Leona Chalmers

Leona W. Chalmers (born early 1900s) was an American-born actress, inventor, and author.

She was known for creating the first menstrual cup, also known as a "catamenial receptor", in the United States in 1937.[1] There were products similar to this before, but Chalmers was the first to patent and market the device.[2] The menstrual cup was an alternative to the tampon or sanitary napkin for women. After hard rubber cups failed to sell during the 1930s, and facing an upcoming rubber shortage from World War II, Chalmers and her team created a softer version also known as vulcanized rubber. As this product evolved, it changed names and became disposable.

Works

As an author, Chalmers has written “The Intimate Side of a Woman’s Life” and other books.[3][4]

References

  1. Obsidian. "History of the menstrual cup (blog)". labyrinth.net.au/~obsidian/. History of the Menstrual Cup (via Labyrinth). Retrieved 18 December 2014.
  2. North, Barbara B.; Oldham, Michael J. (February 2011). "Preclinical, clinical, and over-the-counter postmarketing experience with a new vaginal cup: menstrual collection". Journal of Women's Health. Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 20 (2): 303–311. doi:10.1089/jwh.2009.1929. PMC 3036176Freely accessible. PMID 21194348.
  3. Finley, Harry. "Introduction to a history of the menstrual cup". mum.org. Museum of Mensturation and Women's Health. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
  4. McNeil, Donald (4 February 2003). "Menstrual cups, at age 66, begin to make up for lost time". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 December 2014.


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