Sanitary napkins, also known as sanitary pads, feminine napkins or menstrual pads, are absorbent items worn by women in their underwear when menstruating, bleeding after giving birth, recovering from gynaecologic surgery, experiencing a miscarriage or abortion, or in any other situation where it is necessary to absorb a flow of blood from the private parts.
Sanitary napkins have a long and fascinating history that reflects the changing attitudes and technologies of different cultures and times.
Here, we will explore the origins, evolution and future of sanitary napkins, as well as some of the challenges and opportunities that they present for women's health and hygiene.
The Origins of Sanitary Napkins
The earliest mention of the sanitary napkin is from the 10th century where a Greek woman is said to have thrown a menstrual cloth at an admirer toward him off her. In the olden days, women used fur of rabbit or sheep, cotton, grass, ashes or any absorbent material that was easily available to absorb their menstrual blood.
Some of the ancient methods of managing menstruation were: In ancient Egypt, women used papyrus fibers as tampons or pads. In ancient Greece and Rome, women used wool, lint or rags as pads or tampons. In ancient India, women used cotton or grass as pads or tampons. In ancient China, women used bamboo fibers or paper as pads or tampons. In medieval Europe, women used linen cloths or sheep's wool as pads or tampons. These methods were often uncomfortable, ineffective, unhygienic and expensive. Women also faced social stigma and taboos around menstruation, which limited their mobility and participation in public life. The first disposable sanitary napkin, made of cotton and gauge, was put together in 1896 by Lister's Towels. It was successfully commercialised in the United States of America in 1921 by Kotex. The invention of Kotex was inspired by the use of cellulose bandages during World War I. Nurses noticed that cellulose was much more effective at absorbing blood compared to cloth bandages. This inspired the first cellulose Kotex sanitary napkin, made from surplus high-absorption war bandages, which was first sold in 1918 Kotex faced several challenges in marketing its product to women who were not used to buying disposable pads or discussing menstruation openly. The company launched a game-changing advertising campaign that helped to shape how menstruation and women were seen in the 1920s. The campaign used slogans like “Ask for them by name” and “Aids that every woman appreciates” to encourage women to buy Kotex without embarrassment or hesitation. The ads also portrayed Kotex as a modern and liberating product that enabled women to pursue active and fashionable lifestyles without worrying about leaks or stains
The Evolution of Sanitary Napkins:
Since the introduction of Kotex, sanitary napkins have undergone several improvements and innovations to meet the diverse needs and preferences of women around the world. Some of the milestones in the evolution of sanitary napkins are: In 1929, Johnson & Johnson introduced Modess sanitary napkins with an adhesive strip that eliminated the need for belts or pins to hold them in place. In 1946, Benjamin Lundy patented a disposable diaper with a plastic back sheet that inspired the development of plastic-backed sanitary napkins. In 1956, Procter & Gamble introduced Pampers disposable diapers with superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) that increased the absorbency and comfort of sanitary napkins. In 1969, Kimberly-Clark introduced Stayfree beltless sanitary napkins with an adhesive strip that attached directly to the underwear. In 1972, Rely tampons with SAPs were introduced by Procter & Gamble as an alternative to sanitary napkins. In 1976, Always ultra-thin sanitary napkins with wings were introduced by Procter & Gamble as a more discreet and secure option for women. In 1980, Body form breathable sanitary napkins with perforated top sheets were introduced by SCA Hygiene Products as a more comfortable and hygienic option for women In 1985, Carefree panty liners with curved edges were introduced by Johnson & Johnson as a daily protection option for women. In 1990, Whisper ultra-thin sanitary napkins with wings and SAPs were introduced by Procter & Gamble in India as a more affordable and accessible option for women. In 1998, Kotex Natural Balance sanitary napkins with cotton and aloe vera were introduced by Kimberly-Clark as a more natural and gentle option for women. In 2004, Always Infinity sanitary napkins with foam cores and SAPs were introduced by Procter & Gamble as a more flexible and absorbent option for women. In 2008, Kotex U sanitary napkins with colorful designs and packaging were Introduced by Kimberly-Clark as a more fun and fashionable option for women.
The following table summarizes the main types and features of sanitary napkins available today:
However, there are still many challenges and opportunities for the future of sanitary napkins. Some of the challenges are: Lack of affordability: Many women in low-income countries or regions cannot afford to buy sanitary napkins regularly or at all. This forces them to use unsafe or unhygienic alternatives such as rags, newspapers or leaves that can cause infections or diseases. Lack of availability: Many women in rural areas or remote locations do not have access to sanitary napkins due to poor distribution networks or lack of awareness. This limits their choices and options for managing their menstruation. Lack of education: Many women and girls in developing countries or conservative cultures do not receive adequate information or education about menstruation and menstrual hygiene. This leads to myths, misconceptions and stigma that affect their health and well-being. Lack of disposal: Many women do not have proper facilities or methods to dispose of their used sanitary napkins safely and discreetly. This creates environmental problems such as waste accumulation and pollution as well as social problems such as shame and harassment. Lack of innovation: Many women do not have access to the latest technologies or innovations that can improve the performance and comfort of sanitary napkins. This prevents them from enjoying the benefits of better products that suit their needs and preferences. Some of the opportunities are: Increasing awareness: More efforts are being made to raise awareness and educate women and girls about menstruation and menstrual hygiene through various media platforms and campaigns. This helps to break the silence and taboo around the topic and empower women to make informed decisions about their health and hygiene. Increasing accessibility: More initiatives are being taken to increase the accessibility and affordability of sanitary napkins for women in low-income countries or regions through social enterprises, NGOs or government schemes. This helps to provide women with more choices and options for managing their menstruation. Increasing sustainability: More innovations are being developed to make sanitary napkins more sustainable and eco-friendly through biodegradable materials, reusable designs or alternative energy sources. This helps to reduce the environmental impact and waste generation of sanitary napkins. Increasing diversity: More products are being designed to cater to the diverse needs and preferences of women in different cultures, contexts and lifestyles through customized features, sizes or shapes. This helps to enhance the comfort and satisfaction of women using sanitary napkins.
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