Menstrual cups to reduce bacterial vaginosis and STIs through reduced harmful sexual and menstrual practices among economically vulnerable women: protocol of a single arm trial in western Kenya.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In western Kenya, menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is a pervasive problem. Challenges are compounded for economically constrained women who continue to engage in sex during menses and resort to practices such as vaginal insertion of tissue and cotton to maintain dryness during sex. These practices can be harmful to the vaginal microbiome (VMB) and can lead to high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. This study will evaluate whether menstrual cups that can be worn during intercourse may be beneficial to the VMB and help prevent Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and STI acquisition among these economically vulnerable women.

Methods

In this single-arm trial among economically vulnerable women in semi-urban western Kenya, we will evaluate the preliminary

SUBMITTER: Zulaika G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11545970 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature