Menstrual Hygiene Day: A Look at the HEDHI Menstrual Cup

Today 28th May 2019, women and girls around the globe are celebrationg the Menstrual Hygiene Day. Menstrual Hygiene Day (MH Day) is a global advocacy platform that aims to break the silence, raise awareness and change negative social norms around Menstrual Hygiene Management, and engage decision-makers to increase the political priority and catalyse action for MHM, at global, national and local levels.

A lot of girls and women still go through a lot of challenges when it comes to menstrual hygiene as there has been very minimal education around it coupled with inhibiting taboos and poor access to menstrual products.

Just a few weeks ago, The Always Sanitary towels in Kenya came under harsh scrutiny for allegedly being substandard compared to those in other countries. The discussion around it forced the Always Brand to bring other sanitary towels believed to be better compared to the previous ones in the market.This was after a social media campaign that had urged women to boycott the product.

Well, I want to focus on Menstrual cups today because that is one area where there has been minimal to no education at all. Many girls and women in Africa are more familiar with sanitary pads and tampons as compared to menstrual cups. In fact, when I first heard about menstrual cups, I literally cringed because I imagined that it would be so uncomfortable having to insert a cup through my vagina and that the flow could spill while I was walking or playing.

However, I talked to one lady, Ms Flora (Inset), who is the founder of The Hedhi menstrual cup, designed and manufactured by Anuflo Industries, a Tanzanian based company, about how the cup is used and its benefits and she literally managed to clear my doubts about the usage of menstrual cups. The Hedhi menstrual cups are currently being used in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.

First, menstrual cups are Eco-friendly compared to sanitary towels and tampons as they are reusable and can be used up to ten years with proper care.

She mentioned that just like tampons, it could be uncomfortable when you use it for the first time but this improves with subsequent usage.

Here are the steps to use the Menstrual Cup

1. Sterilize the cup n boiling water for 3-5 minutes.

2. Wash your hands and Fold the cup.

Here’s how to fold it;

    

 

 

 

 

3. Gently insert the folded cup into your vagina, tilting it back to the base of your spine. When the cup is inside, it will pop open, creating a light suction.

If you feel any dents, gently grip the base of the cup (not the stem) and rotate it to make it unfold.

4. You can use the cup up to 12 hours

5. Remove the menstrual cup

With clean hands, gently pull the stem of the cup downwards until you can reach and grip the base of the cup. Pinch the base to release the suction and take it out gently.

Avoid removing your menstrual cup by pulling the stem as this might cause discomfort.

6. Empty, clean and re-insert.

There are many YouTube videos on how to use the menstrual cup from beginning to end. Check them out.

Advantages of A menstrual cup

1. It is safer than pads or tampons
2. It holds more blood than pads or tampons
3. It is Eco-friendly
4. You can comfortably have sex while wearing it
5. It can be worn with an IUD

Disadvantages of a Menstrual Cup

1. It may be difficult to insert or remove for beginners
2. Some women may experience an allergic reaction
3. Some women may experience vaginal irritation
4. It can be messy when removing it especially if one is still new at using it.

You can practice inserting and removing the menstrual cup before your period just to be comfortable when that time comes.

Check out the Hedhi Menstrual Cup Instagram page for more information about what menstrual cup is a fit for you and ask questions through their Hedhi App about menstrual health. 

Some Frequently Asked Questions about Menstrual Cups

1. Can I exercise while wearing a menstrual Cup?

          Yes. It is very comfortable and less likely to leak

     2. This is a response from Hedhi Cup about whether it breaks virginity;

As we ponder about what products are available for Menstrual Health Management and whether they are a right fit for you or whether they are up yo standard, we need to create a safe space to talk about this possibly awkward or uncomfortable topic to allow women ask sensitive questions and access factual information to dispel any commonly held myths about reproductive health.

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