This study uses survey data from women ages 18-35 in Durban, South Africa, to address three goals. The first goal is to characterize current menstrual management practices and needs, to describe current sanitation systems and the degree to which they meet women’s hygiene needs. The second goal is to examine the demand for alternative menstrual management products, including the menstrual cup, biodegradable sanitary pads, reusable sanitary pads and tampons, that may have less of an impact on sanitation systems and the environment than the disposable menstrual pads that the majority of women in the area use. Finally, we assess the degree to which menstrual waste may enter sanitation systems and the environment, and project the change in menstrual waste production under alternative menstrual management product adoption scenarios.

Quantitative component: A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on background information, access to clean water and sanitation facilities, menstrual beliefs, practices and reported symptoms of reproduc- tive tract infections (RTIs) and sexually transmitted infec- tions (STIs); consistency of use and discontinuation rates and reasons for discontinuation.
�� Qualitative component: In-depth interviews (IDIs) were used to explore menstrual experiences, problems and needs, personal and social practices, norms, attitudes and beliefs, and their attitudes towards menstrual cups, perception of social acceptability and their experiences upon using the cu

El-Gilany refers to this article saying: "Poor menstrual hygiene has been shown to be responsible for certain reproductive tract infec- tions."

The Humanitarian Health Evidence Review: An evidence review of research on health interventions in humanitarian crises, confirms the need for further research to strengthen the evidence base on public health interventions in humanitarian crises.

The Evidence Review, commissioned by ELRHA and funded by The Department for International Development (DFID) and the Wellcome Trust, was led by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) in partnership with The Harvard School of Public Health and the Overseas Development Institute (ODI).

The report analyses the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence, and the key gaps, across a range of health sectors. ELRHA’s Research for Health in Humanitarian Crises (R2HC) programme aims to address the need for stronger evidence by funding research and facilitating partnerships between research institutions and humanitarian organisations. A further piece of work will synthesise the existing evidence in terms of the effectiveness of interventions.

El-Gilany refers to this article saying: "Poor menstrual hygiene has been shown to be responsible for certain reproductive tract infec- tions."

Did not focus on health but notes: "There were no reports of any complications arising from the use of the cup. One woman complained of irritation of the cervix and had a pap smear taken by her doctor but did not report any abnormality in the pap smear."

Combination of desk review of human rights treaties and fieldwork in Uganda

(a) the impact of menstrual management on girls in school; (b) the analysis of the role of primary schools in menstrual management; and (c) on possible ways forward around menstrual management that could be implemented from national to primary school level.

Concludes: It is important that clinicians are familiar with the cup, its removal process and are able to counsel patients with retained devices on future correct placement.

we use data from the Malawi Schooling and Adolescent Survey (MSAS), a school-based survey of 1,675 14–16-year-old students sam- pled from 59 primary schools and their catchment areas in two rural districts in southern Malawi, to examine the factors associated with menstruation- related absenteeism. (...) We focus on school characteristics, such as the quality and cleanliness of toilet facilities and the source of the water supply, and on individual characteristics, such as experiences of privacy in the school toilets, travel time to school, coresidence with adult female relatives, and school engagement and parental involvement.

The project will address the interactions between menstrual management and sanitation, using a systems approach that integrates an understanding of the sanitation hardware with women’s practices, needs and willingness to pay for menstrual management products. The scope of work includes: 1) a comprehensive literature review to synthesize current knowledge about the interaction between women's menstrual management practices and sanitation systems, 2) detailed case studies in two urban locations, and 3) a randomized product dissemination and demand trial where women will be offered to opportunity to test and then choose among alternative menstrual management products.. PATH, Stockholm Environment Institute, Columbia University, Wits Health Consortium, Mount Holyoke College, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Main outcome measures Overall satisfaction; secondary outcomes included discomfort, urovaginal infection, cost, and waste. Subjective vaginal discomfort was initially higher in the menstrual cup group, but the discomfort decreased with con- tinued use. There was no significant difference in physician-diagnosed uro- vaginal symptoms between the 2 groups. Physician-diagnosed urinary tract infections and vagi- nitis comparisons between groups were inconclusive owing to limited sample size.

Viser at 3/4 af pigerne bruger gamle klude som de vasker og genbruger. tyder på at der er 3 x så høj risiko for at udvikle underlivsinfektioner hvis piger bruger uhygiejniske metoder

Main Outcome Measure(s): The acceptability of the menstrual cup. The presence and viability of endometrial tissue was evaluated using immunohistochemical staining and culture outcome.

30 eligible schools were randomized into three arms, with girls in the target age group of 14–16 years to receive sanitary pads, menstrual cups, or usual practice. Girls were required to have had a minimum of 3 menstrual periods to be eligible for the study. Participating girls have been followed longitudinally to examine acceptability, use, and safety of menstrual products, and to explore the contribution of menstruation to school absenteeism and engagement.

Viser at de fleste piger bruger klude, nogle få brugte madras stykker og endnu færre bind

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Clinical testing en- rolled 406 women in seven U.S. centers. A detailed written questionnaire assessed safety, acceptability, and effectiveness for menstrual collection. Study safety parameters included pelvic examinations, Pap smears, col- poscopy, urinalysis, vaginal pH, wet mounts, gram stain, and vaginal microflora cultures.

INCLUDES INTERESTING HISTORY OF MCS

"In this study, 38 girls (15%) said that menstrual pain caused them to be absent from school and other activities between 1 to 7 days in the past school year."

Addressing gap in focus on menstruation with girl’s puberty book project

explored the social context of girls’ experiences of menses and schooling in northern Tanzania, with data collection focused on capturing girls’ voiced concerns and recommendations.

A total of 69 patients attending a menstrual disorder clinic filled out an anonymous questionnaire after reading an information leaflet responding to whether they would be interested to use an MC.

Of the 930 women having IUDs placed and reporting menstrual protection, 10.3% (96) used menstrual cups, 74.2% (690) used tampons, and 43.2% (402) used pads (many women reported using more than one method).