What is the average price of a menstrual cup? Explaining how to choose one
What is the average price for a menstrual cup?
What is the difference between cheap and expensive products?
Menstrual cups are available in a wide range of prices, from affordable ones costing around 1,000 yen to ones costing over 5,000 yen.
However, many people feel that it is not right to decide on a menstrual cup based on price alone.
The key to using it comfortably for a long time is to use something that you are satisfied with, such as the material, size, and shape.
In this article, we will introduce the average price of menstrual cups, what to check, and how to choose the menstrual cup that's right for you.
If you're looking to choose a menstrual cup, check this out.
Table of ContentsMenstrual cup price range Two things to check when choosing a menstrual cup based on price
Murmo's menstrual cup is perfect for beginners summary References |
Menstrual cup price range
The average price for a menstrual cup is between 4,000 and 6,000 yen.
Recently, products are available for around 1,000 yen.
Compared to napkins and tampons, they are expensive and many people hesitate to purchase them.
However, menstrual cups can be washed and reused, making them cost-effective in the long term.
|
Number of uses |
price |
Annual cost |
|
|
Menstrual cup |
A few months to a few years |
4,000 to 6,000 yen per piece |
1,000 yen (※1) |
|
napkin |
disposable |
350 to 500 yen per bag |
4,200 yen to 6,000 yen (※2) |
|
tampon |
disposable |
800 to 1,000 yen per bag |
7,200 yen to 12,000 yen (※2) |
(※1) When used for 5 years
(※2) When using one bag per menstrual cycle
Menstrual cups produce less waste than pads or tampons, making them an economical and sustainable choice.
Two things to check when choosing a menstrual cup based on price
When purchasing a menstrual cup, you'll naturally want to keep costs as low as possible, but it's also a good idea to check the following:
- Presence or absence of medical device manufacturing and sales notification
- Specifying the materials used
Check these two points and choose one that meets your requirements.
1. Has a medical device manufacturing and sales notification been submitted?
When choosing a menstrual cup based on price, the first thing you want to check is whether a "Medical Device Manufacturing and Sales Notification" has been submitted.
Menstrual cups are classified as "general medical devices" like tampons.
In order to manufacture and sell menstrual cups in Japan, notification to the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) is required. [1]
The same applies when selling products made overseas in Japan.
Cheaper products do not necessarily mean lower quality, but if you experience any problems with the cup or if it has adverse effects on your body, you may not be able to receive compensation.
To ensure you are satisfied with the product, make sure the 16-digit manufacturing and sales notification number is listed on the product page.
2. Are the materials used clearly stated?
When choosing a menstrual cup based on price, check the material the cup is made of.
Menstrual cups are typically made from medical-grade silicone or TPE (thermoplastic elastomer).
Menstrual cups available at low prices may not specify the manufacturer or materials used, and may lack information.
Some products may say "Food Grade" or "Medical Grade," but it is often not clear what materials are used and in what amounts.
Although rare, some menstrual cups are made from natural rubber, so people with latex allergies should be especially careful about the material of the cup.
How to choose a menstrual cup beyond price
When choosing a menstrual cup, it's important to compare not only the price, but also the capacity, size, material, and functionality to find one that's right for you.
If you use a menstrual cup that doesn't suit you, it may be difficult to put on and take off, or you may feel uncomfortable when wearing it, which can make using it stressful.
Understand what to look out for other than price and choose the menstrual cup that's right for you.
Capacity and size
The capacity and size of a menstrual cup have a big impact on how it feels to use.
Menstrual cups can be used by women who have had sexual intercourse, but if your vaginal opening is narrow, choosing a larger size may cause discomfort.
Also, if you start off using a larger size because you have a heavy flow, you may have trouble inserting it and end up giving up on using it.
If you are using it for the first time or have never had sexual intercourse, try the standard M size, and if you experience menstrual leakage or discomfort when wearing it, consider changing the size.
Materials and durability
When choosing a menstrual cup, it's important to understand the differences in materials.
Typical materials used in menstrual cups include medical-grade silicone and TPE (thermoplastic elastomer).
Silicone is highly durable and is recommended for those who want to use it for a long time.
As a result, the price tends to be higher than TPE, but it is a material that offers good long-term cost performance.
On the other hand, TPE tends to be cheaper, making it suitable for those who want to try using a menstrual cup while keeping initial costs as low as possible.
However, TPE is softer than silicone, which can make it difficult to open the cup inside the vagina.
Understand the characteristics of each material and compare them comprehensively based on your budget and the points you want to prioritize.
Ease of putting on and taking off
Ease of insertion and removal is particularly important when choosing a menstrual cup.
This is also a point where beginners often get stuck, as if they have difficulty putting it on and taking it off, they are likely to get a negative impression that "menstrual cups are difficult" or "it doesn't suit me."
The features of a menstrual cup that is easy to put on and take off are as follows:
|
Highlights |
Features of the menstrual cup |
|
Ease of folding |
|
|
Ease of insertion |
|
|
Ease of opening the cup |
|
|
Ease of removal |
|
It's difficult to judge the actual usability of a menstrual cup based on the product's features alone, so it's best to refer to user reviews.
However, please understand that user experience varies from person to person and be sure to obtain information accordingly.
Also worth reading: Thoughts from people who didn't like menstrual cups. How to use a menstrual cup properly.
Continuous use time
The continuous usage time of menstrual cups varies depending on the product, but most last for up to 8 to 12 hours.
Products that can be worn continuously for a long time do not need to be changed frequently, and require fewer changes than pads or tampons.
|
Types of sanitary products |
Continuous wearing time |
|---|---|
|
Menstrual cup |
8-12 hours |
|
napkin |
2-3 hours |
|
tampon |
4-8 hours |
If you travel or spend a lot of time outdoors, where frequent changes are difficult, we recommend a menstrual cup, which can be used for a longer period of time.
On the other hand, if you spend a lot of time at home, you can adjust the timing of replacement as you like, so a shorter continuous use model may be more reliable. Choose one that suits your lifestyle and environment.
Murmo's menstrual cup is perfect for beginners
If you want to try a menstrual cup but don't know which one to choose, we recommend the Murmo menstrual cup.
The murmo menstrual cup is a registered medical device. Made from 100% medical-grade silicone, it is highly durable and can be used for a long time.
Another attractive feature is that it is packed with features that make it easy to use even for beginners.
- A slim form that is easy to put on and take off and doesn't feel uncomfortable
- Up to 12 hours of continuous use
- Easy-to-fold Easy Line structure
- A stem that is easy to remove and feels comfortable
- Easy-to-clean, moisture-repellent surface
Additionally, we are offering "First Time Support" exclusively to those who purchase a murmo menstrual cup, to help them learn how to use it.
If you have any trouble using it, you can easily ask for advice via LINE, so even those who are new to menstrual cups can feel at ease.
Also worth reading: Why are menstrual cups recommended? | 6 reasons why beginners should choose Murmo
summary
The average price for a menstrual cup is between 4,000 and 6,000 yen, but there are also products that can be purchased for around 1,000 yen.
When purchasing, it may be a good idea to check that a medical device manufacturing and sales notification has been filed and that the materials are clearly stated.
It's also important to choose a menstrual cup based not only on price, but also on how easy it is to put on and take off and how comfortable it is to wear.
Beginners in particular should pay attention to the following points when choosing a cup.
- A standard medium size that is not too large
- Not too hard or too soft
- Long, slender shapes
The Murmo menstrual cup is designed with the above points in mind, making it perfect for beginners. We also offer "First Time Support" to help you learn how to use the menstrual cup. Why not try the Murmo menstrual cup as your first menstrual cup?
