Menstrual cup: a potential benefit for vaginal health ?

Women health

Contrary to some concerns, using a menstrual cup does not appear to increase the risk of genital infections. On the contrary, its use seems to be associated with a lower prevalence of bacterial vaginosis and STIs, as well as a vaginal microbiota that is more often in optimal condition.

Coupe menstruelle : un atout pour la santé vaginale ?

About this article

Created 08 September 2026

Updated 11 September 2026

In recent years, menstrual cups have become an increasingly popular menstrual product. Reusable, affordable, and environmentally friendly, they are available in different sizes depending on the model. Unlike an IUD, a menstrual cup does not need to be inserted into the uterus. Instead, it sits in the vagina, where it simply collects menstrual blood. But how does using a menstrual cup affect menstrual hygiene, the vaginal microbiota, and the risk of infection when it remains in the vagina for up to 12 hours?
A comprehensive review of the literature,¹ compiling the findings from 11 studies involving more than 10,000 participants across Africa, Europe, Brazil, and the United States, offers some reassuring answers.

1.8 billion Every month, almost 1.8 billion people worldwide menstruate.¹

65 days On average, menstruation accounts for a total of 65 days per year.¹

Not more infections… in fact, fewer

First finding: no increased risk of infection was observed among menstrual cup users. In fact, several findings point to a potential protective effect. For instance, some studies found that women using a menstrual cup had 21% lower incidence of bacterial vaginosis than those using other menstrual products, particularly tampons or pads.
A similar finding was observed for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Two trials conducted among young women in Kenya found a lower risk of STIs among menstrual cup users. The risk of HSV-2 (herpes simplex virus type 2) infection may also be reduced, although this finding has not yet been confirmed.

18 % In the United States, 18% of women reported using a menstrual cup.¹

12 heures Menstrual cup can be used for up to 12 h prior to being emptied, carefully cleaned and reinserted.¹

An ally of the vaginal microbiota

These potential benefits may be related to the menstrual cup’s protective effect on the vaginal microbiota. Menstrual cup users are more likely to have a microbiota dominated by Lactobacillus crispatus, a bacterial species considered a marker of good vaginal health and associated with protection against vaginal dysbiosis, bacterial vaginosis, and certain STIs. No cases of toxic shock syndrome were reported among menstrual cup users in the two studies that provided this information.
Why does this happen? The authors put forward a simple hypothesis: unlike tampons or pads, the menstrual cup collects menstrual blood in the upper part of the vagina. As a result, the vaginal microbiota may have less exposure to iron-rich blood, an environment that can favor the growth of bacteria such as Gardnerella vaginalis and Lactobacillus iners, which are often associated with an imbalance in the vaginal flora.

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Promising findings… pending further confirmation

The authors remain cautious: the studies are still scare, involve comparatively small numbers of women, and are not always of high quality. Based on the current evidence, the review provides a reassuring message: menstrual cups do not appear to pose a risk to your vaginal microbiota and may, in fact, have a beneficial effect.