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…An agency investigates a certain product because women report itching, burning sensations, and other reactions
…Regulator launches laboratory tests after concerns over substances allegedly found in menstrual products
Daud Olatunji
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration has launched new investigations into the safety of disposable sanitary pads sold in Nigeria following growing concerns about their chemical composition and possible health effects.
The agency said it has initiated laboratory evaluation of a certain absorbent product and has also conducted a surveillance exercise to determine the presence of volatile organic compounds in selected registered absorbents.
The development follows renewed concerns on social media over claims that potentially harmful substances have been detected in some healthcare products, as well as reports by some women of itching, burning sensations, infections and perceived changes in menstrual flow after using certain brands.
However, NAFDAC stressed that concerns must be subjected to scientific investigation before conclusions are drawn about the safety of specific products.
The agency said a complaint about a named sanitary napkin had already led to the product being sampled for laboratory evaluation.
The testing, according to NAFDAC, includes examinations of microbial limits and skin irritation as part of efforts to determine whether the product meets applicable safety requirements.
“A complaint received about a named sanitary napkin is currently under investigation as the product has been sampled for laboratory evaluation for safety, including testing for microbial limits and skin irritation,” the agency said.
Beyond the specific complaint, NAFDAC said it has initiated an evaluation of volatile organic compounds in selected sanitary pads with valid marketing authorization.
The move is significant because VOCs are chemical compounds that can evaporate into the air, and concerns about their presence in menstrual products have generated public debate in recent years.
NAFDAC said it is also reviewing the regulatory experience of other countries, including South Korea, in monitoring and reducing VOCs in menstrual products.
The agency said the findings could inform further regulatory measures, including testing and monitoring of VOCs, restrictions on substances of regulatory concern, disclosure of fragrances and other relevant components, and stronger post-market surveillance.
It added, however, that any additional requirements would only be introduced based on scientific evidence, risk assessment and consultation with stakeholders.
The latest investigation follows growing discussions online over claims of chemicals allegedly detected in sanitary pads following studies conducted in 2024 by scientists from the Nigerian Defense Academy and the Air Force Institute of Technology.
One doctor, Aniekwe Donald, had questioned what regulators had done about the released findings and called for more transparency regarding the chemical composition and safety requirements applicable to sanitary pads sold in Nigeria.
Concerns were also amplified by reports from some women who said they experienced adverse reactions after using certain brands.
Some users have reported itching, burning sensations and infections, while others have complained of changes in menstrual flow.
However, there are also consumers who have reported using the same products for years without experiencing similar problems.
Health professionals have therefore urged caution in treating individual experiences or claims circulating online as conclusive evidence that an entire product or category is unsafe.
Pharmacist Ezekiel Daniel warned that people may have different sensitivities or allergies to particular products and said adverse reactions should be studied scientifically.
He also urged NAFDAC to publicly clarify what the scientific studies cited online have actually established.
NAFDAC said disposable pads are classified as Class I medical devices and are subject to regulatory requirements covering registration, laboratory evaluation, manufacturing processes and post-market surveillance.
The agency said it applies the relevant Nigerian industry standard, NIS 291, developed by the Standards Organization of Nigeria, when evaluating disposable sanitary napkins.
It added that manufacturers must meet applicable quality management requirements, while product labeling is reviewed to ensure consumers receive the information necessary for safe use.
The regulator also rejected claims that it does not test disposable pads.
According to the agency, laboratory evaluation is conducted on products submitted for regulatory approval, as well as products sampled during postmarket surveillance.
NAFDAC emphasized that the approval of an absorbent product does not mark the end of regulatory oversight.
It said registered products remain subject to post-market monitoring, while complaints and reports of suspected adverse reactions can trigger investigations and possible regulatory action.
The agency said its Greenbook contains numerous locally produced and imported sanitary pads with valid registrations.
However, he stressed that such registration does not protect products from further scrutiny if new evidence or complaints emerge.
NAFDAC said it is reviewing emerging scientific evidence relating to menstrual products and will strengthen its regulatory framework where necessary.
For millions of Nigerian women and girls who depend on sanitary pads every month, ongoing laboratory investigations could provide important evidence on the safety of the products widely used across the country.
The agency said its primary goal is to protect public health and assured consumers that concerns about menstrual health products would be evaluated through scientific evidence, laboratory testing and regulatory investigations.
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