by Dr. Margaret Aranda
Although the menstrual cups seem to be newly promoted, it is interesting that they were first marketed in 1937. And to think that the companies that invested in selling them all failed. In the 1950’s, the menstrual cups were marketed by Tampax® as the Tassette® (Mum.org).
Although the menstrual cups seem to be newly promoted, it is interesting that they were first marketed in 1937. And to think that the companies that invested in selling them all failed. In the 1950’s, the menstrual cups were marketed by Tampax® as the Tassette® (Mum.org).
Today, they are making a comeback, but not just because of the
eco-friendly characteristics having to do with less trash and less land fill discard. The menstrual cup (Figure 1) has advantages because it may prevent the need to change
a pad or tampon more frequently, as it can hold a bit more blood than some
realize. There are special cleansing solutions available for washing.
Figure 1. The Menstrual Cup. Menstrual
cups come in different shapes, sizes, and textures, and over a woman’s
lifetime, they cost less than disposable options.
There is also the cloth menstrual pad, carry pouches, and cleansing solution so that eco-friendly considerations are optimized (Figure 2) with pads.
The Menstrual Pad.
Menstrual pads can also be used as incontinence pads. The soft cloth
texture is combined with aesthetically pleasing color tones for added comfort.
LunaPad is one brand of menstrual pad, out of many. The pad is washable, and is available
in different ‘flow’ strengths, from the Starter kit to the Heavy Flow kit. To
add to the simplicity and portability of the concept, they also sell waterproof
carry bags, pouches, and cleansing solutions. They offer the Divacup as an
alternative to the tampon; as with all menstrual cups, it can be worn for 12
hours. The Lunapanties are hipsters that can help hold in the pads. For the post-menopausal woman, the same
products can be used for urinary incontinence, obviating the need to purchase
disposable pads for urine leakage. A particularly nice feature of the Lunapad
website is the Pads4Girls Program, which assists girls in Uganda with every donation.
It makes sense that if you live in a
third world country and have your period and no pads, you will miss school (if
you have a school). In fact, if you
stayed home from school every time you had a period because you were bleeding
and had no pad, those missed days would add up to about 20% of your entire
school year that was missed. Missed
school may lead to dropping out of school, and an incomplete education.
Studies show that Ugandan girls that drop out
of school are more likely to get married, pregnant, die in childbirth, contract
HIV, and earn less than girls who graduate high school. So the Pads4Girls Program sends a pad kit to a girl in Uganda. You can even register on the website to
make a charitable donation to keep girls in school during their periods, and I
think this is a seriously worthwhile endeavor.
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No More Tears en Espanol
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Little Missy Two-Shoes Likes to go to School
Face Book Page: Little Missy Two-Shoes Likes a Ladybug
From Menarche to Menopause: A Journey through Time
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Additional Articles by Dr. Margaret Aranda
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