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Updated: Aug 29, 2025

Author Spotlight: Revolutionizing Research on Vaginal Microbiome Interactions Using a Vaginal Chip
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Does exposure to different menstrual products affect the vaginal environment?

Nicolas Tessandier1,2, Ilkay Başak Uysal2, Baptiste Elie2

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Molecular Ecology
|September 4, 2022
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Summary

Menstrual cup users showed a higher likelihood of fungal infections compared to tampon users. Bacterial vaginal microbiota composition did not significantly differ between groups, but immune markers showed some clustering by product type.

Keywords:
epidemiologyfungal infectionsimmunityvaginal microbiotawomen's health

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Microbiology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The vaginal ecosystem is crucial for women's health.
  • It serves as a model for studying ecological perturbations and their effects on diversity.
  • Understanding the impact of menstrual products on this ecosystem is important.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the link between menstrual product use (tampons vs. cups) and health indicators.
  • To analyze microbial, immunological, demographic, and behavioral factors in relation to product choice.
  • To explore potential associations with fungal genital infections and immune responses.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study comparing young adult women using tampons (n=107) or menstrual cups (n=31).
  • Collection of demographic, behavioral, and health data.
  • Analysis of vaginal microbiota composition and expression of 20 cytokines.

Main Results:

  • Cup users were older and smoked less than tampon users.
  • A significant association was found between menstrual cup use and a higher odds ratio for fungal genital infection diagnosis.
  • No significant differences in bacterial vaginal microbiota were detected; however, cytokine expression showed some clustering by product type.

Conclusions:

  • Menstrual product type may influence menstrual health.
  • Menstrual cup use is associated with an increased likelihood of fungal genital infections in this cohort.
  • Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings and elucidate causal mechanisms.