Bengaluru: In a move to promote sustainability, the state govt recently announced it will distribute over 10 lakh menstrual cups, free of cost, to girls studying in classes 9 to 12 under its Shuchi scheme. However, with a lot of stigma and apprehension still existing about the usage of cups, the health department is planning extensive Information Education and Communication (IEC) programmes for guidance.While menstrual cups were previously distributed under a pilot programme in Dakshina Kannada and Chamarajanagar districts, it has now been extended statewide to girls registered in govt schools, govt-aided schools and govt hostels for the year 2025–26. According to a senior official in the health department, girls in urban areas are more receptive to menstrual cups than adult women. In rural areas, the scenario is different, as the girls are apprehensive about inserting the cups inside the vagina. “We realised that across the state, younger girls will need a lot of hand-holding, as it is an entirely new concept to them. We need to counsel their mothers too,” the official said.The other important concern with the usage of menstrual cups is hygiene. The cups need to be sterilised in hot water after every menstrual cycle and completely dried, then stored in a dry place. “We need to introduce comprehensive IEC programmes which include demos in schools and educational videos on social media. Along with usage, we also want to concentrate on teaching girls how to wash and store the cup after every period,” Gurudatta Hegde, commissioner, health department, told TOI.While commending the state’s decision to distribute cups, experts say successful implementation of the project should include meticulous counselling and behavioural change programmes, especially for younger girls who are not sexually active. Dr Hemavathi Srinivasan, obstetrician and gynaecologist, Srinivasa Health Centre, said, “The main challenge lies in convincing the mothers of the children. To this day, many families are still concerned about the ‘rupturing of the hymen’ and ‘virginity’. They need to be educated that these concepts are myths, and that not just insertion of a menstrual cup but even cycling or swimming can result in the tearing of the hymen. Along with this, girls also need to be educated about safe and hygienic usage of cups.”She also said that in her practice, she sees that at least 10–20% of her patients, who are students, transitioned to menstrual cups.Ira Guha, founder of Asan, a social enterprise working to end period poverty, welcomed the govt’s move. She said: “The state endorsing reusable period products, just months after introducing paid menstrual leave, is a progressive step. Not only are menstrual cups cheaper and more eco-friendly than pads, but they can also lead to better health outcomes. A 2024 study of schoolgirls in Kenya showed using cups can lead to a reduction in bacterial vaginosis, a prevalent vaginal infection.” She recommends a few measures, which can help in successful implementation of the programme: provision of good-quality cups, involving mothers in the education programme, local-language digital content, creation of a cohort of menstrual cup ambassadors, and respecting the freedom of choice of the users.
