How to Choose a Low Tox Menstrual Cup
In July 2024 some concerning testing came to light on several brands (both organic and non organic, brands not disclosed) in the US, that were found to contain lead, arsenic and cadmium 😳 If that’s not enough reason to look more deeply into an alternative for your period, I don’t know what is!
Hope this post helps guide you to a trusted safe option for you and your teens.
medical grade silicone
Silicone is an elastomer, which means it is a rubber-like material that can readjust to its original shape after being stretched. It is primarily made from silicon dioxide (containing silicon & silica), which is one of the most abundant natural minerals on earth and is plentifully found in sand.
100% medical grade silicone is hypoallergenic, non-reactive, and has the highest biocompatibility rating for use inside the human body.
thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)
Thermoplastic elastomers (sometimes referred to as thermoplastic rubber) are a blend or compound of polymers that melt and form into plastic when heated and hardens when it cools.
Advantages of TPE include that it requires less energy to make, is more cost-effective than silicone menstrual cups and are recyclable at the end of their life cycle.
TPE menstrual cups do not contain silicone, rubber, latex, BBPA/BPS or heavy metals, BUT I could not find any data that made me confident TPU wouldn’t leak microplastics as it ages, so from my research I’m more comfortable with medical grade silicone.
buyer beware
Not all silicone is meant to be used inside the body. A menstrual cup should be made of medical-grade silicone, but that’s not always the case.
If you purchased a cheap menstrual cup from an unreliable source, it may contain fillers that are not bio-compatible and could be toxic to the body.
how to know
To check if your menstrual cup is made from medical-grade silicone, stretch the material and watch the color. If the material goes white when stretched, it contains filler, is not biocompatible, and could be harmful to the vaginal microbiome.
