Why Boondh cup?
Facts:
- Of the 586 million women in India, atleast 355 million women bleed every month.
- ~80% women in urban India and ~50% women in rural India use disposable sanitary napkins.
- A menstruator who uses 6 sanitary pads a day, 4 days a month for 30 years (ages 15 to 45), would use ~6000 sanitary napkins. On usage and disposal, that would generate 120kg+ of bio-medical, solid waste per person.
- Bangalore, a metropolitan city in south India, with 17 lakh menstruating women, generates 19.2 tonnes of menstrual waste everyday i.e. 33,0000 tonnes a year.
Health & Comfort
- Cups are made of medical grade silicone that is inert (doesn't react with the body). Simply put, cups do not affect the vaginal environment nor does the vagina affect the composition of the cup. Where as, sanitary pads affect the vulva/vaginal area because they work by absorption and suck dry the skin, causing irritation. Blood on sanitary pads smells / generates a foul odor as it is exposed to air whereas blood collected inside a cup smells as blood does, giving out a metallic essence.
- Pads are made of innumerable chemicals including banned carcinogenic herbicides which can also be absorbed through our skin, especially since pad users essentially wear them for 7 years periodically through their menstruating lifetime and this can potentially lead to RTIs, STIs, cervical cancer, etc.
- Cups are more comfortable as they are not felt once fit inside the body correctly and are activity-friendly. Boondh cups allow us to swim, gym and move around freely, without any fear of stains. They also let us measure our menstrual discharge, enabling us to understand flow patterns and our own bodies better.
- Cups weigh less than 20g and can be carried anywhere, not requiring much space. They are easy to sterilize and convenient to carry, eliminating the need for constant replacement like sanitary packs. And ofcourse, they are pocket-friendly.
Environment
- Sanitary pads are dubiously classified and it is unclear whether it falls under solid waste or bio-medical waste, in turn making them more difficult to collect, process, segregate and treat.
- Pads are mostly made of plastic which could take 600+ years to disintegrate. Questionable further is the aggravating factor clogged pads in sewers and drains has not just to the drainage systems but also to those part of the labor force who are disenfranchised and denied dignity of labor.
- Cups in comparison produce zero toxic waste and silicone as a material is recyclable.
- We are also ditching all plastic that goes into packaging, delivery and disposal of sanitary pads that is a recurring process.
Community
- Clogged sanitary napkins in sewers are not just problematic in public drainage system but also hurt the the labor force who are disenfranchised and denied dignity of labor, as dispensable as a disposable sanitary pad itself.
- Health and hygiene is a fundamental right in India. Menstrual hygiene is one such right that is not realized. With GST being implemented, social media has erupted questioning how pads are taxed 12% GST (similar to other luxury commodities) accosting many of our sensibilities around hygiene not being a luxury. The role that menstrual products have in improving access to education and opportunities for women is well documented. And yet in India, the state wise disparity in access to menstrual pads is grim with the NHFS-4 showing that more than half the population in age groups between 15-24 years don't have access to menstrual hygiene products.
- With better outreach and education on sustainable menstrual products it is possible to improve the situation, particularly because there are no recurring costs in reusable products like cups and ancillary products required to manage periods.
How does the Boondh cup works?
A menstrual cup is made of inert medical grade silicone that is inserted into the vagina where in it creates a pressure seal and collects menstrual blood, sitting in the vaginal vault below the cervix. Once it is worn, its presence is barely felt and is a key indicator of whether one has inserted the cup suitably. Take a look at the Instruction Manual on how the cup is to be treated, stored, inserted and removed.
Wearing the Boondh cup
- Boil your Boondh cup in clean water for 5 minutes to ensure sterilization for safe use.
- Leave your boondh cup on a clean surface and wash your hands well with soap and water.
- Fold the cup using simple folds such as:
C FOLD: Hold your Boondh cup in both hands (Fig A) and fold any two opposites sides of the cup towards each other (Fig B). Fold your pressed Boondh cup in half such that it resembles a ‘C’ shape when viewed from above (Fig C).
PUNCH DOWN FOLD: Hold your Boondh cup in one hand (Fig A) and press down on one side of the rim into the bottom of the cup (Fig B). Once the cup is folded hold it firmly over the folded sided with the pointed end facing upwards.
- Insert the folded Boondh cup gently while maintaining the angle towards your tail-bone. Once the entire rim is inserted, you can release your grip on the Boondh cup slightly for it to start opening and slowly guide it inside. When the cup is inserted properly it should be fitted inside with no part of the cup appearing outside your vagina. You can check the position by slightly pulling or twisting the cup and bearing down slightly. (i.e exert pressure from your stomach like you do when emptying your bowels).
