Menstrual cups · 5 min read
Medical-grade silicone menstrual cups – the benefits
Menstrual cup materials: why silicone?
A menstrual cup completely replaces disposable period products like pads and tampons. It's sustainable, because it can be reused again and again for many years. Menstrual cups are made from silicone, thermoplastic elastomer or rubber. Medical-grade silicone products are manufactured under strict quality controls to meet the applicable FDA and EU regulations. Read on to find out why we only recommend a menstrual cup made from medical-grade silicone.
Why silicone?
Silicone is one of the most versatile materials there is. It found its way into our homes long ago, and we're not exaggerating when we say: silicone is now almost everywhere. Liquid silicone often appears in the form of pastes and gels in personal care products. The kitchen would be hard to imagine without it, too: as silicone rubber it's used for baking tins and mats, ice cube trays and dummies, for example.
Unlike plastic, silicone is not made from crude oil, which makes it safer for your health. No fossil fuels are needed for its production either.
Chemically speaking, silicones are long chains of silicon and oxygen atoms (= silicon oxide). Did you know that these elements bond with each other particularly readily? Two thirds of the earth's crust consists of exactly this compound. Sand and pebbles are nothing other than just that. We'll skip the rest – this isn't a chemistry lesson, after all: through further processing, "sand" becomes the all-rounder "silicone".
Unlike many types of plastic, silicone needs no plasticisers, is tear-resistant, UV-resistant and far more durable. But what's an advantage on one side is a drawback on the other: because it lasts so long, silicone is also difficult to biodegrade, so it's important that it is recycled properly.
What is medical-grade silicone?
From condoms to lipstick to creams, as a gel, oil or resin, for catheters or contact lenses, as a sealant or for insulation – silicone is everywhere. But wait! Not all silicone is created equal. A distinction is made between industrial silicone, food-grade silicone and medical-grade silicone.
In short: medical-grade silicone has properties that allow safe, close contact with living tissue. It is considered non-toxic and hypoallergenic, meaning it only very rarely triggers allergies. That's why it's used so widely in the medical field, for example for prostheses, probes, implants such as pacemakers, artificial joints and contact lenses.
Medical-grade silicone has to meet higher standards than industrial silicone. Medical-grade silicone products are manufactured under strict quality controls to comply with the applicable FDA and EU regulations.
The benefits of medical-grade silicone
100% medical-grade silicone: menstrual cups by SELENACARE
Our SELENACARE period cups are all made from 100 per cent medical-grade silicone. Menstrual cups are generally very well tolerated, as they don't dry out the vaginal flora. They collect the fluid rather than absorbing it. Dry vaginal flora is more susceptible to infections and vaginal thrush.
Tip: If your vagina happens to be very dry, simply moisten the menstrual cup with warm water or a water-based lubricant to make insertion even easier. When the menstrual cup is full – which, depending on how heavy your flow is, can take around 4–12 hours – it's simply emptied, cleaned and reinserted.
Menstrual cup vs. tampon
A medical-grade silicone menstrual cup beats a tampon by miles: it's gentler, as it doesn't dry out the vagina, it can hold more blood, and it's cheaper, because it can be reused for many years. For comparison:
A regular tampon can absorb an average of 9–12 millilitres of fluid, while a super tampon reaches its limit at 18–21 millilitres. Our menstrual cups, on the other hand, can hold between 21 and 33 millilitres of blood, depending on the size.
A period cup is also very leak-proof and adapts to your every movement, making it ideal for sport too. You can even go swimming with it without any trouble.
Say goodbye to disposables
The waste created every day around the world by tampons and pads is enormous and, above all, one thing: unnecessary. On top of that, many people simply flush their pads or tampons down the toilet, which causes even more problems.
With the knowledge and options we have today, using disposable hygiene products like pads and tampons simply no longer feels in keeping with the times. Their use is hard to reconcile with a clear conscience.
While a menstrual cup isn't made from renewable raw materials either, its lifespan of several years is considerably longer, saving a huge amount of single-use waste. If we assume that we menstruate 500 times in our lives and use several tampons and/or pads over three to five days each time, every menstruating person gets through 10,000 to 17,000 period products in their lifetime. More than 600,000 happy customers can't be wrong.
