ArticleBMJ sexual & reproductive health2024
Red blood cell capacity of modern menstrual products: considerations for assessing heavy menstrual bleeding.
Article in BMJ sexual & reproductive health, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
16 citing papers in PubMed, 30 citations in OpenAlex.
- Reusable menstrual hygiene products may lead to underdiagnosis of heavy menstrual bleeding: a randomised trial.BMJ sexual & reproductive health · 2025Trial
- Implementation and value of providing a multidisciplinary haematology and gynaecology service for individuals with bleeding and thrombotic disorders: A British Society for Haematology & United Kingdom Haemophilia Centre Doctors' Organisation Good Practice Paper.British journal of haematology · 2026Article
- Heavy Menstrual Bleeding in the Gynecology Clinic: A Call for Awareness and Standardized Screening for Underlying Bleeding Disorders.Obstetrical & gynecological survey · 2026Review
- Cost-effectiveness of first-line IV vs oral iron for iron-deficiency anemia in women with heavy menstrual bleeding.Blood advances · 2026Article
- Anemia in young women: determinants and artificial intelligence-based management approaches.Frontiers in artificial intelligence · 2026Review
- Efficacy and Outcomes of the Hormone-Releasing Levonorgestrel-Intrauterine System for Adenomyosis Treatment.Cureus · 2025Article
- Review
- How Women Discuss Heavy Menstrual Bleeding in Online Forums ("It's Like Revenge of the Uterus"): Template Approach to Thematic Analysis.Journal of medical Internet research · 2025Article
- Diagnosis and management of iron deficiency in females.CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne · 2025Review
- Detection of Anemia in Schoolchildren Aged 6-18 Years With Hematocrit Percentile Charts and the Impact of Economic Status in Southern Brazil.American journal of human biology : the official journal of the Human Biology Council · 2025Article
- Article
- Quantifying menorrhagia and overview of nonsurgical management of heavy menstrual bleeding.Hematology. American Society of Hematology. Education Program · 2024Review
- Investigating Menstruation and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: Oxymoron or New Frontier? A Narrative Review.Journal of clinical medicine · 2024Review
- Tranexamic acid for management of heavy vaginal bleeding: barriers to access and myths surrounding its use.Research and practice in thrombosis and haemostasis · 2024Article
- Perceptions, Beliefs, and Experiences about the Menstrual Cycle and Menstruation among Young Women: A Qualitative Approach.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Article
- Breaking the period product insecurity cycle: An observational study of outcomes experienced by recipients of free period products in the United States.Women's health (London, England)Observational
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundHeavy menstrual bleeding affects up to one third of menstruating individuals and has a negative impact on quality of life. The diagnosis of heavy menstrual bleeding is based primarily on history taking, which is highly dependent on traditional disposable menstrual products such as pads and tampons. Only tampons undergo industry-regulated testing for absorption capacity. As use of alternative menstrual products is increasing, there is a need to understand how the capacity of these products compare to that of standard products.
methodsA variety of commercially available menstrual products (tampons, pads, menstrual cups and discs, and period underwear) were tested in the laboratory to determine their maximal capacity to absorb or fill using expired human packed red blood cells. The volume of blood necessary for saturation or filling of the product was recorded.
resultsOf the 21 individual menstrual hygiene products tested, a menstrual disc (Ziggy, Jiangsu, China) held the most blood of any product (80 mL). The perineal ice-activated cold pack and period underwear held the least (<3 mL each). Of the product categories tested, on average, menstrual discs had the greatest capacity (61 mL) and period underwear held the least (2 mL). Tampons, pads (heavy/ultra), and menstrual cups held similar amounts of blood (approximately 20-50 mL).
conclusionThis study found considerable variability in red blood cell volume capacity of menstrual products. This emphasises the importance of asking individuals about the type of menstrual products they use and how they use them. Further understanding of capacity of newer menstrual products can help clinicians better quantify menstrual blood loss, identify individuals who may benefit from additional evaluation, and monitor treatment.
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Registered trials
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