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A poorly positioned menstrual cup to seize month-to-month blood circulation could result in extra critical problems than leakage alone, warn docs within the journal BMJ Case Studies, after treating a younger lady with uterohydronephrosis—a swollen kidney brought on by blocked urine circulation into the bladder.
The usage of menstrual cups as a sustainable different to different strategies of controlling interval blood circulation is rising, notice the report authors. Whereas reported problems are uncommon, the proof means that ache, vaginal wounds, allergic reactions, leakage, urinary incontinence, dislodgement of intrauterine units (‘coils’), and infections, are all potential, they add.
The docs handled a younger lady in her early 30s who had seen blood in her urine and was experiencing intermittent right-sided flank and pelvic ache that had lasted for round six months.
Three years earlier, she had had a 9 mm kidney stone eliminated. And she or he was utilizing a copper coil for contraception. One or two days a month, throughout the heaviest interval blood circulation, she used a menstrual cup which she emptied each two to a few hours.
A scan revealed no indicators of kidney stones, but it surely did present a swollen proper kidney and ureter—the tube that carries urine away from the kidneys. It additionally confirmed a menstrual cup positioned proper subsequent to the opening of the ureter into the bladder (ureteral ostium).
The lady was requested to not use the menstrual cup throughout her subsequent interval and to return for a follow-up scan a month later. The scan confirmed that the swelling had gone down and that urine was draining usually from each kidneys.
The lady’s signs had cleared up fully, prompting the report authors to conclude that the cup had obstructed the circulation of urine from the fitting ureter.
When the lady attended an additional check-up six months later, she stated that she had solely used the menstrual cup often for 3 to 4 hours at a time throughout visits to a swimming pool. She hadn’t wished to make use of the cup usually once more, for concern of potential problems.
“To our knowledge, only a few similar cases have previously been reported. [These] cases were similar to our case,” notice the report authors.
“In all cases except one, a follow-up [computed tomography scan] or ultrasound was performed which showed regression of the ureterohydronephrosis. In three cases, the women resumed use of the menstrual cup, and none of them experienced resumption of symptoms (unknown follow-up periods). One of them chose a smaller sized cup,” they write.
Girls (and clinicians) have to be higher knowledgeable concerning the right use (and potential problems) of menstrual cups, counsel the report authors.
“When the terminal part of the ureters pass into the bladder, they are in close proximity to the vagina, which can affect urinary drainage from the ureter. Correct positioning, along with choosing the correct cup shape and size, is important to prevent negative effects on the upper urinary tract,” they clarify.
“Presently, menstrual cups can be bought and used without clinical advice from a health professional, which emphasizes the importance of detailed and clear patient information material,” they add.
Extra info:
Ureterohydronephrosis attributable to a menstrual cup, BMJ Case Studies (2025). DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2024-262035
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British Medical Journal
Quotation:
Place menstrual cups rigorously to keep away from potential kidney issues, docs urge (2025, February 10)
retrieved 10 February 2025
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