Skip to main content

Use of Scented Menstrual Products Tied to Demographic Factors

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Jan 9, 2024.

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, Jan. 9, 2024 -- Lower educational attainment is consistently associated with greater use of scent-altering menstrual and intimate care products, according to a study published online Dec. 6 in Frontiers in Reproductive Health.

Ami R. Zota, Sc.D., from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York City, and colleagues examined racial/ethnic and educational differences in menstrual and intimate care product use. The analysis included pooled data from participants in two studies (661 participants aged 18 to 54 years).

The researchers found that scent-altering products (i.e., scented menstrual and intimate care products) were significantly more likely to be used by those with less formal education. White participants were significantly more likely to use unscented tampons and menstrual cups and less likely to use douches and wipes than Black participants. In a latent class analysis, less education and older age, but not race/ethnicity, were significantly associated with membership in the group more likely to use scent-altering products. All nonbinary participants fell in the unscented menstrual product group.

"Use of scented menstrual and intimate care products is concerning since they are marketed for odor control and perpetuate stigma around menstruation. They may also contain ingredients linked with cancer, endocrine disruption, and other adverse health effects," Zota said in a statement. "Our research suggests that populations marginalized by racial and/or socioeconomic inequities may be disproportionately impacted by environmental health risks from these products."

Abstract/Full Text

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted January 2024

Read this next

Active Surveillance Effective Strategy for Favorable-Risk Prostate Cancer

FRIDAY, May 31, 2024 -- Active surveillance is an effective management strategy for men with favorable-risk prostate cancer, with an estimated rate of metastasis of 1.4 percent at...

BMI Cutoff of 30 for Obesity May Be Too High for Middle-Aged, Older Adults

FRIDAY, May 31, 2024 -- The optimal body mass index (BMI) cutoff point appears to be 27 kg/m2 for detecting obesity in middle-aged and older adults, according to a study presented...

Age at Menarche Decreasing, Time to Cycle Regularity Increasing

FRIDAY, May 31, 2024 -- The mean age at menarche has decreased and time to cycle regularity has increased with increasing birth year, according to a study published online May 29...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.