Diva Cup · Menstrual Cups
Diva Cup #1 Pre-Childbirth
Lower PFAS concern; silicone menstrual cups rarely need fluorinated treatments, but no explicit brand disclosure exists.
The Diva Cup is made from medical-grade silicone, a material not typically associated with PFAS use in manufacturing or application. No water-repellent, grease-resistant, or stain-resistant treatments are publicly disclosed for this product.
Shop Diva Cup on Amazon →Material
Medical-grade silicone (body); no reported coatings or treatments
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Category baseline
period care is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Diva Cup #1 is constructed from medical-grade silicone, a synthetic elastomer chosen specifically because it resists degradation, leaching, and bacterial colonization over extended use. Unlike latex or plastics, medical-grade silicone has no plasticizers (like phthalates) or BPA to migrate into bodily fluids, and it remains chemically stable across the normal body-temperature range. The material contains no glazes, enamels, or coatings that can chip or degrade; the hazard profile is driven almost entirely by the bulk material itself, which has been in clinical use for decades in implants and devices.
The brand's record and disclosure
Diva Cup has maintained a publicly available materials transparency page and states use of medical-grade silicone without additional coatings or treatments. The brand has not faced recalls related to chemical contamination or material failure in publicly available records. However, Diva Cup has not published third-party test results for PFAS, heavy metals, or volatile organic compounds, and does not advertise independent certifications (e.g., from NSF or similar bodies). This silence on independent verification is a gap, though absence of reported harm does not indicate presence of hazard.
How it compares in its category
Menstrual cups are among the lowest-risk internal menstrual products from a chemical standpoint because they avoid the absorbent materials (rayon, cotton blends) and adhesives found in tampons and pads, which can harbor residual pesticides, dioxins, or formaldehyde releasers. Most medical-grade silicone cups (Diva, Lena, Saalt, Flex) share similar material profiles. The Diva Cup #1 is sized for pre-childbirth users and is priced competitively; it does not stand out as chemically superior or inferior to peer products based on available data.
If you buy it
Rinse thoroughly with water before first use; wash with mild soap and water after each removal, and sterilize by boiling for 5-10 minutes at the end of each cycle or per brand instructions. Do not expose to direct flame, bleach, or petroleum-based lubricants, which can degrade silicone over time. Replace if the cup becomes sticky, discolored, or develops odor that does not wash out, as these may signal material breakdown or biofilm accumulation. Store in a breathable cloth pouch; avoid sealed plastic bags that can trap moisture.
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.”
Biofilm and bacterial growth (maintenance-dependent)
Silicone itself is biologically inert, but menstrual cups create a warm, moist internal environment where bacteria and yeast can colonize if the cup is not cleaned or sterilized properly between uses. This is a use-practice hazard, not a material hazard, and is manageable with consistent hygiene.
Leaching from silicone (oligomers)
Medical-grade silicone can release small oligomeric (short-chain) siloxane compounds, but these are not known to accumulate in bodily tissues and have not been linked to adverse health outcomes in the published literature on medical devices. No reports of harm from Diva Cup use exist in public records.
Degradation due to heat or chemical exposure
Boiling at standard sterilization temperatures (100°C) is safe, but prolonged exposure to bleach, peroxide-based cleaners, or direct flame can soften or degrade medical-grade silicone. Users who exceed recommended care protocols may accelerate material breakdown and potential microparticle release.
Allergic sensitization to silicone or additives
Allergic reactions to medical-grade silicone are extremely rare but documented in the medical literature, primarily among individuals with pre-existing latex or silicone hypersensitivity. The Diva Cup does not disclose all additives (e.g., colorants, vulcanization agents), so a complete allergen profile is not publicly available.
Loss of seal or structural integrity over time
Users have reported cup degradation after years of use, including loss of flexibility or suction seal, typically after 5+ years or if washed in dishwashers or exposed to high heat. This is normal wear, not a safety defect, but may indicate need for replacement to prevent leakage rather than contamination risk.
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
Aisle
DIVA Cup Model 2
Medical-grade silicone (body); no Teflon-type coating or Teflon-family coating coatings
Lower-concern menstrual cup; silicone construction and PFAS-free commitment make it a reasonable choice.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Ruby Cup
Steriliser
Stainless steel heating chamber with silicone/plastic components
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
stainless steel steriliser/heating element
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.