The menstrual cup is an environmentally friendly and much more economical alternative to other types of sanitary products such as tampons and sanitary napkins. However, those who have not yet started using it have many doubts. The most important, of course, is how safe the menstrual cup is. In this article we share with you the latest findings.
Some numbers
In 2017 around the world there were 1900 million women of menstruation age with an average of 65 days per year duration. This represents 26% of the world's population at that time. Finding a menstrual management product is something that benefits everyone, but in poor countries it can be a problem. Lack of financial resources and sanitary products affect many women in their daily lives, education and chances of finding a job.
In some countries the menstrual cup costs less than one euro, but in other places it can cost more than 40 euros. Although in principle they appear to be more expensive, they are more economical in the long run as they are reusable and can last up to 10 years.
What the experts say
The menstrual cup is definitely the safest option for menstrual management. So says research from the Department of Clinical Sciences at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. The study was led by Dr. Anna Maria va Eijk. It was supported by researchers from Kenya, India and other universities in the UK and was published in The Lancet.
Experts support the use of the cup among women, but call for even more research on the economic benefits and its environmental effect. This is the first time that a comprehensive and analytical review of the various experiences with the menstrual cup has been done. The researchers believe that the study was of utmost importance as women and girls need effective, safe and affordable products.
Globally, approximately two billion women menstruate and spend an average of 65 days a year dealing with menstrual blood flow. It is a normal bodily function as well as a sign of reproductive health, yet there are few solutions for managing menstruation around the world.
According to the researchers, ignorance, prejudice, cost and safety fears prevent girls and women from trying the full range of products available. The lack of these products can lead to leakage, chafing and discomfort that can affect women's health.
The study provided information on leakage when using the menstrual cup versus other products. In addition to a list of known adverse effects and qualitative and quantitative information on its acceptance rate in high-, middle- and low-resource countries. They also reviewed the availability and prices of the cups.
Researching the menstrual cup
A total of 436 records were identified, of which 43 were eligible for analysis with 3,319 participants. Fifteen of these studies were from resource-poor countries. Four studies made a direct comparison between fluid leakage using the menstrual cup and using regular products. The result was that leakage when using the cup is less than when using pads or tampons.
In all cases, users had to undergo a familiarization phase lasting several menstrual cycles, but the support of other women increased ease of use. In 13 studies, 73% of participants wanted to continue using the cup at the end of the study.
There was no evidence that the cup had adverse effects on vaginal flora. There were some reports of pain, veginal sores or allergies, but these were minimal. It was also reported that there was displacement of an intrauterine device, but with our advice this is something you don't need to worry about.
When looking at safety, it was determined that using the menstrual cup is not related to abnormalities in the vagina or cervix. The great advantage is that the cup does not absorb, but collects the fluid, respects the balance of the vagina and does not produce the dryness normally associated with other methods of menstrual management.
So you can rest easy knowing that the menstrual cup is totally safe. This was the first study of many that will surely continue to yield data supporting the superiority and greater convenience of cup use.
