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Products that may reduce menstrual flow from the endometrial cavity to the vagina (i.e. tampons and menstrual cups) could facilitate retrograde menstruation and the spillage of blood into the myometrium, two mechanisms which could be major determinants in endometriosis and adenomyosis pathogenesis. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize the evidence regarding the mechanical role menstrual products may have in the pathogenesis of these two conditions. Evidence in this regard is inconclusive. While Darrow and colleagues observed that 14 or more years of tampon use were associated with endometriosis (OR 3.6; 95% CI, 1.04–13.5); in Meaddough and colleagues' retrospective study, the percentage of women using pads only was significantly higher among those with endometriosis than among those without the condition (31% vs 22%). Three further groups failed to find an association between endometriosis/adenomyosis and any type of menstrual product. The only case that may be considered as a sort of proof-of-concept of the association between products potentially reducing anterograde menstrual flow and endometriosis was reported by Spechler and colleagues, who described the case of a 41 year-old who developed endometriosis after having used a menstrual cup on a regular basis. However, the number of studies on the subject is scarce, study populations are exiguous and a greater attention to temporality of endometriosis onset in relation to when women started habitually using a specific menstrual product is needed. Confounding variables including type and quantity of endocrine disruptors contained in menstrual products should also be addressed. At the present moment, no recommendation can be provided on the safety of one type of menstrual product compared to another. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A menstrual cup is a menstrual hygiene device which is inserted into the vagina, made of silicone can be reused for 10 yrs. Today in the era of reduce, reuse and recycle, menstrual cup provides a suitable, safe, and feasible option for sustainable menstruation. This study aimed to assess the awareness, acceptability, and feasibility of menstrual cup among student population. Materials and methods: A descriptive longitudinal study done including the female medical and dental undergraduates. All eligible participants consenting to participate were provided with a predesigned questionnaires. The data collected were entered in MS Excel and analyzed into descriptive statistics like percentages. Results: 462 female students received the questionnaire, out of which 459 completed the questionnaire. Of the total participants, 93.5% were aware of the cup as a menstrual sanitary product with social media as the leading source of information (75%). In the study, 5.9% were active cup users. The main reason cited for not using the cup was lack of information regarding the correct insertion and removal techniques (45%) and the fear of insertion (31%). Among the cup users, the common problem faced was difficulty in insertion and removal (66.6%), while 46% of the users did not face any problems or difficulties with usage of the cup. About 75% of the non-users showed a willingness to change over to cup. Conclusion: From our study, it can be inferred that though the awareness regarding availability and safety of the cup is on the rise in the last few years, the popularity is still low. Thus, more awareness programs regarding proper usage technique, safety, and additional benefits of the menstrual cup needs to be arranged particularly focusing on the student population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review article explores the use of menstruation cups to manage period hygiene and promoting environmental sustainability. The primary goal of this paper is to review different types of commonly used menstrual products such as tampons, sanitary pads, reusable cloth pads, menstrual cups, and period underwear, including their affordability, environmental impact, and health effects. Menstrual cups are found out to be a better alternative for managing menstruation because it is reusable, affordable, and does not cause harm to environment and human health. The paper also looks at how menstruation cups empower women and help to eradicate period taboos. Menstrual cups not only offer a sustainable menstrual hygiene solution but also support larger social and cultural changes by giving people the knowledge and ability to make conversant decisions. In this review article, few case studies are discussed which highlights the transforming potential of menstruation cups. The article serves as motivating examples for governments, non-government organizations and businesses to encourage the usage of menstrual cups in female and thereby help in developing a more inclusive and sustainable future. This study also aims towards eliminating period poverty and help in achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) i.e., SDG 3 (Well-being and Good Health), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Hygiene), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On average, women menstruate for approximately half of their lives. Little is known about whether and how health-related quality of life (HRQOL) differs across users of different types of menstrual products. To answer this question, this study collected data from 1,245 female university students in Taiwan through an anonymous online survey and compared users of different types of menstrual products in four HRQOL domains. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed significant differences in all four domains. For instance, regarding physical health, tampon users reported better HRQOL (β =.054) than pad users; regarding social health, tampon (β =.059) and menstrual cup (β =.071) users both reported better HRQOL than pad users. Furthermore, factors influencing HRQOL also differed between pad and tampon users. For example, having many premenstrual symptoms affected both pad (β = -.115) and tampon (β = -.172) users' physical HRQOL; while pad users with many premenstrual symptoms also had worse psychological (β = -.085), social (β = -.100), and environment (β = -.104) HRQOL, their tampon-using counterparts were not significantly affected. Bisexual tampon-using college women reported worse social HRQOL (β = -.149) than their heterosexual peers. In addition, relationship status and varsity team membership had differential significant associations with the four domains. Future menstrual health education could focus more on introducing the different features of various menstrual products. Our empirical findings can help empower women to make informed decisions about which menstrual products could best suit their needs and improve their HRQOL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper we report the results of a qualitative multimodal analysis of a corpus of Spanish and British TV ads featuring female hygiene products such as tampons, liners and sanitary towels/pads. We contend that advertisers of menstruation-related products employ a wide range of strategies to convey both overt information about the products advertised, as well as to – and more importantly – indirectly transmit stereotypical beliefs of women which inevitably helps reproduce and sometimes perpetuate a gender-biased type of discourse (). distinction between the product-claim and the reward dimension in ads has been taken as the starting point for our analysis. Within the product-claim dimension we have focused on what information is transmitted through the application of some of generic positive and off-record politeness strategies. On the other hand, within the reward dimension attention is shifted to how information surfaces the language in an indirect fashion through attention to different format types, visual imagery, voices and music. Results indicate that ads either tend to focus on the product, its advantages and practicality as the solution to women''s worries during menstruation, something that brings the negative aspects of this biological activity to prominence; whereas a second group of ads is constructed as a celebration of womanhood and the creation of a certain female identity whereby women are endowed with their ability to break with old myths and taboos. