7 Best Nontoxic Menstrual Cups And Discs (2026)

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Our editors have tested and worn dozens of period cups and menstrual discs — these are our favorite options that are nontoxic, comfortable, and effective across a range of price points.

For decades, period care has looked pretty much the same: Open your bathroom cabinet, grab a pad or tampon, and move on with your day. Disposable, one-time-use period products have been the norm since the early 1900s — but just because we’ve always done something one way doesn’t mean it’s the best way. So, while pads and tampons have long been the standard way to handle period care, they’re far from the only way to manage your monthly cycle.

Menstrual cups actually date back to early prototypes and patents in the 1930s, but they remained quite niche and did not become popular in the US for another 80 years, as access to medical-grade silicone, and conversations around sustainability and women’s health have gained momentum. In the past 10 years or so, menstrual discs have also entered the period care scene, giving people yet another reusable alternative to disposables.

Speaking of the period care scene… It’s rapidly changing. Growing awareness around ingredient transparency, environmental waste, and the long-term monetary costs (the average menstruator will spend between $6,000 and $10,000 on period products in their lifetime, conservatively) has people rethinking their period routines and exploring reusable alternatives. Cherie Hoeger, founder and CEO of Saalt, explains, “For decades, the ‘default’ for period care has been single-use disposable products. At Saalt, we believe that reusable products should be the new mainstream standard of care because they are a triple threat to the disposable industry — they are hands-down more comfortable, significantly healthier for our bodies, and vastly better for the planet.” While reusable cups and discs aren’t brand-new inventions, they’re finally becoming part of the mainstream conversation, offering more choices than ever before when it comes to managing our periods.

What is the difference between a menstrual cup and a menstrual disc?

Unsure of the difference between cups and discs? While both are reusable alternatives to pads and tampons, they sit in different places in the body and can feel a bit different to wear. A menstrual cup sits lower in the vaginal canal and creates a gentle seal to collect menstrual fluid. A menstrual disc, on the other hand, sits higher in the body in the vaginal fornix (the wider space just below the cervix) and tucks behind the pubic bone to stay in place. Because of their placement, menstrual discs often hold more fluid than cups, making them a great option for heavier flow days or longer wear. Some disposable menstrual discs are available, but we’ve also found brands that offer reusable silicone versions that are just as durable and eco-friendly as menstrual cups.

Both cups and discs come in a variety of sizes and firmness levels to accommodate different bodies (including teens and those with sensitive bladders) and flow needs, and with a little practice, they’re easy to insert, remove, and clean. Whether you choose a cup or a disc ultimately comes down to your anatomy, comfort preferences, and lifestyle. Either way, you’ll be reducing waste while ditching disposable period products — a true win-win.

What are menstrual cups made of and are they safe?

High-quality menstrual cups are made from 100% medical-grade, platinum-cured silicone, which can be safely worn inside the body. Unlike disposable period products, a well-made silicone cup is free of forever chemicals (PFAS), phthalates, added fragrances (let this be your reminder that the vagina is self-cleaning), and more, making it a great option for people with sensitivities or anyone looking to reduce their exposure to unnecessary chemicals and endocrine disruptors.

And making the switch might be more important than ever, after researchers found heavy metals — including lead and arsenic — in a variety of tampon brands (even some beloved organic brands). While more research is still needed to understand what these findings mean for long-term health, it’s not a bad idea to swap in reusable menstrual cups and discs for greater peace of mind.

According to Cherie Hoeger, founder and CEO of Saalt, “women deserve to know what they are putting inside their bodies.” She notes that cups and discs made from 100% medical-grade silicone are entirely free of BPA, phthalates, fragrance, and latex, offering a safe alternative to disposable products. And despite the common misconception that reusable period products are difficult or messy to use, Saalt’s consumer health study says otherwise: Fewer than 10% of participants found cups or discs hard to use, 76% planned to continue using them after just two months, and 95% said they’d recommend them to a friend. As Hoeger explains, “The learning curve that has historically slowed the adoption of reusable products is far smaller than perceived.” Plus, one payoff really is clear — 78% of study participants reported having a better overall period experience after making the switch from disposable products.

Can menstrual cups help alleviate cramps and period-related pain?

While it may seem too good to be true, Saalt’s recent study (the largest of its kind) showed that using a menstrual cup or disc can truly help reduce cramps. In fact, participants were 6 times more likely to have no cramping at all (sign us up!) during their period after switching from tampons to reusable cups and discs. Beyond just cramps, 78% of the people in the study said their typical period symptoms — fatigue, bloating, headaches — improved as a whole.

Hoeger is quick to point out that these findings are based on participants’ self-reported experiences, so they’re not clinical proof that menstrual cups and discs directly cause physiological changes. Still, the results point to a strong association between reusable period products and a generally better period experience. According to Hoeger, there are a few possible reasons why: Unlike tampons, cups and discs collect menstrual fluid rather than absorb it, so they don’t dry out the vaginal walls or disrupt the body’s natural pH. Plus, because they’re made from soft, medical-grade silicone, they flex and move with your body instead of expanding like a tampon.

Of course, everyone’s body is different, so your experience may not look exactly like someone else’s. But if you’ve been dealing with painful periods or frustrating symptoms month after month, switching to a menstrual cup or disc is worth a try. At the very least, you’ll be choosing a more sustainable option that’s better for the planet — and if you end up with an easier, more comfortable period, too? Yes, please.

How long can you leave a cup in? Can you sleep with it in? How often should you replace it?

You can typically leave a menstrual disc or period cup in for up to 12 hours, depending on your flow. That means you can go about your day — and even sleep through the night — without worrying about changing it constantly like you would with pads or tampons. Of course, if you have a heavier flow, you might need to empty it a bit sooner. The key is making sure you remove, rinse, and reinsert it at least every 12 hours to stay safe and avoid any risk of irritation or infection. Once you get the hang of it, it’s a total game-changer for period care — low maintenance, eco-friendly, and surprisingly comfortable.

The average menstrual cup should be replaced every 5-10 years, depending on the brand. For example, Saalt’s are independently tested to last up to 10 years, saving approximately 3,000 tampons and pads from entering our waterways and landfills. Considering a tampon applicator can take centuries to degrade, using the same menstrual cup for 10 years is a huge win for both our bodies and our planet.

Our criteria:

We update this list regularly with our emerging favorites that meet the following criteria:

• NONTOXIC | The brands below offer period cups and menstrual discs with medical-grade and nontoxic materials that are safe for our bodies.
• COMFORTABLE & ABSORBENT | Our editors have tested and worn many of these brands. We’ve selected the ones that are most comfortable and easy to insert/remove.
• INCLUSIVE | We’ve prioritized brands that are gender and size-inclusive for a range of bodies.

Want to learn more about what it’s like to use these products? Check out our editor’s experience with using a menstrual cup for the first time! If you’re not ready to start with menstrual cups, head over to our roundup of the best period underwear, reusable menstrual pads, or our organic tampons guide.

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