Sustainable option: Menstrual Cup

I, Seema Khandale, Founder of AshaySocial Group, is here to share about her journey, which transformed her life and the lives of over 5000+ women

One day I read a news article which explained about something innovative, a cup to use during periods. It shocked me to know about such a unique product. Curiosity led to further reading as I found the product only available online. I was searching for something which I could have in my hand and then use it or not. After two months of research, I found my first ever menstrual cup. That month I eagerly awaited for my periods. June 2016, I celebrated my No-rash, No-stains and No-trash periods. Since then there is no looking back towards the Disposable Sanitary napkins.

Sanitary napkins or tampons are the easiest options we get at market, which is a onetime use and throw option. They are plastic based and flooded with lots of chemicals. The plastic components take 500-1000 yrs to decompose. Let's just think about the count we toss in bin every month and it will hang around for so long.

A simple calculation,

In a month 12~15 dirty sanitary napkins thrown away

In a year 144~150

In whole life cycle, 40 yrs~ total of 6000 or more we throw away.

Just imagine the trash created by millions of menstruating women.

We throw these used napkins in our domestic waste, which creates a great health risk for the waste collectors. Burning these also creates toxic fumes of dioxins, which is one cause of cancer. The sanitary waste makes its way into our sewage system, landfills and water bodies. The government introduces few rules and regulations to manage this sanitary waste, but implementation remains a big question. Then isn’t it our responsibility to take care of community and mankind? And how can we forget that we have only one source to fulfil all our basic needs, Our Mother Earth! It's our duty to take care of it.

Being a comfortable user of this innovative product, I started thinking of Why this product is not so popular? Every one around here is using sanitary napkins or tampons. I started sharing about this with my friends and almost everyone else around me! Bought few cups and started knowing more about the menstrual cups. I realised that higher price and not knowing the proper technique of use were few issues to give a start to this new concept. I started spreading awareness about this and at one point designed a cup and gave it a name as RUTU menstrual cup.

What exactly is this MENSTRUAL CUP?

Menstrual cup is of 100% silicone medically graded material. It is non-toxic and non-allergic material. hygienical safe option.

It is worninside the vagina to collect the menstrual fluid at the time of periods. Technique to wear and remove the cup is a very simple process, with no pain. Practice makes us perfect. Menstrual cup is a reusable option. We can use one menstrual cup for 8 to 10 years. In a month we spend 100 to 150/- Rs on sanitary napkins. In a year it goes around 1500 to 2000/- If we spend ~1000/-Rs for a menstrual cup, it becomes a beneficial option. It creates no trash, requires very less water to wash, making it an eco-friendly option.

Taking care of a cup is also easy. Tap water or hot water suffices to clean the menstrual cup. It requires no soap or detergent for washing. Sterilizing the cup in boiling water for 5 mins is okay before and after the periods.

In the last 3.9 yrs of my awareness campaign, I got connected with different schools, colleges, maids, anganvadi sevikas, government and corporate offices, mahilamandals, street women's, sports persons, visually challenged, physically challenged and even the Doctors. I try my best to guide them wherever needed.

I can proudly share here that only with RUTU cup, I am supported with 1900+ users till now. I also came across women with different classes. Young girls, married women, housewives, anganvadisevikas, teachers, women from government offices, corporate sector, maids, street women, visually challenged runners, swimmers, and even Doctors. All are comfortably using the menstrual cup.

Adding to this, I help in the concept of MAKE OUR OWN CLOTH PADS to the users who can't buy these costly options. I help them with the material what they have with them. Many schools, colleges, NGO groups, helped me to conduct such workshops. I'm in Mumbai, but I try to manage traveling or request volunteers to come at my place to learn this and create awareness. This is a way to give back to the society for nurturing us lovingly.

For my work I have been felicitated with Lokmat's Social Entrepreneur Awards 2018, Bahina Bai for working on Women's Health by Gurunath Foundation, and by REA Foundation, Panvel to name a few.

"I envision a sustainable options for the Betterment of our next generation."