When most women think about menstrual products, the focus is usually on comfort, absorbency, and irritation.
But a recent South African study explored a different question:
What else might we be absorbing through products that sit against sensitive tissue for hours at a time, every month, for decades?
When it comes to hormones, exposure matters.
Especially when that exposure is repeated, long-term, and happening through tissue designed to absorb.
This doesn’t mean panic.
But it does mean the conversation around menstrual health should include what’s in our products, not just how well they work.
First: What Are Endocrine Disruptors?
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (or EDCs) are substances that can interfere with the body’s hormone signalling system.
Put simply, they can:
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Mimic hormones in the body
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Block hormones from doing their job
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Or disrupt the messages your endocrine system is trying to send
Over time, these small disruptions can influence how the body regulates things like metabolism, reproduction, mood, and inflammation.
The study focused on three groups of commonly studied EDCs:
Phthalates
Often used in plastics and adhesives.
Bisphenols
Found in some plastics (BPA is the one many people already recognise).
Parabens
Preservatives commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products.
These chemicals are already widely researched in consumer goods.
What’s been studied far less, particularly in South Africa, is their presence in menstrual products.
What This South African Study Investigated
Researchers analysed sanitary pads and panty liners sold in South Africa to determine whether they contained endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Importantly, this included products that are widely used and sometimes marketed as “free from harmful chemicals.”
In total, the researchers tested for 20 compounds:
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9 phthalates
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5 parabens
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6 bisphenols
The focus was on the top layer of the products, the part that sits directly against the skin.
What They Found
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals were detected in all tested samples.
Every product contained a low dose of at least two of the targeted chemicals.
The key takeaway? It doesn’t mean these menstrual products are immediately dangerous, but it does emphasise what most had not considered:
Menstrual products can be a measurable source of chemical exposure.
“But My Brand Says It’s Clean…”
In South Africa, many menstrual product brands advertise themselves as “free from harmful chemicals.”
However, there has been limited independent research verifying these claims.
Unlike cosmetics, menstrual products are often regulated more for performance. People look at things like absorbency and construction, rather than for chemicals.
Which means many consumers simply don’t have access to the information needed to make fully informed choices.
Why “A Low Dose” Still Matters
The study also emphasised an important fact:
Even if the estimated daily exposure levels fall within “safety ranges”...
Having hormone-disrupting chemicals in menstrual products is still a concern due to:
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Repeated long-term contact
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More absorbent and sensitive tissue
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Small exposures that build up over time
Because hormone disruption rarely comes from one single exposure. More often, it’s the result of many small exposures layered over time: from food packaging, cosmetics, indoor dust, and personal care products.
So What Can You Do?
This isn’t about trying to live in a chemical-free world.
That’s neither realistic nor necessary.
Instead, the goal is simply to reduce unnecessary exposure where possible, without becoming obsessive about it.
A few gentle starting points:
1. Prioritise transparency
Look for brands that clearly disclose their materials and manufacturing processes, rather than relying only on “clean” marketing language.
2. Skip unnecessary extras
Fragrance, dyes, and scented products can increase chemical exposure in personal care products.
3. Pay attention to irritation
If you regularly experience itching, burning, or recurrent irritation around your cycle, your menstrual products may be one factor worth exploring alongside inflammation, microbiome changes, or hormonal shifts.
4. Consider rotating options
If accessible and comfortable for you, options like menstrual cups or period underwear can help reduce reliance on single-use products.
To conclude
Menstrual products may be an overlooked source of endocrine-disrupting chemical exposure in South Africa.
And women deserve the ability to make informed choices, supported by transparency, research, and better regulation.
Understanding your body is the first step, and understanding what you're exposed to is part of that, too.
Reference:
Blignaut, J., Kemp, G., Erasmus, E., Visser, H. G., & Schutte-Smith, M. (2026). Occurrence and dermal exposure assessment of phthalates, parabens, and bisphenols in sanitary pads and panty liners sold in South Africa. Science of the Total Environment, 1018, 181510. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2026.181510
