Beyond the Pad: Barriers and Facilitators to Menstrual Cup Use Among Medical Undergraduates in South India

Abstract Understanding menstrual hygiene preferences among medical undergraduates may provide insights into adoption of sustainable choices such as menstrual cups in India. A cross-sectional study (January–June 2023) assessed barriers and facilitators to menstrual cup use among consenting female medical undergraduates ( n =270) in a private medical college in coastal Karnataka using a pre-validated questionnaire administered through Google Forms with electronic informed consent. Associations between cup use and age at menarche and menstrual regularity were analysed using Chi-square tests in Jamovi v2.7.6. Current menstrual cup use was 19 (7.0%), while 26 (9.6%) reported ever-use of Menstrual cups. Key facilitators among ever-users were the absence of rashes or allergies 16 (61.5%) and preference due to low cost and reusability 15 (57.7%). The most common barriers among non-users were difficulty with insertion or removal 145 (55.3%) and a preference for other hassle-free menstrual absorbents 114 (50.9%). Despite low uptake, cup users reported high acceptability related to comfort and affordability, whereas non-users perceived cups as difficult to insert, remove, and manage. Addressing practical concerns may improve menstrual cup adoption among medical undergraduates.