Till date, these were being advertised as a sustainable and more convenient alternative to sanitary napkins or tampons. But, now menstrual cups can perhaps be hailed as the medically-approved best option for menstrual hygiene, as per the latest study published in the acclaimed journal The Lancet.
So far, the opinions of women about menstrual cups have been quite divided about the menstrual cup. While a group of conscious users are enjoying its benefits and actively advocating its use, a lot of women are still averse to the idea of the cup, mostly due to the notion of it being unsafe, uncomfortable and harmful for vaginal health.
No one has ever become poor by giving
– Anne Frank
The Report Collated Findings Of 43 Studies
However, the Lancet report can put all the myths and misconceptions to rest. It corroborated the findings of 43 studies across both low-income and middle-income countries to arrive at the conclusion that “menstrual cups are a safe option for menstruation management and are being used internationally.”
The report explored the capacity and feasibility of the menstrual cups on a variety of parameters like leakage, acceptability, and safety and availability. The introduction to the study clearly emphasises the need for safe and affordable menstrual hygiene products for women across the globe.
Menstrual Cup Has Been There Since 1930s
The hype around the menstrual cup is fairly a recent development, with more and more women searching for sustainable menstrual alternatives, but the product itself has been around for many years, even in the 1930s, especially in Western countries. However, the lack of finesse in the initial designs was a roadblock to its popularity, states a report by National Public Radio.
The present menstrual cups available in the market are much more advanced in design and convenience. Made of medical-grade silicone, latex or rubber, these cups are meant to be inserted inside the vagina. The cup acts as a receptacle and can hold menstrual blood for upto 8 to 12 hours, depending on its quality and capacity. It can be removed, washed and put back in again.
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