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 be discontinued…in India which is economically divided, women still continue to use them. Women who wear old clothes which are unsterile and unhygienic are susceptible to Urinary and Reproductive tract infections, rashes due to friction between thighs, and bad odour emanating 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.
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. 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 are linked to skin disorders, Immune system suppression, Endometriosis, Deranged fertility and cancers. Toxic shock syndrome is a rare, potentially fatal condition linked to the use of highly absorbable tampons. Tampons can absorb vaginal fluids with menstrual blood and disturb vaginal ph and bacterial balance.
A menstrual cup is a device which is made of medical-grade silicone or latex and 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.
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 disposable menstrual products, cost-effective and eco-friendly with less landfill waste
Comments
0 comment