08/03/2026
Review of “The Presence of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Sanitary Pads: A Study Done in South Africa”
Introduction
Recently, there has been growing discussion online about whether sanitary products may contain chemicals that could increase the risk of diseases such as cancer. A recent scientific study conducted in South Africa by Janine Blignaut and colleagues investigated whether common menstrual products contain substances known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) (Blignaut et al., 2026). This review explains what the study found and what the results mean for everyday users.
Most studies on feminine hygiene products have traditionally been conducted in the Global North, with very few focusing on products used in the Global South. To address this gap, Blignaut and her colleagues conducted a study to evaluate the occurrence and profile of phthalates, parabens, and bisphenols in popular sanitary products such as pads and panty liners commonly used by women in South Africa. The aim of the study was to determine whether these sanitary products could be significant sources of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in women.
What are Endocrine- Disrupting Chemicals?
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are substances that can interfere with the body’s endocrine system, which is responsible for producing and regulating hormones (WHO, 2012). These chemicals may mimic or interfere with natural hormones in the body, potentially disrupting normal hormonal balance. Some of these chemicals are sometimes referred to as xenoestrogens, meaning they can behave similarly to the hormone oestrogen. Just as unusually high or unregulated levels of oestrogen in the body have been linked to certain health conditions, some researchers believe that long-term exposure to certain EDCs may also affect hormone-related processes in the body.
Examples of these chemicals include phthalates, parabens, and bisphenols. Phthalates and bisphenols are chemicals commonly used in the production of plastics to make them softer, stronger, and more flexible. They are also used in products such as fragrances, lotions, and cosmetics to help retain scents and improve how products adhere to the skin.
It is important to note that these chemicals are not unique to sanitary products. Phthalates and bisphenols are widely used in many everyday items, including food packaging materials, plastic bottles (including baby bottles), shower curtains, detergents, toys, and nail polish (Wormuth et al., 2006). Because they are not chemically bound to plastics, they can slowly migrate into surrounding materials. As a result, most people are exposed to small amounts of these chemicals in their daily lives.
Previous research has suggested that exposure to high levels of phthalates may be associated with certain health concerns, including fertility issues in both men and women, endometriosis, and premature puberty. Other reported effects include contact dermatitis, disruption of thyroid function, elevated s*x steroid hormone levels, and the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body, which may contribute to oxidative stress.
To understand how these chemicals may end up in sanitary products, it is useful to consider how these products are manufactured. EDCs, particularly phthalates, can enter sanitary products during the manufacturing process. They may migrate from plastic components and hot-melt adhesives into the different layers of the products when the materials are assembled. Since similar chemicals are also present in many personal care products, they may also pe*****te the skin when these products are applied.
What Did the South African Study Find?
In their study, the researchers detected phthalates, parabens, and bisphenols in many of the products they tested. However, the estimated exposure levels from using these products were still within current safety limits for skin contact. The main concern raised by the researchers was not immediate toxicity, but the possibility of long-term exposure because menstrual products are used repeatedly over many years.
It is also important to note that earlier research has detected phthalates and other chemicals in sanitary pads and diapers, although the concentrations vary widely depending on the brand and type of product (Gao et al., 2018).
Understanding the Laboratory Results
One aspect of the study that should be carefully considered is the extraction method used during chemical analysis. The researchers dissolved the top layer of the sanitary products in methanol before analysing them. Methanol is a strong organic solvent that is very effective at extracting chemicals from materials. However, this does not perfectly represent real-life conditions, where the products come into contact mainly with menstrual fluid, vaginal fluids, or urine-like fluids, which are mostly water-based.
Because methanol can dissolve chemicals more efficiently than water-based fluids, the concentrations measured in the laboratory may represent the maximum amount of chemicals present in the material rather than the amount that would realistically migrate into the body during normal use.
In laboratory testing, strong solvents are often used to measure the total amount of a chemical present in a product. In real-life situations, however, only a fraction of these chemicals may migrate from the material into the body. The amount that migrates depends on several factors, including temperature, moisture, contact time, and individual differences such as metabolism, body size, and the use of other personal care products. Studies analysing urine samples have also shown that levels of these chemicals can vary depending on age, s*x, and patterns of product use, with higher levels often observed in females compared to males.
Conclusion
Overall, the study provides important information about the chemical composition of menstrual products sold in South Africa. While the levels detected were within current safety limits, the findings highlight the need for greater transparency from manufacturers and for further research on long-term exposure. Understanding where these chemicals come from and how they interact with the body can help consumers make informed choices rather than relying on fear or speculation.
Key Takeaways
The study detected endocrine-disrupting chemicals in some sanitary products sold in South Africa
The detected levels were within current safety limits for skin exposure.
Many of these chemicals are also found in everyday product such as plastics and cosmetics.
Laboratory extraction methods may detect the maximum possible amount of chemicals present.
More transparency from manufacturers and further research on long-term exposure are recommended.
Author: Mpho Sylvia Thamae
Email: [email protected]
References
Blignaut, J., et al. (2024). Occurrence of endocrine disrupting chemicals in sanitary pads and panty liners used in South Africa. Science of the Total Environment. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2026.181510
Gao, C. J., et al. (2018). Phthalate exposure from sanitary pads and diapers. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1539-6924.2006.00770.x
World Health Organization (WHO). (2012). State of the Science of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals. WHO/UNEP Report. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-53649-5.00009-7
