ArticleWomen's health (London, England)
Comparison between menstrual cups: first step to categorization and improved safety.
Article in Women's health (London, England). The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers.
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Who cites it
9 citing papers in PubMed, 22 citations in OpenAlex.
- Acceptability of and experiences with menstrual hygiene cups among adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 in two communities in Lusaka, Zambia: an exploratory study nested in the Yathu Yathu trial.Reproductive health · 2025Trial
- The relationship between women's awareness of sustainable menstrual cups, their menstrual attitudes, and genital hygiene behaviors: a cross-sectional study.BMC women's health · 2026Article
- Nurse-led menstrual hygiene management package to improve menstrual health practices among university students: Randomised waitlist-controlled protocol study.Journal of education and health promotion · 2026Article
- Acquaintance and acceptance of menstrual cups among women of reproductive age: a hospital-based cross-sectional study from North India.Korean journal of family medicine · 2025Article
- Article
- Utilization of modern menstrual methods and related unmet needs among college going women in Coimbatore district: a descriptive cross-sectional study.BMC women's health · 2024Article
- Red blood cell capacity of modern menstrual products: considerations for assessing heavy menstrual bleeding.BMJ sexual & reproductive health · 2024Article
- A pharmacist's role in increasing access to menstrual products: an education and advocacy approach.Frontiers in reproductive health · 2024Article
- In Vitro Study to Assess Effective Cleaning Techniques for RemovingInternational journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesMenstrual cups come in a range of shapes, sizes, and firmnesses, but unlike tampons are not categorized in any way. With these factors having an impact on product leaks and comfort, as well as being linked to illness and injury, women need the same level of transparency when purchasing a menstrual cup. The comparison of physical and mechanical properties of menstrual cups will be the first step to achieve this.
methodsIn October 2020, 14 popular and highly rated menstrual cups underwent quantitative comparison in laboratory settings (the United Kingdom), and they were compared in terms of their dimensions, volume, and compressive strength (firmness) using the Instron Universal Testing System. The overall designs were compared including shape, material, and features.
resultsAlthough all the products in this comparison were marketed to women below 30 years of age having never given birth, total volume varied from 18.88 mL to 38.14 mL, and compressive load to compress the menstrual cup 50% (±0.5%) maximum diameter varied from 3.39 N to 13.92 N.
conclusionsWomen are not sufficiently informed when choosing a menstrual cup. With no correlation between menstrual cup size, shape, and its volume, or material, shape, and its firmness, consumers cannot estimate which menstrual cup might be most suitable, and incorrect choice could cause injury. Transparency is needed across menstrual cup brands. With this and further regulation, women will make an informed decision to choose the correct menstrual cup and minimize injury. This work recommends firmness categories, ranging from 'very soft' to 'very firm' as a first step.
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Registered trials
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