The sanitary pad is a product of modern engineering designed to manage menstrual flow externally, combining absorbency, comfort, and discretion. While its existence is relatively recent, the need it addresses has driven human ingenuity for centuries. The path to the modern pad involved a complex evolution of materials and attachment technologies, transforming a cumbersome necessity into a convenient hygiene item. This history reflects changing social attitudes toward women’s health.
Early Methods of Menstrual Management
Before commercial products, women managed menstruation using a variety of makeshift and reusable materials. These historical practices were determined by available resources, cultural norms, and the need for discretion. Materials ranged from natural fibers and plants to carefully prepared cloth.
In ancient times, women utilized materials like papyrus in Egypt, softened plant fibers, or grass and moss. These materials were often fashioned into rudimentary pads or used as internal absorbents. For example, the Roman physician Soranus of Ephesus, in the 2nd century, suggested the use of wool for absorption.
Up to the late 19th century, the most common method involved reusable cloth, often called “rags.” These were typically pieces of flannel, cotton, or knitted material that had to be washed and boiled after use. While resourceful, this method was inconvenient, messy, and lacked the standardization needed for reliable protection.
The First Commercial Disposable Products
The transition from homemade cloth to disposable pads began in the late 19th century, spurred by medical advancements. The concept of a throwaway absorbent product arose from observing battlefield medical practices. Nurses in France during World War I noted that the cellulose-based dressings used for wounds were highly absorbent and cheap enough to be discarded.
This insight led to the creation of the first commercially available disposable sanitary napkins. Early examples include the Southall pad (1888) and Johnson & Johnson’s Lister’s Towels (1896). These initial disposable pads were made primarily from cotton, gauze, or wood pulp (cellulose).
A fundamental difference from modern pads was the attachment method. These thick, rectangular pads were not self-adhesive; they had to be secured using a specialized undergarment called a sanitary belt. This elastic belt featured clips or loops to hold the pad in place, a design that was uncomfortable and prone to slipping. Due to the self-consciousness associated with purchasing, some stores in the 1920s implemented a system where women could pay anonymously by placing money in a box.
The Invention of the Modern Adhesive Pad
The invention of the sanitary pad as recognized today centered on one technological breakthrough: the adhesive strip. This innovation eliminated the awkward and unreliable sanitary belt, fundamentally changing the user experience. Although an adjustable sanitary belt was patented in 1956, the self-adhesive pad began entering the market in the late 1960s.
The introduction of the full adhesive strip on the pad’s backing allowed the product to be secured directly to the crotch of regular underwear. This provided a level of convenience, security, and mobility previously unattainable. The first widely available self-adhesive pads were introduced around 1969.
The shift to adhesive backing coincided with the development of new materials that allowed for thinner products. Manufacturers began using polyethylene plastic as a leak-proof backsheet and improved pulp layers, making the pads more discreet and comfortable. This marked the end of the bulky, belted era and the beginning of the streamlined, self-adhering product.
Post-Invention Technological Refinements
Following the foundational shift to the adhesive-backed design, subsequent decades brought continuous technological improvements focused on increasing absorbency and enhancing fit. The 1980s saw the development of super-absorbent polymers (SAPs), granular materials capable of absorbing many times their weight in liquid. Integrating SAPs into the core allowed pads to become significantly thinner, leading to “ultra-thin” varieties while retaining high fluid retention capacity.
Another significant refinement was the addition of “wings,” adhesive side flaps that fold around the edges of the underwear. Introduced later in the 20th century, wings provided better security and protection against side leakage, improving the pad’s reliability during movement. Manufacturers also diversified the product line, introducing specialized designs for different needs, such as longer pads for nighttime protection and smaller liners. Modern refinements continue to focus on features like odor control, breathable layers, and sustainable materials.