Is menstrual cup a sustainable and safe alternative in menstrual hygiene management? A qualitative exploratory study based on user's experience in India

Patel, Kripalini; Dwivedy, Subhralaxmi; Panda, Nishisipa; Swain, Swagatika; Palo, Subrata Kumar

doi:10.1016/j.cegh.2022.101212

Cited by 14 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Though Oster E et al reported that menstrual cups have the benefit of being easy to clean requiring less water [ 27 ], literature specifies the need for adequate water supply along with clean washroom facility (essential and not desirable) for menstrual cup use. The motivation to use menstrual cups is ingrained with the detrimental experiences of using sanitary pad (such as developing rashes, bad odour, discomfort, and disposal) [ 34 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Utilization of modern menstrual methods and related unmet needs among college going women in Coimbatore district: a descriptive cross-sectional study

Durairaj,

Aparnavi,

Narayanan

et al. 2024

BMC Women's Health

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Objectives The primary objectives were to determine the proportion of modern menstrual method (MMM) users among college going women in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu; and to estimate the unmet needs associated with use of MMMs in comparison with other menstrual hygiene methods (MHMs). We also assessed the factors that determine MMM use among college going women. Methods This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among college going women in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu, India between October 2022 and January 2023 using a purpose predesigned, pretested, semi-structured proforma that included validated Menstrual Practice Needs Scale (MPNS-36). Results Only 1.4% of the study participants used MMMs – menstrual cups (1.3%) and tampons (0.1%). Sanitary pads were the most common MHM of choice (96.3%); of which majority (98.6%) used disposable pads and more than half (50.4%) used non-biodegradable pads. Importantly, one in six (16.5%) were not aware of nature of sanitary pads (biodegradable or nonbiodegradable) used. The unmet needs associated with MMMs (menstrual cups and tampons) were significantly lower than that for other MHMs (including sanitary pads), in particular, the unmet material and home environment needs, unmet material reliability concerns, unmet reuse needs and unmet reuse insecurity. However, we found no significant difference between MMMs, sanitary pads and other MHMs in terms of unmet transport, college environment, change and disposal insecurity needs. The significant predictors of use of MMMs were age (more than 21 years of age), residence (urban), type of stay (off campus including home), socioeconomic status (upper), fathers’ and mothers’ education (high school and above), and presence of personal income. Discussions with friends (or peers) both before and after menarche regarding menstruation resulted in higher adoption of modern menstrual methods. Conclusion MMMs provided comparative advantage with lesser unmet needs for material reliability and reuse insecurity concerns, particularly in home environment. However, none of the MHMs fulfilled the user expectations for transport and disposal insecurity concerns, particularly outdoors.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Utilization of modern menstrual methods and related unmet needs among college going women in Coimbatore district: a descriptive cross-sectional study

Durairaj,

Aparnavi,

Narayanan

et al. 2024

BMC Women's Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The motivation to use menstrual cups is ingrained with the detrimental experiences of using sanitary pad (such as developing rashes, bad odour, discomfort, and disposal). (34) The magnitude of unmet needs signify the gap in meeting menstrual health requirements of young women in the region warranting attention. Comparatively, MMMs were associated with lesser unmet needs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Utilization of Modern Menstrual Methods and related unmet needs among college going women in Coimbatore district: An analytical cross-sectional study

Durairaj,

Periyasamy,

Narayanan

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Objectives: The primary objectives were to determine the proportion of modern menstrual method (MMM) users among college going women in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu; and to estimate the unmet needs associated with use of MMMs in comparison with other menstrual hygiene methods (MHMs). We also assessed the factors that determine MMM use among college going women. Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted among college going women in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu, India between October 2022 and January 2023 using a purpose predesigned, pretested, semi-structured proforma that included validated Menstrual Practice Needs Scale (MPNS-36). Results: Only 1.4% of the study participants used MMMs – menstrual cups (1.3%) and tampons (0.1%). Sanitary pads were the most common MHM of choice (96.3%); of which majority (98.6%) used disposable pads and more than half (50.4%) used non-biodegradable pads. Importantly, one in six (16.5%) were not aware of nature of sanitary pads (biodegradable or nonbiodegradable) used. The unmet needs associated with MMMs (menstrual cups and tampons) were significantly lower than that for other MHMs (including sanitary pads), in particular, the unmet material and home environment needs, unmet material reliability concerns, unmet reuse needs and unmet reuse insecurity. However, we found no significant difference between MMMs, sanitary pads and other MHMs in terms of unmet transport, college environment, change and disposal insecurity needs. The significant predictors of use of MMMs were age (more than 21 years of age), residence (urban), type of stay (off campus including home), socioeconomic status (upper), fathers’ and mothers’ education (high school and above), and presence of personal income. Discussions with friends (or peers) both before and after menarche regarding menstruation resulted in higher adoption of modern menstrual methods. Conclusion: MMMs provided comparative advantage with lesser unmet needs for material reliability and reuse insecurity concerns, particularly in home environment. However, none of the MHMs fulfilled the user expectations for transport and disposal insecurity concerns, particularly outdoors.

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“…Thus, it is also environmentally friendly compared to other products. (2) The menstrual cup helps to address various challenges faced while using sanitary napkins for menstrual health and hygiene management (Box 1). Menstrual cups are a sustainable solution for menstrual health and hygiene management, offering a range of benefits over traditional menstrual hygiene products such as pads and tampons.…”

Section: Menstrual Cup As a Sustainable Solution For Menstrual Health...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Promotion and strategies of menstrual cup use among healthcare providers: A primer towards a sustainable solution for menstrual health and hygiene management in India

Behera,

Epari,

Behera

et al. 2024

Indian J Community Health

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Menstrual cups are considered a sustainable solution for menstrual health and hygiene management, as they are cost-effective, environment-friendly, reusable and offer health benefits over traditional menstrual hygiene products such as pads and tampons. However, in lower middle income countries (LMICs), menstrual cup use is limited. Recently, India's current menstrual hygiene program has included menstrual cups as an option for menstrual health and hygiene management. However, the menstrual cup has not been promoted widely in the Indian context. Even if the use of menstrual cups among female healthcare providers in India is minimal, the manuscript identified the crucial challenges in menstrual health and hygiene management, the role of menstrual cups as a solution and the essential strategies to increase menstrual cup use. Programmatic success requires endorsement from healthcare providers as they are trusted sources of information related to healthcare. Good experiences and leading examples from healthcare providers about using menstrual cups is a welcoming step in the path of the dream of a "pad-free country" for India.

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Is menstrual cup a sustainable and safe alternative in menstrual hygiene management? A qualitative exploratory study based on user's experience in India

Cited by 14 publications

References 21 publications

Utilization of modern menstrual methods and related unmet needs among college going women in Coimbatore district: a descriptive cross-sectional study

Utilization of modern menstrual methods and related unmet needs among college going women in Coimbatore district: a descriptive cross-sectional study

Utilization of Modern Menstrual Methods and related unmet needs among college going women in Coimbatore district: An analytical cross-sectional study

Promotion and strategies of menstrual cup use among healthcare providers: A primer towards a sustainable solution for menstrual health and hygiene management in India

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