Menstrual products used by millions of South Africans contain measurable levels of hormone-disrupting chemicals, reports Cape {town} Etc.
According to UFS the research analysed commonly sold sanitary pads and pantyliners and found every sample contained at least two endocrine-disrupting chemicals, raising concerns about long-term exposure for people who menstruate.
๐จ๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐ฑ๐ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ ๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ-๐ฑ๐ถ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฝ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฒ๐บ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐น ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฑ๐๐ฐ๐๐ ๐๐ผ๐น๐ฑ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฆ๐ผ๐๐๐ต ๐๐ณ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ
Menstrual products are used by millions of South Africans every month โ but new research from the University ofโฆ pic.twitter.com/U2VObbaMBL
โ UFS (@UFSweb) February 16, 2026
Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that mimic or interfere with the bodyโs hormones, and even low-level, repeated exposure can produce measurable health impacts. Researchers link such exposure to altered reproductive development and reduced fertility, menstrual irregularities and thyroid dysfunction, and to metabolic changes such as an increased risk of obesity.
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Laboratory tests detected phthalates, bisphenols and parabens across the products sampled, with bisphenols present in all pads tested and phthalates common in liners. The researchers described menstrual products as a ‘significant but overlooked source of toxic exposure’ย and provided estimates of daily exposure from typical use.
‘Our study highlights a concerning reality regarding the safety of menstrual products,’ said Visser, head of the chemistry department involved in the work.
‘Many sanitary pads and liners contain hormone-disrupting chemicals, even when they are marketed as being โfree from harmful chemicalsโ (insideeducation).
The research team urged clearer ingredient disclosure, stronger safety standards and ongoing monitoring to protect consumer health.
The study notes that while single exposures may appear small, repeated and long-term contact with sensitive tissues could carry cumulative risks and it calls for regulatory guidance and further investigation.
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