Menstrual Cups: R—Evolutionary Devices for Overcoming Wrong Views About Life

Background: Managing menstrual hygiene is a challenge among girls and women especially in low-income countries due to traditional beliefs, lack of knowledge and information on best hygienic practices, and limited access to appropriate and affordable menstrual hygiene products. An alternative to using sanitary pads or tampons for menstrual hygiene management, is the menstrual cup. CouldYou? a US-based non-profit is addressing the challenges of Menstrual Health Management of rural women and girls in Africa with the CouldYou? Cup, a menstrual cup. There was an intervention through this initiative in selected provinces in Mozambique and Uganda where women and girls received the menstrual cup. This study therefore examines the acceptability and benefits of the CouldYou? Cup in these countries. Methods: The menstrual hygiene intervention in Uganda and Mozambique covered the period August 2021 to January 2022, on a sample size of one hundred and fourty-two (142) teenagers and adults who received CouldYou? Cups (menstrual cups.) One hundred and seven (107) were from Mozambique and thirty-five (35) from Uganda. The study selected participants from the Nampula province in Mozambique and Kyakitanga, Seguku, and Zana provinces in Uganda. The study categorized the respondents into teenagers and adults with overall average age being nineteen (19) years. Age ranged between twelve (12) and fourty-three (43) years. Community-based participatory research (CBPR) tools were used to record views and elicit rich responses from the girls. Quantitative surveys were conducted using KoboCollect. The qualitative data, on the other hand, was collected through FGDs and KIIs using interview guides and semi-structured interviews. Findings: The study has revealed that participants use multiple products to address their menstrual needs in Uganda and Mozambique. Since the women and girls started using the menstrual cup, the menstrual cup has become a sustainable and safer substitute for unhygienic menstrual products including old clothes / rags and toilet rolls. The menstrual cup has an average of 91.5% acceptability rate in Mozambique and Uganda measured by the willingness of participants to use the product. Acceptability was 100% in Uganda and 88.8% in Mozambique based on the willingness of participants to use the menstrual cup. Measuring acceptability by the product adoption rate gives a 95.8% acceptability across all countries and 98.6% when acceptability is measured by the “like” for the cup. On the average, each participant used the cup for four (4) months. 58.5% depended on only the menstrual cup and 36.6% used the menstrual with sanitary pads, and 0.7% used the menstrual cup with tampons to manage their monthly menstrual needs. In-depth interviews showed that participants who could afford sanitary pads, preferred to use the menstrual cup as a substitute to cut down their recurring monthly expenditure on menstrual products. Participants described economic and convenience as advantages of using the menstrual cup. Purchasing sanitary products was an economic burden to the study participants. Expenditure on menstrual products varied significantly across both countries. Results from a paired sample test across both countries showed a significant decrease in participants monthly expenditure on menstrual products by 76.5%. Average monthly expenditure had (at the point of data dissemination) decreased by 81.9% in Mozambique and by 23.5% in Uganda. Conclusion: Findings from this study reflect that the menstrual cup is accepted and used widely as a substitute for sanitary pads. The economic advantage of the menstrual cup outweighs all other benefits.

BackgroundMenstrual cups could be a sustainable menstrual material for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in sub-Saharan Africa. Yathu Yathu was a cluster-randomized trial of community-based delivery of HIV and sexual and reproductive health services to young people in Lusaka, Zambia. Among services available through the intervention were menstrual products, including menstrual cups. We explored knowledge of menstruation and menstrual products, acceptability, and experiences of using cups among AGYW aged 15–24. We share lessons learned on how to distribute cups through community-based strategies to AGYW in urban communities.MethodsThrough community-based, peer-led spaces (hubs), AGYW could access menstrual products, including pads and menstrual cups. We conducted four focus group discussions, two with AGYW aged 15–19 (n = 9) and 20–21 (n = 8) who had accessed different menstrual products through Yathu Yathu and two with AGYW aged 15–19 (n = 5) and 20–24 (n = 9) who had accessed menstrual cups. Four interviews were conducted with four AGYW (15–19, n = 2; 20–24, n = 2) who had accessed cups, and four with two AGYW who were enrolled in a qualitative cohort. Data were analyzed thematically.Results‘Surprise’ and ‘fear’ were initial reactions from most AGYW who saw the cups for the first time at Yathu Yathu hubs. Misconceptions that cups cause cancer and fears that they could get stuck in the vagina, cause sore, vagina enlargement, and loss of virginity were raised by AGYW. The desire to try the cup, use an alternative menstrual product and information gained at the hubs facilitated access. Use of the cup was comfortable, and cups were said to be cost-effective and durable. Advantages over pads included: the absence of odor, easy to maintain, and environmentally friendly: “it is hygienic, and it is even easy to maintain”. Challenges included pain, discomfort, and failure to or incorrectly inserting the cup at initial use. When faced with challenges using the cup, AGYW reported going back to the hub for additional information and demonstrations on use.ConclusionDespite concerns, misconceptions and initial challenges, cups were acceptable among AGYW. Free distribution of cups provides an opportunity to address menstrual health challenges among AGYW. However, as a new product, there is need to increase awareness and provide detailed information on use.

