Menstrual care products have been used for centuries but have not always looked the same across time and cultures. Women in ancient Greece made tampons by wrapping lint over wood. Native Americans used moss and buffalo skin. European women of the 18th and 19th centuries used fabric to create their own homemade pads. But, the tampons and sanitary napkins women today have come to know and use are inspired by World War I.
Due to a cotton shortage during the First World War, the medical supply company Kimberly Clark developed cellucotton dressings for wounded soldiers. Cellucotton, made from wood pulp, was five times more absorbent and less expensive than cotton. Military nurses not only used the dressing to assist those injured in battle, but they also used them for menstruation. The lifestyle of a war nurse did not allow her to carry and rewash her usual cloths. Thus, with the cellulose dressing, she could effectively care for herself during menstruation and keep her bags light.
News spread of war nurses’ alternative uses for cellulose cotton and disposable sanitary napkins and tampons were born. In 1921, Kotex marketed cellulose enclosed in a gauze sheath and successfully promoted the first disposable menstrual pad. Then, in 1931, E.C. Haas patented the tampon and cardboard applicator that would become the Tampax tampon.
Today, feminine hygiene is a 1.5 billion dollar industry. Women are now afforded many options for menstrual products, including cups, discs, and period-regulating birth control. However, despite significant advances, there are still obstacles. Along with groceries and other necessities, the prices of sanitary napkins and tampons have increased by 41% and 36%, respectively, leaving many women and girls unable to afford them. Furthermore, despite being regulated by the FDA, tampons have tested positive for lead, arsenic, and other toxic chemicals.
Many individuals and companies are working to offer safer and more cost-effective options for menstrual care. Companies like Lola, DivaCup, and Thinx offer women more choices and greater peace of mind with organic cotton products, reusable menstrual cups, and period panties. Lawmakers are proposing bills that eliminate taxes on menstrual products.
Women like Taylor Mills are making a difference in their communities by offering free tampons and pads instead of books in the “Little Library” at the end of her driveway. While there is a long way to go, the efforts of individuals and companies are making a positive impact, bringing us closer to a future where menstrual care is safe, affordable, and accessible for all women.
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