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@article{178178,
        author = {Dr. Poonam Popat and Ms. Bhakti Goradia and Ms. Riya Chheda and Ms. Vibhuti Gohil and Ms. Diksha Joshi},
        title = {RETHINKING MENSTRUAL HYGIENE: THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH BENEFITS OF MENSTRUAL CUPS},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {11},
        number = {12},
        pages = {3987-3992},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=178178},
        abstract = {“Menstruation is not a problem, poor menstrual hygiene is. Let's break the taboo and talk about menstrual health openly". As per UNICEF, 1.8 billion people across the world menstruate, and nearly 113,000 tons of menstrual waste are generated from India independently. A questionnaire was used as the primary data collection tool, collecting 102 responses and secondary data such as magazines, articles, and journals. For a comprehensive evaluation, the data was assessed using percentage calculations, pie charts, and bar graphs. A lack of awareness, insufficient guidance, and knowledge remain major obstacles to adopting better menstrual products. Moreover, cultural biases, societal stigma, and fears surrounding their use further discourage this transition to better menstrual products. Many people use sanitary pads during menstruation, but improper usage or disposal can lead to issues like rashes, infections, and environmental harm. Menstrual cups, on the other hand, are reusable, medical-grade silicone devices designed to collect menstrual blood. They are cost-effective, eco-friendly, and safer when used correctly, making them a sustainable alternative. As the awareness and access to menstrual cups will increase, menstrual cups could become a cornerstone of menstrual hygiene which will improve health outcomes and reduce environmental waste for generations to come.},
        keywords = {Menstrual cup, menstrual hygiene, Modern menstrual products},
        month = {May},
        }