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Beyond the Pad: Barriers and Facilitators to Menstrual Cup Use Among Medical Undergraduates in South India

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Understanding menstrual hygiene preferences among medical undergraduates may provide insights into adoption of sustainable choices such as menstrual cups in India. A cross-sectional study (January–June 2023) assessed barriers and facilitators to menstrual cup use among consenting female medical undergraduates ( n =270) in a private medical college in coastal Karnataka using a pre-validated questionnaire administered through Google Forms with electronic informed consent. Associations between cup use and age at menarche and menstrual regularity were analysed using Chi-square tests in Jamovi v2.7.6. Current menstrual cup use was 19 (7.0%), while 26 (9.6%) reported ever-use of Menstrual cups. Key facilitators among ever-users were the absence of rashes or allergies 16 (61.5%) and preference due to low cost and reusability 15 (57.7%). The most common barriers among non-users were difficulty with insertion or removal 145 (55.3%) and a preference for other hassle-free menstrual absorbents 114 (50.9%). Despite low uptake, cup users reported high acceptability related to comfort and affordability, whereas non-users perceived cups as difficult to insert, remove, and manage. Addressing practical concerns may improve menstrual cup adoption among medical undergraduates.

Source: Indian Journal of Community Medicine

DOI: 10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_869_24

Authors: Ankeeta Menona Jacob, Shambhavi Priya

Institution: K S Hegde Medical Academy

Language: English

Topic: Menstrual Health and Disorders

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $80