Buying sanitary pads has become another monthly calculation for many women. You walk into a shop, check the price, compare the brands, think about how many packs you can afford and then pay for them anyway. Your period is coming whether your budget is ready or not. But once the money has been spent, another question can come up: Is this pad actually safe?

The internet has made that question louder. Stories about chemicals, plastics, fragrances and other substances found in menstrual products have made some women wonder whether the products they rely on every month could be doing more harm than they realise.

A closer look at what is inside your pad 

A disposable sanitary pad is more than a piece of cotton. Most pads are made up of several layers designed to absorb menstrual blood, keep it away from the skin and prevent leakage. Depending on the product, these can include a top layer, an absorbent core, a waterproof backing, adhesives and other materials.

Some products may also contain fragrances or other additives, but that does not automatically make them unsafe. The important question is whether the materials used, the manufacturing process and the amount of any substance a person may actually be exposed to present a meaningful health risk.

Recent research has made the chemical conversation harder to ignore. A 2025 study examining commercial sanitary pads detected volatile organic compounds and microplastic particles in the products tested. However, the researchers estimated that the detected volatile organic compound exposure was below established health thresholds. The study also examined cell responses in laboratory tests, which cannot by themselves tell us what happens in the human body during normal pad use.

In other words, the research is worth paying attention to, but it is not evidence that using sanitary pads causes cancer, infertility or other serious illnesses.

How safe is the pad you use every month? 

For most people, commercially manufactured menstrual pads are intended to be safe when used according to their instructions.

The bigger concern for everyday users is often not some mysterious ingredient. It can be much simpler: irritation, moisture, friction and leaving a pad on for too long. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  recommends changing sanitary pads every few hours, regardless of how light the flow is, and changing them more frequently during heavy bleeding.

That matters because menstrual blood, sweat and moisture can remain against the skin when a pad is worn for an extended period. This can contribute to irritation and create conditions in which bacteria and fungi can multiply. Nigeria’s heat can make this even more uncomfortable.

A pad that feels fine when you put it on in the morning can feel very different after several hours in hot weather, especially when you are moving around, commuting or working without easy access to a private bathroom.

The CDC recommends avoiding scented hygiene products and notes that they can irritate the genital area. There is also no health benefit to making your menstrual products smell like perfume. Period blood has a smell; Sweat has a smell; Bodies have smells.

That does not mean the body is dirty.

The chemicals, the cost and the search for safer options 

Some menstrual products have been found to contain or release certain chemicals, and researchers continue to study what those substances mean for human exposure. But presence alone does not establish harm.

The World Health Organisation also points out that there is currently no single global safety standard covering all menstrual materials and that more high-quality research on menstrual health is needed. That is a reason for better testing, regulation and transparency. It is not a reason to tell women that every pad on the market is poisoning them.

Safety cannot be separated from affordability. When a woman cannot afford enough menstrual products, she may use a pad for longer than recommended or turn to whatever absorbent material is available.

Also Read: 7 myths about fibroids Nigerian women should stop believing

UNICEF (the United Nations Children’s Fund) Nigeria has documented cases where girls who could not afford sanitary materials used rags or other alternatives to manage their periods. In some communities, reusable pads have been introduced as a lower-cost option when they can be properly washed and dried.

This is why menstrual health is more than just which pad to buy.

A safe period requires access to suitable menstrual materials, clean water, sanitation, privacy and a safe place to change and dispose of products. A woman should not have to choose between buying enough pads and buying food.

Reusable pads can be a practical alternative, particularly where disposable products are not affordable. But reusable does not automatically mean safer.

They need to be washed properly, thoroughly dried and stored in a clean place. UNICEF guidance notes that reusable pads require access to water, laundry soap and private spaces for drying. A damp reusable pad is not a healthier option simply because it is reusable.

Choosing a pad that works for you 

You do not need to become a chemist before buying your next pack. Start with the basics.

Look for products from reputable manufacturers, check that the packaging is intact and follow the instructions provided. If your skin is easily irritated, consider unscented options and pay attention to whether a particular brand consistently causes discomfort.

If you notice persistent itching, burning, unusual discharge, sores or significant irritation, do not simply assume that it is “normal period discomfort.” Stop using a product that appears to trigger the problem and speak with a healthcare professional if the symptoms persist. And if a product looks damaged, contaminated or has an unusual smell before use, do not use it.

Safe periods should not be a luxury 

Periods already come with enough to think about. The cramps, bloating, and leaking. The emergency search for a bathroom, cost of pads, fear of staining your clothes while sitting in a meeting or taking public transport.

Women should not also have to navigate a flood of frightening claims about whether the product helping them get through the day is secretly harming them.

The more useful conversation is about safe manufacturing, proper regulation, transparent labelling, affordable menstrual products and better menstrual hygiene education.

Because pads are not a luxury, they are a basic menstrual health product. And if women are expected to keep paying for them every month, they should be able to understand what they are buying, know how to use it safely and trust that the products available to them have been properly tested.

Meiza Nigeria