Menstrual discs found to be best for heavy monthly blood flow

Amid widely differing capacities of available menstrual hygiene products, a menstrual disc - similar in shape to a diaphragm - may be best for dealing with heavy monthly blood flow as well as indicating excessive blood loss, suggests research published online in the journal BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health.

To strengthen the evidence base and help improve diagnostic accuracy, the researchers compared the absorbency/fillable capacity of 21 currently available and commonly used menstrual hygiene products, using human red blood cells.

The products included regular pads from 2 different manufacturers with different reported absorbencies as well as those for postnatal bleeding; same brand tampons of different reported absorbencies; same brand menstrual cups of different sizes; 4 different brands of discs including small and large sizes within the same brand; and 3 pairs of super absorbency period pants (small, medium, and large).

The test results showed that, on average, menstrual discs held the most blood at 61 ml, with one brand holding 80 ml, which is diagnostic of excessive blood loss; absorbent pants, on average, held the least at 2 ml, irrespective of size.

The perineal cold pack pads—intended for postnatal bleeding—and 1 pair of period pants held just 1 ml each. Tampons, pads, and menstrual cups held similar amounts: 20-50 ml.

Reference: Red blood cell capacity of modern menstrual products: considerations for assessing heavy menstrual bleeding, BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health, DOI: 10.1136/bmjsrh-2023-201895