The Softcare case has recently brought back into the spotlight the debate on the health consequences of using certain sanitary napkins, as well as the unanswered questions surrounding their composition. In Senegalese classrooms, maternity wards, and homes, these products are part of the daily lives of millions of women. Yet, behind this seemingly innocuous object lie health, environmental, and social risks documented by science, but still largely absent from the national public debate.

Public health studies, particularly those published in Population Health Metrics, demonstrate that period poverty directly contributes to the rise in infections among adolescent girls. This phenomenon is very real in Senegal. During a lecture at the John Fitzgerald Kennedy High School in Dakar, midwife Ramatoulaye Samb spoke about this invisible reality: “We see irritations and infections, especially among young girls who use the same sanitary pad all day due to a lack of resources. But it is almost never discussed as a public health issue.”

A chemical composition under close surveillance

The risk is exacerbated by the very composition of these products. A scientific review published in 2025 in the Journal of Materials Science reveals that disposable sanitary napkins are a concentrated mix of plastics, bleached cellulose, industrial adhesives, and super-absorbent polymers. The major problem lies in the lack of any requirement for complete transparency imposed on manufacturers. In Senegal, where the majority of sanitary napkins are imported, no specific controls are exercised on their chemical composition before they are placed on the market.

This lack of transparency is all the more worrying given that a systematic review published in the medical journal BJOG warns of the possible presence of phthalates, parabens, and bleaching residues such as dioxins. Experts point out that genital mucous membranes absorb chemicals more readily than normal skin. The absence of local research and control mechanisms reinforces the invisibility of what is nevertheless a serious risk to reproductive health.

A major environmental and social impact

Beyond individual health, the disaster is environmental. According to the Life Cycle Assessment of Menstrual Products study, a woman produces on average more than 150 kg of menstrual waste during her lifetime. In Senegal, this waste is not specifically sorted. It ends up in landfills or is burned in the open air, releasing toxic substances. In many municipalities, these used products clog drainage channels, a stark reminder that these sanitary products contain a significant amount of non-biodegradable plastic.

Finally, the social dimension remains the blind spot of public policy. For many Senegalese families, purchasing sanitary pads is not a budgetary priority. This financial insecurity forces young girls to use rags or paper, rudimentary methods that increase health risks and foster a sense of shame. According to Moussa Diallo, author of a study on the sector, "menstrual products can no longer be considered mere consumer goods, but rather a major public health issue."

Faced with this accumulation of scientific evidence, health professionals are calling for strict regulation, mandatory transparency on components and the integration of menstrual health into Senegalese school curricula.