You use around 16,000 period products in your lifetime. Yet, unlike cosmetics or food, the exact composition of disposable sanitary pads is not always clearly displayed on the packaging.
Plastics, absorbent gels, bleaching processes... Do you really know what you are putting in contact with your intimate area? A look back at a turbulent industrial history and a breakdown of what they contain today.
Article Summary
1- History: From "bandages" to the chemical industry
Before becoming ultra-absorbent technological objects, pads had a timid beginning.
1897: The commercial taboo
The first disposable pad, the “Sanitary Napkins for Ladies” (Johnson & Johnson), was a commercial failure. Why? Because the taboo was such that women did not dare ask for the product in stores. In the 1920s, the brand had to distribute coupons to allow purchasing without saying a word!
1920: Thanks to the nurses
The industrial boom came from World War I. The International Cellucotton Company (future Kimberly-Clark) invented "Cellucotton", an ultra-absorbent material made of wood pulp (rayon) for soldiers' bandages. Nurses began to repurpose them for their periods. The Kotex brand was born from this clever idea.
The Disney anecdote: In 1946, Kotex commissioned an educational film from Walt Disney, "The Story of Menstruation". Shown in all American schools, it is the very first film in history where the word "vagina" is spoken!
The 80s: The all-petroleum era
In 1983, Procter & Gamble launched Always. This was the technological shift: cotton and cellulose were abandoned in favor of petrochemical derivatives and super-absorbent polymers (SAP). Efficiency increased, but naturality disappeared.
2- Autopsy of a disposable pad (What it contains)
Today, an ordinary pad ("classic") is made of over 90% plastics. Here is the anatomy layer by layer:
The top sheet (what touches your vulva)
Contrary to appearances, this "cotton-soft" top sheet often does not contain a trace of cotton. It is generally made of Polypropylene or Polyolefin. Practically speaking? It is plastic woven to be soft. It is hydrophobic (lets liquid pass through but remains dry) but not very breathable, which can promote maceration and yeast infections.
The absorbent core (chemical performance)
This is the centerpiece. It is not cotton, but bleached wood cellulose mixed with SAP (Sodium Polyacrylate) beads. These are super-absorbent polymers derived from petrochemicals capable of retaining up to 200 times their weight in water and transforming blood into gel.
The waterproof backsheet (the barrier)
To prevent leaks onto underwear, the bottom layer is made of Polyethylene. This is exactly the same material as trash bags or plastic bottles. It is effective, but it creates a hermetic "greenhouse" effect.
3- Invisible substances (Chlorine, Fragrances, Pesticides)
Beyond the materials, manufacturing residues raise health concerns (endocrine disruptors, allergies).
- Bleaching (Chlorine vs. Oxygen): To make the pad bright white (a marketing sign of "cleanliness"), the cellulose is bleached. If the process uses chlorine gas (the old method), it can release dioxins, which are persistent organic pollutants that are potentially carcinogenic.
- Pesticides (Glyphosate): If the cotton used is not organic, traces of pesticides are often found, as revealed by ANSES or "60 Millions de Consommateurs" in several analyses.
- Synthetic fragrances: Added to mask odors, they are a frequent cause of allergies, contact dermatitis, and vulvar irritations.
4- Comparison Table: Disposable vs. Sustainable
Faced with this observation, what are the alternatives?
| Criterion | "Ordinary" Disposable Pad | Alternatives (Cup / Panty / Washable) |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Plastics (>90%), SAP, Bleached cellulose. | Medical Silicone (Cup) or Organic Cotton/Technical fabrics (Panty). |
| Breathability | Low (Occlusive effect / maceration). | High (No greenhouse effect, respects the flora). |
| Chemical Risk | Possible presence of dioxins, pesticides, fragrances. | Zero (if certified Organic or Platinum Silicone). |
| Budget (5 years) | ~ 250€ to 300€ (Thrown in the trash). | ~ 50€ to 100€ (Reusable). |
5- Conclusion: How to make a better choice?
It's not about demonizing, but about choosing consciously. If you must use disposables, favor certified Organic (GOTS) ranges, guaranteed chlorine-free (TCF) and fragrance-free.
If you want a completely inert solution for your body, La Cup Luneale made of platinum medical silicone or La Culotte Menstruelle are alternatives that eliminate plastic from your intimate area and let your body breathe.
Historical images source: National Museum of American History
