1Senior Resident, Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka, India – 576104. Email: mary.rebello@manipal.edu. ORCHID iD: 0009-0002-1956-6189
2Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Science and Research Center, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India – 689101. Email: betsymukkathu777@gmail.com
3Assistant Surgeon, District Hospital, Kanhangad, Kasargod, Kerala, India – 671531. Email: jerinmathew344@gmail.com
Background: Menstrual hygiene is an essential aspect in women's health. Access to safe and effective sanitary products is crucial for maintaining reproductive health and preventing infections. Menstrual cup is a reusable menstrual hygiene product that offers a sustainable alternative to disposable sanitary products as it requires low long-term cost and reduced energy consumption for production and disposal.
Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted from June 2022 to October 2022 among reproductive age group women. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, factors influencing non-use of menstrual cup were summarized as frequency and percentage. Chi-square test was used to find association between sociodemographic characteristics and menstrual cup non-use.
Results: Among 310 participants, only 11.9% of them had ever used menstrual cup. A comparatively higher proportion of users were single women aged less than 30 years residing in urban area. Majority of women did not use cups due to habitual use of pads, lack of knowledge on insertion and fear of pain and discomfort while use.
Conclusion: Menstrual cup represents a cost effective and environmentally sustainable menstrual hygiene option. In addition to reducing long term expenditure, it contributes to decreased menstrual waste and environmental pollution. The promotion of menstrual cup aligns with government initiatives aimed at encouraging sustainable practices and reducing environmental burden.
Keywords: Menstrual hygiene management, Menstrual cup, menstrual products, reproductive age women
How to cite this article: Rebello MD, Jose BA, Mathew J. Deciphering the Menstrual Cup Use: Proportion and Barriers Among Menstruating Women in Kerala, India. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(10s): 14-19; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.10s.3
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None