Feminine hygiene and products

feminine Hygiene is a general term used to describe Personal Care Products used by women during menstruation, vaginal discharge, and other bodily functions related to the vulva. sanitary Towels (also known as maxi-pads or napkins), panty liners, tampons, menstrual cups, and feminine wipes are the major categories of Feminine Hygiene Products.

Sanitary napkins

The functions of sanitary napkins are to absorb and retain menstrual fluid, and isolate menstrual fluids from the body. Important and desired properties are: no leakage, no unaesthetic appearance or color, no odor, no noise, stay in place, comfortable to wear (thin body shape), and a high level of hygiene.

The average sanitary napkin comprises 48% fluff pulp, 36% PE, PP and PET, 7% adhesives, 6% superabsorbent and 3% release paper. Options are available for napkins with fluff, airlaid or double fluff core, in combination with panty liners, additional core or materials, embossings,112 elastic cuffs, and with trifolders or single wrappers. Sanitary napkin-making machines available in the market have production speeds of around 500–1000 pieces per minute.

Panty shields

The function of panty shields is to protect underwear from vaginal discharge. Important and desired properties are sufficient absorption capacity, discretion, comfortable to wear (softness, body shape), and good hygiene. Pads and panty liners are mainly made of materials such as wood pulp, nonwoven fabrics made from polymers (PE, PP), SAP, and adhesives of natural and synthetic resins. These raw materials are chosen for their ability to absorb and retain fluids, to avoid leakage and to provide comfort.113 Panty shield-making machines available in market have production speeds of around 1500 pieces per minute.

Tampons

The most common type of Tampon in daily use is a disposable plug that is designed to be inserted into the vagina during menstruation to absorb the flow of blood. Its function is to absorb and retain menstrual fluid inside the body. Important and desired properties are no leakage, no odor, easy to insert, easy to remove, softness, comfortable to wear (dimensionally correct), high level of hygiene; the tampon should also be discreet.

Modern tampons are mainly composed of cellulosic absorbent material, either viscose rayon or a mixture of these fibers. In most instances, the absorbent core is covered by a thin, smooth layer of nonwoven or perforated film helping to reduce loss of fibers and making the tampon easy to insert and remove. The withdrawal cord that is necessary to remove the tampon is usually made of cotton or other fibers and can be colored.