Menstrual cups are a reusable, reliable, and sustainable period product made of medical-grade silicone, latex, or rubber. They are cost-effective and an eco-friendly alternative to traditional period products. Here are some key details about menstrual cups:
Positive aspects:
- Environmentally friendly and reusable
- Can hold more fluid than tampons or pads, allowing for longer wear times
- Safer than tampons because they collect rather than absorb blood, reducing the risk of toxic shock syndrome
- Budget-friendly because they can last for years
- Can be worn during sex (depending on the brand)
Negative aspects:
- May require a learning period to find the right insertion technique and achieve a proper seal
- Need to be emptied, rinsed, and sterilized between uses, which can be inconvenient in public restrooms
- May not be suitable for women with allergies or sensitivities to certain materials
- May be challenging to manipulate in and out of the vagina
- Not one-size-fits-all, and finding the right fit may take some trial and error
- Women using intrauterine devices (IUDs) for contraception should take caution as there have been scientific reports of menstrual cups having contributed to dislodging of the IUD
The menstrual cups are made of medical-grade silicone, latex, or rubber, which are hypoallergenic, non-absorbent, and contain no harmful additives or chemicals. They are comfortable to use, dimensionally stable, and resilient to rebound. The material ensures easy insertion and removal, has good tear strength, and endures boiling, cyclic use, and pulling out[[2]](https://www.unfpa.org/sites/defa...
