Changing the Cycle: 

I thought I knew a lot about menstrual cups and cloth pads. But in 2024, when I began working in the Andamans, my Dakshin colleagues shared with me a few things I never knew. Their personal experiences and advice on how women could use these products began to erase my blind spots. As I began to understand that these products are indeed better for our health and the environment, I realised that I wanted to make a difference in this sector, especially since I encounter, almost every day, a large amount of sanitary waste around the fishing settlement of Junglighat, Port Blair, in the Andamans, where I live. I was keen to take this issue seriously and work closely with the women in Junglighat to spread awareness, encourage sustainable menstrual practices, and create a cleaner, healthier community together. Here, I talk about my journey towards beginning to encourage more women to make the switch.

I learnt why sustainable menstruation is important for our health, environment and economy. 

The regular pads that most women use are made of plastic and chemicals like superabsorbent polymers (SAPs), which are harmful to our bodies and cause skin problems like rashes and itching. If this was not enough, they are just terrible for the environment, staying on for hundreds of years and refusing to degrade, eventually turning into small microplastics. These microplastics find their way back to us by entering our seafood and are responsible for several serious health problems.

Regular pads are not cheap. Buying them every month can be pretty unsustainable in the long run for people from different economic backgrounds. On the contrary, menstrual cups and cloth pads can be reused for many years, saving money and significantly reducing the amount of sanitary waste generated. And this amount is not tiny. Let’s do a little math here…

Anganwadi data says that there are almost 400 women in Junglighat and more than 3000 women in a nearby area we call ‘Dairy Farm’. Based on my discussions, about 30% of these women menstruate, which means that there are more than 100 menstruating women in Junglighat and almost 1000 menstruating women in Dairy Farm. Let’s consider that each woman uses about 8 pads per cycle, the total number of pads used by all the women each year would be almost 10,4000 pads between both areas. This means nearly 0.83 tonnes of plastic waste is being generated every year. All this from one tiny settlement, but a giant negative impact on humankind.

Becoming a Community Catalyst…

In 2024, I was selected to be a Community Catalyst, and I knew that this was my chance to make a difference. I was determined to raise awareness and introduce women to menstrual cups and cloth pads. 

One thing I learnt was it was not going to be easy … 

Many women were just confused about menstrual products. 

“How do I use a cup?” 

“Will it be painful?” 

“Will cloth pads leak?” 

These were real fears. I understood. I had the same questions once, too.

I worked with local Anganwadis to hold group meetings, where I brought products for demonstration, shared real stories, and answered every single question that came my way. I showed the women and girls how to use, clean, and take care of these products. Slowly, curiosity turned into confidence, and this was thrilling to watch.

Stories of change: the good, the hard, and the beautiful…

Understandably, not all women were ready to make the switch on Day 1. Some were scared, others shy. But gradually, I saw the magic happen. After trying a menstrual cup a few times, many women started saying, “It’s actually more comfortable!” One woman even told me, “Now I feel much cleaner than when I used pads.”

Of course, there were more challenges. I had to be patient, kind, and ready to listen. But the reward? Watching women slowly build trust, try something new, and come back with smiles. That made every extra conversation and extra effort worth it.

Personally, I grew too. I learned how to explain complex things in simple ways. I learned how to be present, how to listen, not just with my ears, but with my heart.

Rekha’s first step: A cup of courage

I want to share something about Rekha, a 32-year-old mother of two, who belongs to a small fishing community by the sea. Every month, she used disposable pads and quietly dealt with the discomfort, rashes, and waste. She never spoke much about her period; like many others, it was a private struggle.

One day, during a session at the local Anganwadi, she heard about menstrual cups and cloth pads for the first time. She was curious and scared. 

“How can something go inside?” she whispered to her friend. 

But the community worker patiently showed her how to use it, explaining the process. 

“Just try it once. It’s okay if you don’t love it immediately,” she said to Rekha.

Rekha went home, thought about the cost of pads, the pain of rashes, and the pile of waste she threw out each month. The next cycle, with shaking hands and a nervous heart, she tried the menstrual cup.

It wasn’t perfect for her the first time. But in her second attempt, she smiled and told me, “I didn’t even feel it.”

A month later, Rekha, who had found comfort, confidence, and a little courage, took up the mantle of explaining the importance of transitioning to menstrual cups to her neighbours! Now, she says, “I didn’t just change a product. I changed how I feel about myself.”

I can’t express how happy I felt!

Over the last ten months, we ended up distributing about seventy menstrual cups, and today, almost fifty women use them regularly. We also distributed about thirty cloth pads, and twenty women now rely on them for every cycle. This may seem like slow progress at first glance, but it is actually a significant triumph for our cause.

I have a dream for my community…

This work means more to me than just numbers or data. It’s about health, dignity, and the planet we share. I have a dream to see a future where no woman is left behind- where every girl and every woman knows her options and has access to safe products.

I also believe the dream of a clean and healthy community can come true. It’s possible, one small step at a time. 

To be honest with you, I think we’re already on that path…

About the author:

Sanjana is a Community Catalyst at Dakshin Foundation, working closely with women and youth in coastal and island communities. Passionate about sustainable menstruation, solid waste management, livelihood aspects and grassroots engagement. She supports awareness, access, and transition to eco-friendly menstrual practices. Her work bridges health, dignity, and environmental care.