Improving Menstrual and VAginal Health for All

A three-period crossover trial will study the effects of short-term use of 3 menstrual products (menstrual pad, tampon, menstrual cup) on the bacterial composition of the vaginal microbiome in three countries (Peru, Cameroon, and Switzerland). Each crossover period consists of two menstrual cycles, thus resulting in a 6-month trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of 6 exposure sequences (different order of products per sequence); in each sequence, participants will adopt each menstrual product for 2 menstrual cycles. Participants will provide vaginal microbiome samples via self-sample swabs at 3 points during each menstrual cycle. Given the crossover design of the study, there is not a dedicated control group.

NCT Number	NCT06646185
Lead Sponsor	Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute Collaborators: Universidad Nacional de la Amazonia Peruana, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Centre de Recherche sur les Maladies Emergentes et Re-Emergentes, Universiteit Antwerpen
Conditions	Effects of Menstrual Products on the Vaginal Microbiome
Enrollment	100 participants
Start Date	2026-04-15
Primary Completion	2026-12-31 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-12-31 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-04-23