Siddipet police advocate use of menstrual cups

HYDERABAD: In an attempt to make menstrual health sustainable and more hygienic, Siddipet district police are advocating the use of menstrual cups.

The Rutu Prema campaign was launched for women in the district on the use of menstrual cups, with health minister T. Harish Rao leading the awareness campaigns.

Inspired by this initiative, almost 95 per cent of women have started using the cups, said Siddipet police commissioner N. Swetha. "Like me, our women officers have started using them and we feel so relieved," she told Deccan Chronicle.

This is the first time probably in the country where the police department has taken initiative for the health of its women force, added Swetha.

Given the problems women go through during periods, mood swings, irritation and also lack of access to proper places for changing pads and most importantly men do not understand their concern.

Management of periods and sustainable menstruation has become a big challenge. To address this issue, menstrual cups were introduced as a safer option.

Swetha said that sanitary pads which are now in use are chemically laden and using them in the long run may lead to health hazards, including cancer. Further, they are not sustainable and generate huge quantities of waste.