Don’t Ovary-React to Menstrual Cups
Diva Cups are just one of the many different brands of menstrual cups available for women. Photo by Mary Knight.

Don’t Ovary-React to Menstrual Cups

What does menstruation have to do with keeping the environment clean? Every month women throw away used tampons and pads, and the waste from those products goes into landfills.

Most women do not know that they have other options for the cycles that don’t harm the earth.

Regular disposable products such as pads and tampons are made with plastics and chemicals. The cotton is doused with chemicals that bleach the material. Even the applicators of tampons which are usually made from plastic, are used once and then thrown out.

Cotton is one of the most water-intensive and pesticide-intensive crops in modern agriculture. The cotton plant is usually sprayed with biocides to kill pest organisms. Many women fear that the chemicals used in the production process may have a negative effect on their body.

Conventional cotton pads and tampons can be replaced by alternative products like rayon-free, organic, or biodegradable products. Some women have turned to using washable pads, or even reusable silicon menstrual cups.

The stigma surrounding women’s menstrual cycles makes it an uncomfortable topic for many to discuss. The impacts of feminine hygiene products and their alternatives are rarely covered, leaving many women unaware of all of the options they can use during their periods.

The lack of education surrounding menstrual cups leaves women asking questions on how to safely use more environmentally friendly options.

Angela Stahl, senior English major, said “I think, like most things menstrual related, there just isn’t much talk about it. So some people don’t know how it works or what it is. Plus it involves more hands-on involvement in the cycle, which is something that isn’t supported either in the big picture.”

Menstrual cups are small cups made of silicon or rubber that are used to collect blood instead of absorb it. They can be reused for up to five years and usually only cost about $30. Reusable products can reduce the amount of waste significantly by preventing the waste from pads and tampons from going into landfills.

Since menstrual cups collect liquid instead of absorbing it like tampons, the risk of toxic shock syndrome is much lower. The cup can be left in for up to 12 hours because they hold more blood than tampons. The rubber and silicon are also nontoxic.

There is a general hesitancy among women to use the cups because some consider them unsanitary.

Oksana Delice Cruz, junior Spanish major said, “I personally just think it’s very icky. The process of putting it in, then taking out to clean. Then having it sit around until the next cycle just grosses me out.”

Once women get past the ick factor of reusing a menstrual product, they tend to be very pleased with the environmental and financial benefits of using a cup.

Emma Olson, senior wildlife education major has been using a menstrual cup for about a year. Olson said, “Initially, I thought it would be really gross, but after a the first few uses I didn’t find it any worse than a nasty tampon. It’s a great, easy option to help the environment and it is a lot more convenient than worrying about changing a tampon every few hours.”

Alternative period products are on the rise because they are not only healthier for women’s bodies but also for the environment.

Genevieve Adamski

Environment Editor

gadam590@uwsp.edu

About pointer

Avatar

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*