This research discusses sustainability that impacts the environment. We as humans find it very difficult not to coexist with objects that have plastic materials. Especially for women, who use sanitary napkin products for single use and have a negative impact on the environment and for the women themselves can be attacked by diseases, Such as cancer. Menstrual Cup is a replacement product for disposable sanitary napkins that has better benefits compared to other menstrual products. However, in Indonesia itself, Menstrual Cup is still something foreign and taboo because of the way it is used and the negative stigma given to consumers. The research that has been conducted aims to determine how much influence Green Product Knowledge and Consumer Doubts have on the Green Purchase Intention of Menstrual Cup products. This research used Explanatory Research with a quantitative approach. Data was collected online using a web link from Qualtrics Survey, using a Semantic Differential scales. The questionnaire link was distributed through social media such as: Whatsapp, Instagram and so on. The number of respondents taken was 128 Gen Z female respondents who have experienced menstruation and who have never used a menstrual cup. The data was processed using Multiple Linear Regression. The research method used is quantitative research using multiple linear regression analysis. The findings of this study are that there is a positive influence of the Green Product Knowledge variable and the Consumer Doubt variable which does not have a significant effect on Green Purchase Intention. The results of this study can provide insight to companies and future researchers. It is also hoped that this research can be expanded to include and focus on single or married women, Gen Z, Gen Millennials and others. The limitation of this research is on Gen Z women in Jakarta who have never used menstrual cup products. There is not much research about menstrual cup, especially in Jakarta Indonesia.

Purpose The study aims to examine the health behaviour of Indian women concerning their awareness, preference and usage of menstrual products, focusing on three critical demographic domains: age, education and income levels. The research seeks to identify patterns and disparities in menstrual product choices among diverse population segments by investigating these factors. By applying the Engel–Kollat–Blackwell model (Stankevich, 2017), the research aims to reveal patterns and disparities in menstrual product choices, and how various environmental, economic, social and cultural factors influence women’s decision making. Hence, contributing to a broader understanding of how economic growth and sustainability can be aligned with improving public health. Additionally, it also suggests policies and improvisions in already existing policies under the Indian government to increase awareness and promote sustainable menstrual products. This analysis supports the integration of ecological and socio-economic considerations into economic planning for a sustainable future. Design/methodology/approach The research was conducted as a cross-sectional study from 11th May to 30th May through a self-administered, non-standardized questionnaire. The themes for the questionnaire were picked after a thorough literature review and then the questionnaire was formed. Furthermore, it was also run through a small pilot study before running it on the main sample. A total of 201 respondents whose ages ranged from below 18, 18–25, 25–30 and 30–35 constituted the sample. Consent was taken from participants before administrating the questionnaire. The data captures people’s awareness across the domain of female health literacy, with a special focus on menstrual hygiene. Individuals were asked questions such as “During your last menstrual cycle?”, to know their usage pattern the question “What type of product did you primarily use for menstrual flow absorption or management?” was asked, to assess their awareness the following question was asked “Out of all the above options which ones were you already aware of?” and for mapping their preferences the question asked was “Out of all the above options which one do you prefer using?” the product options provided for all the questions included single-use menstrual pads, reusable menstrual pads, tampons, menstrual cups, period panties/underwear and cloth. Awareness and usage-related questions were open to multiple responses. A chi-square test was performed to investigate the relationship between the usage of menstrual products and age groups, education levels and income levels across various product categories. Similarly, a chi-square test was performed to investigate the relationship between the awareness of menstrual products and age groups, education levels and income levels across various product categories. Findings Awareness, preference and usage of menstrual products vary by education, income and age. Undergraduates demonstrate the highest awareness (90%) and preference for tampons (35%) and menstrual cups (28%). Income impacts preferences: those earning 8–15 lakhs per annum prefer single-use pads (81.66%). At the same time, those earning under 3 lakhs show a growing inclination for menstrual cups (29.41%). Age also impacts usage. Individuals aged 25–30 demonstrated the highest preference (28.57%) and usage (14.28%) for reusable menstrual pads. However, practical usage often lags preference due to cost barriers, especially among lower-income groups, where affordability limits the adoption of reusable options. Originality/value The originality and value of this research lie in its integration of demographic factors—age, education and income—to explore menstrual product choices in India. By applying the Engel–Kollat–Blackwell Model, the study offers unique insights into how these variables affect awareness, preferences and usage patterns. It highlights disparities in access and decision-making regarding menstrual hygiene products, focusing on economic and environmental sustainability. This analysis contributes to understanding the role of menstrual product choices in public health and sustainable economic growth, supporting policy recommendations for improving menstrual health management in underrepresented communities.

