Acceptability and feasibility of using vaginal menstrual cups among schoolgirls in rural Nepal: a qualitative pilot study

Abstract

Introduction Menstrual 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. Methods This 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. Results Most 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. Conclusion The 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.

Examining the Acceptability the Couldyou? Menstrual Cup: A Case of Inhambane and Maputo Provinces

“…The percentage recorded of student beneficiaries on their perception about the cups inferred deeper appreciation of the initiative. A higher percentage of the beneficiaries constituting about three-quarter of the total respondent strongly agreed that the cup accorded them convenience, consistent with (Pokhrel et al, 2021). A few were neutral on issues of convenience.…”

“…For the comfort it offers, its menstrual blood collection capacity (Beksinska et al, 2021) and the absence of toxic shock syndrome (Howard et al, 2011), it has been accepted by some users. On the other hand, the associated discomfort felt while using them due to leakage, constant urge to urinate and the notion that menstrual cup would stick out of the vagina (Pokhrel et al, 2021;van Eijk et al, 2019), the use of menstrual cup has been a major challenge to others. There still remain a divide on its acceptability.…”

Effect Of Use Menstrual Cup To Personal Hygiene And Genital Inflammation : Systematic Literature Review

“…The effect of using menstrual cup to personal hygiene, have some result from 6 literatures reported personal hygiene when using a menstrual cup (Hyttel et al, 2017;Pokhrel et al, 2021;Beksinska et al, 2015;Kakani and Bhatt, 2017;Tellier, 2012;CARE international Uganda et al, 2018). Personal hygiene when using a menstrual cup is known to have several differences because the method is different from other types of menstrual sanitation.…”

Violence and sexual and reproductive health service disruption among girls and young women during COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal: A cross-sectional study using interactive voice response survey

“…Access to SRH services is challenging, especially in rural municipalities. The access of menstrual hygiene products is poor in rural municipalities due to difficult topography and affordability [ 7 , 8 ]. The contraceptive prevalence rate of modern method among married women stands at 53% and unmet need for family planning is 24% [ 6 ].…”