For some tribes, the menstrual cycle can be viewed as a period of regeneration, as blood was once associated with something old and filthy. Pads are preferred in this attitude because they keep blood out of the body.

Some women cite religious reasons (and the concept of "virginity"); others simply prefer thick pads due to heavy periods, but many women and menstruators we encounter have never heard of them.

In recent years, the menstrual cup has garnered a lot of popularity. Some consider it as simply another eco-friendly hipster fad, but for women all over the world, it's a cost-effective and safe way to handle their period blood.

Let me explain what a menstruation cup is for those of you who have never heard of one.

Digging Deep About Menstrual Cup

The menstruation cup was first introduced in the 1920s (almost 100 years ago). During your period, it is a reusable device that collects menstrual blood.

It lies comfortably beneath your cervix for 4-8 hours after being inserted into the vaginal canal. It is then cleansed and reinserted, and the process is continued until your period is over.

Because the cups are constructed of medical-grade silicon and contain no harmful ingredients, they are hypoallergenic.

Most people will claim that cups are revolutionary because they are healthier, safer, and more cost-effective, which is correct. The cup's actual revolution, in my opinion, is the intimacy it fosters between you and your period.

We are taught as menstruators that our period is something to be ashamed of. We've been taught to keep our menstruation products hidden from everyone.

Advertisements continuously bombard us, separating us from the reality of menstrual blood. We hear and use language that makes us feel like periods are unclean and something we should be ashamed of.

The shame and uncleanliness associated with menstruation make women fearful of their own natural biological activity. Using a menstrual cup, on the other hand, means you have no choice but to get down and dirty with your period.

For ladies all around the world, cups might be a good alternative to other items. They help to reduce the amount of waste that goes up in landfills as well as our carbon footprint.

They are a safe alternative to bleached tampons sold by the top brands. Using cups sends a message to companies that benefit from demeaning our bodies by telling us that our periods are private. 

They're also safer because they don't absorb the natural fluids of the vaginal canal like other products do.

While all of these things are wonderful, they do little to alleviate the humiliation, fear, and shame that many young women experience when they first begin their period. We must begin with eradication in order to achieve true transformation.

The cup is the perfect instrument for the job. You get fascinated and captivated by your body once you've become used to your period.

When you start talking openly about menstruation, you have the potential to affect other people's attitudes about their periods as well.

The cup serves as a portal to discussing your period in an open and honest manner. Being open about menstruation could help girls avoid emotions of shame and embarrassment.

The way people think about periods needs to alter. We must stop making people embarrassed and disgusted by menstruation blood.

What's the big deal about periods? They're an essential and natural element of a woman's reproductive system, so what's the big deal? It's time to meet your menses up and personal.