Reusable menstrual cups to lower vaginal infections and STIs for low-income women
Single arm trial of menstrual cups among economically vulnerable women to reduce Bacterial vaginosis and STIs through reduced harmful sexual and menstrual practices
This project gives reusable menstrual cups to economically vulnerable women to help lower bacterial vaginosis and sexually transmitted infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rush University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11172290 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you struggle to afford pads or use cloth during your period, the research team will give you a reusable menstrual cup, show you how to use and clean it, and follow your health over time. The project enrolls economically vulnerable women in western Kenya and collects vaginal swabs and short health questionnaires at regular visits. Everyone in this phase is offered the cup and staff will compare infection and microbiome results to earlier data and prior observations. Visits include counseling on safe menstrual practices, sample collection, and repeat testing for BV and common STIs.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women who menstruate, are economically vulnerable, and live in the study area of western Kenya who currently use cloth or other improvised menstrual materials are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Women who already use safe, single-use menstrual products, who cannot or prefer not to use internal menstrual products, or who have medical reasons that make cup use unsafe may not receive direct benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, wider use of menstrual cups could lower rates of bacterial vaginosis and STIs and improve reproductive health for low-income women.
How similar studies have performed: Prior randomized and observational work in Kenyan girls showed menstrual cup use was linked to meaningful reductions in bacterial vaginosis and some STIs, so this builds on promising earlier results.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Rush University Medical Center — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mehta, Supriya Dinesh — Rush University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Mehta, Supriya Dinesh
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.