Sanitary napkins vs disposable pads, which is healthier?

Several decades ago, cloth sanitary napkins were more commonly used by women who were menstruating because there were very few people who mass produced menstrual cups, tampons, or disposable pads. Even so, the form of ancient cloth sanitary napkins is similar to today's disposable pads. They are simply made of several layers of fabric cut into rectangles and tucked into your underwear. But have you ever wondered whether these vintage cloth sanitary napkins are safer and healthier than disposable paper pads, which are said to have a lot of chemicals? Take a peek at the comparison here.

When you use cloth pads….

The use of cloth sanitary napkins is considered to be more time and cost effective, and more environmentally friendly because you don't have to bother changing pads back and forth. Technically, you can indeed wear one sanitary napkin (regardless of type) the same whole day even though it doesn't feel comfortable - as long as it doesn't smell and it leaks. In addition to being more environmentally friendly, wearing cloth pads can reduce the risk of irritating rashes in the groin that often occur due to paper napkins, which are generally harsh and contain chemicals.

However, Frederico Patiricia, a gynecologist, quoted from Kompas, said that if you use cloth pads for too long it will cause the vaginal area and its surroundings to become easily damp. The reason is, the fabric used for sanitary napkins works like a cotton t-shirt that absorbs sweat easily. This is what can trigger the growth of bacteria in your female organs.

Excess bacteria in the vagina can cause irritation, inflammation, odor after sex, abnormal vaginal discharge, and other symptoms. To prevent this, you still have to regularly wash, rinse and dry the sanitary towels after each use.

When you use disposable pads …

On the other hand, although the capacity of disposable paper sanitary napkins is much stronger than cloth bleachers, they are mass produced after undergoing various chemical processes. The paper material used generally comes from recycled paper that has been washed and sterilized using chemicals and bleach.

It is possible that the disposable pads on the market generally contain several harmful ingredients such as chlorine, dioxins, synthetic fibers and petrochemical additives. This finding was obtained after the research team tried to burn paper pads as an experiment. When the bandages were burned, the smoke that came out was thick and black in color as a sign of chemicals reacting to heat.

Although they are more sterile because you can change pads every 3-4 hours, disposable pads can increase the volume of household waste.

So, which one is better: Cloth bandage or disposable bandage?

Actually, both of these pads are equally risky and equally useful for collecting menstrual blood that comes out. However, if you examine which one is healthier, it all depends on how you use it. All of the above risks can generally be prevented if you pay attention to vaginal hygiene during menstruation.

It is also recommended not to throw the sanitary napkin in the toilet. The sanitary napkins that accumulate will clog up and become pollutant waste afterwards. Clean sanitary napkins from menstrual fluids after use, since many animals are attracted by the smell of menstrual fluids. After that, cover it with plastic wrap or used newspapers when throwing away.