70/ 100
C
OverallF62/100
The Menstrual Cup | Cora Size 1

Cora · Menstrual Cups

The Menstrual Cup | Cora Size 1

C · Moderate

Lower concern; menstrual cups are typically PFAS-free by design, though Cora makes no public claim.

Verdict: BuyMedical-grade silicone with no reported contaminants; lower inherent toxicity risk than alternatives; brand transparency gap is minor for this product category.

Cora's menstrual cup is made from medical-grade silicone, a material category with no established PFAS use. The brand does not publicly disclose or claim PFAS-free status, which is typical for this product type. No published lab data or recalls flag PFAS risk.

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Material

Medical-grade silicone

Brand disclosure

Brand is silent on PFAS

Lab data

No public lab test

Why this grade

Category baseline

period care is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.

Hurts the grade

No PFAS disclosure

No public statement about PFAS in this product.

Hurts the grade

Safe base material

Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).

Helps the grade

The full breakdown

What it's made of and why it matters

Cora Size 1 is constructed from medical-grade silicone, a polymer with high thermal and chemical stability and minimal leaching risk under typical menstrual cup use conditions. Medical-grade silicone does not contain BPA, phthalates, or latex, and is explicitly designed for sustained internal contact. The material is non-porous when properly manufactured, reducing bacterial colonization risk compared to lower-grade rubbers or poorly sealed alternatives.

The brand's record and disclosure

Cora does not publish detailed material safety data sheets or independent third-party certifications (such as FDA clearance, ISO 10993 biocompatibility testing results, or heavy metal analysis) publicly available. The brand markets the cup as medical-grade but does not disclose manufacturing origin, sterilization protocols, or post-manufacture testing. No safety recalls or documented contamination incidents involving Cora menstrual cups are on record. This silence on testing is typical among menstrual cup brands but represents a transparency opportunity.

How it compares in its category

Menstrual cups as a category carry substantially lower chemical exposure risk than tampons (which may contain pesticide residues, dioxins from bleaching, or fragrance chemicals) or pads (which may off-gas from adhesives and plastic backing). Cora's medical-grade silicone formulation is comparable to established competitors like Saalt, Lunette, and DivaCup in material safety profile. Cora's main differentiator is brand positioning rather than material chemistry; all major menstrual cups rely on similar silicone formulations.

If you buy it

Rinse and air-dry thoroughly between uses; autoclave or boil in water for 5-10 minutes before first use and between cycles to eliminate bacteria. Store in a breathable cloth pouch, never in sealed plastic, to prevent anaerobic microbial growth. Replace if silicone shows visible tears, permanent discoloration, or sticky residue that cleaning does not remove (typically after 5-10 years of use). Do not expose to prolonged heat above 60 degrees Celsius or silicone solvents (certain lubricants, oil-based products).

Beyond PFAS: other things we checked

Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”

Possible

Bacterial colonization from inadequate cleaning or storage

Silicone's non-porous surface resists bacterial adhesion, but poor rinsing, drying, or storage in sealed containers creates anaerobic conditions favoring biofilm growth. This is a user-behavior risk, not a material defect, but menstrual cup users must follow hygiene protocols.

None known

Allergic reaction or sensitization to silicone or manufacturing residues

Medical-grade silicone is biocompatible for sustained internal contact, with rare allergic reports in the published literature. No known cases of silicone allergy or reaction specific to Cora have been documented, though individual sensitivities exist.

None known

Heavy metals in dyes or colorants (if present)

Cora Size 1 appears to be unfilled or minimally colored silicone; Cora does not publicly disclose use of inorganic pigments or dyes. No heavy metal contamination in menstrual cups has been reported in independent testing, but Cora provides no certification ruling this out.

Possible

Leachables from manufacturing aids or uncrosslinked oligomers

Low-quality silicone production can leave uncrosslinked oligomers or processing oils that leach in warm environments. Cora does not publish extraction or leachate data. Medical-grade formulations minimize this, but third-party validation would strengthen confidence.

None known

Silicone degradation or depolymerization over extended use

Medical-grade silicone is chemically stable under normal menstrual use; degradation typically requires prolonged heat or aggressive chemical exposure. No evidence of premature breakdown in Cora cups has been reported, and replacement every 5-10 years is conservative.

What we don’t know

This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% confidence. It is not a lab result.

No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.

The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.

Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.

Safer alternatives in Menstrual Cups

DIVA Cup Model 2

Aisle

DIVA Cup Model 2

Medical-grade silicone (body); no Teflon-type coating or Teflon-family coating coatings

A
A
PFASAll
A · Very low PFAS1 flag

Lower-concern menstrual cup; silicone construction and PFAS-free commitment make it a reasonable choice.

MADE SAFE Certified

Verified PFAS-free by a third party

Ruby Cup Steriliser

Ruby Cup

Steriliser

Stainless steel heating chamber with silicone/plastic components

B
D
PFASAll
B · Low PFAS3 flags

Lower-concern menstrual cup sterilizer; stainless core typical for appliances, but silicone/plastic parts unspecified, contact brand for material detail.

Risky category by default

Ruby Cup Steriliser Purple

Ruby Cup

Steriliser Purple

stainless steel steriliser/heating element

B
C
PFASAll
B · Low PFAS2 flags

Lower PFAS concern; no high-risk coatings typical of this product category.

Risky category by default

More menstrual cups grades

How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.