Udapurkar Parimal, Mali Kimaya, Bora Ananya
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Seth GSMC and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India.
J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2023 Oct;73(Suppl 1):161-165. doi: 10.1007/s13224-023-01836-x. Epub 2023 Sep 12.
Menstrual cups are considered a viable alternative to other menstrual hygiene products in many developed countries yet majority of women in India use pads and cloth for their menstrual hygiene.
This prospective interventional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 100 women who tried cups for three menstrual cycles with the aim of highlighting the challenges posed by socio-cultural factors in India which prevent menstrual cups from becoming a mainstream menstrual hygiene product.
Familiarity with pads delayed the switch to menstrual cups even among women who were aware of their benefits. The thought of vaginal insertion was the foremost deterrent along with uncertainty of cup size, need for privacy to sanitise the cup, fear of leakage and infections and familial disapproval. Adaptations to the nuances of cup use were fast and undemanding. No major health concerns were reported with the use of cups.
Cultural factors in India pose various challenges to menstrual cup usage. Yet majority of women are likely to continue using menstrual cups after trying them. Women well-versed with sexuality and reproductive health face fewer difficulties and show better compliance.
The foremost challenges found by this study are unique to the Indian context and continue to influence the choice of menstrual product.
在许多发达国家，月经杯被认为是其他经期卫生用品的可行替代品，但印度的大多数女性在经期卫生方面仍使用卫生巾和布。
这项前瞻性干预性问卷调查研究在100名女性中进行，她们试用月经杯三个月经周期，目的是突出印度社会文化因素带来的挑战，这些因素阻碍月经杯成为主流经期卫生用品。
即使在了解月经杯益处的女性中，对卫生巾的熟悉也延迟了向月经杯的转变。阴道插入的想法是首要威慑因素，同时还有杯体尺寸的不确定性、清洁月经杯所需的隐私问题、对渗漏和感染的恐惧以及家人的反对。对月经杯使用细微差别的适应很快且要求不高。使用月经杯未报告重大健康问题。
印度的文化因素给月经杯的使用带来了各种挑战。然而，大多数女性在试用后可能会继续使用月经杯。熟悉性与生殖健康的女性面临的困难较少，依从性也更好。
本研究发现的首要挑战是印度特有的，并且继续影响经期产品的选择。