IntroductionMenstrual hygiene management can be challenging in low-income settings and among school-aged girls due to traditional beliefs, lack of knowledge and information on best hygienic practices, and limited access to appropriate and affordable menstrual hygiene products. An alternative method for menstrual hygiene management, instead of sanitary pads or tampons, is the vaginal menstrual cup. As evidence on the use of menstrual cups is relatively limited, this study aimed to explore the acceptability and feasibility of using vaginal menstrual cups among school-aged girls in Thokarpa, Sindupalchowk, Nepal.MethodsThis is an exploratory study based on four focus group discussions with a purposive sample of 28 schoolgirls between 13 and 19 years of age who were provided with vaginal menstrual cups in Thokarpa, Sindupalchowk, Nepal. The data were collected between February and March 2019, i.e. approximately three months after the distribution of the menstrual cup. Participants were included in the study if they had started their menstruation and never given birth. Conventional content analysis was applied.ResultsMost participants perceived the menstrual cup positively. Not missing a single class in school due to problems related to menstrual hygiene management was described as a major benefit. The participants found using the menstrual cup easy and convenient, and described economic and environmental advantages of using it. Cleaning the menstrual cup did not cause any problems, according to the participants. Discomforts mentioned by the participants were: pain when inserting the menstrual cup, feeling the menstrual cup sticking out of the vagina, feeling a constant urge to urinate and leakage. Concerns were related to the size, shape and texture of the menstrual cup, and that it may “get stuck” in the vagina, while relatives were said to be concerned about the use of the menstrual cup leading to reduced fertility or losing virginity.ConclusionThe use of vaginal menstrual cups for menstrual hygiene management among schoolgirls in Thokarpa, Sindupalchowk, Nepal, appears feasible and acceptable, as it involves practical, economic and environmental advantages. However, the scale-up of menstrual cups will require resolving described concerns and discomforts and fostering peer and family support.

Menstrual cups are considered a sustainable solution for menstrual health and hygiene management, as they are cost-effective, environment-friendly, reusable and offer health benefits over traditional menstrual hygiene products such as pads and tampons. However, in lower middle income countries (LMICs), menstrual cup use is limited. Recently, India's current menstrual hygiene program has included menstrual cups as an option for menstrual health and hygiene management. However, the menstrual cup has not been promoted widely in the Indian context. Even if the use of menstrual cups among female healthcare providers in India is minimal, the manuscript identified the crucial challenges in menstrual health and hygiene management, the role of menstrual cups as a solution and the essential strategies to increase menstrual cup use. Programmatic success requires endorsement from healthcare providers as they are trusted sources of information related to healthcare. Good experiences and leading examples from healthcare providers about using menstrual cups is a welcoming step in the path of the dream of a "pad-free country" for India.

