Aleph, UCLA Undergraduate Research Journal for the Humanities and Social Sciences

Stigma toward menstruation is closely linked to a lack of knowledge about menstrual health taboos and negative attitudes toward sex and bodies. The menstrual cup (MC), an alternative menstrual product to pads and tampons, may mitigate these negative perceptions through the high levels of body contact and menstrual and anatomical knowledge required to use it. Hence, the current study examines the relationship between MC usage and 1) knowledge about menstruation and reproductive anatomy, 2) personal comfort with sexuality, and 3) attitudes toward menstruation. This study utilized a quantitative survey to investigate the attitudes and experiences of 180 menstruators ages 19-34 and the menstrual products they use. As predicted, more frequent MC usage was associated with higher knowledge, greater comfort with sexuality, and lower disgust and shame toward menstruation.