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background/purpose: Adding lotions or emollients to the surface of a variety of paper products improves overall consumer comfort. Techniques to measure lotion transfer to skin are needed. Methods: Two approaches were compared to assess lotion transfer from impregnated feminine pads: (1) pad application to the popliteal fosssa, an adaptation of the previously described ‘behind-the-knee (BTK)’ test model, and (2) a clinical in-use study in which pads were worn in the usual manner. In both approaches, dressings attached to the skin were used to absorb lotion transferred from the pad. Lotion transfer was first evaluated after 3 h in both protocols, and then after either 6 h (BTK method) or after and 24 h (clinical use test). Results: In the BTK model, lotion transfer was a function of both the total amount of lotion contained on the topsheet and the type of absorbent material in the core of the pad. Pads containing absorbent gelling material transferred lotion more effectively than pads containing cellulose absorbent cores. In the in-use clinical study, the results were directionally similar, but statistical significance was not reached. Conclusions: An adaptation of the BTK test method provides an effective means of evaluating the transfer of lotion formulations from feminine protection pads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feminine hygiene products challenge traditional approaches to material culture. Far from being items of conspicuous usage that might assist in the expression of identity or status, tampons and napkins rarely form part of the visual landscape. Menstrual etiquette requires that women hide the fact of their periods, both in the general and in the particular, from others, especi ally from men. Accordingly, they take great pains to keep hygiene products out of sight Study of over 150 boxes of sanitary goods reveals how the design of the objects and of their packaging can be read as encouraging private, discreet consumption. Taking as my starting point the premise that what is missing from the environment is as significant as what is present, I argue that through users' efforts to comply with the apparent necessity of hiding these objects and their attempts to justify such absences, tampons and napkins participate in the ordering of their worlds. Specifically, compliance with menstrual etiquette recalls to women their status as objects, diverts their attention, and compels them to participate in the male gaze. Sanitary prod ucts' significance as material culture lies in their helping to delineate and affirm the dominant ideology of womanhood. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article reports that sanitary towels (pads) would be included in the list of items that are zero rated for Value-added tax purposes as informed by the Minister of Finance of South Africa. It mentions that maternity pads designed for use in pre and post birth bleeding. It also mentions that tampons and period underwear are excluded from the list of zero rated items.

Abstract: Background: Many intrauterine device (IUD) users utilize intravaginal menstrual cups or tampons during menses, but no studies have investigated the impact this practice may have on IUD expulsions. Study Design: Retrospective chart survey. Results: Of the 930 women having IUDs placed and reporting menstrual protection, 10.3% (96) used menstrual cups, 74.2% (690) used tampons, and 43.2% (402) used pads (many women reported using more than one method). In the 743 women with adequate follow-up information, there was a full or partial expulsion (i.e., part of the IUD in the cervical canal) rate of 2.5% (27) during the first 6 weeks after insertion. There was no difference in the women using cups, tampons or pads (confidence intervals overlap). Conclusions: From this study, there is no evidence that women who report using menstrual cups or tampons for menstrual protection had higher rates of early IUD expulsion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

New options for feminine hygiene products could greatly reduce solid waste impacts and have other environmental benefits. As a group of widely used but rarely examined consumer products, feminine hygiene products offer great potential for impact reduction if alternative products are used or conventional products improved. Through a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of three menstrual products: disposable tampons and sanitary pads, and reusable menstrual cups, this study details the mid-point impacts of each product. Data from the Ecoinvent database and literature were used to complete the assessment. Disposable tampons and sanitary pads had far greater impacts across each category than the re-useable menstrual cup. Between the two disposable options, sanitary pads were the most impactful product, though the quantitative differences between the two disposable products is within uncertainty associated with variable use habits among women. The use of wood pulp as a component of the absorbent material in sanitary pads has substantial benefit for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, that benefit is coupled with increased toxicity, mostly due to the potential for dioxin generation during bleaching. For tampons, removing the applicator from the product substantially reduced several of the impacts and generally made them a better choice than a sanitary pad. The impacts of the reusable menstrual cup used for one year were less than 1.5% the environmental impacts of the disposable products and approximately only 10% of the cost. Thereby clearly demonstrating the overall value of the reusable option in a class of highly used and important consumer products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catamenial pneumothorax is a rare disorder with an unknown etiology. It is characterized by recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax during or preceding menstruation. One proposed mechanisms is diaphragmatic fenestration. The majority of catamenial pneumothorax is right sided. We report a left-sided catamenial pneumothorax associated with multiple diaphragmatic fenestrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]