What’s Really in Your Pad? Let’s Break It Down

When you unwrap a sanitary pad, it feels soft, clean, and ready to do its job. But have you ever wondered what’s actually inside it? Pads may look simple, but they’re made up of layers each designed to do something specific. And here’s the surprising part: most of those layers aren’t what we imagine them to be.

Let’s peel back the pad, layer by layer.

The Layers of a Pad

Top sheet: This is the soft part your skin touches. You’d think it’s cotton, right? Actually, most conventional pads use plastic-based fibers that feel like fabric but aren’t.

Absorbent core: This is where the magic happens. It’s usually made of wood pulp mixed with super absorbent polymers (SAPs) that can soak up many times their weight in liquid. They do a great job at locking in moisture but they’re not biodegradable, which means they’ll sit in landfills for centuries.

Fragrance: Not all pads have them, but when they do, it’s worth pausing. That “fresh” scent? It’s often just added chemicals. These can irritate sensitive skin, cause itching, dryness, or even disrupt your natural pH balance.

Back sheet: The leak-proof layer. It’s basically a thin plastic film, often petrochemical-based. It keeps leaks at bay but, again, it won’t break down in the environment.

Adhesive: That sticky strip that keeps the pad in place is made from glue. It may be small, but it’s still another plastic-based material contributing to waste.

So, What’s the Problem?

• Plastic overload: Conventional pads are up to 90% plastic. One pad can take 500–800 years to break down. Imagine the environmental pile-up when billions are used each year!

• Hidden chemicals: Many brands don’t list full ingredients. Some pads have been found to contain trace chemicals like bleach, crude oil derivatives, and even pesticide residues from the raw materials used.

• Fragrance fallout: Added scents can feel “fresh” but may cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, or infections.

• Transparency gap: Most of us grew up using pads without ever questioning what was in them. It’s not your fault, companies rarely tell us!

  
  

What Can We Do?

Here’s the good news: you don’t need to panic or throw away every pad you own. Small, informed choices can make a big difference for your health and for the planet.

1. Choose fragrance-free pads: Your body doesn’t need extra chemicals down there. Unscented is safer and just as effective.

2. Explore organic or eco-friendly options: If available and affordable, look for pads made from organic cotton or biodegradable materials.

3. Go reusable: Reusable pads, period underwear, or menstrual cups are sustainable and cost-effective in the long run.

4. Ask questions: Don’t be afraid to check labels or even reach out to brands. The more we ask, the more they’ll have to answer.

5. Start conversations: Talk to friends, sisters, or classmates. Most people don’t know this stuff, and sharing it can spark real change.

6. Support safer policies: Join or support campaigns pushing for better labeling, transparency, and safer products. Change starts with us, but policy makes it last.

   
   

Why It Matters

Pads are something many of us use every single month, for years. That’s a lot of contact with our bodies and a lot of waste for the planet. What touches your body shouldn’t be a mystery. By making small, conscious choices, we not only protect ourselves but also push the industry toward healthier, more sustainable products.

Because periods should be normal, safe, and stigma-free not a guessing game about chemicals and plastics.