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

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.