Sanitary napkin, also known as sanitary napkin, is an absorbent material. The main material is cotton-like pulp and polymer absorbent. It is used to absorb menstrual blood that flows out of the vagina during women’s menstruation. .

There are some euphemistic and interesting nicknames for sanitary napkins among women, such as square cake, hamburger, black tea bag, strawberry bread, frozen tofu, etc. Hong Kong people usually refer to sanitary napkins as "M-napkins", where M is the abbreviation of Menstruation in English.

The history of sanitary napkins

Early women used sponges from the sea as a product to absorb menstrual blood. Women in ancient China used long cloth strips and placed them on their lower bodies to absorb blood, and then used them to absorb menstrual blood. Wash with water and alum before use. Women in some parts of Africa use fluffy feathers and pieces of cloth to pad their lower bodies, and collect the used feathers and pieces of cloth in small wooden barrels.

In 1921, the world's first disposable sanitary napkin came from the United States Kimberly-Clark (Kotex Corporation). In 1927, Johnson & Johnson also launched a sanitary napkin. Cotton brand--Modess.

The structure of sanitary napkins

The structure of sanitary napkins can be divided into surface layer, inner layer, side and back glue.

The surface layer is the part that is in direct contact with the skin, and its material must be soft. The weave and indentations on the surface determine the effect of absorbing menstrual blood and preventing it from seeping back. PE surface layer and cotton surface layer are the two most commonly used materials. The PE surface layer with microporous design can prevent menstrual blood from seeping back easily and give users a dry feeling. However, the material is hard and may cause allergic reactions in some users; Due to the improved absorbency design of cotton, the market share after 2001 has gradually become higher than that of sanitary napkins with PE surface.

The inner layer is mainly made of cotton, non-woven fabric, pulp or polymer composite paper formed by the above material composites, which is used to absorb the menstrual blood flowing out. The side design is mainly used to prevent side leakage, because when used, it will be at an angle with the sanitary napkin body, making it easier to rub against the groin. Therefore, sanitary napkins with soft material on the side are more popular among women. The adhesive on the sanitary napkin is made of impermeable material and can retain menstrual blood in the sanitary napkin. In the 1970s and 1980s, self-adhesive adhesive was developed to facilitate fixing the sanitary napkin to underwear.