Angelah Nothando Mlotshwa
Environmental and Health Reporter
The menstrual cycle is the monthly series of changes a woman’s body goes through in preparation for the possibility of pregnancy after the puberty stage has set in.
Each month, one of the ovaries releases an egg in a process called ovulation. At the same time, hormonal changes prepare the uterus for pregnancy.
If the egg is not fertilised or does not implant, the woman’s body sheds the egg, this shedding causes the bleeding in the woman’s menstrual period.
The length of the menstrual cycle varies from woman to woman, but the average is to have periods every 28 days. Regular cycles that are longer or shorter than this, from 21 to 40 days, are normal.
The first day of menstrual bleeding is considered Day 1 of the cycle. A monthly period can last anywhere from 3 to 8 days, but 5 days is average.
It is during this period when blood is passed out of the body that a sanitary pad is then used to absorb it.
All women will need a sanitary pad during their menstrual period.
Sanitary pads are made of spun lace cloth which is from cotton materials with good abrasion resistance, must be soft and environmentally healthy for the woman.
However, these sanitary pads carry such dangers to females as they have chemicals such as dyes which causes rashes and irritation, pesticide and bleach which has dioxin fragrance chemicals like the Bisphenol A (BPA), Bisphenol S (BPS) which are used as pads liquid absorber to improve their functions and softness. These released chemicals that are absorbed in the skin poses higher risk of menstrual irregulate, disrupts embryonic development, endocrine problems, congenital disability and cancer.
The Stitching Nederlandse Vrijwilligers (SNV) Zimbabwe in partnership with Vichelle Feminine together with Opportunities for Youth Empowerment (OYE) have presented a training program for youths of making reusable sanitary pads as they noticed the high cost of sanitary pads in the country.
The expensive sanitary pad has been a perennial problem for young girls especially the rural girl.
Attempts to get more information from SNV Zimbabwe and its partners were futile as questions sent were not responded to.
Our research however reveal that reusable pads can be made from zorb, bamboo and hemp fleece. They are usually made of biodegradable materials and toxic chemicals.
The reusable pads come with advantages and disadvantages to individual users as they tend to react differently.
Reusable sanitary pads are friendly, less likely to cause allergies and irritations, pocket friendly, customizable in size hence more comfortable.
These pads come with dangers when they are not properly dried after washing as they may cause vaginal infections by allowing the growth of bacteria and fungus.
Prolonged use of the same cloth can lead to Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) as Dr Bhadauria alluded.
Reusable pads when damp, after failing to dry may cause yeast infection which hampers their consistency of usage and may lead to Cervix cancer.
“The biggest danger is on thoroughness on cleaning them, hence dangers of infections.” Said Obstetrician and Gynecologist Doctor Elton Sengurai.
He added that they also can cause yeast infection when they are not well cleaned and also include bacteria and other microbes.
“Microbes are very tiny organisms that can infect humans and other animals, e.g viruses, bacteria, fungus (yeast), helminths, etc.” He added.
Zimbabwe economic situation has led to the manufacture and use of reusable pads to accommodate those struggling to afford disposable pads.
Unfortunately even if one was given enough knowledge of how to make the pads, dangers of usage may loom to haunt the user.
It is highly advisable that those using the reusable sanitary pads take hygiene more seriously to avoid unnecessary infections.