Panel on innovation and what’s next for menstrual equity
At the Periods on Campus 2025 Symposium, held on May 30th at McGill University in Montreal, I was invited to participate in a panel to discuss innovation and what’s next for menstrual equity. You may find me naive, but I still believe that education is the key to contributing to menstrual equity.
Menstrual equity is more than having free access to menstrual products; it's also about having access to all the information available to make informed choices.
Are there any tampons without toxic products?
In July 2024, a study published by the University of California, Berkeley, showed that toxic chemicals are present in all types of tampons, whether organic (made from organic cotton) or not. While we are aware of the potential risks that toxic chemicals can pose when absorbed into our bodies, we cannot say anything for sure until studies are conducted on the potential impacts of using these menstrual products for a period of 38 years.
I'm not against using tampons because I believe everyone is free to choose for themselves. I used tampons myself for nearly 20 years, but I have to admit that if I had access to the information shared in this study, I don't think I would make the same decision again.
What I don't agree with is misinformation. I'm against making people feel guilty about using non-organic tampons by claiming that organic tampons don't contain any toxic chemicals, unlike other types of tampons.
Is it disrespectful to cite a study that states organic tampons contain higher levels of arsenic than non-organic tampons to try to prove that organic tampons are toxic-free? Why does a company that loudly proclaims to campaign for menstrual equity and public health have this kind of speech? Is it out of financial interest? I wouldn't dare comment on that...
Capitalism and public health
I don't believe capitalism has a place when it comes to public health, and I don't mind disrupting the business world.
When I spoke to investors about Fornix's project, I was told it made no sense;
That it would be more profitable to suggest to my customers to change their menstrual cup every 2 years rather than every 10 years, because one of the most expensive things in business is acquiring new customers;
That I should not have my cups manufactured in Canada, because manufacturing costs in Canada are much higher than those in Asia;
That I should instead start by selling outside of Canada, because the costs associated with approval by Health Canada are far too high for a start-up company, while the United States market is 10 times larger than the Canadian market and it is much simpler and less expensive to obtain FDA approval;
That I should not give menstrual cups to charities and that if I wanted to do so, it would be better to give them outside of Canada so as not to cannibalize my market by giving them to potential customers;
That I should partner with a tampon company because it has recurring revenue and financial resources to invest in marketing;
And so on…
Perhaps time will prove these investors right, but if no one tries, we will never know.
A gap to be filled in the market of menstrual cups in Canada
There's no such thing as a menstrual cup that fits absolutely everyone! Believe me, despite what some companies claim, if it did, it would have made my life so much easier!
So, for all the people like me who don't like the wet feeling of menstrual pads or panties and for whom the menstrual cups available on the Canadian market are uncomfortable or ineffective, I had to find a solution to democratize them.
To fill a gap in Canada, I self-financed to create the Fornix Disc-Style Menstrual Cup, even though I didn't have enough savings to invest in marketing when it launched in October 2023.
Since then, Fornix has been reinvesting most of the remaining revenue after paying the annual audit fees required to maintain Health Canada approval into marketing and educational content creation. It should be noted that although tampons are also considered medical devices, Canadian companies that offer organic tampons (all made in Europe and Asia, as there are no cotton plantations in Canada) are not required to undergo an annual audit to obtain Health Canada approval.
Uniting for the common good
During the symposium panel discussion, I was asked how I would continue to contribute to menstrual equity despite the challenges associated with a lack of financial resources.
My answer is simple: through honesty, kindness and the support of others.
Since day 1, Fornix has been gaining popularity thanks to people who have tried Fornix and who tell their friends about it.
Is this sustainable in the long term? Only time will tell...
Until then, thank you to all the kind people who are contributing to menstrual equity! Together, we are stronger and we can achieve great things!
Marielle La Rue, founder of Fornix