" I always experienced skin irritation, allergic reaction, discomfort, odour and bacterial growth while using the sanitary napkins available in the market. Upon research, I found the primary reason for all the side effects faced during my period was due to the synthetic materials and chemicals used in the napkins. Scroll down to view the results of detailed research on toxic chemicals used in menstrual products.

My curiosity to find napkins made using natural ingredients helped me to discover the herbal napkins. After using it, I realized herbal napkins improved my overall hygiene and health during menstruation / periods.

I always wondered why most of the women in India buy sanitary napkins which are harmful for their health. Are they willing to use these harmful napkins? Absolutely No! But why are they still using it?? 

There are three key reasons for the current situation.

1. Lack of Awareness - Women are not aware of the harmful side effects of the sanitary napkins. Very less coverage in the media and social media. No government authority to provide awareness and control the quality of the products.

2. Non-availability of alternative products - Alternative products made with Natural ingredients are not commonly available in the market due to the dominance of current brands and their price affordability.

3. Affordability - The sanitary napkins in the market are mass produced using synthetic chemicals and hence the products are available at very less price compared to the nature based products.

Pure Nature aims to solve the above challenges by educating women on the impact of synthetic napkins, increase the availability of herbal napkins in the  market  and supply products at affordable price."

Tamilarasi V,

Founder, Pure Nature Herbal Napkins

Typical sanitary pad can be divided into key layers as mentioned in the image below, with additional packaging plastic pouch.

Detailed information on sanitary products analyzed in this study is summarized in below table

The menstrual pads were tested for phthalates such as DIBP, DBP, DINP, DIDP, DMP, DEP, BBP, DNOP, DEHP, DHP, DIPP and DPP. All products included in the study tested positive for presence of phthalates. The total concentration of phthalates detected were in the range of 10- 19460 µg/kg. 

Exposure to phthalates can have the following health effects:

1. Early onset of puberty in girls including menarche and accelerated breast development

2. Endometriosis

3. Pregnancy-related complications, including preterm birth and pregnancy-induced hypertension

4. Issues with foetal development

5. Reproductive tract anomalies

6. Blood pressure issues

7. Atherosclerosis

8. Coronary heart disease

9. Insulin resistance 

Below is the table with the test results for Phthalates in the menstrual pads.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) were detected in all sanitary pads. It was shocking to find high levels of VOCs in all the organic samples, thus breaking the understanding that the organic pads are safer. Acetone, cyclohexane and cyclohexanone were found in all of them. 

VOCs can have the following health impacts

1. Paralysis of the central nervous system (CNS)

2. Memory loss

3. Loss of appetite

4. Tiredness

5. Menstrual cycle issues

Below is the table with the test results for VOCs in the menstrual pads.