For generations, sanitary pads have been a go-to menstrual care product for women everywhere. But in the rush for convenience, have we ever paused to ask: What exactly are we putting against our skin for days every month? If it’s sitting on pharmacy shelves, it must be safe, right? Well, the answer isn’t so simple. Beneath that soft exterior, many mainstream pads harbour plastics, chemicals, and synthetic fragrances that might be doing more harm than good.

With growing awareness, more women are now leaning towards organic and environmentally friendly menstrual products. But here’s the real question: are these alternatives actually better for our bodies and the planet?

What’s Hiding in Your Pad?

Let’s pull back the curtain on what’s inside most conventional sanitary pads. Shockingly, up to 90% of a regular pad is made of plastic—even the part that feels like cotton. It’s a blend of synthetic fibres, absorbent gels, and chemically treated materials—all designed to lock in moisture and prevent leaks. Sounds great—until you realize the cost may go beyond your wallet.

Take dioxins, for instance. These toxic compounds can be created during the bleaching process in pad manufacturing. They’ve been linked to hormonal imbalances and reproductive health concerns. Add artificial fragrances and super-absorbents to the mix, and what you’ve got is a recipe that could irritate the skin, trigger allergies, or cause more serious health effects over time.

Here’s the irony: more and more women are switching to “clean” products for skincare and haircare—paraben-free, sulphate-free, organic—you name it. Yet, when it comes to menstrual products that touch one of the most sensitive parts of our bodies, many still don’t think twice.

What’s the Impact on Women’s Health?

Let’s face it—periods are already uncomfortable enough. Now imagine adding rashes, itching, or recurrent infections into the mix. Unfortunately, that’s what many women silently deal with, often without realizing their sanitary pads might be the culprit.

Pads made from plastic don’t breathe. They trap heat and moisture, which makes them a breeding ground for bacteria. For those with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema, the risk of irritation or infection is even higher. Even more concerning: recent research has drawn attention to phthalates and dioxins (commonly found in synthetic materials) as possible endocrine disruptors—chemicals that can meddle with hormone function in subtle, long-term ways.

So, are women knowingly putting their health at risk? Most likely not. The real problem is the lack of open discussion and accessible information. Menstruation is still wrapped in silence and shame, making it hard for these crucial issues to come to light.

A Healthier Switch: What Organic Pads Bring to the Table

Now, let’s talk about alternatives. Organic sanitary pads are gaining popularity—and for good reason. Made with biodegradable, natural materials like certified organic cotton or bamboo fiber, these pads ditch the harsh chemicals and plastics altogether.

They’re gentler on the skin, less likely to irritate, and allow airflow that keeps things dry and reduces the risk of infection. More importantly, because they’re free of dioxins, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances, they’re also a safer bet for hormonal and reproductive health.

Concerned about effectiveness? Many are. But the idea that organic means “less absorbent” is a myth that’s quickly being debunked. Thanks to innovation in sustainable materials, modern organic pads offer high absorbency without compromising comfort or protection.

Sure, the price tag might be a little higher, for now. But consider it a long-term investment in your health. And as competition grows and more brands jump in, pricing is already becoming more affordable and accessible.

The Bigger Picture: It’s Not Just About You

Making the switch isn’t just about personal wellness. It’s also about what we leave behind. Literally. A single woman may use anywhere between 11,000 to 16,000 pads or tampons in her lifetime. When multiplied across the global menstruating population, that adds up to an overwhelming pile of plastic waste.

Here’s the kicker: a regular pad can take 500 to 800 years to break down. That means the first pad ever used is still sitting in a landfill somewhere. Biodegradable alternatives can dramatically reduce this environmental burden, offering a solution that’s better for our bodies and the Earth.

Breaking the Silence

In many parts of the world—including our communities—menstruation remains a hush-hush subject, clouded by taboos and myths. That silence has created generations of women who accept discomfort, infections, and shame as just “part of being a woman.”

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

We need open, honest conversations about menstrual health. One that puts facts over fear, education over embarrassment, and choice over compromise. Women should feel empowered to ask questions, demand safer options, and make informed decisions that reflect their values—whether it’s comfort, health, sustainability, or all of the above.

The Way Forward

We now know better—and it’s time to do better.

Organic and eco-conscious menstrual products are not just a trend; they’re a necessary evolution. They protect our bodies, support our well-being, and reduce our impact on the planet.

At the end of the day, women deserve more than convenience. They deserve menstrual care that’s thoughtful, transparent, and truly safe. The question isn’t whether organic sanitary pads work, but whether we can afford to ignore their benefits any longer.

