For most women, buying sanitary pads is a routine, unremarkable task. The choice between brands tends to come down to price, absorbency and availability, with the assumption that all products on the shelf are broadly safe. A new study from the University of the Free State has unsettled that assumption in a way that is difficult to ignore.
Researchers tested 16 brands of sanitary pads and eight types of pantyliners available in South Africa and found that every single product contained at least two groups of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. That includes products specifically marketed as free from harmful substances. The chemicals were present in low concentrations, but the head of the UFS Chemistry Department, Professor Deon Visser, has been unambiguous about the concern: long-term, repeated exposure to substances that mimic or interfere with the body’s hormones carries real health risks, potentially including infertility, endometriosis and, in some cases, cancer.
The study has renewed interest in alternatives to conventional disposable pads, and researchers themselves have indicated that reusable options represent a better path forward. For women weighing their choices, here is a clear breakdown of what is available.
Menstrual cups
A menstrual cup is a small, bell-shaped device, most commonly made from medical-grade silicone, that is inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual fluid rather than absorb it. A well-fitted cup can be worn for up to 12 hours, holds significantly more fluid than a tampon or pad, and is reusable for up to ten years with proper care.
The upfront cost is higher than a box of pads, typically between R200 and R500 depending on the brand, but the long-term saving is substantial. A single cup used over a decade represents a saving of approximately 2 000 disposable products. The environmental case is equally compelling.
The main adjustment is practical: inserting and removing a cup correctly involves a short learning curve, and finding the right size may require some trial and error. Cups come in different sizes, with smaller sizes generally recommended for younger women or those who have not given birth, and larger sizes for those who have. Women who use an IUD should take care to break the suction before removing the cup to avoid disturbing the IUD strings. Once the technique is mastered, most users report that the cup becomes their preferred option.
Period underwear
Period underwear looks and functions like regular underwear but is constructed from multiple layers of absorbent, moisture-wicking material designed to collect menstrual flow. It is worn in place of, or alongside, a tampon or cup for additional protection on heavier days.
It involves no insertion, no applicator and no waste with each use, making it one of the most straightforward alternatives for women who are uncomfortable with internal products. A good-quality pair typically lasts between one and two years with proper care, and different absorbency levels are available for light, moderate and heavy flow days. The range of styles has expanded significantly in recent years, and most period underwear is now designed to look and feel like regular underwear rather than a medical product.
The practical limitation is that it does need to be changed when saturated, which on heavier days may require carrying a spare pair. Hand or machine washing is required after each use, and most manufacturers advise against tumble drying. For overnight use, many women find high-waisted period underwear particularly reliable.
Reusable cloth pads
Reusable cloth pads are the direct equivalent of disposable pads but made from washable fabrics, typically organic cotton or bamboo, that can be used repeatedly. They fasten to underwear with press studs and are changed and washed in the same way as period underwear.
For women who prefer the familiarity of a pad but want to reduce chemical exposure and waste, reusable pads offer a straightforward transition. They are softer against the skin than their disposable equivalents and free from the synthetic materials, fragrances and plastic layers that are standard in conventional pads. Like period underwear, they are changed every three to four hours depending on flow.
Menstrual discs
A menstrual disc is similar in concept to a cup but different in shape and placement. Where a cup sits in the vaginal canal using suction, a disc is flat, flexible and positioned at the base of the cervix. It collects rather than absorbs menstrual fluid and can be worn for up to 12 hours.
Because discs do not rely on suction, they are often recommended as a more comfortable option for IUD users. They can also be worn during penetrative sex without discomfort, which is a practical distinction from cups. Disposable versions are available for those who want the benefits of internal collection without the commitment of a reusable product.
How to choose what is right for you
There is no single correct answer. The right product depends on flow, lifestyle, comfort with internal options and how much upfront investment feels manageable. A few practical starting points: if you are new to alternatives, period underwear or reusable pads offer the easiest entry point, requiring the least adjustment to familiar habits. If you are active, travel frequently or prefer a product you do not have to think about throughout the day, a menstrual cup or disc offers the longest uninterrupted wear time.
It is worth starting with one product on a lighter day to build confidence before relying on it fully. Many women end up using a combination: a cup or disc during the day on heavier days, with period underwear as a backup or for overnight use. Whichever route you take, the UFS study provides a compelling case for at least exploring the alternatives. The chemicals found in conventional pads are not going anywhere, but your exposure to them can be significantly reduced.
ALSO SEE:
PCOS vs endometriosis: how to tell the difference and why it matters
Featured Image: Pexels