Menstrual cups offer a more comfortable menstruation experience, reducing disruptions to daily activities. They are eco-friendly and more cost-effective than other menstrual products. Our aim of the study was to understand menstrual cup use among nulliparous female and identify the challenges for their adoption and continued usage. Database-specific search strategies were formulated for Ovid, PubMed, Scopus, and Embase by using keywords such as “vaginal cup,” “menstrual cup,” and “nulliparous.” The search was conducted on November 15, 2024, and eligible studies published till November 1, 2024 were searched. Various study designs were considered, while studies that did not mention the proportion of nulliparous females among menstrual cup users were excluded. Out of 40 identified records, 11 studies were included after screening. Studies involving nulliparous females from various regions, including Canada, the USA, India, Colombia, Zimbabwe, and Kenya, suggest that menstrual cups constitute a safe and comfortable option for menstrual hygiene management (MHM). Nulliparous females encounter unique obstacles such as limited awareness of their reproductive systems, fears and restrictions related to the unscientific concept of virginity, and limited accessibility to menstrual cups. These barriers are compounded by minimal technical and social support. Nulliparous females also face specific issues such as increased menstrual bleeding and loss of school or college hours, which can significantly be mitigated by using menstrual cups. Evidence suggests that menstrual cups can be a safe and comfortable option for MHM among nulliparous females. It is essential to debunk social myths and taboos, provide accessibility to menstrual cups, offer training, and build confidence in young females from menarche. Engaging multiple personnel at different levels and receiving supportive guidance from healthcare providers are critical steps to increase public awareness and acceptance of menstrual cups.

The menstrual cup knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of Turkish women in reproductive age

Besides the health problems and economic losses, not managing the menstrual cycle successfully also leads to environmental pollution and affects millions of individuals around the world. Among the reusable menstrual hygiene products, menstrual cups come to the forefront, thanks to their minor environmental effects. This study aims to compare the menstrual cup and single-use menstrual hygiene products regarding the level of user knowledge and awareness “being green” on the environmental effects. The study is carried out between April and May of 2021 on menstruating individuals aged 18–49 years. Among 3365 individuals reached within the scope of the prior study, 298 individuals using menstrual cup and 596 individuals using single-use products were selected. Based on the literature, a survey form consisted of 16 items is prepared by authors questioning the “being green” about the environmental effects of menstrual hygiene products (EKMP). The survey is published online on Twitter and responds are collected using Google Forms. In all the items with statistically significant differences between responded questions in terms of “green” answer percentages in EKMP, it was found that menstrual cup users have a higher percentage of green answers (p < 0.001). In further analysis, as the aged advanced, EKMP scores were higher among menstrual cup users and those expressing concerns about the negative effects of menstrual hygiene products on environmental health. Increasing knowledge and awareness on the environmental effects of menstrual hygiene products, and especially the environmental effects of single-use menstrual hygiene products, might raise the demand for reusable products.

INTRODUCTION: Menstrual health management (MHM) has gained attention internationally given the relationship between lack of access to menstrual products and absenteeism, poor school or work performance, and increased risk of urogenital infections. There is a dearth of information on how Ob/Gyn providers in the United States address MHM. This study seeks to describe Ob/Gyn providers' MHM practices in a low income clinic population and to assess willingness to recommend reusable menstrual products. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of Ob/Gyn providers from private and hospital outpatient women's health practices at Yale New Haven Hospital conducted with a 17-item anonymous questionnaire to assess counseling practices regarding menstrual products. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. RESULTS: Among the 52 providers who responded (response rate 69%): 38.4% sometimes ask patients about their choice of menstrual products, 21.2% always ask, 15.4% ask only when patients bring it up, 17.3% don't usually ask and 7.7% never ask. While most providers (88.5%) were familiar with the menstrual cup and 36.5% think that the menstrual cup would work well for some patients, only 13.5% have recommended it. One-quarter would not recommend the menstrual cup and 42.3% would appreciate more information about the menstrual cup prior to recommending it. CONCLUSION: The menstrual cup is a reusable alternative that remains underutilized. There is great need for guidelines to encourage and educate providers regarding MHM that may improve patients' quality of life. Ob/Gyn providers could play an essential role in the improvement of MHM if menstrual products use and patient needs were addressed in clinic visits.

Menstrual hygiene management, especially in resource-limited settings, is challenging. The acceptability of the menstrual cup is increasing recently in western countries whereas, in developing countries like India, the awareness, acceptability, and use of menstrual cups are very limited. We assessed the effectiveness of modified pre-post-test teaching-learning methodology in an online webinar series on menstrual cups using Moore's outcome assessment. An online webinar series on menstrual hygiene and the menstrual cup was conducted to raise awareness about the usage of menstrual cups among the health care workers like Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANMs), Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHAs), and Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) of the Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, India. The questions of modified pre- and post-test were displayed. The questions were displayed to participants using the polling option in zoom. A total of 1597 health care workers participated in the menstrual cup webinar series. Of the total, 72.7% of participants responded to the job title question of which ASHA, ANMs, and AWWs were 16.8%, 34.2%, and 41.9%, respectively. The baseline knowledge of menstrual cups among primary health care workers for “heard of the menstrual cup” and “ever used/know anyone using menstrual cup” was 36.89% and 11.67%, respectively. After the webinar among the primary health care workers, the maximum gain in knowledge was seen for “menstrual cup can be cleaned in the home,” 94.53%, and the minimum gain in knowledge was on “unmarried girls can use menstrual cups,” 50.42%. The modified pre- and post-test model predicted an overall 50 percent rise in the knowledge of primary health care workers by the webinar series about a different aspect of the menstrual cup.As online webinar providers aim to provide more performance-based learning activities, current approaches to continuing medical education may become obsolete. The single most essential shift in online webinar planners can make is to incorporate modified pre-and post-test to allow for interactive and formative assessment during webinar activities.

