Reusable period care is having an important moment.
Currently, 84% of women experience painful periods. However, because women's health research is chronically underfunded, large-scale data on how menstrual products affect our daily lives has been virtually non-existent.
In 2024, UC Berkeley’s “toxic tampon” study made waves. Now, this Menstrual Hygiene Day, the largest U.S. study of its kind is shifting the conversation. Administered by People Science in collaboration with Saalt, this consumer study is the first of its kind to associate reusable menstrual products with statistically significant improvements in user-reported symptoms.
The Context: A Shift Away from Disposables
Tampons have historically functioned as the default period care option. Recently, however, consumer skepticism has grown regarding the composition of mainstream period care items. This shift is underscored by recent studies detecting heavy metals and chemical contaminants in both organic and conventional tampon brands, alongside active class-action lawsuits alleging product toxicity.
Despite the growing demand for alternative options, the reusable period care category has long lacked real-world data — until now.
Study Methodology
This decentralized, open-label consumer health study followed 188 participants across three full menstrual cycles.
To establish a baseline, participants tracked their symptoms during a single cycle using tampons. For the following two cycles, participants transitioned to using Saalt’s medical-grade silicone cups and discs. Utilizing People Science's proprietary software platform, Chloe, participants logged their daily symptoms in a real-world environment.
Key Findings and Consumer Study Data
The study captured high-fidelity, real-world evidence demonstrating notable improvements in the menstrual experience after switching to Saalt products:
- Reduction in Cramping: Participants were 6x more likely to report zero period cramping after transitioning from tampons to cups and discs.
- Significant Symptom Improvement: The data showed statistically significant improvements in reported cramping, fatigue, bloating, and headaches across the user group.
- Overall Improvement: 78% of participants reported an overall improvement in their menstrual symptoms.
- Adoption and Satisfaction: Following the study, 95% of participants indicated they would recommend Saalt products to a friend.
Download the full report here.
What This Means for Your Period Care
As the period care category continues to evolve, this research provides vital data for those seeking more comfortable, sustainable, and high-performance alternatives to disposable period products.
As you're exploring your options, we've got you covered. New to reusables? Give the Saalt Cup a try. Looking to forget about a heavy flow? The Saalt Disc will be your go-to. No matter where you are in your reusable journey, our experts are here to help you choose the right product for a more comfortable cycle.
(Disclaimer: This was a decentralized, open-label consumer health study designed to capture self-reported user experiences. Saalt products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition, including primary dysmenorrhea. Always consult with a healthcare professional for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment concerning menstrual symptoms.)