Empfohlene Produkte
Our latest innovation is a true game-changer in period underwear! Our brand-new, self-adhesive material allows for the combination of period panties with interchangeable inserts – a real change in the world of sustainable period hygiene has come! A revolutionary material In close collaboration with our product designers and textile experts, SELENACARE has developed a new technology that redefines flexibility during menstruation – a self-adhesive material! This material is sewn into the crotch of the SELENACARE Easy Comfort Basic Panties, as well as onto the accompanying absorbent inserts. This material makes changing the inserts easier and without slipping! So, the inserts can be changed easily without having to undress. The self-adhesive material allows the inserts to be inserted into the matching SELENACARE Easy Comfort Basic Panties and can be easily replaced when needed, like traditional pads. Unlike traditional pads, our inserts can be reused as they are washable! Say "Goodbye" to the uncomfortable moments of changing and "Hello" to a feeling of absolute flexibility during your period! The SELENACARE Easy Comfort Period Set The SELENACARE Easy Comfort Period Set consists of two parts. The SELENACARE Easy Comfort Basic Panties are the core of our system and are equipped with the self-adhesive material in the crotch – a brilliant base for the SELENACARE Easy Comfort Inserts, the second part of the period set. Absorbent Easy Comfort Inserts with Wetbag The Easy Comfort Inserts are equipped with the specially developed self-adhesive material on one side and are ideally matched to the Basic Panties. This makes inserting them into the crotch area of the panties incredibly easy. Thanks to this self-adhesive property, the insert stays securely in place and does not slip, without relying on uncomfortable or annoying attachment methods. With various levels of absorbency, they are ready to accompany you in every phase of your period – from light to heavy, we've got you covered. Once the Easy Comfort Inserts are fully saturated, they can be easily removed from the Basic Panties and replaced with a new insert. No need to take off the panties, as with traditional period underwear. Simply transport them in the Wetbag, wash, and reuse.
Feel completely protected and free with SELENACARE Free-Cut period underwear. Invisible under your clothes, it offers you comfort, discretion and maximum absorbency during your period. This underwear in sizes XS-M as well as L-XXL was specially developed for medium days and meets the highest demands. Invisible perfection for you Thanks to the innovative Free-Cut design and the thin material, SELENACARE Free-Cut period underwear does not leave any unsightly marks under tight-fitting garments. You can move freely and feel completely comfortable without worrying about visible marks. With this underwear you stay confident and secure in any situation. Maximum comfort and flexibility for you SELENACARE's Free-Cut period underwear offers you not only protection but also exceptional comfort. The super-stretch microfibre material fits your body perfectly and offers maximum flexibility. Whether you're working, exercising or just relaxing, this underwear ensures an optimal fit and freedom of movement for you. Reliable protection for medium days The period underwear has been specially designed for medium days to provide you with a high level of protection. The absorbent layers inside the underwear safely retain fluid and prevent unwanted leakage. You can trust its reliability every day of your period. It's your perfect companion during menstruation. Experience the comfort, discretion and protection you deserve. Be confident and enjoy your freedom no matter what the day brings.
The Period Panty Hipster convinces with its modern cut and super-comfortable fit. As with all our models, the integrated suction surface is discreetly and invisibly incorporated into the period panty. The menstrual underwear absorbs up to 25 ml of fluid. With its low-slung leg and medium waist, it hugs your body perfectly and gives a feeling of security. Light, medium or heavy days The strength of your period can vary throughout your cycle. The Hipster period underwear is ideal for the light and medium days of your period. It provides a dry feeling and does not allow fluid to leak out. On your heavier days, we recommend using the underwear in combination with a menstrual cup or tampon. If you have periods or spotting, you can use either a period slip or a washable pad, depending on the intensity of the bleeding. No restrictions, always well protected There are really no limits to the use of period underwear. You can use them in your free time, at work or on holiday. In addition to period blood, it also absorbs sweat and other fluids and reliably seals them in. Because the material is absorbent, it also gives you a very safe feeling during sports. After use, you can wash the panties out with cold water, air dry them and reuse them. This makes them a convenient, sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to tampons and disposable pads. Not only do you reduce waste, but you also save money because of their long life. Hygiene and freshness based on silver chloride (biocide active ingredient according to article 95 list) The absorbent layers of the SELENACARE products are equipped with the antimicrobial, biocidal protective finish SILVERPLUS® from RUDOLF GROUP. It prevents the proliferation of odour-causing bacteria. SILVERPLUS® is the leading silver ion technology and is certified according to the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. OEKO-TEX guarantees that all components have been tested for harmful substances and that the product is harmless to health.
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