WHEN PERIODS BECOME A SKIN BATTLE: Why Some Nigerian Women React to Sanitary Pads
Hope Ajayi 
ABUJA, Nigeria – For millions of Nigerian women, sanitary pads are an everyday part of menstruation. But for some, those few days each month can bring itching, rashes, burning, soreness and skin irritation severe enough to force them to abandon particular products. Others use the same types of pads without experiencing any reaction, raising a less straightforward question: what makes some women react while others do not. Hope Ajayi, reports that for Teofany Theophilus, an SS2 student at Excel Memorial Secondary School, Apo, the discomfort became so severe that she stopped using sanitary pads altogether. She said persistent itching and scratching eventually left her with injuries around her private area, with the problem appearing to worsen during successive menstrual cycles.
“The thing keeps getting worse every month, so I decided not to use it again,” she said.
Teofany said she had used Softcare and Always before her mother eventually took her to hospital after she developed what she described as an infection. She said she was treated and advised stopping using pads.
She has since switched to cotton wool, which she says feels softer and has not caused the same discomfort.
“Because it’s soft, I no longer have any injuries, no infection, no itchiness,” she said.
But her experience does not mean sanitary pads generally cause irritation.
For other women interviewed for this report, the problem appeared to be linked to particular products, while some experienced no irritation at all.
When One Product Stops Working
Aba Felicity said she developed severe rashes and itching around her buttocks after using Sofke Purple, a sanitary pad she had used for a long time without problems.
She said the reaction began about three months before the interview, prompting her to switch to another menstrual product that she found more comfortable.
There was, however, another obstacle: cost.
“It is very, very comfortable, but the price is so much. So, I cannot be using it all the time,” she said.
Her experience highlights an often-overlooked part of menstrual health: women do not always choose products based solely on comfort or preference. Price can determine whether someone can consistently use the product they find most suitable.
Opeyemi said she also experienced itching and reddish marks with some sanitary pads before switching to Bisens.
“Ever since I’ve been using Bisens, it’s been so nice on my skin. I don’t even know that I’m using a pad,” she said.
Another woman interviewed reported rashes around her bikini area and thighs while using a particular brand. She later switched to another product and experienced fewer reactions. She also said some menthol pads caused a burning sensation that eventually stopped.
Gloria Tabeyang, a self-employed events coordinator, similarly reported itching and dark bumps while using Angel’s Pad.
She described the sensation as “scratching” and “very uncomfortable” before switching to Dry Love, which she prefers because of its cooling sensation.
“There’s this soothing feeling it gives underneath that makes everywhere calm,” she said.
Not Every Woman Has the Same Reaction
For Zion Ibe, a student at the University of Abuja, sanitary pads have never caused itching, rashes or what she described as infections.
Some products, she said, are too short, while others feel too large or bulky inside her underwear.
“Since I started using the pad, I’ve not experienced any pad-related itching or discomfort or any infection from the pad,” she said.
While several women reported irritation after using particular products, others had no such problems. That suggests there is no single explanation for discomfort and no basis for assuming that every reaction is caused by sanitary pads themselves.
What Could Be Causing Irritation?
According to Nurse Jegede, a registered nurse and registered midwife working in maternal and child health, several factors can contribute to irritation.
These include individual skin sensitivity, materials used in menstrual products, fragrances and adhesives, tight clothing, prolonged use, moisture, friction and poor fit.
“Whatever the person is using, we just make sure it is not itchy, it is not damp, it is not contaminated, or it is not irritating the skin,” she said.
How long a woman wears a pad can also matter.
Nurse Jegede explained that leaving a pad on for too long, particularly after it becomes saturated, can increase moisture and friction. This may contribute to soreness, irritation and breakdown of the skin.
She advised women to change menstrual products regularly according to their flow rather than keeping the same pad on for extended periods.
The advice is not simply about the brand a woman chooses. It is also about how the product is used.
Hygiene Matters, Whatever the Product
Nurse Jegede also stressed the importance of hygiene during menstruation.
Women should wash their hands before and after changing sanitary pads and avoid harsh or fragranced substances around the vulva.
For those who use reusable cloth materials, she recommended washing them properly, rinsing them thoroughly, drying them completely and storing them in a clean, dry place.
She also urged caution when using cotton wool, noting the potential for lint, moisture retention and friction.
That warning is particularly relevant to Teofany’s experience. Although she says cotton wool has been more comfortable for her, an option that feels softer is not automatically the safest choice for everyone.
The same caution applies to menthol products.
Cooling does not necessarily mean being healthier.
“Because it has that mint cooling effect, it does not mean that the product is healthier or harmful,” Nurse Jegede said.
Instead, she said women should pay attention to whether a product is clean, comfortable and suitable for their individual needs.
When Itching Should Not Be Ignored
A recurring problem is the tendency to treat itching or irritation during menstruation as something women simply have to endure.
Nurse Jegede advises otherwise.
Women who develop itching, redness, burning or rashes after using a menstrual product should stop using the suspected product and try another suitable option. If symptoms persist or repeatedly return, they should seek medical advice rather than continuously changing products without identifying the underlying cause.
She also warned against using perfumes, antiseptics or other harsh substances to treat irritation around the genital area.
For adolescents, she said parents and caregivers have an especially important role to play.
Girls should be able to discuss menstrual discomfort without embarrassment, particularly when symptoms are persistent or severe.
The Bigger Issue Is Choice—and Access
The experiences of the women interviewed point to a more complicated reality than a simple question of whether sanitary pads are “good” or “bad”.
For some women, a particular brand may trigger discomfort. For others, the same or similar product may cause no reaction. Fit, absorbency, materials, moisture, personal sensitivity and how long a product is worn can all influence the experience.
Cost can make the situation even more difficult.
A woman may find a product that causes fewer problems but be unable to afford it throughout every menstrual cycle. Another may tolerate a cheaper product despite recurring discomfort because there are few practical alternatives.
That makes menstrual health more than a question of having access to a pad. It is also about having access to products that are safe, comfortable, affordable and appropriate for an individual’s needs.
For Nurse Jegede, the priority is straightforward: women should use menstrual products that are clean, absorbent and comfortable, maintain good hygiene and pay attention to persistent symptoms.
Most importantly, discomfort should not be normalised simply because it occurs during menstruation.
“Especially when they are getting the same reactions, they need to seek medical advice,” she said.
For women who spend several days each month managing pain, itching or irritation in silence, the message is clear: a menstrual product should make menstruation easier to manage—not become another source of suffering.
About the Author
Mirian Gom 
