COMPARITIVE STUDY OF MENSTRUAL

PRODUCT- SANITARY NAPKINS,

MENSTRUAL CUP, HANDMADE PAD

 Aarti kumari
 Jyoti
 Pinky
 Ujala Rani
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract:

Feminine hygiene and the environmental impact due to the personal care products used
during menstruation is a serious concern, preferring a correct menstruation product is very
important for both the women and the environment. The commonly based used products are
the clothes, cotton, sanitary napkins of different brands, tampons and menstrual cup (in rare).
Without knowing the effects or impacts of these products are totally invaluable. According to
basic researchers there are tons of garbage are collected per year only with the use of sanitary
napkins and it contains many hazardous chemicals which are not preferable at all for
women’s health. It contains toxic ingredients, artificial colors, polyester, adhesive,
polyethene (PET), polypropylene and propylene glycol (PEG), that causes many diseases
mostly contained plastics and dioxin.
Instead of using a sanitary napkin, some women prefer to use plastic free pad or
‘menstrual cup’. It has least disadvantage and chemical contain- silicon and latex or rubber. It
doesn’t affect environment mare. As per the research, a new pad is introduced “PUJA PAD”,
biodegradable, chemical free and suitable for both i.e. women’s health and environment, which
mainly possess “banana fibre, Aloevera gel, lavender essential oil, biodegradable cover and
cotton”.

Keywords:

Sanitary napkins, menstrual cup, PUJA pad (a handmade napkin), banana fibre, plastics.
  Aarti kumari
B.SC (III) year, chemistry (hons),
Session: 2018-2021, Patna women’s college,
Patna university, Patna, Bihar, India
 Jyoti
B.SC (III) year, chemistry (hons.),
Session: 2018-2021, Patna women’s college,
Patna university, Patna, Bihar, India
 Pinky
B.SC (III) year, chemistry (hons.),
Session: 2018-2021, Patna women’s college,
Patna university, Patna, Bihar, India
 Ujala Rani
B.SC (III) year chemistry (hons.),
Session: 2018-2021, Patna women’s college,
Patna university, Patna, Bihar, India

Introduction:

Menstruation is normal vaginal bleeding, that occurs as part of a women’s monthly cycle. In
this the menstrual blood is partly blood and partly tissues from inside the uterus. It passes out
of the body through the vagina. Women use different menstruation or hygienic product to
control the bleeding process including cotton, cloth, sanitary napkin, menstrual cup, tampons,
etc. The primarily used product at the world wide range is the sanitary napkin.

Material and process of sanitary napkins: - Sanitary napkin is a ‘pad’ which has
probably 4 to 6 layers, consisting of different chemicals to absorb blood and providing the
comfort. Sanitary napkins are widely used because of their certain properties, that are;
thickness, proper length, wings, absorbing quality and odour. It is made up of chemical that
includes major amounts of plastics, super absorbent polymer (SAP) as an absorbent material,
with polyethylene (PE) for back cover. This makes it water not to leak i.e. waterproof. The
polypropylene top sheet kept it dry and some scented chemicals.
As per the doctor consultation “Dr. Sharwan Kumar Jha”, using scented napkins cause
several diseases and also said advised to avoid all that sanitary napkins which are made up of
 the plastics and another chemicals. Because in some of the cases due to bacterial infection, it
links to irritations, allergy, rashes, and can also cause hormone disruption, cancer, birth
defects, dryness and even infertility, TSS and RTI.
As per the California environmental protection agency as carcinogens, and reproductive and
developmental toxins, none of the chemicals are disclosed on the product by the manufacture.
Women generally brought the pads by looking at the outside detailing or generally common
factor – length, size, smell, etc.

On analyzing the four different brands of pads available in market named as Stayfree,
whisper, sofy, pro-ease. They all contain almost the same materials and chemicals. There is a
little difference only on the basis of these factors:-

Brand Time (hr) Length (mm) Width (mm) wings (mm) Color

Stayfree 6 280 7.8 3.8 Blue, orange

Pro-ease 6 315 7.5 3.8 Pink
Sofy 6 250 7 4.0 Pink
Whisper 6 280 7.4 3.8 Blue, orange

Environmental impacts of sanitary napkins:-

The methods of decomposition directly affect the environment very badly. Only by the use of
sanitary napkins, tons of garbage is collected and other environmental issues take place.
Women use different methods to decompose their sanitary napkin, i.e.

 Digging into the soil: These wastes kill the soil micro flora and delay the process of
decomposition. Usually a single sanitary napkin takes 800years to decompose properly.
 In rural areas there are many options for disposal of menstrual waste such as burying, burning
and throwing in garbage and in pit latrines.
 Burning is also treated as the primary option, but while burning a sanitary napkin, it release
gases which causes air pollution and also affect the health of those inhaling the fumes due to
presence of dioxins and furan which are toxic in nature.
 Blockage of sewage system is global problem due to flushing of menstrual product in toilets.
Water bodies get contaminated due to menstrual wastes; these used pads are the breeding
place for germs and pathogenic microbes.
 Incrination is found to be a better technique to dispose menstrual waste, they releases gases as
compare to burning.

From the above analysis, there are many discomfort comes from using sanitary napkins, so
there is another substitute at present i.e. “menstrual cup”.

Menstrual cup: A menstrual cup is a type of a reusable feminine hygiene product. It has
several beneficial properties for the health of women and the environment. Menstrual cup is a
small, flexible funnel or bell shaped cup which is made up of no any chemicals i.e. only of
“silicon” & latex or rubber. It is used for controlling the flow of blood. It is inserted into the
vagina properly, automatically placed around the cervix through the power of suction. And it
can be used for up to 12 hours once inside inserted. “According to doctors” and primarily as
per the “concept report” menstrual cup is the better option than the sanitary napkin in every
aspect.

