Menstrual Hygiene: Choosing Safer Products and Better Disposal Methods 

Menstruation is a natural and essential part of life for billions of women and girls. However, discussions around menstrual hygiene often remain limited, overlooked, or surrounded by stigma, especially in countries like India. Despite growing awareness, many still lack access to safe menstrual products, clear guidance on what to use, and knowledge about how to dispose of used products properly. 

Promoting menstrual health and hygiene is not just about offering sanitary pads—it’s about empowering every woman and girl to make informed choices about her body, her health, and the environment. Safer products and better disposal practices can create a ripple effect: improving health outcomes, reducing waste, and building confidence and dignity. 

Let’s explore how we can collectively make better choices for ourselves and the planet. 

Understanding Menstrual Product Options 

WaterAid India’s report, launched ahead of Menstrual Hygiene Day 2019, titled “Menstrual Hygiene Management: Informed Product Choice and Disposal,” plays a critical role in shifting the conversation around menstrual hygiene. It provides a three-way comparison of the most common menstrual products: disposable pads, reusable cloth pads, and menstrual cups. 

Each of these options offers unique benefits—and challenges. 

1. Disposable Sanitary Pads 

These are the most widely used products, especially in urban and semi-urban areas. They are convenient, easy to use, and often distributed through government schemes. However, most of these pads are made from non-compostable materials, which pose serious environmental challenges. An average user may use over 6,000 disposable pads in her lifetime. These pads can take up to 500 years to decompose, contributing to long-term waste and pollution. 

2. Reusable Cloth Pads 

Reusable pads offer a more sustainable alternative. A cloth pad user only needs around 136 pads throughout her lifetime. These can be washed, dried, and reused multiple times, making them cost-effective and eco-friendly. However, their safe use depends heavily on access to clean water and private spaces for washing and drying. 

3. Menstrual Cups 

Menstrual cups are one of the most sustainable options available today. Over a lifetime, a woman may need just 6–7 menstrual cups. They are reusable, safe, and offer protection for up to 12 hours at a time. However, acceptance remains low due to lack of awareness, cultural hesitation, and myths about virginity and body image. 

When it comes to menstrual health and hygiene, no one product fits all. The best product is the one that suits an individual’s comfort, access, lifestyle, and awareness. 

Disposal: An Often-Forgotten Aspect 

One of the most pressing challenges in menstrual hygiene today is not just product access—but how to safely dispose of them. 

Improper disposal of sanitary pads is a major environmental and health concern. In many areas, used pads are burned in the open, buried, or flushed down toilets—causing plumbing issues, contamination, or pollution. WaterAid India’s report emphasizes that menstrual waste management cannot be an afterthought. 

When women and girls lack access to disposal options, they may wear pads for longer periods, increasing their risk of infections, rashes, and reproductive health issues. 

Safe disposal methods must be prioritized: 

• Designated disposal bins in schools, offices, and public toilets. 

• Low-cost incinerators for safe and odor-free burning. 

• Awareness campaigns to teach girls and women how to wrap and dispose of pads hygienically. 

• Compostable alternatives that biodegrade naturally, reducing environmental harm. 

Better disposal starts with informed product choices. 

Why Informed Choice Matters 

WaterAid India’s call for “Informed Product Choice” aims to ensure that women and girls have access to comprehensive, unbiased information about menstrual products and disposal methods. 

It’s not just about offering sanitary pads—it’s about offering information: 

• Which product is the most sustainable? 

• What works best for women living in rural settings? 

• Which options are better for someone without reliable access to water? 

• How can disposal be handled safely at home, at school, or in the workplace? 

These decisions should be shaped by personal comfort, reproductive health needs, and socio-economic conditions. Menstrual health and hygiene must be seen as a matter of rights—not charity. 

Breaking the Silence Around Menstruation 

Beyond access and choice, the stigma around menstruation remains one of the biggest barriers to achieving good menstrual hygiene. Many girls still feel embarrassed or ashamed to talk about their periods. In some communities, menstruating girls face restrictions on eating, touching food, or even attending school. 

This culture of silence often leaves young girls unprepared for menstruation and unaware of proper hygiene practices. As a result, they face emotional stress, health risks, and even school dropout. 

Education plays a crucial role: 

• Schools should include menstrual health and hygiene in health education. 

• Parents and community leaders must talk openly about menstruation. 

• Campaigns should normalize periods and promote dignity and respect. 

What Needs to Change? 

To ensure a future where all girls and women can manage their periods safely and confidently, we need coordinated efforts across sectors: 

• Government and NGOs must invest in awareness campaigns that go beyond pads. 

• Manufacturers must offer more sustainable, affordable, and biodegradable products. 

• Schools and workplaces must provide safe spaces for menstrual hygiene. 

• Communities must challenge stigma and misinformation. 

Conclusion: Empowering Change Through Choice 

Menstrual hygiene is not just about sanitary pads or clean bathrooms—it’s about knowledge, dignity, and empowerment. It’s about giving every woman and girl the freedom to choose a product that works for her, and the ability to manage her health without shame or risk. 

By focusing on safer products and smarter disposal methods, we don’t just protect health—we protect the environment and future generations. With informed choices, we can create a world where menstruation is not a barrier, but a normal part of life.