Resources

Here you can find the latest research and evaluation findings, as well as tools for menstrual health programs

WoMena's research and evaluation findings

Menstrual Health Management Pilot for Nest International Users

Foreign sex workers in Denmark experience immense marginalization – due to their profession, legal status, as well as in matters related to menstruation. This pilot project aimed to assess the acceptability of the menstrual cup (MC) as well as education in menstrual health management (MHM) amongst 26 women from this group using the ‘Nest International’’ centre, who volunteered to be part of the project. The pilot was supported by Soroptimist International Denmark, Reden International and OrganiCup. 

Menstrual Health Pilot Project in the Trampoline House 

WoMena Denmark undertook a pilot to provide menstrual cups (MCs) and comprehensive educational sessions among female asylum seekers and refugees in Copenhagen. It was undertaken in collaboration with Trampoline House, which hosted the sessions through an established women’s group. The project was funded by Soroptomists and MCs were provided by OrganiCup.

Beyond Distribution: A Feasibility Study of Introducing a Menstrual Health Component into Four Secondary Schools in Buikwe Districkt, Uganda (Phase 1)

Supported by the Icelandic Embassy and the Icelandic International Assistance Development Agency (ICEIDA), WoMena Uganda developed and piloted a test MHM intervention for integrating a menstrual health component into four selected secondary schools in Buikwe District, Uganda, assessing the appropriateness of introducing menstrual cups (MCs) and reusable pads to schoolgirls in the district.

Rapid Assessment Infographic: COVID-19 & MHM

WoMena Uganda conducted a rapid assessment in collaboration with WoMena’s Knowledge Management team in six districts in Uganda to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on menstruating girls and women. The infographic shows the assessment’s preliminary findings on menstruation status and practices, gender-based violence (GBV), water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) status, accessibility to markets, MHM product accessibility, and livelihoods. 

The Menstrual Cup Market Accessibility Project (MCMAP)

WoMena Uganda in collaboration with several partners (Marie Stopes Uganda, Welthungerhilfe, private
pharmacies, Ruby Life, and HUE Experiential) conducted a project in Uganda to integrate menstrual cup (MC) distribution and 6 payment models into service delivery and evaluate the models in terms of effectiveness and feasibility. Results indicate that the most MC sales were made at the price point of approx 7 USD. The evaluation suggests the possibility of scaling up MC supply to achieve greater accessibility in Uganda at subsidized or below current market prices.

Adjumani Menstrual Cup Implementation Pilot Report (2020)

WoMena Uganda supported implementation of a menstrual cup pilot intervention in collaboration with Public Health Ambassadors Uganda (PHAU), Women’s Global Health Innovations (WGHI) and funding from the UNFPA in Alere Secondary School and Dzaipi Secondary School in Dzaipi and Alere Refugee Settlements in Adjumani District, Uganda.

MENSTRUAL CUP – FAQs AND ANSWERS (2020)

WoMena team collected based on a series of questions received from women and girls and answers regarding topics like Menstrual Cups functionality, maintenance, health & safety, economy, and other concerns.

We periodically update the questions and answers.

Summary and perspective of Buikwe Intervention (Phase 1)

WoMena was asked to implement a Menstrual Health Management (MHM) pilot project, to assess the feasibility of introducing a MHM component in two secondary schools in Buikwe district, Uganda.

Menstrual Cup Interventions Follow-up Study Report (2020)

A follow-up report on the long-term experiences of menstrual cup use among girls and women from three menstrual cup interventions conducted by WoMena in the rural Kitgum, Gulu and Katakwi districts in Uganda.

Menstrual Cup Interventions Follow-up Study Report (2019)

A follow-up report on the long-term experiences of menstrual cup use among girls and women from three menstrual cup interventions conducted by WoMena in the rural Kitgum, Gulu and Katakwi districts in Uganda.

Pilot intervention report – Menstrual health in Rhino Camp refugee settlement West Nile, Uganda (2017)

With support from WoMena Uganda, ZOA implemented a MHM pilot intervention in Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement to assess the acceptability of introducing menstrual cups and reusable pads as part of their Teach Me More school-based programme.

Summary of “Ruby Cups: Girls in Imvepi Refugee Settlement Taking Control”

This is a summary of the “Ruby Cups: Girls in Imvepi Refugee Settlement Taking Control” report, outlining the main goals, objectives, and key results of the 2018 MHM intervention in Imvepi Refugee Settlement in Uganda.

Ruby Cups: Girls in Imvepi Refugee Settlement
Taking Control (2018)

Report about the menstrual cup (MC) pilot implementation project in Imvepi Refugee Settlement by CARE International and WoMena Uganda.

Menstrual Health Management in East and Southern Africa: A Review Paper (2018)

Leading up to the UNFPA Menstrual Health Management Symposium, WoMena was commissioned by UNFPA East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) to produce a literature review of current Menstrual Health Management (MHM) in East and Southern Africa.

Menstrual Cup Research Dissemination Meeting (2019)

Report from the Menstrual Cup Research Dissemination Meeting in Kampala, Uganda. The purpose of the meeting was to share research updates about Menstrual Health Management (MHM) and experiences about the implementation of menstrual cup (MC) as an innovative MHM solution in East Africa.

A qualitative study – Drivers and challenges to use of menstrual cups among schoolgirls in rural Uganda (2017)

This flagship publication by WoMena team focuses on the acceptability of the menstrual cup (MC) among schoolgirls in rural Uganda. The study finds that after the girls get used to the cup, 94% of them reported they would continue using it.

 

Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights – Agreements and disagreements a background document of the evidence base (2016)

This publication is a joint project of the Working Group on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. In the 2016 edition WoMena contributed a chapter on Menstrual Health (see pages 69-71).

Pilot Study Report (2012)

Assessing acceptability and hygienic safety of menstrual cups as a menstrual management method for vulnerable young women in Uganda Red Cross Society’s Life Planning Skills Project.

 

Literature Matrix

Through the Literature Matrix, WoMena systematically monitors, stores, and disseminates key articles dealing with Menstrual Cups from around the world to facilitate access to the relevant evidence.

Access the Literature Matrix

Menstrual Health (MH) App Mapping

A dynamic document of all current menstrual health apps available on the market put together by WoMena to continuously track all available menstrual app resources in one accessible document.

Access the MH App Spreadsheet

Multimedia