Contraception is a lesser-known option to manage menstruation, as some contraceptive methods result in less bleeding and pain. At the same time, a better understanding of menstrual options may help with contraceptive-induced menstrual changes such as heavier or more frequent bleeding. By addressing these effects, Managing Menstruation: Know Your Options can be used to begin integrating menstrual health and family planning programs.
A review of existing resources on menstrual options revealed several challenges. Many existing resources provided information on a limited range of options or included biased information. For instance, fear of breaking social norms means menstrual cups and tampons are left off some tools. Concerns about the environmental impact of disposable products mean that those products are sometimes disparaged or recommended against. We found several resources that covered the options nicely, but that information was only available within a larger document (such as a puberty education booklet or program guidance). This limits the audience that has direct access to the information.