The history of menstrual products: From ancient solutions to modern period underwear

Nowadays, there are virtually no restrictions on everyday life for women who have their period. This is largely due to the fact that there are many effective hygiene products and other aids that make these special days of the month easier.

But what did our female ancestors actually do when they were menstruating? After all, the hygienic conditions back then left a lot to be desired and you couldn't just go to the shop and buy period products.

In this article, we would like to give you a brief overview of the history of menstrual products.

Creative solutions for dealing with menstruation in ancient times

In ancient times, women had to get pretty creative when they had their periods due to a lack of alternatives. According to historical records, they often resorted to natural materials that were available to them at the time. What was available depended heavily on the geographical location and the corresponding resources.

In Egypt, for example, women used soft papyrus rolls as insoles. In Greece and Rome, on the other hand, women are said to have used pieces of wool, which they inserted into the vagina as a tampon. Some reports also suggest that Roman women used sponges soaked in vinegar. In this way, they wanted to disinfect them and make them reusable.

In many other cultures, women used materials such as grass, moss, linen or animal skin. In North America, for example, women of some indigenous peoples use moss or soft leather to absorb liquids.

Periods as a taboo in the Middle Ages

In the European Middle Ages, menstruation was largely a taboo subject and consequently there are few records of menstrual hygiene during this period. Many historians assume that women used simple pieces of cloth or rags, which they then washed and reused. The pieces of cloth were often cleaned in secret and also hidden, as menstruation was widely regarded as something unclean.

There is also evidence that women often did not use any special menstrual products during this time, but instead wore thick clothing or several layers of cloth to absorb the blood. Water and washing facilities were also very limited at the time, which made hygiene particularly complicated. Of course, the shame associated with menstruation didn't make things any better.

19th and early 20th century: The birth of modern menstrual products

With the advent of industrialisation and the introduction of new materials, the development of modern menstrual products also began. The first commercial sanitary towels came onto the market in the late 19th century. These were made of cotton and offered better absorbency than the previously used pieces of cloth.

Probably the most significant innovation in the history of menstrual products was the invention of the disposable sanitary towel. In 1888, the company Southall's in Great Britain launched the first patented disposable product on the market. In the USA, Johnson & Johnson developed their "Lister's Towels" in 1896 - the first commercially produced disposable sanitary towel in North America.

Tampons as we know them today became popular in the 1930s when Dr Earle Haas invented the modern tampon with an applicator and had it patented. In 1936, the product was launched under the brand name "Tampax" and revolutionised menstrual hygiene for many women. It offered a discreet and hygienic way to manage menstruation while remaining physically active.

The 1960s to 1980s: Even more options and new materials

The second half of the 20th century saw further significant advances in menstrual products. Women were given even more choice and comfort. In the 1960s, the first pads with adhesive strips were introduced, eliminating the need for tedious fastening with straps and bands. These pads revolutionised the market as they were easier to handle and more comfortable to wear.

In the 1970s, super-absorbent polymers were used in tampons and pads, which significantly improved absorbency. The products became even more compact and offered better protection.

However, there were also setbacks: In the 1980s, there was an increase in cases of toxic shock syndrome (TSS), which were linked to the use of superabsorbent tampons. This led to many women becoming sceptical about tampons and increasingly opting for pads again.

Sustainability and innovation in today's world

In recent decades, menstrual products have continued to evolve and adapt to the needs of modern women. In addition to comfort and discretion, two other major trends have crystallised today: Sustainability and reusability.

Based on these trends, more and more reusable hygiene products such as period underwear and menstrual cups or discs have been launched on the market in recent years. The increasing popularity of sustainable menstrual products also reflects a growing awareness of the environmental impact of disposable products. In Germany alone, around 10 billion tampons and sanitary towels are thrown away every year. Reusable products such as menstrual cups and period underwear help to reduce this waste.

The period in cultural change

Parallel to the evolution of menstrual products, society's approach to menstruation has also changed. While menstruation was often associated with shame in ancient times and the Middle Ages and was largely taboo, today we can talk about it openly and are more enlightened than ever before. Today, there are so-called menstrual activists who are calling for more openness in dealing with periods, better education and access to affordable menstrual products for all women.

If you take a look at the past, you can definitely see that we have already made a lot of progress in terms of dealing with menstruation, at least in industrialised countries. However, this is far from being the case everywhere. So-called menstrual activists are calling for more openness in dealing with periods, better education and access to affordable menstrual products for all women. The period revolution is therefore far from complete and is still in full swing.