Hey girls,

Today I want to talk about sanitary pads. Life of women is unimaginable without sanitary pads. Though other alternatives like tampons and menstruation cups are available, sanitary pads are the first choice of women. Nowadays, there is one popular saying in Nepal that is sanitary pads should be made free. But I don’t think it’s totally right.

Why it’s not totally right?

One girl requires 3-5 sanitary pads in one menstruation cycle that means around 1.5 quintal of pads in her life time. Pads consist of plastic. It is said that one pad is equal to 4 plastic bags. Single pads requires 500 to 700 year for disposal. Being in a country like Nepal, which is second richest country in water and agerian country. We should be concerned about conservation of land and water resources which is being degrading day by day.

Not only ecosystem pads are also harmful to women health. As per the research, sanitary pads may cause genital cancer. Sanitary pads increase absorbing capacity of pads and bleach contains dioxin. Dioxin gets accumulated in body that can impact reproductive organs, which cause ovarian and cervical cancer.

Then what should we do?

Instead of saying sanitary pads, we should say eco-friendly sanitary pads. Some eco-friendly sanitary pads areEcoFemme, Nua, Pine pads, etc. But there is also one problem in using eco-friendly sanitary pads. Non eco-friendly sanitary pads cost about Rs.30-40 and eco-friendly sanitary pads cost about Rs.250-300.So, it is unaffordable by women who belong to a below-average income strata.

Then what’s about village women?

These women can use traditional sanitary pads that are affordable, hygienic and eco-friendly like;-

·        Sathi pad-made using banana fiber that can decomposes naturally in 6 months

·        Hey day- sanitary pad made from bamboo and corn.

Precautions to reduce risk while wearing sanitary pads ;-

• ·        Sanitary pads should be changed frequently
•  (3-4hours) even you are menstruating heavily
• ·        Drink plenty of water to reduce chances of UTI
• ·        Wear clean and dry underwear
• ·        Choose eco-friendly and organic sanitary pads
• ·        Clean reusable pads properly

It’s high time for every girl to think about their hygiene and environment.