Introduction:
In recent times menstrual cups are becoming popular, especially in western countries due to their reusability. But are they as safe and convenient as other disposable most widely used menstrual products, pads? Below is a detailed comparison between menstrual cups and pads in every aspect.
What Is a Menstrual Cup?
Menstrual cups are cups made up of medical-grade silicone, latex, rubber, or elastomer. Women need to insert it into the vagina when they are menstruating. The menstrual cup basically holds and collects the menstrual blood. It can usually hold about 10 mL to 38 mL of blood. After a few hours, the women need to remove it with a finger hooked over the rim behind the pubic bone, empty the cup, clean it and reinsert it into the vagina. Menstrual cups are generally reusable, however, disposable single-use cups also exist. Menstrual cups have been available for decades, but their usage has remained limited.
What Are Menstrual Pads?
Menstrual pads are also commonly known as sanitary napkins. It is disposable and is the most common type of menstrual hygiene product used across all age groups. They are highly absorbent soft pads made up of cotton and cloth-like materials. They are available in different sizes and shapes. Some pads also contain absorbent gels to make them leakproof.
Which Menstrual Product Is Better: Menstrual Cup or Pads?
Both menstrual cup and pads have their own pros and cons. Below is a comparison of the menstrual cups with pads in each aspect;
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Cost Effectiveness:
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Menstrual Cup: A woman only needs to pay a one-time price for a menstrual cup as it is reusable and can be used for years provided proper care is taken. Studies suggest menstrual cups last up to ten years. A study report shows women choose a menstrual cup for economic reasons.
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Pads: A woman must continually buy these pads as they are disposable. Depending on their type and size, a typical pad can be used for up to a few hours only, after that, a woman needs to change the pad and discard it. After using each pad woman need to replace the old with a new pad.
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Comfort:
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Menstrual Cup: Comfort in general is a subjective matter. While some women report that a menstrual cup provides more comfort than pads, some women face difficulty in the insertion or removal of the cup.
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Pads: Women have reported satisfactory use of pads along with easy removal and insertion.
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Vaginal Dryness:
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Menstrual Cup: They tend not to cause vaginal dryness
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Pads: One of the common issues with using pads. Scented pads can irritate delicate skin in the vaginal area, especially women with susceptible skin who may notice dryness and itching during the usage of pads.
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Sizing Issues:
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Menstrual Cup: A woman may get confused while choosing the right menstrual cup size, shape, or material, and its firmness as she can not estimate which cup must be most suitable, and a wrong or incorrect choice could cause injury. Issues may arise with incorrect menstrual cup sizing or firmness. If the cup is too small or too soft and the pressure of the vaginal wall does not allow the menstrual cup to unfold and open, it will leak. Moreover, a rim with a smaller size may can get suctioned onto the cervix. Case of too large or firm menstrual cups becomes very uncomfortable for the wearer and might also cause injury.
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Pads: They are available in different sizes, materials, and shapes. A woman can easily choose between them according to her needs and the flow of the bleeding. Moreover, a wrong choice in the sizing of the pad does not pose any harmful consequences.
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Blood Leakage:
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Menstrual Cup: Leakage of menstrual blood can occur while wearing the menstrual cup due to unusual anatomy of the uterus, heavy blood flow than normal, the requirement for a larger size of the cup than used and incorrect placement of the cup, or in case the cup had filled with blood to its capacity.
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Pads: A woman can easily see if the pad is filled with blood and reached its capacity, hence she can easily change the pads. Thus, there are lesser chances of leakage if the woman regularly checks and uses the pad of the right size. However, leakage may also occur, in case of heavy periods at night and if the pad gets displaced.
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Safety:
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Menstrual Cup: The majority of evidence from various studies shows that menstrual cups are generally safe to use. However, there are some reported cases of injury such as vaginal wounds, pain when wearing the cup, vaginal or cervical irritation, and silicone allergy. rarely too large or firm cups may exert pressure on the tissues around the vagina and block the urinary tract. There are few reports of a rare case of hydroureteronephrosis (kidney breakdown due to blockage) as a result of a deeply inserted cup suctioning over the fornix. Moreover, the suction effect from the rim when pulling the cup down for its removal may also cause prolapse of the uterus in some women. In addition, there are some reports of toxic shock syndrome due to menstrual cups. Failure to maintain proper hygienic care of the menstrual can also lead to urinary tract infections.
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Pads: They are relatively safer to use. However, Infrequently changing pads can lead to a vaginal infection and may result in symptoms such as swelling, itching, and abnormal vaginal discharge.
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Interference With IUD (Intrauterine Device):
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Menstrual Cups: The improperly fitted cups may generate excessive suction over the cervix while removal, this may lead to expulsion and dislodgement of IUDs.
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Pads: They do not affect the function and placement of IUDs.
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Environmental Friendly:
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Menstrual Cup: It is an environmentally friendly product as it is reusable for a long time, up to 10 years. This decreases the burden of environmental pollution. Many women choose a menstrual cup over a pad for this purpose only.
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Pads: Most of them are made of non-biodegradable material that is super-absorbent polymers (SAP) which does not decompose. This material gradually breaks down into microplastics, which further contaminates soil, water, and air. Subsequently, they enter the food chain, thus injecting toxins into the food of humans and animals. This fact makes them an environmental hazard.
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Conclusion:
As stated above, both option has their benefits and limitations. Its use depends on women’s personal preferences. When a woman uses a menstrual cup correctly, it can be a safe, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternative to pads. however, using a menstrual cup involves a learning curve but with time and practice a menstrual cup can be women’s preferred option. A menstrual cup is a great option for period hygiene, particularly if a woman no longer wants to use pads. However, currently, pads are widely used in menstrual hygiene products because of their easy use, accessibility, and other benefits.
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