A menstrual cup is a flexible cup made of silicone, natural rubber, latex, or thermoplastic elastomers that is inserted into the vagina during menstruation to catch and collect menstrual flow. Here are some details about menstrual cups, including their positive and negative aspects, ingredients, and materials:
Ingredients and Materials
- Most menstrual cups are made from silicone, but some are made from rubber or contain rubber components. If youre allergic to latex, the material could cause irritation.
- Menstrual cups made of medical-grade silicone have been tested and found free of harmful substances, but findings vary by brand.
Positive Aspects
- Menstrual cups offer several benefits to the user, including increased comfort, less interference with activities, and less waste.
- They are generally regarded as safe within the medical community, and all menstrual products carry some degree of risk.
- They are reusable and can last for years, making them more cost-effective than disposable products.
Negative Aspects
- Some women find it challenging to manipulate the menstrual cup in and out of the vagina, and the cups are not one-size-fits-all. Until you find the right fit, the cup may feel uncomfortable, or there may be leakage.
- Inserting any object into the vagina can irritate the urethra and introduce bacteria to the urinary tract. A small number of people find that this occurs when they use menstrual cups. Additionally, in rare cases, the cup may push up against the urethra and block it, leading to problems urinating.
- Although rare, toxic shock syndrome (TSS) has been associated with tampon use, and menstrual cups may also be a cause of this rare condition. The exact risk is unknown for menstrual cup use, but it is believed to be less than with tampon use.
Other Concerns
- Unregulated toxic chemicals in feminine care products may result in serious health problems, like increased risk of breast cancer, reproductive problems, asthma, and allergic reactions. Chemicals of concern commonly used in feminine care products include carcinogens, reproductive toxins, endocrine disruptors, and allergens. Vaginal tissue is much more absorptive than other skin, making the presence of hormone-disrupting and other toxic chemicals in feminine care products especially concerning.
- A risk health assessment done by ANSES on the safety of menstrual products (e.g. tampons, disposable pads, panty liners, and menstrual cups) revealed the presence of various chemical substances in very low concentration and without exceeding the health thresholds.
