Let’s be honest: most of us learned more about Pythagoras than our own periods.
Because let’s be honest, most of us came out of sex ed knowing how to label a diagram, but not how to look after our own bodies. We got the pad demo. The whispered warnings. The blue liquid that taught us nothing about actual blood. And then we were left to figure out the rest ourselves.
This isn’t just a funny “lol remember school?” moment. It’s the root of a much bigger problem. Bad education leads to bad choices. Bad products. Bad science. And generations of people learning to put up with discomfort, pain, and shame as if it’s normal.
We’re done with that. That’s why we’re breaking the cycle and rewriting the syllabus.
Here’s what we didn’t learn - but should have.
1. Most mainstream pads and tampons contain plastic that never breaks down.
You’d think we’d be told what we’re putting against (or inside) our bodies for nearly 40 years of our lives. But no.
The truth? Many conventional period products contain plastic - from the top sheet to the absorbent core. And that plastic hangs around on the planet for hundreds of years. One pad = about four plastic bags. Nobody mentioned that in Year 9.
2. Those same plastics? They can help trigger thrush.
Another thing they skipped: how materials matter.
Breathability, moisture, pH - they all affect vaginal health. Plastic-heavy products can trap heat and moisture, creating a buffet for yeast. If you’ve ever wondered why thrush keeps making a comeback, your school-issued “sanitary” pad might have played a role.
3. Tampons weren’t tested with blood until 2023.
Yep. Let that sink in.
For decades, tampons were absorbency-tested using saline. Salt water. Not blood. Not discharge. Not anything even remotely similar to what real bodies produce.
Imagine testing umbrellas with glitter and calling it reliable. That's what we’ve been working with.
4. Period products only became VAT-free in 2024.
Not only did we get mismatched, half-baked sex ed - we also paid tax for bleeding.
The tampon tax lasted for decades, despite periods being very much not optional. Meanwhile, school economics lessons somehow forgot to cover gendered pricing. Strange, that.
5. Tampons are still unregulated - and we’re campaigning to change that.
Here’s the real kicker.
There’s no legal requirement for tampon manufacturers to disclose ingredients. No mandatory testing. No standards for what goes into your body.
You got taught the structure of a chloroplast, but not that tampons aren’t regulated. Make it make sense.
We’re working with WEN to change that.
We all deserve better.
Here at Mooncup, we’ve been setting the standard for 20 years: science-backed, irritant-free, planet-kind, and actually designed to work with your body - not against it.
We’re rewriting the syllabus.
Poor education leads to poor choices, poor products, and poor science. And generations of us putting up with discomfort, pain, and silence as if it’s normal. We’re done with that.
Blog disclaimer
Our blog is intended to share information and ideas around periods, health, and sustainability. While we do our best to keep content accurate and up to date, things can change over time. The information here is not intended as medical advice — for any health-related concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional. For more information on our claims, please see our Claims Page, and for the most up-to-date product information, please visit our Product Pages.
