Why Women Shouldn’t Use Menstrual Cups
In Africa, sanitary pads costs almost $1. An average family in the western world 
may think that is cheap, but that is far from the case over in Africa.
In Kenya for example, the average daily income for unskilled labourers is slightly above $1.
In Nigeria for example, more than 50% of the population live below the poverty line ($1 per day).
Women in these areas have resorted to using unhealthy materials that don’t seem to work for menstrual management. This include crude items such as leaves, newspaper, rags, cotton, bits of mattress stuffing, and even mud.
Menstrual cups-a viable solution?
Menstrual cups have made some waves lately, even though they’ve existed for quite sometime…Here is a summary of what they’re like:
Menstrual cups are made out of surgical grade silicone and are inserted into the vagina to collect, rather than absorb menstrual fluid, and are overall a much healthier option for a woman’s body. Unlike tampons and pads that contain harmful bleaches and chemicals, menstrual cups have no negative side effects on a woman’s body and there is no threat of Toxic Shock Syndrome.
When inserted correctly, the cup sits about half an inch inside the vagina, and creates a vacuum seal to prevent leakage. The cups provide 12 hours of comfortable, leak-free protection, and can be reused for up to 10 years — making it an economically wise and sustainable solution. Source: Huffington’s post.
The problem with Menstrual cups
Menstrual cups might seem cheap, and sustainable on the long term. but I have some issues with them.
They’re not cheap after all.
Menstrual cups costs from $12-$50, a cheap price some may say. However, the real truth is that not every woman has the money to buy one (especially those from low income or poverty stricken countries).
It’s easier for a lady who makes $1.50 a day in Kenya to folk-out $1 for sanitary pads, than to pay afford $12-40 for menstrual cups.
Menstrual cups cause discomfort.
No man would feel comfortable having something stuck in his anus for more than 12-hours a day. Therefore, I believe no woman would feel comfortable having a menstrual cup stuck in her vagina for that same time–she’d definitely feel some level of discomfort.
Menstrual cups are hymen destroyers
The hymen is one of the clearest ways to proof a woman is still a virgin in some patriarchal societies in Africa. Menstrual cups don’t assure that.
Note: A woman can break her hymen by engagin in activities that can cause friction to it.
