“Menstrual Cups Are Changing Lives!” Really?

For women in developed countries the menstrual cup is loved because it makes your period simple and hassle-free whilst also allowing you to be environmentally friendly. Developed countries have ample access to all kinds of sanitary products and the amount of choice is overwhelming.

Imagine having no reliable way to deal with your next period. No way of managing your period. Imagine having to use leaves, newspaper, rags, cotton, bark, feathers, bits of mattress stuffing, even mud! For most of us reading this blog that is probably unimaginable. Yet at any given time 800 million people are on their period and a significant proportion live in poverty and lack access to menstrual products. In developing countries, the menstrual cup really can be a life-changing solution.

Menstrual problems in developing countries

Not being able to afford or have access to adequate, effective and safe menstrual products.
Many girls in some of the lowest income communities will miss up to 20% of school due to lack of access to adequate menstrual products.
Menstruating humans will use up to 12,000 disposable menstrual products over the course of their life time. This amounts to 150 kg of waste which is enough to fill two mini buses. Developing countries often don't have the infrastructure to deal with this.
Due to the plastic content of disposable menstrual products, typical waste can take 500 years to biodegrade if sent to landfill.
Alternative methods such as leaves, newspaper, rags, cotton, bark, feathers, bits of mattress stuffing and mud don’t work and lead to serious infections and discomfort.
Periods are a big taboo.
There are often no ways to dispose of sanitary products.

How menstrual cups are changing lives in developing countries

Menstrual cups create economic freedom and relieve the financial burden of menstruation.
Without having to budget for sanitary products each month people are better able to provide for themselves and their families.
Having 12 hours of protection allows women to go about their daily life easily.
Allows girls to attend school every day of the month.
Keeping girls in the classroom allows them to excel academically and increases their chance of becoming influential and respected members of society.
No more fear of leaking and being mocked by people.
Cups don’t require underwear. Underwear use may be low due to traditional, cultural and accessibility reasons in developing countries.
Cups require less water in their use and cleaning compared to a washable cloth pad.
Cups are easier to dry and store. A cloth pad needs to be washed and dried. The best way to do this is to hang it outside but many are too embarrassed or ashamed to dry their cloth pads in public, resulting in many storing them unsafely (e.g. close dark moist places like under a mattress).
Cups are affordable. Paying for pads or tampons each month is a huge long-term investment. The cost of a cup is equal to the cost of 4-6 months of single-use menstrual products. But the cup lasts for 10 years so long term savings add up to more than 95%.

What can you do?

As well as making a change in your own life you can take a step to change someone else’s life. By donating a menstrual cup to someone who wants one in a developing country you will be giving them a future of dignified periods. You will be changing their lives. And you will be taking a step to mitigate climate change by reducing menstrual product waste not only in your own country but across the world. Even non-menstruating humans and help mitigate climate change by giving others green periods!

Donate a cup and make a world of difference!

Check out these awesome menstrual cup organisations that work to make a difference in developing countries.