Rethinking menstrual care: are we sacrificing health for convenience?

For years, women have relied on sanitary pads to take care of hygiene during menstruation without asking what these pads might contain. After all, if they are available on store shelves they must be safe, right? But here’s the ugly truth: standard sanitary pads include plastics, artificial perfumes and chemical residues that may be harmful to women’s health. With increased understanding, more women are opting for organic and ecological options. But do these newer products actually make a difference?

What’s really in a sanitary pad?

Most women are unaware that the sanitary pads they use are typically made of approximately 90% plastic. Yes, even that soft cottony textured part. The paf is a combination of synthetic fibres and chemical-laden materials intended for optimum absorption. But, at what cost does this come?

The bleaching process during manufacturing produces dioxins, which are hazardous substances associated with hormonal abnormalities and reproductive health difficulties. Perfumes and super-absorbent gels add a mixture of compounds in pads that may cause discomfort, allergies and even long-term health issues.

Paradoxically, women are choosing for their skin and hair, ‘paraben-free’ and ‘organic’ products these days, but do not give much thought to what is in their sanitary products, which come into contact with one of the most sensitive areas of female anatomy.

Also Read:Women in red: On an optimum menstrual hygiene policy

The silent effect on women’s health

Over the years, many women have begun to experience rashes, itching and even recurring yeast infections during their periods, but how frequently are these attributed to the use of sanitary napkins?

The fact is that plastic-based pads retain heat and moisture, providing an ideal habitat for bacterial growth and increasing the risk of infection. The chemical additives can irritate the skin, especially in women who have sensitive skin or have eczema. More recently, with the knowledge that dioxins and phthalates (both found in synthetic materials) are recognised endocrine disruptors, the possibility of long-term hormonal effects has become a niggling doubt.

So the important question to ask here is – are women willingly subjecting themselves to such risks? Probably not, because many still do not have access to such information, and not many conversations take place around menstruation, while mainstream advertising does not create awareness about these issues.

Healthier alternatives

Consider upgrading to a sanitary napkin that is comfortable but devoid of chemicals and plastics, thus offering a healthier option. Organic and sustainable pads, constructed from natural materials such as certified organic cotton or bamboo fibre, are intended to provide both health and comfort. These are less likely to cause skin rashes and infections since they do not include synthetic fragrances or harsh chemicals, and natural fibres allow air to circulate, preventing the damp, bacteria-friendly atmosphere that plastic pads produce. They are also safer for hormonal health considering that organic pads are free of dioxins and endocrine-disrupting substances. Since we also need to be concerned about responsible disposal, organic pads that are biodegradable, thereby reducing landfill waste and pollution, offer an additional advantage.

However, are they effective? One of the most common myths about organic pads is they are less absorbent than their conventional counterparts. Improvements in sustainable menstrual products though, have led to high-absorbency organic pads that provide the same level of protection while removing toxic ingredients.

Another worry is the cost. It is true, organic pads are currently slightly more expensive, but consider them an investment towards long-term health. Plus, as more brands enter the market, prices will start to get competitive.

Beyond the pad

Switching to organic pads is more than just about woman’s health. It also tackles a greater problem – the environmental disaster being caused by menstrual waste. A single woman uses between 11,000 and 16,000 sanitary pads or tampons throughout her lifetime. Multiply that number by millions of menstruating women worldwide – that is a huge volume of compounded non-biodegradable trash cluttering landfills and water bodies everywhere.

Standard sanitary pads take 500-800 years to degrade. That means every pad ever used is still sitting around, polluting the environment. Biodegradable and sustainable alternatives can help reduce this burden.

In many societies, menstruation is still a taboo topic, shrouded in myths and stigma and spoken about in hushed tones. This has resulted in a lack of understanding of the biological process, restricted access to healthy menstruation options, and a culture in which women accept discomfort as the norm.

However, periods should not be something that women simply “put up with”. Conversations about menstrual hygiene should go beyond culture, convenience and costs. Women deserve to have access to safe, educated choices that prioritise their health, sustainability and dignity.

Time for change

It is clear by now that organic and sustainable solutions can improve both the body and the environment.

Women deserve better than a product designed for comfort and hygiene that includes hidden hazards. The question is not whether organic sanitary pads work or not, rather, it is about whether their benefits can be overlooked any longer.

(Dr. Sapna Raina is a senior consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Narayana Health City, Bengaluru. [email protected])