Actively Recruiting
Improving Menstrual and VAginal Health for All
Led by Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute · Updated on 2026-04-23
100
Participants Needed
3
Research Sites
37 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
S
Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute
Lead Sponsor
U
Universidad Nacional de la Amazonia Peruana
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
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.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Improving Menstrual and VAginal Health for All
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Able to provide informed consent
- Aged 18 to 35 years
- Residing and planning to stay in the recruitment area in Cameroon, Peru, or Switzerland for at least six months
- Able to read and understand one of the specified languages for their country (German, French, Italian, English, or Spanish in Switzerland; French or English in Cameroon; Spanish in Peru)
- Have had menstrual cycles lasting 21 to 35 days for at least the last 4 months
- Have had menstrual periods lasting at least 3 days for at least the last 4 months
You will not qualify if you...
- Experienced menstrual abnormalities in the last 4 months, such as oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, or bleeding more than 7 days per month
- Pregnant or actively trying to become pregnant
- Breastfeeding
- Used antibiotics or vaginal antifungals within 30 days before recruitment
- Had a vaginal birth in the last 6 months
- Had vaginal, perineal, or uterine surgery, miscarriage, or abortion in the last 6 months
- History of Toxic Shock Syndrome
- Positive test for toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 gene by PCR
- Have an intrauterine device in place
- Taking medication for infectious or chronic diseases at recruitment or in the prior 3 weeks
- Showing clinical symptoms of vaginal infection
- Smoker
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 3 locations
1
Centre de Recherche sur les Maladies Emergentes et Re-Emergentes
Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroon, 3
Actively Recruiting
2
Universidad Nacional de la Amazonia Peruana
Iquitos, Iquitos, Peru, 16007
Actively Recruiting
3
Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute
Allschwil, Allschwil, Switzerland, 4123
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
S
Sonja Merten, MD MPH PhD
CONTACT
M
Monica Ticlla, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
6
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