The sanitary napkin is the intimate protection favored by women, ahead of the tampon. If the disposable towel still has a long way to go, some women opt for the washable and reusable version, for a “zero waste” approach.

The sanitary napkin is an intimate protection allowing to absorb the menstrual flow during the rules. Unlike the tampon or the menstrual cup, which are internal hygienic protections (that is to say inserted into the vagina), it is an external protection, attached to the undergarment.

As its name suggests, the disposable sanitary napkin is disposable: once used, it is disposable.

The different models of disposable sanitary napkins

There are different models, different sizes and thicknesses to suit the flow (light / medium / heavy) and the type of lingerie. The absorption capacity is indicated by a system of pictograms in the form of drops, common to all intimate protections. The sanitary napkin is attached to the lingerie thanks to a sticky part, completed according to the models by sticky fins on the sides. 

The advantages of the disposable sanitary napkin

The strengths of the disposable sanitary napkin:

• its ease of use;
• at discretion;
• its absorption.

The disadvantages of the disposable sanitary napkin

Its weak points:

• the materials used in some models can, in some women, cause allergies, feelings of discomfort, irritation or even yeast infections;
• its cost;
• the environmental impact linked to their preparation, composition and decomposition. From the absorbent part of the napkin to its packaging, passing through the adhesive strips of the fins, the disposable sanitary napkin (for classic models at least) contains plastic, which takes hundreds of years to decompose;
• its composition.

The materials used

Depending on the brands and models of disposable sanitary napkins, different materials are used:

• products of natural origin derived from wood;
• products of a synthetic nature of the polyolefin type;
• of the superabsorbent (SAP).

The nature of the materials, the chemical processes they undergo (bleaching, polymerization, bonding) and the products used for this transformation could pose a problem.  

The presence of toxic substance residues?

Following a 2016 survey of 60 million consumers noting the presence of toxic substance residues in sanitary napkins and tampons, ANSES was asked to assess the safety of intimate protection products. The agency issued a first collective expert report in 2016, then a revised version in 2019.  

The Agency found in some towels different traces of substances:

• butylphenylme´thylpropional or BMHCA (Lilial®),
• polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs),
• des pesticides (glyphosate),
• lindane,
• hexachlorobenzene,
• of the quintozene,
• dinoctyl phthalates (DnOP).

These substances could act as endocrine disruptors. The Agency is however reassuring by specifying that for these substances, no health threshold is exceeded. However, there remains the question of the cumulative effect and the cocktail effect, because in our daily life (food, water, air, cosmetic products, etc.), we are exposed to many substances.

To limit the risks, a few simple recommendations:

• opt for towels that are fragrance-free, lotion-free, additive-free and plastic-free (in the absorbent area and in contact with the skin);
• avoid chlorine-bleached towels;
• favor models labeled organic (cotton for example, or bamboo fiber certified GOTS for example) guaranteed without pesticides and without chemical substances;
• change your towel regularly to avoid the proliferation of bacteria.

Faced with the opacity surrounding the composition of conventional sanitary napkins and the amount of waste they generate, more and more women are looking for greener and healthier solutions for their periods. The washable sanitary napkin is one of its “zero waste” alternatives. It uses the same principle as the classic towel except that it is made of fabric, and therefore machine washable and reusable. They have a lifespan of 3 to 5 years, depending on the frequency of washing. 

Composition of the washable sanitary napkin

Good news: of course, they have nothing to do with the diapers of our ancestors! The washable sanitary napkin is made up of different parts, for more comfort and efficiency:

• a soft and absorbent layer, in contact with the mucous membranes, generally in polyurethane;
• an insert made up of 1 to 2 layers of ultra-absorbent fabric inside, in bamboo fiber or bamboo charcoal fiber for example, materials chosen for their naturally absorbent and anti-odor properties;
• a waterproof and breathable outer layer (polyester);
• a system of press studs to fix the towel to the outside of the garment.

The brands offer different flows – light, normal, abundant – according to the same drop pictogram system, as well as different sizes according to the flow and the type of lingerie. 

The advantages of the washable towel 

The strengths of the washable towel:

Ecology

It is reusable, biodegradable and recyclable, the washable towel reduces waste and thus limits the environmental impact. 

The absence of toxic products

The materials used are guaranteed to be fragrance-free and chemical-free (formaldehyde, heavy metals, chlorinated phenols, pesticides, phthalates, organotins, chlorinated benzene and toluene, carcinogenic or allergenic dyes. Refer to the GOTS, Oeko Tex 100, SGS labels. 

The cost

The purchase of a set of washable sanitary napkins certainly represents a small investment (count 12 to 20 € for a napkin), but it quickly pays for itself.

The disadvantages of the washable towel 

The weak spots :

• they need to be washed, which therefore takes time and organization;
• electricity and water consumption also raises questions.

The washable sanitary napkin should be changed at approximately the same rate as a conventional sanitary napkin: 3 to 6 times during the day, depending on the flow of course. For the night, we will choose an ultra-absorbent model, while a model with light flow may be sufficient for the start and end of periods. In any case, the brands recommend not to use the towel for more than 12 hours in a row, for obvious hygiene reasons.

Once used, the towel should be rinsed with lukewarm water, then ideally pre-washed with soap. Avoid fatty soaps such as Marseille soap which may clog the fibers and alter their absorbent properties. 

The panties should then be machine washed, on a cycle of 30 ° to 60 ° C. Preferably use a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free detergent, and make sure to choose a sufficient rinsing cycle in order to eliminate any particles of product potentially irritating or even allergenic to the mucous membranes.

Air drying is recommended in order to preserve the absorbent properties of the towel. The use of the dryer is not recommended, or on a delicate cycle.

Although rare, period-related toxic shock syndrome (TSS) has been on the rise in recent years. This is a phenomenon linked to toxins (TSST-1 bacterial toxins) released by certain strains of common bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, of which 20 to 30% of women are believed to be carriers. When produced in large quantities, these toxins can attack various organs, and in the most dramatic cases, lead to amputation of a limb or even death.

A study conducted by researchers from the International Center for Infectious Disease Research and the National Reference Center for Staphylococci at the Hospices de Lyon identified as risk factors the prolonged use of internal intimate protection (mainly a tampon). The stagnation of blood in the vagina indeed acts as a culture medium conducive to the proliferation of bacteria. Because they do not cause stagnation of blood in the vagina, “external intimate protectors (towels, panty liners) have never been involved in menstrual TSS. », Recalls the ANSES in its report. She therefore recommends using sanitary napkins rather than tampons for the night.