Background Menstrual Cups are sustainable menstrual hygiene products that are reusable, affordable, compatible with physical activities, and can be used for longer durations of time. Due to their inadequate promotion and the existing popularity of sanitary napkins, even educated menstruators often remain unaware about the advantages of Menstrual Cups. It is imperative that awareness is created about them amongst young menstruators. Objective: To assess the impact of health educational intervention on perceptions of Menstrual Cup usage among female students enrolled in a degree college in urban Bangalore, India. Methods Am interventional study was conducted from September 2021 to March 2022 amongst female students studying in a degree college in urban Bangalore. A pre-designed, face validated questionnaire was administered to the students to assess their perceptions, which was followed by a health educational intervention. The subjects were followed up after a one- month period, to assess the impact of the health education on their overall attitude and awareness regarding Menstrual Cups. Results Among the 83 study participants with mean age 19.5+0.95 years post intervention, a 42% increase in the total awareness score and a 35% increase in total attitude score towards the usage of Menstrual Cups was found to be present. Following intervention, 36.1% of participants considered Menstrual cups to be better than Sanitary napkins and a 27.7% reduction was noted in terms of the apprehension regarding Menstrual Cup usage, due to pain and discomfort, which was a prevalent false notion prior to the intervention. Discussion Menstruation is a physiological process that requires due attention, as it is linked with various social factors that may influence the perceptions of young menstruators and affect the ways in which adults in the communities around them respond to their needs. Therefore, an increased international attention has been given on enlightening adolescent girls in lower and middle income countries, regarding knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices surrounding menarche, menstrual hygiene and menstrual health through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This is to help guide the future design of relevant policies and programming with respect to Menstrual health. In the present study, maximum participants belonged to the late adolescent period (18-20 years). In the past, the maximum number of studies which proved to be effective in improving awareness and attitude regarding menstrual health were done amongst adolescent girls. In terms of knowledge about menstrual cups, even though a substantial number of participants were already aware about menstrual cups we found that, relatively there was a better understanding regarding the advantages of menstrual cups amongst the students in our study which could be attributed to the inclusion of biological sciences in their academic curriculum. Also, easy access to the internet and smartphones and exposure to advertisements about menstrual cups in social media could have contributed to the increased knowledge regarding the same. In similar views, a study done in Haryana reported that the internet was one of the main sources of information among school going adolescent girls. Hence, we feel that social media platforms can also be used as a strong medium for creating awareness campaigns regarding menstrual cups, their usage and advantages. Our findings post intervention highlighted the need for further educational sessions regarding menstrual health and family planning which could be included as part of academic curriculums in schools and colleges, and delivered with the help of trained personnel such as school teachers or counsellors to ensure that the right information is being conveyed to them. The public health significance of our study is that through health educational interventions about menstrual cups at a college level amongst young women, there would be an improvement in the overall awareness and attitude towards menstrual cups, thus increasing its practice in the coming future. This can improve the quality of life of young women and help curb plastic pollution caused by sanitary napkins and tampons. This study also gives an insight into the beliefs, concerns and knowledge of women from a peri urban community about Menstrual cups. Conclusion A significant improvement was noticed in terms of the overall awareness about the advantages, misconceptions, and the attitude towards the usage of Menstrual cups following the health educational intervention.

