Safe Periods. Informed Choices. Dignity for Every Woman and Girl.
Menstruation is a natural and healthy biological process. Yet for many women and girls in Nigeria, managing menstruation safely and comfortably remains a challenge because of the cost of menstrual products, inadequate water and sanitation facilities, limited information, stigma and difficulties with menstrual-waste management.
At Deeds Support Initiative International (DSII), we believe that every woman and girl deserves access to accurate information, appropriate menstrual products, adequate sanitation and the dignity to manage her period safely and without shame.
Why Menstrual Health Matters
Menstrual health is more than having access to a sanitary pad. Women and girls need:
- Safe and appropriate menstrual products
- Affordable options
- Clean water
- Adequate sanitation and private spaces
- Accurate information about menstruation
- Facilities for changing and disposing of menstrual materials
- Support from families, schools and communities
- Freedom from shame, stigma and discrimination
UNICEF notes that access to quality menstrual-hygiene products is important for women and girls to manage menstruation safely, hygienically and with dignity. Lack of appropriate products can also affect participation in school, work and social activities.
In Nigeria, challenges with water, sanitation and hygiene also affect menstrual health. UNICEF’s Nigeria WASH Gender Landscape Analysis identified significant gaps in basic WASH services in schools and healthcare facilities.
Sanitary Pads: What Should Women Know?
Disposable sanitary pads are one of the commonly used menstrual products. When properly manufactured and used according to instructions, they provide an important option for managing menstrual flow.
However, the quality and safety of menstrual products matter.
Women should purchase products from reputable sources where possible, check packaging and instructions, and use products according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Pads should be changed regularly. UNICEF’s menstrual-product guidance specifies that disposable pads should be disposed of after a maximum of four to six hours of use, while recognising that individual menstrual flow and product characteristics can affect practical use.
Are Sanitary Pads Harmful?
There has been increasing public discussion about chemicals that may be present in some menstrual products.
Recent Nigerian research published in 2026 examined six brands of sanitary pads marketed in Nigeria and detected several phthalates in the samples. The researchers recommended routine regulatory monitoring and further work to minimise potential exposure.
This research is important and deserves attention. However, detecting chemicals in a product does not by itself prove that normal use of the product causes cancer, infertility or another disease.
DSII therefore encourages the public to distinguish between:
Scientific findings → potential concerns → further research and regulation
and unsupported claims presented as established medical facts.
Women should not be unnecessarily frightened about using sanitary pads. Instead, there should be continued research, appropriate product-quality monitoring, consumer awareness and access to safe menstrual products.
The Importance of Proper Hygiene
Good menstrual hygiene can help women remain comfortable and reduce hygiene-related problems.
Women and girls should:
- Wash their hands before and after changing menstrual products.
- Change menstrual products regularly.
- Keep the genital area clean.
- Follow instructions provided with menstrual products.
- Dispose of used disposable products safely.
- Wash reusable products properly with clean water and soap.
- Dry reusable products thoroughly before storing and reusing them.
- Seek medical attention when experiencing unusual symptoms or concerns.
Reusable Sanitary Pads
Reusable menstrual pads are an alternative to disposable products.
They can potentially reduce the recurring cost of menstrual products and reduce the amount of menstrual waste generated.
However, reusable pads must be properly washed, dried and stored. Users need access to clean water, soap and appropriate private spaces for drying.
UNICEF provides specifications and guidance for reusable menstrual pads and notes that reusable pads require washing and drying after use.
Reusable products can also create economic opportunities.
Women can be trained to produce quality reusable menstrual pads for their communities, creating opportunities for:
Skills development → Production → Sales → Income → Reinvestment → Women’s empowerment
A recent UNICEF Nigeria initiative in Adamawa illustrates how local tailoring skills have been used to produce reusable menstrual pads and make them more accessible to girls and women.
Menstrual Health and the Environment
Disposable menstrual products create waste because they are designed for single use.
In communities where waste-management systems are inadequate, improper disposal can contribute to environmental problems.
Sustainable menstrual-health programmes should therefore address both access to menstrual products and responsible waste management.
Reusable products can form part of the solution when they are appropriate for the user and can be safely washed and dried.
Menstruation Should Not Be a Source of Shame
Menstruation is a normal biological process—not something that girls or women should be ashamed of.
Parents, teachers, boys, men, healthcare workers, community leaders and organisations all have a role to play in creating supportive environments where menstrual health can be discussed openly and respectfully.
No girl should feel that she has to hide because she is menstruating.
No woman should have to choose between purchasing menstrual products and meeting other basic household needs.
What DSII Is Advocating For
Deeds Support Initiative International (DSII) promotes:
- Menstrual Health Education
Providing women and girls with accurate and practical information about menstruation and menstrual hygiene.
- Affordable Menstrual Products
Supporting access to safe, quality and affordable menstrual products.
- Sustainable Menstrual Solutions
Promoting awareness of reusable menstrual products where they are appropriate and practical.
- Women’s Economic Empowerment
Supporting women with skills that can potentially enable them to produce and market reusable menstrual products.
- Menstrual-Waste Management
Promoting safe and environmentally responsible disposal practices.
- Menstrual-Friendly Schools
Encouraging appropriate WASH facilities and menstrual-health education in schools.
- Evidence-Based Awareness
Promoting reliable health information and discouraging misinformation and fear-based claims.
DSII’S MESSAGE
Periods are natural. Dignity is a right. Information is power.
Together, we can build communities where every woman and girl can manage her period safely, confidently, affordably and without shame.
Sources and Further Reading
- UNICEF — Guidance on Menstrual Health and Hygiene
- UNICEF — Menstrual Hygiene Products
- UNICEF Nigeria — No Period, No Life
- UNICEF Nigeria — WASH Gender Landscape Analysis
- Oladapo & Fapounda (2026), Evaluation of Phthalate Levels in Nigeria-made Sanitary Pads, Scientia Africana
Disclaimer: This article is provided for public health education and awareness. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Anyone experiencing persistent, unusual or concerning symptoms should consult a qualified healthcare professional.
