The JMU University Health Center (UHC) and JMU Institute for Stewardship of the Natural World (ISNW) are partnering to provide a limited supply of free sustainable menstrual cups and discs to JMU students! We are studying outcomes from college student use of sustainable menstrual products, especially among those students with financial hardship. These outcomes include product awareness, product acceptance, waste reduction, and cost savings. The findings will inform the university’s decision to pursue continuing to provide one or more of these sustainable products.

Funded by a JMU Student Affairs Innovation Grant, the UHC and ISNW purchased sustainable menstrual products through the Saalt Period Equity Initiative.

Menstrual cups and discs are flexible, reusable, medical grade, silicone  menstrual products that replace disposable pads and tampons. 

According to Saalt, the manufacturer:

Save money: A menstrual cup lasts about 10 years, saving an individual an average of $1,500 over the cup’s life.

Reduce waste: One sustainable menstrual cup can divert 3,000 tampons and pads from landfills over a 10-year period.

Be healthy: Saalt menstrual cups and discs are BPA and latex free.

A limited supply of menstrual cups and discs are available to JMU students. Since the project aims to inform future decision making, participants do need to complete a survey before and after using the project. 

1. Please complete the consent form and initial survey. You will be immediately directed to an anonymous order form after completing the survey. 
2. Pick up your product at the UHC Pharmacy, The Pantry in TDU, or The Mini Pantry on East Campus. You will need to show your email confirmation from completing the order form and provide your email address. 
3. Approximately three months later, you will receive a follow up survey via both email and text message. We appreciate your participation.

The evaluation is approved by the IRB Protocol # FY25-390.

For questions about the research project, contact Amanda Bodle (bodleam@jmu.edu).

If you experience problems using the menstrual cup or disc, make an appointment at the University Health Center.

• What’s a Menstrual Cup? WebMD

• The Ultimate Guide to Menstrual Cups: How to Choose the Perfect One for Your Flow and Body | Pinkishe Foundation Blog 

• Well Dukes

• JMU UHC – call and ask to speak to a nurse if you have questions specific to use of the menstrual cup 540-568-6178