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. 2023 Mar;160(3):1007-1011.
doi: 10.1002/ijgo.14450. Epub 2022 Sep 21.

Determinants of menstrual cup use among undergraduate medical students: A cross-sectional study

Brenda Czekalski Lobascz  1 , Maria Beatriz de França Reis  1 , Gabriella de Perez Monteiro E Tiburcio Mendes  1 , Danillo Christian de Oliveira Cruz  2 , Maria Jose Caetano Ferreira Damaceno  1 , Carlos Izaias Sartorao Filho  1   2   3
Affiliations

Determinants of menstrual cup use among undergraduate medical students: A cross-sectional study

Brenda Czekalski Lobascz et al. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2023 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: To identify the determinants of menstrual cup use among medical students in Brazil.

Methods: A cross-sectional study with an online survey regularly applied to matriculate women from Medical School in January 2021.

Results: Of 277 women, 164 participated. The mean age was 22.26 ± 3.21 years. In all 136 women preferred external pads, 60 internal pads, 28 menstrual cups, and 11 did not use. Using a 1-10 scale, price, efficacy, sustainability, practice, vaginal health status, hygiene, and importance of internal genital integrity were investigated. Thirty-seven (22.56%) women related the use of menstrual cups in the last year. Using any method to reduce menstruation had an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 0.310 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.122-0.787). Concern about the environmental biodegradation had an aOR of 6.369 (95% CI 1.372-29.562); concern about intimal health had an aOR 1.996 (95% CI 1.183-3.368); and concern about internal genital integrity had an aOR of 0.824 (95% CI 0.682-0.995) for menstrual cup use.

Conclusion: The significant independent factors for the use or adherence to menstrual cups were: women using a method to reduce their menstrual flow; concerning biodegradation; concerning vaginal health; with no concerns about manipulating their genitalia. The menstrual cup was used by 22.56% of a medical school in Brazil among undergraduate women.

Keywords: education; feminine hygiene products; medical; menstrual cup; menstrual hygiene products; undergraduate.

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References

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