There is increased use of reusable menstrual materials among Nigerian women. Only 23 per cent of women used it in 2018 but 41 per cent were using it by 2021.
On the other hand, 72 per cent of women were using single-use menstrual material (otherwise known as sanitary pads) in 2018. This figure dropped in 2021 when just 56 per cent of women used single-use sanitary pads.
While poverty plays a big role, other cultural and superstitious beliefs have made more women use reusable menstrual materials and fewer women use single-use menstrual materials.
Data from UNICEF on menstrual hygiene shows a 78.3 per cent increase among women aged 15 – 49 who use reusable material during their menstruation in 2021 compared to 2018.
The usage of reusable materials is larger in rural areas compared to urban ones. In rural Nigeria, 43 per cent of women used reusables in 2018. This has increased to 58 per cent of women in 2021.
Conversely, the number of women who use single-use materials in rural areas dropped from 51 per cent in 2018 to 39 per cent in 2021.
The urban areas also experienced an increase in the use of reusable materials. 11 per cent of urban women used reusable materials in 2018, but 23 per cent used them in 2021.
On the other hand, single-use menstrual material use in urban areas dropped from 85 per cent in 2018 to 74 per cent in 2021.
Though the proportion is larger in rural areas, the urban area experienced a greater increase over the period. There was a 109 per cent increase in the use of reusable materials in urban areas compared to 35. per cent in rural areas.
A civil society organization, End Water Poverty, identified financial burden as a challenge Nigerian women face in managing their monthly cycle. As such, they previously used unhygienic materials such as rags, toiletries, and the like.
Onasoga Olayinka echoed this in his article, pointing out that girls and women in developing countries like Nigeria can’t afford single-use sanitary pads. He advocated the use of reusable materials, which are cheaper and affordable.
In truth, most Nigerians can’t afford single-use pads, as data shows that 133 million Nigerians (65 per cent) live in poverty.
Ohenene Adinoyi said most women use at least two packs of pads monthly. This gives an average cost of N1,200 spent monthly or more depending on the product used.
“Since most women can’t afford to spend this much due to their financial situation, they resolve to cheaper options which are the reusable materials,” Ohenene pointed out.
While poverty remains the base for reusable menstrual materials, other salient cultural and superstitious beliefs exist.
Ohenene said that women see their period as secretive and will not want to expose their blood through the disposal of the pad as it’s not advisable to flush pads down the toilet. Thus, most feel more comfortable using reusable materials as they wash them after usage to maintain secrecy.
Fatima Sadiq identified some myths attached to the blood on pads people believe in.
“There is this notion that strangers can pick these pads with blood after being disposed of and used for ritual purposes. Some women have to wash the blood off the sanitary pads before disposing of them, so if picked, there will be no blood there,” Fatima said.
Fatima pointed out that for this superstitious belief, most women prefer to use reusable materials where they can wash off the blood.
What are Reusable Menstrual Materials?
Reusable menstrual materials are made of cloth which can be used severally. It is washed after 5-6 hours of usage, and its regarded as eco-friendly. Single-use materials are disposable pads made of plastic and other synthetic fibres. These are disposed of after usage and can’t be used more than once.
Single-use pads are made of chemicals that can irritate the skin and throw the body’s pH out of equilibrium. Reusable fabrics are both clothes and chemical-free, protecting the skin from bacteria while allowing it to breathe.
What Risk are they Exposed to?
Both reusable and single-use menstrual materials are considered safe.
However, reusable materials require extra effort to keep them safe and prevent infection. Reusable pads are best cleaned by soaking at 40 degrees before washing. Or soaked in cold water mixed with tea tree oil or other mild disinfectant before washing. And most importantly, they must be washed immediately after use.
Thus, to maintain proper menstrual hygiene using reusable material, there is a need for access to clean water. This is out of reach for many Nigerians, as over 60 million need access to clean water.
This makes them rely on dirty water sources for everyday needs; some have to walk long distances to get this water.
Lack of access to water makes the use of reusable menstrual materials unhygienic. This will expose the women to health hazards such as reproductive and urinary tract infections, which can cause infertility in the future and complicate labour and delivery.
This extra effort makes single-use pads preferable as they require less hygienic care, provided, proper means of disposal of the single-used pads are available.
But reusable materials are equally safe and pocket-friendly. The major challenge in this regard would be the need for access to clean water and other sanitary requirements.
Thus, ending poverty and demystifying superstitions would enable women to freely choose the type of menstrual materials they use.