X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parenting & Play by Friso
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-schooler
    • Kids
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • Money Parenting
    • Tips for Parents
    • Tips for Toddlers
    • Tips for Older Kids
    • The 5 Personas
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

Learn Why Men Used Sanitary Pads Before Women

5 min read
Learn Why Men Used Sanitary Pads Before WomenLearn Why Men Used Sanitary Pads Before Women

Experts came up with the first-ever disposable sanitary pads for men, not women.

Many years ago, men used sanitary pads first before women. Experts came up with the absorption material to help injured and bleeding men. However, the pads proved more useful for the monthly bleeding of women. 

In this article, you’ll read:

  • Men Used Sanitary Pads First Before Women
  • What Did Women Use for Their Period Before Sanitary Pads and Tampons?
  • The First Disposable Sanitary Pads Intended for Women’s Use

Men Used Sanitary Pads First Before Women

In celebration of the Menstrual Hygiene Day on the 28th of May, let’s look at how sanitary pads were first used. Back then, experts came up with the first-ever disposable sanitary pads for men, not women. At that time, men used it to cope with other kinds of bleeding.

Around the 1700s, then-president Benjamin Franklin thought of creating a highly absorbent pad for bleeding soldiers. He wanted an absorbent material crafted with easy disposal after use.

Franklin wanted to help wounded soldiers control bleeding of a different kind back then. He also proposed this for the convenience of men in battle.

Afterwards, experts eventually came up with sanitary pads with easy access on the battlefield. The materials they used included wood pulp bandages. These materials contain decent absorbency and convenient disposal.

What Did Women Use for Their Period Before Sanitary Pads and Tampons?

men used sanitary pads

Image source: iStock

Before the 1700s, women were, of course, menstruating as well. Did you ever wonder how they dealt with their menstrual hygiene at that time? Without disposable sanitary pads and tampons, women needed resourcefulness to use some form of menstrual protection. 

Back then, women used menstrual rags. Aside from that, women also lined their underwear with any cheap and absorbent material or cloth.

In China, women crafted their sanitary pads by tightly wrapping sand in a piece of cloth. Once the pad is wet, the women discard the sand and wash the pouch for the next use.

Other women from different countries used moss or grass. With this one, people wonder if they also had to grapple with frequent infections in their private areas. 

Up until now, it’s still unclear why American and European women in the 1700s to 1900s don’t use menstrual rags. According to some, it could be because of the extreme poverty the majority of the population has to go through. Back then, some could afford to use knitted pads, sheep’s wool, or rabbit fur. 

The First Disposable Sanitary Pads Intended for Women’s Use

In the 1890s, the first disposable sanitary pads for menstrual use finally came out. These were inspired by French nurses who used pads for soldiers to use on the battlefield. It was a pad stuffed with absorbent wood pulp to stop excessive bleeding during a battle. Below, we listed some of the earliest brands that produced sanitary pads.

Johnson and Johnson’s Lister’s Towels

The Johnson and Johnson’s Lister’s Towels came out in 1896. It was one of the first sanitary pads invented back then. Unfortunately, they could not properly introduce it to the market; that’s why not many women knew about it. 

Kotex

Do you ever wonder how women discovered sanitary pads when most people could not even talk about it? Fortunately, in 1921, Kimberly-Clark got around it by getting women to ask for pads by the brand Kotex. Kotex is the short term for cotton-like texture; the name is still synonymous with sanitary pads today. 

Back then, some women were embarrassed to approach the male clerk for Kotex, so they had another option. Boxes of disposable sanitary pads were placed on the cashier’s countertop. In that way, women could simply pick up a box and drop the money into a particular payment box. It makes Kotex one of the first self-service items in America. 

Sanitary Pads Now Are Different From What Women Use Before

men used sanitary pads

Image source: iStock

The early sanitary pads were nothing like the version we are familiar with at present. Before, sanitary pads resembled cotton wool held in netting with loops on each end. 

Additionally, women wore sanitary pads with a belt to keep them in place. Unfortunately, this method provided little success because they tended to shift forward or backwards. 

After a few more decades, experts finally came up with the sanitary pads we know today. Women eventually got access to stick-on pads in the 1980s. 

Tampons as Contraception

The earliest version of tampons was not always used for period protection. People in the past, particularly the ancient Egyptians and Romans, used fashioned tampons as contraception. In other records, they used tampons to stop the bleeding of bullet wounds.

Tampons were also used as pessaries for delivering medicine into the vagina and cervix. Concerning this, the effectiveness of tampons as a form of contraceptive is highly questionable. 

Indian Express, CNA Lifestyle

ALSO READ:

Postpartum Guide: When Will My Period Come Back After Birth?

Ahn Bo-Hyun Donates Over 12,000 Sanitary Pads, Strong Woman Do Bong-Soon Gets Sequel, Our Blues Casts Actress With Down Syndrome

Women’s Health 101: Let’s Talk About Common Gynaecological Conditions

Partner Stories
Experiencing Mood Swings, Irregular Periods and Weight Gain Among Other Things? Here’s What You Need to Know About Hormonal Imbalance
Experiencing Mood Swings, Irregular Periods and Weight Gain Among Other Things? Here’s What You Need to Know About Hormonal Imbalance
Is the Spice in Your Life Taking a Toll on Your Tummy?
Is the Spice in Your Life Taking a Toll on Your Tummy?
Read This Before You Enjoy the Satisfaction of Cracking Your Joints!
Read This Before You Enjoy the Satisfaction of Cracking Your Joints!
Pregnancy 101: 6 Types of Pains and Ways to Manage Them
Pregnancy 101: 6 Types of Pains and Ways to Manage Them

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Kamille Uriella Batuyong

  • Home
  • /
  • Health
  • /
  • Learn Why Men Used Sanitary Pads Before Women
Share:
  • ‘He Was Naughty and Playful’, Says Neighbour of Toddler Who Died After Getting COVID-19

    ‘He Was Naughty and Playful’, Says Neighbour of Toddler Who Died After Getting COVID-19

  • MOH Reports Youngest COVID-19 Death in Singapore

    MOH Reports Youngest COVID-19 Death in Singapore

  • MOH Looks Into 2 COVID-19 Vaccines for Kids Under 5

    MOH Looks Into 2 COVID-19 Vaccines for Kids Under 5

app info
get app banner
  • ‘He Was Naughty and Playful’, Says Neighbour of Toddler Who Died After Getting COVID-19

    ‘He Was Naughty and Playful’, Says Neighbour of Toddler Who Died After Getting COVID-19

  • MOH Reports Youngest COVID-19 Death in Singapore

    MOH Reports Youngest COVID-19 Death in Singapore

  • MOH Looks Into 2 COVID-19 Vaccines for Kids Under 5

    MOH Looks Into 2 COVID-19 Vaccines for Kids Under 5

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2022. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and updates on baby care and health.