When this writer expressed the desire to discuss menstrual health with a female police official for this article, she instantly agreed. But, had a counter request: May I speak with a woman in your team?

Chatter around periods and tools of menstrual hygiene in much of India continue to be an absolute taboo or difficult and uncomfortable. What is not brought to the table for discussion cannot easily become priority. It’s the toughest challenge that Dipti Kashalkar, 34, faces as she ploughs through hesitation, meeting women and encouraging them to ask questions about menstruation. Her core interest group is female police officers. In the two years that the Borivali-based independent website designer has spent raising awareness, the one common emotion she has encountered is doubt. And that has much to do with what she is championing--the menstrual cup. The reusable, small, flexible hygiene device that women insert in the vagina to collect menstrual fluid is usually made of medical-grade silicone or thermoplastic isomer.