The painful reality of toxic, substandard sanitary towels

At just 25 years old, Kay never imagined that a simple necessity like a sanitary pad could leave her physically and emotionally scarred. What began as a trusted menstrual product soon turned into a nightmare, impacting her health, confidence, and overall well-being.

Her experience is not unique—it mirrors the distressing reality faced by countless Kenyan women who have suffered adverse reactions from a particular brand of sanitary pads

For years, Kay used the same brand of pads without any issues. In fact, she considered it one of the best in the market. But suddenly, something changed.

“At first, everything seemed normal. But then, barely an hour into wearing the pad, I would start feeling a burning sensation. If I continued using it, I developed rashes and burns,” she recalls. The pain became unbearable, with skin discolouration and peeling making even the simplest movements excruciating. “The itchiness was so intense I couldn’t sit still or focus on anything.”

Realising that her usual brand was the culprit, she switched to another. But the damage was already done. Kay began experiencing recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), forcing her to seek medical attention frequently.

“It became predictable. If I used that pad, I was sure to develop a UTI. I had to visit the hospital regularly, which was not only painful but also financially draining,” she explains.

Beyond the physical pain, the situation took a toll on her self-esteem. “As women, when something isn’t right down there, our confidence suffers. I constantly worried about whether people could notice if I smelled different. It was humiliating,” she admits. The anxiety forced her to avoid social outings, fearing the discomfort and potential embarrassment.

Towards the end of 2024, Kenyan women took to social media—Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram—to express their frustrations about the same sanitary pad brand. Complaints ranged from severe boils and extreme itchiness to skin burns, yeast infections, and even unusual urine odour.

“I bought ten packets of this brand because I had been loyal to it for years. Now, I have painful boils that won’t go away. The manufacturer must be held accountable!” wrote one Twitter user.

Another shared, “The itchiness was unbearable, and the smell was horrible. I had to see a doctor, and the treatment was expensive.”

Mothers also joined the conversation, warning others against purchasing the product for their daughters. “Please stop buying this brand for your girls. It’s causing nothing but harm!” one TikTok user urged.

However, this is part of a broader issue—growing concerns about the safety of menstrual hygiene products worldwide. A recent study led by a UC Berkeley researcher found that tampons from various brands contain toxic metals such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium.

Health concern

These metals pose significant health risks, including increased chances of infertility, dementia, diabetes, and cancer. Researchers warn that the vaginal mucosa is highly absorbent, making it easier for harmful substances to enter the bloodstream.

“Despite this large potential for public health concern, very little research has been done to measure chemicals in tampons,” said lead author Jenni A. Shearston. “To our knowledge, this is the first paper to measure metals in tampons. Concerning, we found concentrations of all metals we tested for, including toxic metals like arsenic and lead.”

The study examined 30 tampon brands and found metals present in all of them. Interestingly, lead concentrations were higher in non-organic tampons, while arsenic levels were higher in organic ones.

Metals can contaminate menstrual products in several ways—through polluted soil, air, or water during cotton cultivation or as additives during manufacturing. Researchers are now calling for stricter regulations and better transparency from manufacturers.

Back in Kenya, toxicologists admit that no research has been conducted to determine whether locally sold sanitary towels contain harmful chemicals.

“We have never tested Kenyan sanitary towels for dangerous metals such as lead, though we have examined other consumer products. We simply never considered sanitary towels as a potential risk,” says Dr Joseph Wahome, the chairperson of the Toxicology society of Kenya (TSOK).

This revelation raises critical questions about product safety and regulatory oversight. Could Kenyan sanitary pads contain harmful substances? Are they counterfeit? And why haven’t local authorities conducted extensive quality control tests?

Dr Fred Kairithia, a gynaecologist, suggests that women’s adverse reactions could stem from multiple factors: According to the doctor, some women may be reacting to materials, preservatives, or added chemicals in the pads.

“It manifests as a rash or eczema-like irritation, as the immune system perceives the substance as a threat, leading to an inflammatory response,” he explains.

Poorly designed or low-quality pads can cause friction burns, especially if they do not stay in place. “Continuous rubbing against sensitive skin can lead to irritation, burns, and even peeling.”

The gynaecologist adds, pads that are improperly stored or manufactured under unhygienic conditions can introduce bacteria or fungi, leading to infections such as UTIs, bacterial vaginosis, and yeast infections.

Dr Kairithia further discourages self-medication, warning that home remedies like garlic can worsen infections. Instead, he advises women to seek medical treatment immediately if they experience any adverse reactions.

Many consumers are advocating for greater transparency from manufacturers and stricter regulatory oversight to ensure the well-being of users.

The Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek) has stepped into the fray, highlighting significant gaps between marketing promises and product reality. “We learned of the complaints from social media,” said Stephen Mutoro Cofek Secretary General.

According to Cofek, the issues stem from “technical hitches in the manufacturing process where certain chemicals are used either without meeting Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) standards, or their quality and quantities do not meet specifications.”

For those affected, Cofek has outlined clear paths to seek redress. “Victims can seek refunds and compensation, especially those who can prove from doctors’ reports that they experienced boils, rashes, and other effects after using the pads,” the federation stated. More significantly, Cofek has suggested the possibility of a class action lawsuit, inviting affected consumers to unite under their banner or other representative organizations to seek legal remedy.

The federation’s advice to consumers is unequivocal: “Vote with your feet on such products – boycott them until such a time that their use won’t occasion health or economic challenges.”

Feeling unheard

Meanwhile, Kebs maintains that sanitary towels meet quality standards before they enter the market.

Imported sanitary towels undergo similar scrutiny through the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVOC) program. Yet, despite the growing complaints, Kebs claims it has not received formal reports regarding sanitary pads.

“We conduct regular market surveillance to monitor the quality of sanitary towels available to consumers. However, we currently have no evidence that these products are unsafe, so no recall has been ordered,” Kebs stated.

The response from manufacturers has left many Kenyan women feeling unheard and unprotected. Without thorough independent testing of sanitary products in the market, their safety concerns remain unresolved, hanging like a dark cloud over an industry that millions depend on monthly.

However, Kenyan law provides several powerful avenues for accountability. The constitution itself guarantees every person the right to the highest attainable standard of health and consumer protection – fundamental rights that ensure protection from unsafe goods and access to accurate product information.