What is something that every woman has to endure in her lifetime? You guessed it menstruation. On average, a woman will have her period once a month, for about five days, for around 40 years of her life. During this time, she’ll need to use various products to stay clean and fresh.

  With the craze to eat healthy and shed the extra weight, women often tend to overlook other vital factors that are at times considered unsafe and unhealthy. As such, how well do you know your preferred sanitary pads?    Many women are unaware of the risks they get entangled with whole undergoing their monthly periods.

Traditionally, girls have always listened to the recommendations provided by their mothers when it comes to purchasing the feminine hygiene products for their use. At times, there is a need to check whether the sanitary pads are safe enough before you can make your choice.

As a consumer, it is your responsibility to ensure that you are purchasing pads that will not harm you, or worse, end up killing you. It is the reason many women have made the decision to utilize organic menstrual pads, which do not have any plastic materials in them, menstrual caps, as well as menstruation panties.

However, some women still fail to make their choices wisely. They ignorantly place their health on the line with the kind of sanitary pads they use.  These sanitary pads are known as 'ULTRA PADS'.

  Ultra pads are super absorbent pads that convert the releasedmblood into gel hereby making it much more discreet while in use and research  shows that most pads are made from recycled papers which contain toxic materials within them. The bottom layer of pads is impermeable making even air passage to be difficult.  The trapped heat and moisture  provide ample environment for bacteria growth.

Research shows that 80% of women would choose ultra pad over cotton pad because it makes period more discreet and comfortable unlike cotton pad.  But little do they know that these ultra pads are

composed of different chemical contents that can cause cervical cancer which is the second leading cause of women death. The fiber in the absorbent pads that you use can cause this as these sanitary pads are not purely made of cotton but cellulose gel.

Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells on the cervix grow out of control.  The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vaginas and these chemical contents include:

DIOXIN: Dioxin present in pads can cause abnormal tissue growth  in the reproduction organs.

RAYON: This is used to increase the absorbing capacity of pads and it contains dioxin. The dioxin present in the menstrual pads can cause ovarian cancer.

DEODORANT: Deodorants used in pads can cause infertility and birth defects. The sanitary pads you use each month when you have your periods contain odor deodorants or neutralizers as all women hate the smell associated with blood–, which is understandable. Nevertheless, sanitary pad manufacturers will at times add chemicals in these scented pads, which may end up causing complications in the development of your baby’s embryo.

They can enter the bloodstream causing problems or can have a local effect on the vagina and again

causing allergies and skin reactions.

Ultra pad contains 'SYNTHETIC MATERIAL' which block wetness and temperature leading to the growth of yeast and bacteria and this can in return encourage the growth of bacteria in your Vagina;

compromising your reproductive health.

 On an average, a woman disposes off around 16,800 pads in a lifetime which is a major concern as these pads are non-biodegradable and cannot be recycled.  One conventional pad is equal to 4 average size plastic bags. Imagine the size of a land filled with disposable commercially made pads used by all the women in the country.

 Most women fall for the advertisement they see on various media saying 'up to 8 hours' but on the contrary, if you don't change your pad within 4 hours; it can cause toxic shock syndrome and even death: An overgrowth of staphylococcus are us bacteria in the vagina leads to toxic shock syndrome which in extreme cases can lead to death.

 The bacterium releases harmful toxins, which may cause an actual drop in your blood pressure levels. If this were to happen, it would be potentially dangerous, as it could mean that your body would not be getting enough blood supply to function normally. Some of its symptoms include diarrhea, dizziness, and fever.

  Recently, a 13-year-old girl in the US, Jemima Louise Roberta died because of toxic shock syndrome.

Also, after the duration of 4 hours, the genital area becomes prone to bacteria action and can also result to other complications. When these pads are worn for too long, they can cause lump on the vagina area leading to irritation and other infections. As a woman, you need to exercise enough maturity that will allow you to take control of your body, as well as manage your reproductive health in a responsible and mature manner. The woman’s body is often its weakest when she is menstruating. If proper measures are not taken during this phase, her health could end up being severely affected.

   In her lifetime, a woman may use as many as six thousand sanitary pads. You should therefore note that, if dioxin was to accumulate in your body, it could pose serious health concerns, as well as lead to diseases such as hormone dysfunction, ovarian cancer, diabetes, pelvic inflammatory disease, and immune system damage.

What are the alternatives?

A menstrual cup is my first choice for an ultra pad alternative. It is a flexible silicone cup that is inserted into the vagina. Essentially, this cup catches all the blood you shed throughout the day. It needs to be emptied every 12 hours during your cycle and then you can reinsert.

There are also reusable pad products made of safe materials that come with washable, highly absorbent inserts to suit all different levels of flow. These would be a great option for women who do not like products that you have to insert. These reusable “pads” are made with safe, breathable materials to keep your area healthy and leak free.

Using feminine products that aren't bleached and that are all cotton. Also, tampons made from 100% cotton and that are unbleached can be used. There are some companies that make natural organic cotton products that do not leach chemicals or leave synthetic materials behind. These can still absorb your natural fluids and are not really the best things for the environment, but at least cotton is a more natural substance that can biodegrade quickly.

WHAT TO DO NOW: Tell everyone, let them know that ultra pads are not advisable and that they are harmful to the health.  We are being manipulated by the industry of these unsafe products.  Let us write to the companies who make these products, let them know we demand 'ALL COTTON, UNBLEACHED PADS'. Remember! NEVER WEAR THE SAME PAD FOR MORE THAN 4 HOURS.

Owoniyi Marvellous Oluwatosin writes from Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko.

Please Note:  This is an unedited article and the raw opinions of the writer.