The Use of Menstrual Cups in the Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management of Women Who Use Wheelchairs

Summary

This study is designed to evaluate the impact of menstrual cup use on menstrual health and hygiene management among women who use wheelchairs.In addition, the study will serve as a reference for future research that includes other groups of people with disabilities and will contribute to the literature. The main questions it aims to answer are:

How does menstrual cup use affect the menstrual hygiene management experiences of women who use wheelchairs?

What impact does menstrual cup use have on women's comfort, perception of hygiene, and participation in social life?

Do women's knowledge, attitudes, and satisfaction levels regarding menstrual cup use change over time?

Why do women who use wheelchairs choose to use or not to use menstrual cups? This quasi-experimental study will use a repeated measures design (within-subjects design). Participants included in the study will be scheduled for an appointment to receive training on menstrual cup use and to be provided with a menstrual cup. The training will be conducted face-to-face in the education room of the relevant association. During this session, the participant will first respond to the initial part of the questionnaire. Following that, she will receive training on menstrual cup use (supported by video, models, etc.), and based on the information obtained, a menstrual cup in a suitable size will be provided. The menstrual cups to be used by the participants will be supplied by the researcher.

After the initial meeting, six follow-up interviews will be conducted following the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th menstrual periods. In each session, participants will be asked to complete a follow-up-specific questionnaire, and any questions they have will be answered. Their use of the menstrual cup will be assessed during each follow-up. If a participant is not using the cup, the reasons for non-use will be explored, and if desired, the training will be repeated or individual counseling will be provided. If the participant refuses counseling or states that she no longer wishes to use the cup, she will be withdrawn from the study. If a participant drops out during the first three follow-ups, a new participant will be recruited to replace her.

Conditions

• Menstrual Cup
• Menstrual Hygiene Management
• Disabled People

Interventions

OTHER

Educational and practical intervention on menstrual cup use

The intervention implemented in this study is a unique approach tailored to menstrual hygiene management among women who use wheelchairs. What distinguishes this intervention from others is the combination of both education and practical support for menstrual cup use. While menstrual hygiene management in the literature generally targets the general population, this study specifically addresses the unique needs and challenges faced by women with disabilities by providing individualized menstrual cup selection and usage guidance. Additionally, the intervention includes repeated follow-ups over six menstrual cycles, allowing continuous support and monitoring of the participants' experiences. This approach aims not only to improve hygiene practices but also to enhance user satisfaction and long-term adherence. The comprehensive and personalized nature of this intervention differentiates it from most existing studies and seeks to offer practical, sustainable solutions for menstrual hygiene

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hülya ULAŞLI KABAN

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

15 Years

Max Age

49 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-11-01

Primary Completion

2025-11-02

Completion

2027-11-02