Do Menstrual Cups Impact Herpes?
Ever wondered if and how menstrual cups impact herpes? Recent studies out of Kenya give us some insight about the impact as it relates to herpes acquisition.
These studies reveal that menstrual cups *may* reduce the possibility of herpes acquisition (in the study, HSV-2).
This is due to evidence that menstrual cups assist in preserving the vaginal microbiome (more specifically, preserving Lactobacillus-dominant vaginal microbiome)—say that three times fast 😵💫— and reducing the chances for STIs.
The results from one study revealed that participants using menstrual cups saw a 33% reduction in herpes acquisition compared to the control group. Menstrual cups are also more cost effective over time compared to sanitary pads or tampons. (Zulaika et al., 2023)
For those that don’t know, folks assigned female at birth are more likely to contract STIs due to the mucosal membranes. More studies are needed to provide additional evidence and insight into this matter, as well as the impact of menstrual cups on flare ups.