The post Rethinking the Intersection of Convenience and Health in Menstrual Hygiene appeared first on NRI News.

Sirona Hygiene Foundation, the CSR arm of leading FemTech brand Sirona, in collaboration with  DivIn Pro, an social impact contact and a support center worked towards eliminating period poverty in Uttarakhand through menstrual health awareness drives and education on switching to cups for period management.

NEW DELHI: Sirona is India’s leading FemTech brand that offers innovative period, intimate, and toilet hygiene products. Recently, Sirona Hygiene Foundation, the CSR arm of the company joined hands with DivIn Pro, an impact and strategy-driven contact and support center that works towards empowering marginalized sectors, successfully concluded a menstrual cup awareness drive that impacted the lives of 3100 vulva owners across Uttarakhand and “cupverted” 86% women in the region. The focus of this drive was on sharing knowledge about menstrual hygiene and the benefits of switching to a menstrual cup, followed by the distribution of 3100 free menstrual cups sponsored by Sirona.

This project was one of its kind initiative to reduce period poverty in rural & most difficult terrains of India. The project involved four steps to ensure a high rate of adoption of the cup. Across the state sessions on menstrual health and hygiene were conducted inviting men and health workers as well. Next, hands-on training was given to beneficiaries on using the menstrual cup. The training was followed by the distribution of free menstrual cups. Lastly, follow-up was done physically by local stakeholders and a menstrual cup helpline was activated that offered answers to queries users had related to using cups.

The project, executed over the last year, impacted the lives of more than 3100 vulva owners in 3 districts (Dehradun, Uttarkashi, and Tehri) and 25 villages of Uttarakhand including Dhargaon, Kafolgaon, Dhansani, Lashyangaon, Taluka, Douni, and others. In District Dehradun, the collaboration was done with the Uttarakhand Police Wives Welfare Association and the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies. In District Uttarkashi, the project was done in collaboration with the Department of Women Empowerment and Child Development, and in Tehri District, with Mount Valley Development Association. The project is still active in three districts of Uttarakhand and aims to serve other districts as well this year.

This project was a part of ‘Project Lakhon Khwahishen’ undertaken by Sirona Hygiene Foundation with the aim of ‘cupverting’ one lakh menstruators in India to menstrual cups. The foundation aims to empower women with menstrual cups and offer hygienic and safe menstruation. DivIn Pro was the execution partner for training, Menstrual Support helpline, and leading the project successfully. The sessions were led by Dr. Aarushi Kehar Malhotra from the foundation highlighting the importance of sustainable menstruation – how it positively impacts lifestyle, substantially reduces sanitary waste generated, impacts the environment positively, and proves to be a highly economical option for period management.

Elaborating on the initiative, Dr. Aarushi Kehar Malhotra, Lead – of CSR Initiatives at Sirona said, “Our aim at Sirona is to help every menstruator manage periods safely and with dignity. We do this by not just providing innovative products, but also by spreading education and awareness about why they need to switch to sustainable, cost-effective practices of menstrual hygiene such as menstrual cups. We are continuously working with relevant partners to equip menstruators with the right information on menstrual hygiene and ensure easy access to related supplies.”

Dr. Juhi Garg, Founder-DivIn Pro spoke on the project implementation, “Partnering with Sirona for the project ‘Lakhon Khwahishen’ is part of our vision to fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We started this project last year and are still continuing the helpline supporting women in hilly areas of Uttarakhand, helping them cope with challenges related to menstruation. Our success rate of “cupverting” menstruators has been highly encouraging and has generated many impact stories. This partnership with Sirona has helped us bring about a significant change in women’s lives and we will continue to work together to sensitize the needs of women in Uttarakhand and beyond.”

Due to poor menstrual hygiene, 40,000 women lose their lives in India. India also has about 60,000 cases of cervical cancer every year with poor hygiene being one of the most common underlying causes. Addressing menstruation is not only an individual issue but is linked to achieving many developmental goals. As a socially conscious organization, Sirona Hygiene Foundation is trying to fill the critical gap of the availability of sustainable material to manage menstruation with project implementation partners like DivInPro. The projects aim at eliminating period poverty while contributing to sustainable development.

Sirona’s soul lies in giving back to society. From initiatives like AAAN  that helped sex workers of GB road switch to menstrual cups to contributing a rupee from the sale of every product Sirona sold to the Sirona Hygiene Foundation, the brand undertakes social responsibility initiatives diligently. Sirona so far has donated over 20,000 cups to underprivileged menstruators in an effort to end period poverty under Project Lakhon Khwahishen. 

The post <strong>Sirona’s menstrual cup awareness drive and helpline in Uttarakhand</strong> appeared first on NRI News.