Absorbency and performance indices of biodegradable ecofriendly materials used for reusable menstrual pads

Abstract

Background: Menstrual poverty remains a significant challenge in low- and middle-income countries, where many individuals lack access to affordable and effective menstrual products.
Aim: The research aimed to assess the absorbency and various performance indices of different biodegradable materials used in reusable menstrual pads.
Methodology: The research was based on the methodology highlighted by Foster and Montgomery, where absorbency was measured by evaluating the dry weight, wet weight, weight absorbed and amount absorbed in millilitres. The study utilized real blood samples provided by a blood bank for the absorbency test to ensure the relevance of the results. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD post-hoc comparisons, were performed to determine significant differences in absorbency among the pad types.
Result: The cotton + bamboo fleece pads exhibited the highest absorbency with an absorbency index of 7.0 ± 0.3, outperforming other combinations. Bamboo fleece + cotton terry and bamboo + bamboo fleece pads had the lowest absorbency, with indices of 2.4 ± 0.2 and 2.5 ± 0.2, respectively.
Conclusion: The study concludes that reusable menstrual pads made from cotton and bamboo Fleece offers superior absorbance compared to other combinations. These findings support the development of effective and sustainable menstrual products. Future research should standardize testing methodologies and further explore the impact of fluid characteristics on absorbency to enhance product comparability and performance.