Menstrual Cups

    Written by:
    Rachel Hathcock
    Last Updated: August 28, 2025

    Menstrual cups collect menstrual blood and prevent it from leaking out of the vaginal canal. Unlike tampons, they are nonabsorptive, often reusable, and can be worn for up to 12 hours, but they do come with a learning curve.

    2 references on this page
    5,794 participants in 8 trials and 1 meta-analysis

    Examine Database: Menstrual Cups

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    Research Breakdown

    Examine Database References

    1. Vaginal Infection Risk - Penelope A Phillips-Howard, Elizabeth Nyothach, Feiko O Ter Kuile, Jackton Omoto, Duolao Wang, Clement Zeh, Clayton Onyango, Linda Mason, Kelly T Alexander, Frank O Odhiambo, Alie Eleveld, Aisha Mohammed, Anna M van Eijk, Rhiannon Tudor Edwards, John Vulule, Brian Faragher, Kayla F LasersonMenstrual cups and sanitary pads to reduce school attrition, and sexually transmitted and reproductive tract infections: a cluster randomised controlled feasibility study in rural Western KenyaBMJ Open.(2016 Nov 23)
    2. Vaginal Infection Risk - Anna Maria van Eijk, Garazi Zulaika, Madeline Lenchner, Linda Mason, Muthusamy Sivakami, Elizabeth Nyothach, Holger Unger, Kayla Laserson, Penelope A Phillips-HowardMenstrual cup use, leakage, acceptability, safety, and availability: a systematic review and meta-analysisLancet Public Health.(2019 Aug)
    3. Vaginal Infection Risk - Barbara B North, Michael J OldhamPreclinical, clinical, and over-the-counter postmarketing experience with a new vaginal cup: menstrual collectionJ Womens Health (Larchmt).(2011 Feb)
    4. Cost (Menstrual Cup vs. Usual Product) - Courtney Howard, Caren Lee Rose, Konia Trouton, Holly Stamm, Danielle Marentette, Nicole Kirkpatrick, Sanja Karalic, Renee Fernandez, Julie PagetFLOW (finding lasting options for women): multicentre randomized controlled trial comparing tampons with menstrual cupsCan Fam Physician.(2011 Jun)
    5. Capacity (Menstrual Cup vs. Usual Product) - Mags E Beksinska, Jenni Smit, Ross Greener, Catherine S Todd, Mei-ling Ting Lee, Virginia Maphumulo, Vivian HoffmannAcceptability and performance of the menstrual cup in South Africa: a randomized crossover trial comparing the menstrual cup to tampons or sanitary padsJ Womens Health (Larchmt).(2015 Feb)
    6. Capacity (Menstrual Cup vs. Usual Product) - K Stewart, R Greer, M PowellWomen's experience of using the MooncupJ Obstet Gynaecol.(2010 Apr)
    7. Leakage (Menstrual Cup vs. Usual Product) - M Cheng, R Kung, M Hannah, D Wilansky, J ShimeMenses cup evaluation studyFertil Steril.(1995 Sep)
    8. IUD Expulsion Risk - Ellen R Wiebe, Konia J TroutonDoes using tampons or menstrual cups increase early IUD expulsion rates?Contraception.(2012 Aug)
    9. Ease of Use (Menstrual Cup vs. Usual Products) - Anna Maria van Eijk, Kayla F Laserson, Elizabeth Nyothach, Kelvin Oruko, Jackton Omoto, Linda Mason, Kelly Alexander, Clifford Oduor, Aisha Mohammed, Alie Eleveld, Isaac Ngere, David Obor, John Vulule, Penelope A Phillips-HowardUse of menstrual cups among school girls: longitudinal observations nested in a randomised controlled feasibility study in rural western KenyaReprod Health.(2018 Aug 17)