To wonder why mooncups aren't promoted more as affordable sanitary protection?

[malificent7]

Mine cost £1 from ebay. It was from China so a bit of a wait.

As it is reusable, it would be good for girls from poorer families.

In fact , why arent they promoted in general??

I guess there are a few drawbacks...can be a bit messy . I would never wash them in a public loo sink but they dont need to be washed everytime they are emptied.

Tmi sorry.

By who?

Because they don't have the might of marketing by companies like Proctor and Gamble behind them. Big companies like to sell disposable things because that's how they can sell the most.

They aren't promoted because they aren't very profitable and therefore the companies making them don't have the budgets of e.g. tampax.

But YANBU to think they should be.

I think you'll find they are pretty popular on MN :)

I'd be wary of the Chinese ones, though. They don't have the same safety standards or trading standards there so unlike an EU advert which does have to be what it says, a Chinese product can say "medical grade" all it likes but it isn't necessarily true. If you like it, I'd definitely consider replacing with a European or North American made brand.

This is about sex toys, sorry for TMI, but there's no comparable info for menstrual cups yet as these cheap Chinese products are very new to the market. IMO the same concerns apply, and possibly even more, because you tend to leave a cup in place for several days at a time whereas a sex toy people tend to use for a few minutes at a time.

www.reddit.com/r/sex/comments/184960/toxic_sex_toys_what_to_know_before_you_buy/

I read this article in the telegraph a few years back and I think the writer is right www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/10231923/What-is-a-Mooncup-What-type-of-woman-uses-one-Do-you-even-know-what-one-is.html

It's seen as something lentil weavers use and in places like boots they cost £20ish so they get looked over.

Hadn't heard of reusable pads until I came on here, I had heard of mooncup though although never used due to having a Mirena.
As pp not much financial backing behind them, no tampon tax (is that still a thing?)?

Probably because someone has to pay for the hugely expensive advertising. Established Sanpro companies think nothing of paying huge amounts as they already sell massive amounts. Reusable is a very small chunk of the market and to pass the huge advertising costs on would put them out of business.

Promoted by whom?
The fact that they are reusable presumably means that they are less lucrative than disposables, so are less profitable for private companies to invest in.

I’m scared to use one in case I can’t get it out again

I wouldn’t use a Chinese knock off one , what safety tests has it been put through ?

jenny in the nicest way - where do you think it's going to go

www.lunette.com/blogs/news/short-history-of-menstrual-cups
Too costly to advertise and no repeat custom to justify it.

In some cpuntries periods are still shameful so the conversation about sanpro never happens.

Even in Britain sanpro ads still talk about odours and mess which makes it a genuine concern for reluctant cup users.

I've been using one for well over a decade (although I was traumatised when I had to size up after having a baby) and have seen a real positive change in attitudes to them.

Also agree with the Chinese product concern. Now you know you're happy using one, get a properly tested and assured one. :)

I tried mooncups for the first time after randomly seeing them on amazon prime now when I was ordering sanitary products and I can’t believe I had never heard of them! They’re absolutely amazing and also made period pains a thing of the past, which was an unexpected but welcome side effect

You got one from China?

I also bought the things to make reusable pads but I became pregnant faster than I expected so never got around to making them!

Buying a Chinese one for a quid to check it works for you is a good idea imo. Now you know that you are happy with it I'd buy one which has been through some proper safety testing, before putting it into my foof for any amount of time

I have never tried one or heard of one before I joined MN. Schools should teach young women about it though when they do sex education etc. They could even supply them with one.

I can't even get tampons in - tried one once, very sore to insert and got skin caught in applicator , tried to remove it 2 or 3 hours later and couldn't it , was agony - felt like my internal organs were being yanked out. Ended up having to get practice nurse to take it out for me with forceps :( so definitely not putting a mooncup up there!

Would also worry as to where you wash them in public places , or can they last long enough that you wouldn't have to? Surely it would make it hard to pee as well I would have thought.

What might happen with one from China?
Serious question, I don't understand the issue.

They're a brilliant invention. Saves an utter tonne of landfill. I wouldn't go back now.

Take a look at Precious Stars Pads on YouTube for reviews and tips on all reusable Sanitary products.
I am too old to need them now and my dd will start her periods soon. I have already talked to her about pads and tampons but never about reusables. I want to make sure she has the option so will do. Her choice of course but I intend to offer as much help and support as possible with reusables if that's where she wants to go.

No don't use the one for China. I am sure there are different grades for sillicons, some are not meant to be used for food or for a very intimate product such as this!

Second the idea of not using one from China but there are other affordable and more appropriate options.

Can’t believe how tight some ladies are! Good for you! Lol