According to Doctor Sharwan Kumar Jha, it has many advantages if it is used in a proper
way but it tends to be a disadvantage if we do not take precautions. Menstrual Cup is
suggested mostly to women who are married or lose their virginity and also suggested not to
use to young girls having just started periods. Because it causes little change in the size of
vagina and affects the hymen and internal tissues. Menstrual Cup is a best option for
maintaining personal hygiene. Menstrual cups are not very popular as pads and tampons, but
they are very eco-friendly as well as sustainable and don't have any serious impact on our
health. While using a sanitary napkin many women suffer from the bacterial infection and
toxic shock syndrome (TSS) and other diseases which can be prevented by use of menstrual
cups. Menstrual cups are also available in different brands and sizes and to choose a
menstrual cup of correct size is a key point. Points to be noticed while choosing a menstrual
cup are:-

● Age
● Size of cervix
● Check on flow, if it is heavy or light
● Appearance of the cup
● Thomas and the steam style of the cup

Size Capacity(ml)
Available

Large 42

Medium 38

Average 20

Tampons 10-12

Menstrual Cup is beneficiary; because it is a onetime investment, it is cost effective and can
be used for a long period of time at least 8 months. It can be used again and again up to 10
years repeatedly by washing and cleaning. It is not pure but eco friendly because it spreads
very little pollution as compared to sanitary napkins and other menstrual products.
Handmade pad: India is a religious country and follows strictly to its rituals, so women
don't openly accept the different and new menstrual product immediately. While analyzing all
the advantages, disadvantages and harmful chemicals present in sanitary napkins, by keeping
all these factors in our mind we have made new handmade, biodegradable, chemical free
sanitary napkins, named as "Puja pad". Here Puja stands for the name of group members and
also represents the Indian culture.

Materials and process: Puja pad includes materials which are completely eco-friendly and
can be easily decomposed. It contains ingredients such as:-

1. Banana fibre - 50%

2. Cotton - 30%
3. Biodegradable sheet- 10%
4. Aloe Vera gel- 8%
5. Lavender essential oil (kaddhi) - 2%

Puja pads are eco friendly and health beneficiary as well as cost-effective. It reduces a lot of
wastage by providing a proper comfort to the women. The Puja pad is decomposed nearly
within six months after its disposal which is a great difference with other napkins. Puja pad
take cares of the every important factor that a woman wants in her pad for their
comfortability.

Length= 25cm
Width= 6cm
Wings= 3.5cm
Absorption = 6 to 8 hours easily

The banana fibre is used for absorbing the blood flow. It is used as an alternative to such
chemical absorbents. The cornstarch and bamboo fibre can also be used in place of Banana
fibre. At highly acidic conditions with initial solution pH at approximately 2, the banana fibre
absorption capacity of 28.7 mg per gram, 18.5 mg per gram respectively. It acts as a perfect
absorbent proven by lab testing. Cotton is used for absorbance and also provides a smooth
surface. It is also an ingredient of absorbents. The cotton takes 71% less water and 62% less
energy for its production which is great. It neither affect the internal organs and nor the
environment. The use of Aloevera gel, itself having many beneficial properties like removing
toxicity, provides freshness to get rid of irritation etc. It can take up to the absorption of
200ml of blood and turns it into a state and make getting rid of any nasty, sticky feeling and
keep fresh and cool. And make it dry and comfortable. The use of lavender essential oil is
natural for good odor. It has been used hundred years ago for their medicinal benefits and
nice fragrance. It is aromatherapy massage oil. It may greatly reduce pain and discomfort
associated with menstrual cramps and relaxes the body. It improves blood circulation having
a great pleasant odor. There are many benefits of using these pads. It can be used by any
group without taking stress of the environment just because it is a cost effective and pure
natural product.

Result and discussion:

From the full research we got to know that if we are early concerned for the health of women
and the health of the environment, we need to stop the use of chemical based menstrual
products and move towards natural and eco friendly products like Puja pad or any other
handmade pad. We also conclude that by removing all the myths about the menstrual cup we
should also try new scientific products for our good health and environment. We need to take
care about the methods of decomposing sanitary products without forgetting its impact on the
environment. From the above study we analyzed that many toxic chemicals are present in our
basic needed products, so we need to strictly avoid this for the better future. Considering all
the advantages and disadvantages we suggest using the handmade eco friendly pad just like
Puja pad because it is suitable for all skin types in every manner and avoid using sanitary
napkins which are chemical based as much as you can.

Conclusion:

The general usable menstrual products like sanitary napkins which are widely available in
market of different brands such as stayfree, whisper, sofy, Proease, etc are chemical based
products but it’s chemicals detailing are not expressed by the manufacturer to their products.
So we have made our new handmade menstrual product named "Puja pad" and it is eco
friendly and chemical free, and doesn't contain any toxic chemicals to give rise to any side
effects. It is safe to use without worrying about our health and the environment. It is reliable
as well as cost-effective. Hence, we have come to a point of conclusion that homemade
menstrual pads are more beneficial to us than other branded sanitary napkins.
Also the menstrual Cup plays an important role during periods in women's life, simply it's
more effective than the other, and has most of the advantages as compared to other menstrual
products. So the choice is ours to choose the correct menstrual product to maintain feminine
hygiene smartly. We should be aware of the menstrual product before using it keeping in
mind our personal hygiene as well as the environment.

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