Menstruation is not the most pleasant event in every woman’s life. Apart from the emotional swings, pain and cramps, we also struggle to somehow control our blood. Today, we have dozens of options to choose from, and we can buy the basic ones, i.e. sanitary pads and tampons, almost everywhere. In the past, women had to be more creative, although there were also solutions from producers.
What sanitary pads did our grandmothers use?
The sanitary pads our grandmothers used are difficult to compare to what we have today. Decades ago, you had to cope on your own. Our mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers sewed reusable sanitary pads and prototypes of menstrual underwear. They used whatever they could get their hands on, usually scraps of fabric, lignin or cotton wool. In Poland, mass-produced sanitary pads began to appear around the 1980s, but due to poor availability, most women had to make do on their own.
The situation was slightly better abroad. In the United States, the first personal hygiene products of this type appeared in stores in the 1920s. Although they were definitely a more convenient option than sewing underwear yourself, they were far from today’s products. A review of sanitary pads and tampons from years ago appeared on the profile of Jasmine Chiswell, the famous Marilyn Monroe lookalike.
The author of the recording decided to test the absorption of the substances used by women in the 1920s and later. It turns out that apart from their appearance and questionable comfort of use, menstrual products from years ago were not particularly absorbent. A particularly interesting specimen is something that looks rather specific. The pad and tampon from 1920 definitely did not look like something comfortable, let alone absorbent. We can see it below, and the remaining “specimens” can be found in our gallery at the top of the article and .
The sanitary pads our grandmothers used are difficult to compare to what we have today. The sanitary pads our grandmothers used are difficult to compare to what we have today. Facebook / Jasmine Chiswell
Sanitary pads available after 1950 began to resemble those we use today. They also had much better absorbency and looked much more comfortable – they had better, softer material and a structure that made it easier to keep them in place while walking. In the 1980s, self-adhesive ones appeared that had to be attached with safety pins.
What did sanitary pads look like in the past? “I don’t know how I could function with it”
There were a lot of women’s statements in the comments. Many of them began to share their patents on dealing with bleeding. Others sympathized with mothers and grandmothers who had to cope without the resources currently available.
Our poor mothers.
For several years I had to wear sanitary pads, which were used together with a special belt. When these self-adhesive ones went on sale, it was a huge help.
When my mother was a teenager, she also used belted sanitary pads. I don’t know how it was possible to function with it. I’m glad it looks different now.
I am glad that I live in times when women’s health is becoming a greater priority for society
– we read.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
