Menstrual Cup Advantages And Disadvantages

3.4.3 Menstrual Cup
The first patent of a menstrual cup goes back to 1932 (Goddard 1932). Menstrual cups are bell-shaped silicon devices worn inside the vagina to collect blood (Rice, 2014). It has a high potential for improving the situation of women, not only because it can hold blood better but also because it is reusable. Women may be reluctant to use it since it requires to be inserted inside into the vagina. There 's a misconception about losing one 's virginity by wearing a menstrual cup or tampons, which might also explain the low usage of tampons in South Asia. There 's also the problem of being able to afford female hygiene products (the recurring monthly cost of expensive commercial pads), and since a menstrual cup can last up to 10 years, it could help them financially.

Although the use of the cup only increased school attendance slightly, it helped to increase the concentration of girls. The chance of embarrassing oneself was lower, since with pads, there 's a higher chance of leakage or misplacement, especially when doing sports, and a smell can arise through the blood’s contact with air. But knowing that their "secret" is kept safer, lowered stress levels in girls. (APHRC, 2010)
A study conducted in 2009 in Chitwan District in Nepal examined the impact of the menstrual cup on school attendance. The study was conducted in four schools, and the treatment group was given menstrual cups. It slightly helped to improve school attendance, but it particularly made life more convenient, as in spending less time washing clothes and being able to ride a bike with ease. The study concluded that the main cause of girls not going to school is menstrual pain and cramps (Oster, 2009).
3.5 Internal Pain & Cramps