Stanford researchers develop sanitary products from sisal

In California, for people who menstruate, access to affordable and hygienic period products is a necessity. A lack of pads, tampons, menstrual cups, or safe and hygienic facilities to use and dispose of them can affect attendance at work and school or participation in other aspects of daily life. Yet studies estimate that 500 million people – women, girls, and transgender and nonbinary individuals – don’t have access to the facilities and products they need to manage their period.

Researchers at Stanford are working to change this. They have developed a method to turn fibers from the sisal plant, Agave sisalana, into a fluffy, absorbent material for menstrual pads. Their work, published recently in Communications Engineering, could help small-scale manufacturers use locally sourced materials to create affordable, high-quality menstrual products for their communities.