A saving grace for South African women?

It’s unlucky that hundreds of thousands of ladies throughout South Africa wrestle to realize entry to sanitary pads, a primary hygienic staple, but definitely one of the pricey.

At their core, sanitary pads are worn contained in the wearer’s underwear to seize menstrual blood movement. Concurrently, they supply consolation and assurance to the wearer as she goes about her day. Tampons carry out an identical perform, the distinction being that they’re inserted into the vagina to soak up menstrual blood earlier than it could actually movement out.

Nonetheless, studies IOL, in a rustic the place “interval poverty” is prevalent, the value of sanitary pads has soared to as a lot as R50. For these incomes low incomes or who hail from casual settlements, it could actually turn into unaffordable to buy pads each month.

LACK OF ACCESS TO SANITARY PADS IS DETRIMENTAL

Resultantly, they’re pressured to make do with substitutes within the type of newspapers or cloths. Failing this, the pains that durations carry can hamper one’s high quality of residing. Girls might miss work, which suggests shedding out on days’ price of earnings; likewise, ladies are liable to overlook a number of days of college every month.

The potential for well being points – together with susceptibility to reproductive and urinary tract infections – additionally will increase.

REUSABLE SANITARY PADS MAY BE THE SOLUTION

Reusable sanitary pads include many long-term advantages. Picture: Sarah Chai/ Pexels

Whereas there was some leeway in making these hygienic merchandise – together with interval panties and cups – extra accessible to South African girls, there exists one other answer that’s been largely ignored: reusable sanitary pads.

Like typical sanitary pads, reusable sanitary pads line the wearer’s underwear throughout menstruation. What makes this specific pad particular is that it may be washed and reused as a substitute of being thrown away. With correct upkeep, they will final for a number of years.

From an financial standpoint, shopping for a set of reusable pads as soon as off saves the wearer from spending exorbitant quantities on buying disposable pads month-to-month, if not every day.

Reusables are additionally eco-friendly, as their outer layer is often normal from fabric, whereas the inside layers encompass absorbent supplies akin to bamboo, natural cotton or hemp – excellent for laundry by hand or in a machine.

Compared, typical sanitary pads are non-biodegradable, as they include huge quantities of plastic, artificial supplies and dangerous chemical substances, together with phthalates, which have been linked with reproductive points, diabetes and even most cancers.

REUSABLE SANITARY PADS ARE PRICEY AND NOT WIDELY STOCKED

Very similar to their disposable counterparts, reusable sanitary pads may be steeply priced, relying on their measurement and blood movement absorbency ranges (gentle, medium and heavy). A single pad can price between R50 and R70.

What’s extra, a majority of those pads are solely accessible for buy on-line. This could be a headache for people with restricted or no Web entry. Transport prices additionally add to the issue, particularly if the client is situated in a distant space.

Whereas just a few retail pharmacies like Clicks do inventory reusable sanitary pads at decrease costs, they’re often smaller, are available the identical measurement and have a shorter lifespan.

ARE REUSABLE SANITARY PADS WORTH IT?

In brief, sure. Reusable sanitary pads are price it from an financial, eco-friendly and well being viewpoint. Whereas areas akin to accessibility and pricing may be improved, it could actually’t be denied that purchasing these pads as soon as off can present long-term advantages for the wearer.

By elevating extra consciousness about this product, it can definitely go a good distance in destigmatising menstruation, make clear sustainability and empower people concerning their reproductive well being.

Certainly, for the ladies and younger ladies of South Africa, these pads are an efficient device in sustaining their well-being, confidence and dignity.