Medical Engineering Design Research Group, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK.
Medical Technologies Innovation Facility, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK.
Womens Health (Lond). 2021 Jan-Dec;17:17455065211058553. doi: 10.1177/17455065211058553.
Menstrual 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.
In 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.
Although 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.
Women 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.
月经杯有各种形状、尺寸和硬度，但与卫生棉条不同，它们没有任何分类。由于这些因素会影响产品的泄漏和舒适度，并且与疾病和伤害有关，因此女性在购买月经杯时需要相同程度的透明度。对月经杯的物理和机械性能进行比较将是实现这一目标的第一步。
2020 年 10 月，14 个流行且评价很高的月经杯在实验室环境（英国）中进行了定量比较，使用英斯特朗万能试验机系统比较了它们的尺寸、容量和压缩强度（硬度）。还比较了整体设计，包括形状、材料和特点。
尽管本比较中的所有产品都针对从未生育过的 30 岁以下女性进行了营销，但总容量从 18.88 毫升到 38.14 毫升不等，压缩负载将月经杯压缩 50%（±0.5%）最大直径从 3.39 牛到 13.92 牛不等。
女性在选择月经杯时没有得到足够的信息。由于月经杯的尺寸、形状与其容量之间，或者材料、形状与其硬度之间没有相关性，消费者无法估计哪种月经杯最适合，错误的选择可能会导致受伤。需要在月经杯品牌之间实现透明度。有了这一点和进一步的监管，女性将做出明智的决定，选择正确的月经杯并最大程度地减少受伤。这项工作建议将硬度分为“非常软”到“非常硬”三个等级，作为第一步。
