"It was quite a hassle at first, but once I got used to it, I found myself wishing I had tried it sooner. No need to worry about leakage at night, and no stains to be found in the morning.” This is a personal review from an anonymous Korea University (KU) student who uses a menstrual cup, a bell-shaped silicon cup inserted into the female genitalia to hold blood during menstruation. Menstrual cups come in many forms, shapes, and textures, and users can choose their own cups depending on personal preference and size.

Menstrual cups differ from other commonly used female hygiene products such as pads and tampons. Put simply, while tampons and pads absorb menstrual fluid, the cup collects it. This is beneficial in terms of being environmentally friendly because it helps reduce solid waste. The reusable cup is advertised to last a decade if properly taken care of, making it more economical than disposable options. Usage is fairly simple; the menstrual cup is first folded into a smaller size, then inserted into the vagina. It will automatically unfold and seal against the vaginal walls, storing the menstrual fluid. The cup needs to be removed and rinsed every four to 12 hours, and sterilization with boiling water is recommended.
 
   
▲ Menstrual cups of diverse sizes and shapes. PROVIDED BY WADIZ.
 
Stuck in a Deadlock
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) commissioned the Women’s Environmental Network to investigate the official use of female hygiene products. According to the report, 80.9 percent of women use disposable pads, 10.7 percent use tampons, 7.1 percent use multi-use pads, and 1.4 percent use menstrual cups, often purchased through overseas. Although the usage rate of menstrual cups is relatively low, 31.6 percent of women had a favorable response to the product. Of those who have used a menstrual cup, 82.5 percent responded that they were willing to recommend the product to others. Despite this positive response, the implementation of menstrual cups in Korea is stuck in a rut. 
 
Menstrual cups are manufactured in Korea and exported to the United States (U.S.), but their sale remains illegal in Korea; according to the MFDS, menstrual cups require more clinical research to verify their efficacy in terms of how they are used. Similarly, there has been recent and ongoing debate on the safety of menstrual cups. Advocates insist that menstrual cups are safe as they are currently being used in foreign countries such as the U.S. and France.
 
Despite the benefits, some argue that menstrual cups also have drawbacks. According to Professor Shin Hyun-Jeong (Department of Nursing), “Since people are required to directly use their hands to insert and remove the cup, the body is vulnerable to infections. It is extremely difficult and risky to replace menstrual cups in unhygienic, public restrooms. Also, if one does not replace the cup at the right time, the blood may fill past the cup and flow back into the aseptic uterus, resulting in uteritis or contamination. Therefore, it is extremely important that proper hygiene and cleaning practices are strictly adhered to. ”
 
Misconceptions Veiling the Truth
Opposition to menstrual cups can easily be seen among the public. “Menstrual cups incite sexual pleasure,” and “they take away users’ virginity” are examples of real public sentiment expressed on Twitter, Facebook, blogs and other forms of social media about menstrual cups. Although these ill-informed remarks do not speak for the entire population, the controversy they have sparked has nevertheless brought the issue into the spotlight. The negative perception of menstrual cups has revealed the misunderstood stereotypes the public holds, thus highlighting society’s ignorance regarding female menstruation.
 
One of the widespread misconceptions is that the hymen is proof of virginity. However, the hymen is just a thin membrane of tissue that covers the opening of the external genitalia, and it wears away during adolescence. In fact, the hymen can even be torn through vigorous physical activity like playing sports. It is important to note that virginity can only be lost through sexual intercourse and is not based on whether the hymen is intact or not. The anonymous KU student also mentioned that “menstrual cups are made from soft material, making it really comfortable to use. After a few hours, I even forget that I am wearing one.” This shows how unlikely it is for sexual pleasure to be derived from a feminine hygiene product. 

The Fundamental Problem at Heart
The menstrual cup controversy has shed light on the reality of sexual education in Korea, which has faced continuous criticism for being out-of-date and impractical. Although Korean society is becoming more open about sex, education has not kept up. It doubles down on abstinence and restraint, while neglecting to develop an adequate and healthy mentality towards forming relationships and sexual intercourse, which is evident in its antiquated curriculum. The absence of practical information in turn causes dissatisfied Korean teenagers to form a distorted concept of sex through easily accessed alternatives, such as pornography. 
 
In addition, the outdated content of Korea’s sexual education fails to foster awareness of gender equality. Rather, it reinforces stereotypes about gender roles and distorts the sexual perceptions of students. For example, the rape prevention component of the new official guidelines for sex education states that “people of the opposite sex should not be together by themselves in the first place” and that “if victims do not express refusal clearly enough, sexual violence can occur.” These statements make it appear as if victims are responsible for sex crimes and seem to be condoning date rape.
 
The Key to Breaking Free
Since they were young, Korean students have been influenced by an education that emphasizes that sexual organs must be treated with care and privacy. Students are brainwashed with conservative opinions that frown upon students exploring their own bodies, and females often end up becoming embarrassed of their menstrual cycle. With menstrual cups in wider circulation, however, more women and girls may learn to be more comfortable with their own bodies. This is an important step in gaining respect, awareness, and control regarding their own body and sexuality—things Koreans are still struggling with to a great degree in this day and age. 
 
   
▲ PROVIDED BY SHUTTERSTOCK.
 
At heart, the controversy over menstrual cups stems from the fundamental flaws in sex education; the increasing popularity of menstrual cups, on the other hand, reflects an increasing recognition of women’s rights in traditionally patriarchal Korea. The range of options available regarding female hygiene products is also a healthy reflection of female empowerment. The emergence of menstrual cups in Korea is not simply another business idea, but an opportunity to reflect on the societal perception of gender issues in Korea; it may become an important stepping stone for breaking free of ignorance and bringing Korean society one step closer to gender equality. 
저작권자 © The Granite Tower 무단전재 및 재배포 금지