What is Menstrual Cups Made From?

Period is a topic which most people shy away from talking about, but due to the efforts of women from every walk of life and even men, slowly this taboo is lifting. And with the veil lifting up on periods, the comeback of menstrual cups seemed right. Do you know The global Menstrual Cup market is anticipated to reach USD 1514.01 million by 2023 , as per a new detailed report by Market Research Future (MRFR). What are menstrual cups? ● Menstrual cup is a sanitary product that is made of silicone and is inserted into the vagina to collect blood. Most companies sell two sizes of the cup- small and large. ● The cup can be worn for 8-12 hours without emptying it but should be done before 12 hours. To empty I simply mean, throw the contents into the toilet and clean it for using again. ● Once your cycle is complete, boil it to clean it and store till your next cycle. ● The small one is for women under 30 and not having children while the large one is for women above 30 with children. These are the standard guidelines to help women find the cup, but you also need to keep the flow in mind. One of the most popular menstrual cup is Meluna Menstrual Cup. You can learn more about the Meluna Cup. ● If you have a heavy flow, the small cup is not ideal as you will have to keep emptying it after every few hours even if your age is less than 30. Pros and cons of menstrual cupPros: 1. Reusable- You can use this cup for up to 10 hours and after that simply empty its content, rinse it and use it again. The reusable factor of the cup makes it better than tampons. 2. No wastage- You save both money and environment as there is no wastage, and since it is cost effective in the long run as one cup can be used up to years and thus doesn’t require you empty your wallet every month. 3. Comfortable and long lasting- You won’t feel the cup after inserting it and would be comfortable. Also, it can last longer than a tampon. A good 4-6 hours on heavy days otherwise 8-10 hours on slow days. 4. Keeps the natural pH- The cup collects blood thus doesn’t interfere with the natural pH of the vagina and doesn’t make it dry or itchy. Cons: 1. Messy- The cups can be a bit messy especially when used in a public washroom, but having a little water bottle of your own may solve that problem. 2. Fit issues- The cup you have may not be the perfect fit for you and this might be a problem, but once you figure out the right fit, it will easy to use. What is Menstrual Cups Made From?There are three materials from which the cups are made:1. Silicone ● Derived from silica this is the most common material used by companies for making cups. ● The companies use medical grade silicone which has been tested for biocompatibility. ● This means that is it safe to be used inside the body. ● If the silicone used in the cup is biocompatible then it must not be used otherwise it may pose a serious health risk. ● They are expensive as they have to go through a curing process. ● It is strong and doesn’t tear and neither does it can be recycled but can be broken down into various other things. ● It can last up to a good 10-15 years and is not affected by the sun. ● They maintain their shape throughout there lifespan and can withstand high temperatures. 2. TPE ● Thermoplastic Elastomer is also used to make cups but is used less. They are also known as Thermoplastic rubbers and use a mix of polymers and rubber to create the cup. ● It is cheaper and more energy efficient. ● It can come in different color, can be molded and is recyclable. ● They last up to 3-5 years and are compressible and lose their shape and firmness as time flies. ● It cannot withstand high temperature for a long time and be sterilized for a minute or two and also can’t withstand the sun. 3. Natural gum rubber It is also another material that is used to make cups but is not suggested for people who may be sensitive or allergic to rubber or latex. rnThese are the different materials that make up the cup, you can choose the one which you think is best, but medical grade silicone made cup is highly recommended. Let me know in the comments below if you are using a menstrual cup and if yes, of what make. Happy periods!