Purpose: To gather preliminary data about menstrual hygiene product use and associated risk of intrauterine device (IUD) expulsion.Materials and methods: We conducted an Internet-based survey using the Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) platform and Researchmatch.org. Eligible participants were women at least 18 years old and self-identified as current or previous IUD users.Results: Of 902 survey responses, 71% reported current or previous IUD use and 19.7% reported menstrual cup use. IUD users were significantly more likely than non-IUD users to use a menstrual cup or tampons. Among all IUD users, 56 individuals reported experiencing at least one expulsion (8.8%). We found a positive association between concurrent menstrual cup use and IUD expulsion (OR: 2.75, 95% CI: 1.40–5.42, p = .002), but no association with concurrent tampon or pad use. Of concurrent IUD and cup users who experienced an expulsion, one reported it occurring ‘while using a menstrual cup’, with others reporting the expulsion during other events.Conclusions: Menstrual cup use may be higher than previously reported, particularly in IUD users. Concurrent menstrual cup use may increase the risk of IUD expulsion. Prospective research is necessary to fully explore the relationship between menstrual hygiene product use and IUD expulsions.

BackgroundMenstrual health and hygiene (MHH) is a human rights issue; yet, it remains a challenge for many, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). MHH includes the socio-political, psychosocial, and environmental factors that impact women’s menstrual experiences. High proportions of girls and women in LMICs have inadequate MHH due to limited access to menstrual knowledge, products, and stigma reinforcing harmful myths and taboos. The aim of this pilot was to inform the design of an MHH sub-study and the implementation and scale-up of an MHH intervention incorporated into a community-based cluster-randomized trial of integrated sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services for youth in Zimbabwe. The objectives were to investigate (1) uptake of a novel MHH intervention, (2) menstrual product preference, and (3) the factors that informed uptake and product choice among young women.MethodsFemale participants aged 16–24 years old attending the community-based SRH services between April and July 2019 were offered the MHH intervention, which included either a menstrual cup or reusable pads, analgesia, and MHH education. Descriptive statistics were used to quantitatively assess uptake and product choice. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with participants and the intervention team were used to investigate the factors that influenced uptake and product choice.ResultsOf the 1732 eligible participants, 1414 (81.6%) took up the MHH intervention at first visit. Uptake differed by age group with 84.6% of younger women (16–19 years old) compared to 79.0% of older women (20–24 years old) taking up the intervention. There was higher uptake of reusable pads (88.0%) than menstrual cups (12.0%). Qualitative data highlighted that internal factors, such as intervention delivery, influenced uptake. Participants noted the importance of access to free menstrual products, analgesics, and MHH education in a youth-friendly environment. External factors such as sociocultural factors informed product choice. Barriers to cup uptake included fears that the cup would compromise young women’s virginity.ConclusionsPilot findings were used to improve the MHH intervention design and implementation as follows: (1) cup ambassadors to improve cup promotion, sensitization, and uptake; (2) use of smaller softer cups; and (3) education for community members including caregivers and partners.Trial registrationRegistry: Clinicaltrials.govRegistration Number: NCT03719521Registration Date: 25 October 2018

IntroductionUnited States consumers spend over two billion dollars a year on intimate care products. These products, along with scented menstrual products, are marketed for odor control, perceived “freshness,” and vaginal/vulvar cleanliness. However, these scent-altering products may increase exposure to carcinogenic and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Prior research has not adequately characterized demographic differences in product use. The objective of our study is to examine racial/ethnic and educational differences in menstrual and intimate care product use among people who menstruate.MethodsWe pooled data from two US-based cross sectional studies to examine demographic characteristics and product use in 661 participants aged 18–54 years. Participants reported use of scented and unscented menstrual products (tampons, sanitary pads, and menstrual cups) and intimate care products (vaginal douches, sprays, wipes, and powders). We examined differences by race/ethnicity and education using log-binomial regression and latent class analysis (LCA), which can identify groups based on product use patterns.ResultsOur sample was 33.4% Black, 30.9% Latina, 18.2% White, and 16.2% another identity. Approximately half the population had a bachelor's degree or more; 1.4% identified as transgender and 1.8% as non-binary. In adjusted models, scent-altering products (i.e., scented menstrual and intimate care products) were more likely to be used by those with less formal education (p < 0.05). Unscented menstrual products were more likely to be used by those with more formal education. Compared to Black participants, White participants were more likely to use unscented tampons and menstrual cups and less likely to use douches and wipes (p < 0.05). Using LCA we identified two groups: one more likely to use scent-altering products, and a second more likely to use unscented menstrual products. Less education and older age, but not race/ethnicity, was significantly associated with membership in the group more likely to use scent-altering products. While sex/gender composition did not statistically vary across groups, all non-binary participants fell in the unscented menstrual product group.DiscussionLower educational attainment was consistently associated with greater use of scent-altering menstrual and intimate care products. Future research should examine associations between body odor stigma, product use, and health risks at intersections of race, class, and gender.