If you fall within my generation category, something happening might intrigue you. It is a relatively new product in a form of a cup inserted by women during menstruation to collect menstrual blood, instead of using the traditional sanitary pad or tampon. Does it sound hygienic and full proof for the purpose?

But not only that. Imagine the instructions are that you can remove the cup at the end of the day, and like one’s underpants, wash and reuse.

You may be pulling a face as you read this. The idea does not sit well, right? Well, technology is evolving and this modern technology of menstrual cup now on the market is perhaps telling some of us how archaic and ancient we are with modern trends and that everything is possible under the sun.

Menstrual cup

They call it menstrual cup, an alternative in the market, for traditional pads and tampons inserted for collecting blood during one’s menstrual period.

The intriguing part is that this new application can be removed, washed and reused. When told about it, my instant reaction was how was that possible, forgetting that we live in a world today where ideas are evolving. Manufacturers live decades ahead of consumers, looking into their future for convenient products, will excite and at affordable prices.

As my curiosity piqued, I checked with my younger friends and family to find out what they knew about the new order. Funny enough, my daughter-in-law was aware of it and even pointed me to some online shops that stock them, but short of saying so, she has never used one.  

I made some checks in a couple of traditional pharmacies just to see how they looked like but they did not have any in stock. I was not too surprised as they may not be on their fast moving items to stock.  Potential users are warming up to the idea. 

The thought of a menstrual cup may not go down well with the older youth, for example. For some of us much older, it reminds one of the days when tampons were first introduced on the market. It took some of us much courage before trying it since the idea did not sit well as first users. With time, however, it became a favourite. Convenient to use and easy to carry in one’s bag.

Advantages

Menstrual cups are said to have some significant advantages. They are made from medical-grade silicone, bio-compatible, toxin free and odourless. Health-wise, they are hygienic and cleaner, better than any of the traditional menstrual applications available. They are said to be safe and convenient to use by all, including first timers.

Interestingly, though relatively new, they are claimed to be reasonably cheaper than any of the traditional uses because they are reusable once washed.

The idea reminds one of the good old days of our grandmothers where clothes were used, washed and sun dried for reuse. 

The other advantage is also that menstrual cups can be worn for up to twelve hours without the need to change at short intervals, whereas other known devices like sanitary pads, tampons, cotton wool or other improvised materials require changing every three to four hours, depending on the heaviness of the menstrual flow.

Like everything else, there are some side effects in usage and menstrual cups are no exception. 

What excites most about the product is its coming at a time when the discussion on free supply of sanitary pads to girls in disadvantaged schools has taken a front burner. The free supply, meant to encourage regular school attendance by the girls, might see a significant shift to the menstrual cup due to its advantages.

It is a clear alternative because taking the idea of its long use of 12 hours before change, school girls in their puberty age will have no problem of worrying about finding a place to change in the course of the day. Apart from that, the idea of it being reusable and comparatively cheap makes it a better alternative for sponsors and parents.

Zonta Club of Accra for example sponsors free pads for girls in a deprived school in the Ga West municipality as part of its agenda for promoting better opportunities for girls. Zonta  Club will find menstrual cup a better alternative for their project as far as budget planning is concerned, as compared to sanitary towels.

Providing a better alternative to sanitary pads and tampons, the discussion about menstrual cups must be taken to a higher level in our country. The government’s free sanitary towel for deprived schools will stand to gain. Other non-governmental agencies and groups will see their monies worth if they were to switch to free supply of menstrual cups rather than pads.

Above all, one would like to see prospective manufacturers take up the challenge, embrace this new business line and help, not only with employment growth but also provide young women the opportunity of being introduced to a more affordable and hygienic menstrual application, convenient and purposeful.

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The writer can be contacted via email at vickywirekoandoh@yahoo.com