Avaliação da segurança e conforto no uso do coletor menstrual durante a prática esportiva: um estudo de coorte prospectivo / Evaluation of the safety and comfort of menstrual cup during physical exercise: a prospective cohort study

Objetivos: Avaliar o conforto no uso do coletor menstrual durante o exercício físico. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo prospectivo com uma coorte de 49 jogadoras de handebol universitário. As participantes foram convidadas a usar o coletor menstrual descartável Softcup® durante três ciclos menstruais. O desfecho primário foi a satisfação geral no uso do coletor. Os desfechos secundários incluíram: facilidade de inserção e remoção do dispositivo, dor, desconforto nas relações sexuais, vazamento de sangue e/ou perda durante o exercício físico. Resultados: A idade média das participantes foi de 22 ± 2 anos. O grau de satisfação geral durante o esporte foi alto (82%). A inserção e a remoção do dispositivo menstrual foram consideradas fáceis pela maioria das usuárias e o grau de satisfação aumentou nos ciclos subsequentes. A queixa de vazamento do fluxo menstrual durante o esporte ocorreu em 63,3% das atletas no primeiro ciclo e caiu para 42,9% no último ciclo (p > 0,05). Houve perda do dispositivo durante o exercício em 36,7% das atletas no primeiro ciclo, 30,6% no segundo e 26,5% no terceiro ciclo (p > 0,05). Das atletas que tiveram relações sexuais com o uso do coletor menstrual, 90,9% não apresentaram desconforto. Conclusão: O conforto no uso do coletor menstrual durante o exercício físico foi elevado. Vazamento menstrual e perda do dispositivo tendem a diminuir com ciclos subsequentes.(AU)

Objective: To evaluate the safety and comfort of menstrual cup during physical exercise. Methods: A prospective cohort study was setting analysing a total of 49 female handball players with a mean age of 22 ± 2 years. The participants were invited to use Softcup® disposable menstrual during three menstrual cycles. The main outcome measures was overall satisfaction. Secondary outcomes included ease of insertion and removal of the device, pain, discomfort in sexual intercourse, blood leakage and/ or loss of the menstrual cup during sport. Results: The degree of overall satisfaction during sport was high (82%). The insertion and removal of the menstrual cup was considered easy by most users, and the degree of satisfaction increased in subsequent cycles. The complaint of menstrual flow leakage during sport occurred in 63.3% of the athletes in the first cycle and fell to 42.9% in the last cycle (p > 0.05).(AU)

Menstrual cup: awareness among reproductive women

Background: Menstrual cup is an alternative to sanitary pads, which has received attention in relatively small-scale studies in high income, and low- and middle-income countries, including among schoolgirls. Made of high-grade medical grade silicone (biodegradable) have the advantage of reuse, and can potentially last up to 10 years. Objective of this study was to assess and analyse the awareness regarding menstrual cup among the women of reproductive age group.Methods: Data collected from the selected eligible participants by an interviewer administered study proforma. It is a descriptive cross-sectional study over 1 month in women in reproductive age in A. J. Institute Mangalore, Karnataka, India.Results: A total 82% were aware about menstrual cup but only 2.6% have used it.Conclusions: One challenge of menstruation that is taken for granted in affluent countries is the simple question of how to manage or contain the menstrual flow and what happens to a girl or woman who is not able to do this successfully. Menstrual hygiene management is therefore an increasingly important (yet often unrecognized) issue that is heavily intertwined with girls’ education, empowerment, and social development.

Knowledge about menstrual cup and its usage among medical students

Background: Menstrual cups have been available for decades, but their use in India is limited because of lack of awareness and popularity of sanitary pads. Since they are reusable, they reduce solid waste and are environment friendly. The need of the hour is education, awareness, and availability of the eco-friendly practices when it comes to managing menstrual waste effectively. Once that is taken care of, it will be easy for anyone to make a green switch.Methods: A total 400 medical undergraduate students (females) were given a questionnaire. The objective of the study was to assess knowledge about the menstrual cup among students.Results: Among 400 medical students, 28(7%) of them dint know what a menstrual cup was! 262(70.4%) students were for usage of menstrual cup in virgins. There was no clear picture among students regarding material used in cup manufacture, its emptying time and sterilisation technique. Among 372 students, none of them used a menstrual cup.Conclusions: All the students in the study used sanitary pads, owing to its popularity and promotion. There was lack of awareness about the cup. So, we conclude that menstrual cup needs promotion in India. To boost the adoption rate of menstrual cups, youth should be targeted, who are more open to the idea of environment-friendly products. The Government must conduct awareness programs in the rural areas and work constantly spreading the message across all socio-economic sectors so that we can make the dream of a “pad free country”, a reality soon.

An Innovative, Reusable Menstrual Cup that Enhances the Quality of Women’s Lives during Menstruation.

Objective: A) To evaluate the acceptability of a unique, Cost-effective, reusable, and environmentally safe device for menstrual blood collection among culturally diverse women. B) To enhance the quality of life for women during menstruation. Methods: The first author developed a unique, reusable menstrual collection device as an alternative to sanitary pads and tampons. After successful research and development, the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), as well as the European Union and Health Canada, granted their approval for the device. The first author and five co-investigators recruited 146 women of diverse cultural and national backgrounds to evaluate the FemmyCycle. Women were instructed to use the FemmyCycle for three cycles, report any side effects and compare their experiences using the FemmyCycle with other sanitary products. Results: Among all participants who used this new device for three cycles, 84% preferred the FemmyCycle over prior methods used for menstrual hygiene. These women rated the device superior to previously-used methods and safer for the environment than pads and tampons. Conclusions: The majority of women preferred the FemmyCycle over their previous feminine sanitary protection methods. The device can protect the environment and enhance the quality of women’s lives during menstruation, particularly working and athletic women. This is due to the longer duration of protection, prevention of leakage, activity compatibility, as well as elimination of the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome. This device may fill a major void in menstrual hygiene products and women’s reproductive health worldwide.