These products' benefits create significant and positive impacts on the planet and the environment. Let us pledge to Green the Red with a Trash free period. Have a Happy Period! Visit Cauvery Heart & Multi-Speciality Hospital which is one among the Best Obstetrics & Gynecologist Hospital in Mysore offering the highest quality medical care.