Menstrual Cups vs Sanitary Pads
Comparison of Menstrual Products
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Upasana Society NGO who I am closely associated has been into sanitary pad donation to the underprivileged since the last 6 years. We must have donated close to 3 lakh free sanitary pads to more than 1000 underprivileged girls. We still continue to do that for around 500 underprivileged girls, till they know the importance of them and make those changes in their life on a regular basis.
Click here to know more details about the Sanitary Pad Donation Drive
During the course of the campaign, we have realised that sanitary pads are harmful for the environment and adds a lot of logistical complications while delivering the sanitary napkins to them on a monthly basis. Since the campaign is a continuos one, we have to provide sanitary pads each month to these underprivileged girls which gets difficult at times.
A girl menstruates for around 35 to 40 years of her life. Each month a girl uses around 15 to 20 non-biodegradable pads and each sanitary pad takes more than 500 years to degrade. If you calculate the number of sanitary pads 1 girl uses, it is 15 pads ×12 months × 35 years= 6300 non-biodegradable sanitary pads.
Each packet of sanitary pads cost around Rs.40 to Rs. 45/-. So on an average 1 girl spends around Rs. 80/- per month. So if you calculate 35 years × 12 months × Rs. 80/- = Rs. 33,600/-
Cost of 1 menstrual cup varies from Rs. 500 to Rs. 4000/- each and it lasts for 7 to 8 years. So if u calculate the cost that 1 girl will spend, it will be less than half the amount that she will spend on non-biodegradable sanitary napkins. The non-biodegradable waste also has a major negative impact on the environment.
Taking into account the advantages of a menstrual cup, we started of with workshops to spread awareness about the Importance of Biodegradable products & Menstrual Hygiene all over India.
Advantages of Menstrual Cups over Sanitary Pads:
- Menstrual cup can be reused for a minimum span of 6 to 7 years before disposing them.
- Menstrual cup causes less harm to environment than sanitary pads (1 menstrual cup will be equal to around 1200 to 1500 pads).
- In the long run, Menstrual cup will cost half the amount spent on sanitary pads.
- There is no leakage or rashes while using menstrual cups.
- You can go swimming, trekking and travel without worrying about leakage.
- You can pass urine without removing the menstrual cup.
Dis- Advantages of Menstrual Cups over Sanitary Pads:
- Initial cost for menstrual cup is higher than that of sanitary pads.
- Menstrual cups are not easily available in medical stores.
- There are a lots of myths and taboos attached to menstrual cups than sanitary pads.
- There is less information and awareness about menstrual cups.
- Girls/women think that menstrual cup will get lost in their body once they insert it.
Those who wish to donate for the cause can do so by visiting the website - Upasana Society NGO
Upasana society NGO bank details:
Name : Upasana Society
Bank: Dena Bank
Account type: Savings
Branch: Mount Poinsur, Borivali West
Account No. – 048710026097
IFSC – BKDN0460487
Paytm- 9769727057 or 7045127770
Phone Pe- 7045127770