Removing the Boondh cup
On the first day of menstruation, most women empty their cups 3 times, i.e. once in the morning, afternoon and night. The days on which menstrual flow is less emptying the cup once in twelve hours (twice a day) should
be sufficient. Leakage with a cup when used properly is rare and very minimal. Follow the steps below when you need to remove your cup:
- Wash your hands well with soap and water.
- Feel for the bottom knob of the Boondh cup with one finger and then hold the base of the cup firmly (Fig A).
- Start slowy pulling the Boondh cup down with side to side motions and continue to bear down to help it slip down (Fig B). More and more of the Boondh cup can be grasped through this step. Press the cup so that the sides touch each other and the seal around the rim is released. Now the folded cup can be eased out of the canal fully (Fig C). Rinse your Boondh cup in clean water with mild soap and reuse.
FAQ
Why do Boondh Cups come in a standard size?
Our vaginas are elastic and irrespective of our sexual or birthing history they come back to their original shape and size. A standard size cup should ideally fit most bodies, irrespective of body type or pelvic floor strength or height, etc. 4 in 1000 people might have issues with sizing of the cup.
What material is the Boondh Cup made of?
Boondh cup is made of silicone that is tested for its medical grade in congruence with compliant testing.
What are the testing standards Boondh Cup is compliant with?
Boondh cup is a product made with utmost care to quality and safety. It is compliant with the following testing standards, representing quality control for both bio - compatibility and component testing. This includes clearance in accordance to US Pharmacopoeia (USP V) and US Food and Drugs Administration FDA 21 CFR 177
What happens to the Boondh Cups after you are done with it years later?
One can recycle the cup themselves, as silicone is a recyclable material, and as we grow we hope to build the capacity to collect cups from beneficiaries and customers alike to process and recycle them in anything imaginable!
How often do I empty Boondh Cup?
Boondh Cup should be emptied and reinserted at least once in 10-12 hours. However on the first and second day of your periods, you may need to empty it 3 to 4 times through the day
Can I swim or play sport with the Boondh Cup?
Yes! You most certainly can.
Can I sleep wearing a Boondh Cup?
Yes! Empty your Boondh Cup once before going to bed, re-insert it properly and wake up in the morning stain free! Lying horizontal does not cause the Boondh Cup to leak and loosen.
Can I poop or pee with a Boondh Cup?
Yes! Don’t worry, you will not pop the cup out while pooping/peeing.
How messy is it to wear a Boondh Cup?
There involves a learning curve to using Boondh. This could vary from 1-3 cycles. This is when you will slowly learn how your cervix and vagina are positioned and shaped. Once you’re past this cycle, you’ll find using the Boondh Cup is clean, mess free and unbelievably comfortable to use!
I've not had a sexual intercourse, can I still use Boondh Cup?
You most certainly can! This is of course with the assumption that you understand that using a menstrual cup and remaining a virgin have nothing to do with each other. The hymen (if present) stretches little by using Boondh Cup and this could at first be uncomfortable while inserting or removing. Virginity is notional and no one's dignity ought to be decided by the nature of a particular tissue in the body.
How to store the Boondh Cup?
Boondh Cup only needs storage in a dry clean place. Once your period is over you can clean it, sterilize it in boiling water and place it dry in your wardrobe, or carry it around in a breathable pouch.
Can I share my Boondh Cup?
We recommend that you don’t share your Boondh Cup with anyone.
What is the life of a Boondh Cup?
Boondh Cup is a high quality device which can last you several years (between 5-10 years).
I have an yeast infection, can I still use a Boondh Cup?
We recommend that you don’t use Boondh Cup when you have a yeast infection. While boiling the cup sterilizes it very well, it is still not medically confirmed if boiling completely destroys yeast spores.
Who can use a Boondh Cup?
All menstruating people from puberty to menopause, except during postpartum bleeding.
Can you use a Boondh Cup with an IUD insert?
We request you to talk to your gynaecologist and take this decision in consensus with your medical expert. A lot of people use the cup with an IUD inside them, however one does have to be careful during removal and ensure the seal is completely broken before tugging the cup out.
Do gynaecologists recommend the use of Boondh Cups?
The Medical fraternity in India, especially obstretricians and gynaecologists are only gaining awareness as and when we are, though there are some progressive doctors who recommend the use of cups. It is a journey in creating awareness that we are embarking on as well to augment the existing movement of sustainably menstruating.
One Cup, Together Cup
As you are aware, Boondh’s pricing is set keeping in mind the affordability for most people, without compromising on the quality. In underprivileged communities, Boondh makes the cup available at further subsidized rates and also provides them free in certain communities to run pilots and more.
If you can afford to sponsor a cup for a woman in one such community, we highly encourage you to purchase your Boondh cup from the Together cup section where you pay for your own cup and the cup for someone in need. We thank you for sponsoring someone’s 10+ years of menstrual products.
To know which community your cup was donated to, you can follow our MHM in Development Sector or write to us. We aim to make available annual reports of all such work.