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Evolution of menstrual products
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Beginning of menstrual products
The idea of women bleeding through their clothing and wearing the same clothes for the duration of their cycle was considered unhealthy and unsanitary. There was a big concern for infection and pathogens to grow and spread. This caused many people to find new ways to absorb their menstrual flow and find things that worked for them. -
Homemade products
In the early- mid 1800 menstruation was a restricted topic and women were told and encouraged to keep it so themselves. They would often make their own products from natural ingredients like cotton fibres/waste, oil silk which was easier to wash, wood, wooling wads and linens.
https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/a-brief-history-of-menstrual-products -
Washable cloth pads
Women would sew cloth together in the late 1800 to absorb their menstrual cycle. This was better then using cotton and/or wood. -
First disposable sanitary napkin
The first absorbent disposable sanitary pads were made because nurses were looking for a new method to stop bleeding during WWI. These were absorbent and affordable enough to throw away instead of washing and reusing them. Johnson & Johnson ended up buying this product and selling them for women renaming it lister towels. -
Sea sponges
It is believed that sea sponges were used by ancient women. Sea sponges were placed in a net with a string to allow easier insertional and removal from the vagina. These were popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They didn't require the long cleaning routine like the sanitary napkins did. They only had to be boiled in hot water for five to ten minutes. -
Fax Tampons
Women often made their own homemade tampon devices in the late 1920s. Fax was one of the first companies to commercially market tampon products. These made from absorbent materials that were wrapped in gauze. These were not made with an applicator or string. -
Kotex sanitary napkin
Even with all these new inventions women would often still have leakage and this was the main problem they were trying to get addressed. Kotex realized this was a major problem and launched their leakage free menstrual product. This was a big hit with women in main cities because their advertising was better. They used the same material that the nurses used in WWI with the addition of 40 rectangular shaped piles of absorbent creped cellucotton and wrapped in gauze by hand. -
Sanitary apron
For some women who couldn't afford the new Kotex pads, they used sanitary aprons. They were made of thick, dark red or black material. They were typically worn under a skirt or dress to act as a barrier from stains. These in fact were not the most sanitary option for women and dont work very well but were continued to be used because they were not as expensive as the Kotex pads. -
Menstrual cups
Menstrual cups were created to collected menstrual blood. These were to be inserted through the vagina and could be emptied, rinsed and reinserted. They were made from latex rubber and gave women the benefit in wearing slim, tight-fitting clothes knowing a pad isn't showing. These were in high demand for a while but during WWII the shortage of latex rubber forced the stop of production. They did come back in market around the late 60s but didn't gain as much attention as it did in the past. -
disposable tampons without an applicator
In Europe many women preferred tampons without the applicator. They were smaller in size and fit more discretely into purses. These tampons were only released into the US around the 70s -
The Beltless Feminine Napkin
THe biggest breakthrough was made in the early 1970s when adhesive stripes were placed on the bottom of pads. This allowed the pads to easily be stuck to womens underwear and removed when discarded. Women favoured the new belt free option and hardly used the sanitary belts by 1980s -
Scented Pads
In the 90s innovative absorbent gels were built into sanitary pad allowing comfort and good hygiene. This was a popular option since new studies showed how tampons were causing Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). WOmen also liked that the smell or blood was masked with the gel which allowed more privacy than before. -
Conclusion of menstrual products
In today's society, women have many options when trying to determine what to use for their menstrual cycle. Disposable pads are now thinner with better absorbent material to allow the pads to be more discrete. Tampons now come in various sizes and are safer to use. Menstrual cups are back into demand and the silicone design allows more comfort. Women are also more open to talk about their menstrual cycle No matter the preference women will find many options and what works best for them.